April 29, 2007
4th Sunday of Easter

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

Parish

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

I wanted to bring your attention to an exciting change here at St Thomas that will make its appearance in the next few weeks. (I can hear the groans now: “What’s next?? He’s already put kneelers in!”) No, no, it’s nothing like that. It’s about our weekly bulletin. Within the next several weeks, we are going to be changing to a new 8-page format for our bulletin, which means we will have a lot more space in our bulletin and we won’t have to use such a small print font! Yay!! Pretty soon you will not have to squint to read the bulletin any more!

This is not going to cost the parish anything additional, because the bulletin company gets its revenue from the ads in the bulletin. There will be an extra page of ads, so if you have a local business or service and are not yet advertising in our parish bulletin, please call the Parish Offices, and we can tell you how to take one out. With the front and cover and the extra page of ads, that means we will have five blank pages for our parish use each week. Whenever a group in the parish wants to “stuff” the bulletin with a flyer, in the future all they will need to do is get us the flyer before the weekly deadline, which will change to Tuesdays at noon, and the flyer will actually be one of the pages of the bulletin. We also hope to be able to provide at least half a column for the various ministries of the parish for their weekly updates and activities.

So keep an eye out for the “new and improved” St Thomas Parish Bulletin in the next several weeks!

fr Brian, OP

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 Josie Mackenzie Galvin, Alex Joseph Fischer, Andrew Robert Fischer and Moira Kathleen Roderique who through Baptism was received into our faith community.

Parish Activities

Blood Drive - Give a little & Save a Life! Sun April 29, 8:30AM – 1PM in the St. Thomas CSM room. Sign up in the Link April 28, or by e-mail at jpf3p@virginia.edu, phone 243-8801, or online at www.vadonor.com Sponsor code: aquinas. Walk-ins are always welcomed!

Parish Directories: If you had your picture taken for our directory and have not picked it up, please take one from the table in the link and contact the office so we can mark you off our list, there is no charge. If you did not have your picture taken but would like a directory, please leave a $10 contribution in the designated container and take one.

Habitat For Humanity: Our parish community is beginning a Habitat House this year. We are looking for volunteers who would be interested in
organizing the project. If interested, contact Mike at youth@cstone.net.

Are You in Need of a Babysitter? CSM will provide a responsible student. For info contact Katie Hildreth: kmh7f@virginia.edu. Families set the rates/hours.

Worship

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

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

24-Hour Eucharistic Adoration: Every Wed/Thurs in Our Lady of Perpetual Help 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).

Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help: on Wed., after the 5:15 PM Mass. All are welcome.

Concert Series: In order to keep the St. Thomas Aquinas Concert Series running we rely on your generosity. If you would like to sponsor a concert and/or dedicate a concert to the memory of a loved one please contact Brian Sousa at the Parish Office. Donations are welcome anytime during the year for the Concert Series. Come and hear our next concert on Friday May 25th at 8PM when we’ll be hosting organist, Paul J. Murray.

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

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

Registration: EE, EDGE, LIFETEEN & Confirmation for 2007-08 will be held in St. Thomas Hall on April 29 after the 9,11:30 & 5:15 Masses.

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

1st Communion Parents: Correction from parent handout: Rehearsal for 1st Communion Liturgy will be Wed, May 2.

EE/EDGE/LT: last class April 29.

Summer Trips - SIGN UP NOW! LIFE TEEN Camp (Covecrest): June 25-30, Service trip to Cincinnati, Ohio: July 7-14, Steubenville Atlanta: July 19-22. Vacation Bible School & Middle School Camp - July 30-Aug. 3

Monday Night Live (7-9PM): April 30, Putt Putt Golf! (On Rio Rd.) Bring $. May 7 & 21, Hang out in the Youth Room. May 14, Dinner at Zazu’s. Bring $.

Cinco de Mayo Party: Sat, May 5, 7-9PM in the Youth Room.

Salvation Army: We need families to sign up to cook and serve dinner from 4-6 PM on the following dates: May 13 & June 10. If interested in helping contact Patty Wilson at Pwilson@aol.com.

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

Theology & Donuts: In St Thomas Hall, Sun, April 29, 10:20-11:10 AM, Topic: ”Last Rites-Part 2”, Presented by Fr. Dominic. Fr Dominic will complete his earlier presentation about the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, requesting a priest’s assistance for the dying, and ethical issues surrounding palliative care and “pulling the plug.” On Sun, May 6, the topic will be “Burying a Loved One.” Fr. Brian will speak about Funeral & Burial services, and how to go about preparing for such services, either for a loved one or for oneself. He will also speak about the grieving process.

Interested in becoming Catholic? Contact Fr. Dominic (frdominic@stauva.org) for further information.

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 Catholic 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 "The Mystery and Worship of the Eucharist" on 5 May and "The Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance" on 19 May. For info contact sackandpam@comcast.net.

Women's Little Rock Scripture Study: Please join us for prayer, study, discussion and fellowship as we take up a 4-week study of "Touching the Mysteries: Scripture and the Rosary". Sessions begins on Tues, April 24, 9-11 AM in the Community Room at St. Thomas. For info call Patty Gazewood 973-6802 or email gazewood@earthlink.net.

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

Haiti: I learned from the radio what happened at Virginia Tech. It touched me deeply. To all the parents who were victimized by that act, I send condolences. May the souls of those who died rest in peace. Sincerely, Pere Blot

Haiti Challenge:As Fr. Brian announced on his return from Haiti, St. Michel's school now needs a bit over $5,000 to complete the project. Mark your contributions: "Haiti Challenge". Thank you very much for your love and generosity.

