February25, 2007
1st Sunday of Lent

Parish
Worship
Christian Formation
Campus Ministry
Justice & Peace
Community Meetings, Retreats, Etc.
Finances
Readings

Parish

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Next Sunday, March 4, at our 11:30 AM Mass here at St Thomas, we will be honored by the presence of His Eminence, Sean Cardinal O’Malley, the Archbishop of Boston, who will be the Principal Celebrant and Homilist for the Mass. Now, why would Cardinal O’Malley be coming here to St Thomas? you ask. Because he’s a close personal friend of our dear Deacon Frank Veraart and his wife Marleen, who will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary with the renewal of their vows followed by a reception in St Thomas Hall. When Deacon Frank traveled over to Rome for the Consistory at which Archbishop O’Malley was created a Cardinal, he asked his friend if he would come to Charlottesville to help them celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Now, how did Deacon Frank become personal friends with a Cardinal?? Deacon Frank was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of St Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Cardinal O’Malley was Bishop of St Thomas from 1984-1992, Deacon Frank and Marleen moved to the Charlottesville area in 2000, to be closer to some of their children and grandchildren and for the better medical care, and we were blessed to “inherit” Deacon Frank here at St Thomas. So please join the Dominican community next Sunday in celebrating with Deacon Frank and Marleen Veraart and their family and friends as we give thanks to God for the blessing of their 50 years of married life!


fr Brian, OP

REGULATIONS FOR FAST AND ABSTINENCE

Fasting: is to be observed on Good Friday by all 18 years of age and older, who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday. On a fast day one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one's needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are allowed.
Abstinence: is observed by all 14 years of age and older. On days of abstinence no meat is allowed. Note that when health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. The Fridays of Lent and Good Friday are days of abstinence.
Note: If a person is unable to observe the above regulations due to ill health or other serious reasons, other suitable forms of self-denial are encouraged. Fasting, almsgiving, and prayer are the three traditional disciplines of Lent. The faithful and catechumens should undertake these practices seriously in a spirit of penance and of preparation for baptism or of renewal of baptism at Easter.

All of the names on our prayer list are now posted on the Milagros. If you would like to add or take off a name, please call the Parish Office.

Finances

Parish Center Debt Elimination Campaign

We welcome Cazin Michael School and Hayward Randolph Wilkinson and who through Baptism were received into our faith community.

Parish Activities

Lenten Soup Supper - every Fri. during Lent the K of C will provide a light supper of soup, bread and water following the 5:15 Mass in St. Thomas Hall, followed by Stations of the Cross at 7:30 PM. Please join us.

Learn about Lent together! Join us for Generations of Faith: Lent –Sat. March 3, 9:30-11:30AM. SIGN-UP in the LINK Feb. 18 & 25. All parishioners are invited to gather to prepare each person for the Season of Lent. Gen. of Faith is for everyone of all ages! As a community we will share breakfast, learn about Lent, break into smaller learning groups by age, close together, and leave with materials to help everyone dive deeper into Lent in their own homes. Meet someone new, do something together as a family, or learn a new way to grow close to Christ this Lent. Join us! Interested in helping? Contact: Trish, Julie, or Mike.

Operation Rice Bowl: pick up a bowl in the link! As part of our faith community’s Lenten observance, we will participate in Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten program, Operation Rice Bowl. ORB has inspired Catholics to pray, fast, learn and give as we increase our understanding of the global community and connect that with the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. We encourage you to participate at home with your family and loved ones. Take an educators guide to conduct lessons at home. When returning your bowl, please convert your collected coins and cash into one check.

Coordinator of Elementary Religious Education: St. Thomas is seeking applicants for the position of Coordinator of Religious Education for children’s faith formation pre-K–5 grade, including preparation for 1st Reconciliation & 1st Communion, recruiting and training catechists, maintaining a safe environment in accord with Diocesan regulations, as well as working closely with the Youth Minister, Coordinator of Middle School RE, and parish staff for parish-wide education programs. The position is a 10-month (Aug 1- May 31) 40hr/wk (negotiable), including coordinating Vacation Bible School, and requires weekend and often evening hours. Applicant should have a B.A. in theology or related field, or equivalency in class work, and 3+ years experience as a catechist or teacher. Familiarity with “Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” or Montessori methods preferred. Interested candidates should submit a resume and list of references to the parish office, Attn: R.E. Position, by Mar. 5. Salary & benefits in accord with the Diocesan pay scale.

All New Parish Members: please stop by the welcome table in the Link to pick up your new parishioner packet.

Worship

Contact Marta - 293-8081x18 marta@stauva.org
Brian Sousa - 293-8081x19 music@stauva.org

Liturgical Ministers Schedule: for March is now available. Please see our website or pick up a copy in the Coordinators’ Room.

24-Hour Eucharistic Adoration: Come Let Us Adore Him! Every Wed/Thurs in Our Chapel. If you are able to commit to an hour before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, contact Lori Donlon (293-3873/lorianned@gmail.com).

9AM Sunday Choir: will rehearse on Saturdays,1PM in the Music Room. All Interested, are welcome to participate.

Music Lessons: Anyone interested in taking piano, organ, or voice lessons is encouraged to contact Brian Sousa for more details.

Music PR Group Needed: If you can give a little time or more than a little you’re encouraged to joining this very important and necessary group which will help to advertise special music events such as the upcoming concert series at the church. For more info please contact Pat Cuadros, Artistic Director and President of Music Promotional Affairs, at pac2g@virginia.edu or 434-996-3566.

Religious Education/Youth Ministry/Lifeteen

RE Contact Trish Madden – 293-8081 reled@stauva.org
YM Contact Mike School 293 8081x16 youth@stauva.org

www.st-thomas-aquinas.org/Youth..htm

Children’s Liturgy of the Word: for grades K-3 at 9 AM Sunday Mass.

First Communion Parents: Feb. 11, we had a parent meeting that many parents missed. Hand-outs are available on the RE table and will be posted on-line. All parents should have received an email from Trish Madden on Fri. Feb. 16th. If you did not receive one, please email her ASAP. Correction from parent hand-out: Rehearsal for 1st Communion Liturgy will be Wednesday, May 2nd.

Confirmation Students: Be sure to get your sponsor forms and baptismal certificates in ASAP. They are PAST DUE!

EE/ EDGE/LT: CLASSES this weekend 2/25. No classes March 4.

EE/EDGE/LT: For Lenten Almsgiving, we are in collecting items from children in grades K-11 for our deployed troops. Mar 11 bring AA or D batteries. Flyers sent home Feb. 24 with for additional items and info.

Mar. 4 - No EDGE/LT: Instead, Bowling at Keglers, 6:45-9PM (Bring $). Monday Night Live: Feb. 26 & Mar 12 - Take a "Wii" break and hang out in the youth room from 7-9PM.

Mar. 5: Join us at Arch's on Ivy Rd. from 7-9PM for Ice Cream (Bring $).

Rock Climbing - Sat. Mar. 17th at RockyTop 1-4PM ($8)

Relay for Life: High School & Middle School youth are invited to join the St. Thomas team, May 12-13. Contact Nate: ngsmit@gmail.com.

ADULT EDUCATION

Interested in becoming Catholic? Know a non-Catholic who would be interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith? Contact Fr. Dominic (frdominic@stauva.org) for further information.

RCIA: Next week. Ash Wednesday (Go to Mass). Sun Feb 25, 9 AM Mass: Rite of Sending. Sun, Feb 25, 2PM: Rite of Election at the Cathedral

Adult Confirmation: Are you baptized Catholic but never received the Sacrament of Confirmation? Contact Fr. Dominic (frdominic@stauva.org) for info. about confirmation for adults.

Catholicism 101 : A study group on the Catechism of the Church with video presentations by Fr John Corapi meets selected Saturdays at 10 AM in the Community Room of St Thomas Aquinas Church. The next sessions will be "Intro to the Sacraments" on 3 March and "Baptism & Confirmation" on 17 March. For info contact sackandpam@comcast.net.

Women's Little Rock Scripture Study combines personal study, group discussion and prayer to facilitate growth in the Spirit. Please join us this winter studying the Book of Isaiah. We meet Tues, 9-11AM in the Community Room at St. Thomas. Childcare can be made available for a fee. Please call Patty Gazewood 973-6802 or gazewood@earthlink.net if you have any questions.

Justice & Peace
Contact Mary Kirwan-295-1885 W, 295-7950 H kirwanm@adelphia.net
Bridget Davis-964-1127 bnfdavis@cstone.net

Haiti Sponsors: We still have many students who need sponsors. Please stop by the table and find that "special" child who is waiting for you.

Haiti Prayer, Study and Solidarity Group: will meet Wed, Feb 28, 7 PM at Incarnation to begin its study of Paul Farmer's Uses of Haiti. All who are involved in twinning ministry or interested in global solidarity are invited to attend. For info, contact Rhonda at 973-4381.

Haiti Speaker: Dr. Paul Farmer, subject of the biography, "Mountains Beyond Mountains" will speak at Holy Comforter on March 11 at 7 PM. Dr. Farmer founded Partners in Health a medical service which brings free first world health care to Haiti. Don't miss him.

Food Collection During Lent we are collecting food for the Emergency Food Bank. Needed: juice concentrate, cereal, rice, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, canned vegetables, soups, beans, fruit, chicken and tuna Thank You!

Warmth for Everyone Collection: Thank You for your generous support and your help in keeping others warm this winter! Terra Bella Cleaners are still collecting winter coats; if you would like to donate please drop them at their stores at Ivy Square, Shopper’s World or Pantops. Thank You!

Sister Helen Prejean, renowned speaker on the death penalty will be at St Thomas on Thurs, April 26, 7:30PM. Her talk is entitled “Dead Man Walking…the Journey Continues”.

Good News Jail & Prison Ministry’s Annual Spring Banquet: Fri, Mar 16, 6 PM, at 1st Baptist Church on Park St. This year’s dynamic speaker is Ch’ville Police Chief Timothy Longo. For info. or to reserve tickets, contact Rob Schilling, 293-1186. Thank you for your support of this vital ministry.