Haiti: Longaberger Basket/Product sale: Sat, April 28 & Sun, April 29 after Masses in St Thomas Hall. 70% of sales benefit St Michel’s in Haiti and 10% benefits an orphanage for the severely handicapped in Bosnia

Haiti: Used soccer shoes (all sizes) and new socks are being collected. A collection box will be under the Haiti table until 5/5 & will be sent 5/12. We also have a request for chewable kids vitamins, pre-natal vitamins and baby formula to add to the sea container. There will be a box on the Haiti table to collect donations. Thank you for your generosity.

Haiti: our second year of Sponsorship has begun. More info next week.

PACEM Picnic: May 6th, 5PM at Pen Park, Shelter 1, to thank the staff and volunteers of PACEM. There will be food, fun and time to share. If it rains, the event will be held at First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 500 Park Street. Questions call 977-3708

Death Penalty Committee: The Committee’s next meeting will be at 7PM on May 9th at St. Thomas Church. All interested parties are invited to attend. Newcomers are particularly welcome. For additional info please contact Tony at tditolve@earthlink.net or 286 6592.

Homeless Assistance/PACEM: Interested in helping the homeless in Charlottesville? Come to a meeting at 7 PM on May 16th at St. Thomas Church. For additional info please contact Tony at tditolve@earthlink.net or 286 6592.

Food Collection: Thank you for picking up a grocery bag and list of needed food for Holy Comforter last weekend! Please place the bags of food this weekend or next (April 28/29 or May 5/6) by the baskets located upstairs or downstairs.

Shelter for Help in Emergency Annual Collection: Each year we collect supplies for SHE, a local shelter aiding those fleeing domestic violence. Next weekend (May 5/6) we will be collecting art supplies and new colorful rugs for the children at the Shelter this year. Needed items are: Rugs (any size brightly-colored rugs), Paints, Paper (painting and construction), Markers & Colored Pencils. Please place your donations in the bin located under Table #1 in the link. Thank you!

Books for Prisoners: We are continuing to collect magazines, dictionaries, religious material and good books of fiction for local and state prisons. Collection boxes are located in the Catholic Student Ministry Room. Thank you for your support!

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.

Campus Ministry

UNDERGRADUATES(CSM)

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

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

Tuesday Supper: Come join our free weekly dinner at 6:00 PM in St. Thomas Hall, whether you have ever been before or not! This is a great first time activity. Please e-mail Lauren at Laurenwalter@virginia.edu with any questions.

Fireside: Every week, we have a small student Mass in the Student Center on the first floor at St. Thomas. Please join us for a relaxed atmosphere for a personalized Mass at 9:00 PM on Thursday night.

YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

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

Attention grad students and young adults: if you are interested in being more involved with YAM or added to the email list, please contact Rhoda.

Bible Study: Join us as we continue to study about the Acts of the Apostles on Thurs, May 3, from 6-7:30PM in the Community Room. We will not be meeting during Holy Week.

First-Sunday Lunch Out: After the 11:30AM Mass on Sun, May 6, we'll meet by the sacristy and head out to lunch at a nearby restaurant. Come on out and meet some folks in YAM!

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

Charlottesville Catholic School

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

Community Meetings, Retreats, Etc.

CCS Golf Tournament: Registration forms for the Gene Corrigan Golf Tournament, May 7 at Spring Creek, are available in the Golf Tournament Registration section of the CCS website & in the CCS lobby. Team slots are filling quickly, so be sure to register as soon as possible ($800 per foursome). Sponsorship opportunities are available & many levels offer team entries. For info visit www.cvillecatholic.org or contact CCS at development@cvillecatholic.org, or 964-0400, ext. 301.

High Cotton Catholic Travel and Tours: will be hosting an event for Catholic singles in Blowing Rock, N.C., May 18-20. This social event is open to single Catholics ages 20 and up. This is a world-renowned destination for tourism, shopping, galleries, art events, dining, theatre, the Blue Ridge Parkway, golf and outdoor adventure. This will be a time of spiritual enrichment as well as a fun-filled vacation with many social opportunities. For more info, contact High Cotton Catholic Travel and Tours at: 910-255-6273 or HighCottonCatholic@yahoo.com

Free Weekend Retreat for People Facing Serious Illness: for men & women at the Dominican Retreat House in McLean, VA, May 25-27. A team of doctors, nurses, priests, sisters & helpers will be present around the clock. This is a non-smoking weekend. Registration closes May 14. Call: 703-356-4243 or Doug Sebek:703-860-4929.

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

American Cancer Society Women's Golf Challenge: teams forming now! Monday, June 4 at Old Trail, $125.00 per person, includes fees, cart and meals. Contact the ACS Office, 978-7423 for details.

A 6-Day Pilgrimage to Mexico City: to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe Anniversary “Queen of the Americas” is scheduled for Dec. 9-14. The cost is $1880 per person and is deluxe all- inclusive. Includes air from Dulles, Roanoke Richmond, Norfolk or Charleston, WV, three daily meals, All fees, airport taxes, guide, driver, and hotel gratuities, Travel Insurance. Sightseeing per itinerary in Private Motorcoach, Escorted English-Speaking guide, 5 Nights 5-star hotel, Entrance fees, and Local Taxes. Deposit $450 each, final payment Aug. 1, price Based on 2 per room and the Single Supplement is $399. For Reservations & brochures, contact John Tagnesi, Ph 1-888-544-4461 or email: jtag1964@verizon.net.

Readings for the Week of April 29, 2007