Blind Parishioner Needs a Ride to Sunday Mass: Please call the parish office if you can help.

PRO-LIFE

Pray to End Abortion: in front of Planned Parenthood on Hydraulic Rd, Wed.-Sat., the days when abortions take place. Contact Nicole: nicole@verners.com or Scarlett at 296-8070.

10th Annual Respect Life Ministry Dinner Event: Tues., Mar 20, dinner at 6:45 PM, Speaker Dr John Seeds, 7:30-9PM, at Church of the Epiphany, Smoketree Dr off of Courthouse Rd., Richmond. Cost $3 - Reservations Requires. Call 804-794-0222.

Post-Abortion Ministry: Do you suffer from guilt from a past abortion? Come be set free! Are you hesitant to talk about it? You are not alone. Be free of the stress and the pain. Healing comes through this very private, confidential Bible study. Sessions are FREE, schedule is flexible. A few benefits of this counseling include renewed joy, release from guilt and sadness, and deeper intimacy with family and friends. Please call Ruth at (434) 973-0680 to sign up.

Campus Ministry

UNDERGRADUATES(CSM)

Kevin Simowitz: kjs5e@virginia.edu
Fr. Luke Clark: lukeop2828@hotmail.com

Tuesday Supper: We had a great turnout of new students join us last week! Thank you for coming and we hope to see you and everyone who would like to join us at 6:00 PM on Tuesday in St. Thomas Hall for a free dinner and great company.

Fireside Mass: CSM celebrates Mass as a small, student community every Thurs, 9 PM in the Student Center. All students are welcome!

See our website! For a calendar of all our upcoming events and info to contact Team members:, http://www.student.virginia.edu/~catholic/.

Spring Break Trips: Catholicism, Service Work, and Social Justice: Email Nikola at nikola@virginia.edu for info. Locations: Hurley, VA, Camden, NJ and our very own C’ville.

Encounter with Christ Retreat, March 22-25 Take a break to refocus your relationship with God, and get to know other Catholic college students in Virginia. Interested? Email beckah@virginia.edu

YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

A ministry for young professionals & graduate students ages 21-35 Contact: Rhoda Hernandez - rhodahernandez@gmail.com

Salvation Army Food Bank: Needs help organizing its food bank on Sat mornings from 10:30-12:30; other times are also available. Contact Beth at eab7f@virginia.edu.

First-Sunday Lunch Out: After the 11:30AM Mass on Sun, Mar 4, we'll meet by the sacristy. Come on out and meet some folks in YAM!

Young Adult Symposium: Fr. John Cusick and Ms. Kate DeVries from Chicago are coming to Richmond on March 10. Teams of young adults from parishes are invited to this symposium. Contact Rhoda.

Charlottesville Catholic School

Phone: 964-0400. Web site at www.cvillecatholic.com

Community Meetings, Retreats, Etc.

Five Guys for Cameroon: Sun, Feb 25, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, in the Barracks Road Shopping Center, will open its doors in support of Alternative Spring Break Cameroon. From 11 AM to 9PM, Five Guys will donate 100% of their profits to help 12 UVa students, participating in an ASB trip, fund their task.

Young Scout Retreat: Sat, Mar 10, at OL of Lourdes Church on Woodman Road in Richmond, 9-12 noon. This retreat is for boy and girl scouts ages 5-10. The theme is “DEUS LO VOLT – God Wills It”. They will earn the Rosary Patch as well as the event patch. For info contact Chris Michelson at jsomomcjm@comcast.net or go to the www.cvccs.org A Scout Is Reverent. We will close with a living rosary.

Attention Scout Leaders: Boys & Girls ages 5-20. We are looking for a few good Scouts to be recognized at the Cathedral Scouting Celebration Sat, Mar 24, 11:30 AM. Youth & Adults will be recognized for earning the Religious Emblem in their grade level. If you have not sent in your form, do so now. For info, go to www.cvccs.org for forms, awards contact Mike menefeem@yahoo.com or Nancy nfonseca@richmonddiocese.org or call 804-338-9029. All are Welcome.

Separated or Divorced Catholics: a tri-parish support group to spiritually nurture & support Catholic men & women going through the process of separation or divorce. Meetings will be held the first and third Mon. of every month, at Incarnation, 7 PM, room # 9. Contact Lauryn Mathena-Armstrong, Outreach Coordinator at Incarnation, at 973-4381 X 112 or lauryn@incarnationparish.org. All inquiries will be kept confidential.

Piedmont Court Appointed Special Advocates: (CASA) needs caring citizens to advocate for abused and neglected children in our community. No special expertise or legal background is required, but you must be at least 21 years of age. Training begins March 13. Please call Piedmont CASA at 971-7515, email pcasa@earthlink.net or visit avenue.org/casa.

Pilgrimage to Italy: Sept 19-29, 2007. Visit Siena, Florence and Rome with Fr. Brian and fellow parishioners. $300.00 deposit due by June 15th. Detailed flyer in link. For info. or to register, contact Marta Brannon 293-8081x18 or marta@stauva.org

Readings for the Week of February 25, 2007