MAY 6, 2007
5th Sunday of Easter

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

Parish

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Congratulations to all of our young children of the Parish who made their First Holy Communion on Saturday, May 5th! We had a joyful celebration with them and their families to mark their first time to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. Sincere thanks go out to Trish Madden, Julie Balik, all our Second Grade catechists and the parents of the children for their hard work together to get our children ready for this momentous occasion. May the grace of their First Holy Communion continue to grow in each of them every day of their lives!

To our undergraduates currently in their final exams of the semester and who will be joining in the “mass exodus” from Charlottesville in the next few days as the school year draws to a close, we say “Farewell until we meet again!” We do, in fact, miss you when you are away from the parish, and please know that we will be keeping you in our prayers as you head off for the summer break. You might not realize it, but your presence here at St Thomas Aquinas from Sunday to Sunday during the academic year is one of the reasons so many of our parishioners find St Thomas such a special church in which to worship. Time and again our parishioners tell me that the presence and obvious faith of our “young people” serve as an inspiration and encouragement to them. See you all in the Fall!

fr Brian, OP

Bulletin Changes: Beginning next week the deadline for the bulletin will be NOON TUESDAY, we will no longer be able to take late bulletin submissions. We are changing to a new format that will be printed by Liturgical Publications and mailed back to us.

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 Nona Mia Frye and Amarli Skye Geroleo who through Baptism was received into our faith community.

Parish Activities

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.

Fraternity of St. Dominic: (Dominican Laity), St. Thomas Aquinas Chapter, will meet on Sat, May 12. Interested persons are welcome to attend. Join us for 8:30 AM Mass, the Rosary and Morning Prayer in Church followed by our meeting and brunch in classroom #2. For more info call Robbie at 963-7952 or email at robbie_oc_gibson@yahoo.com

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

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

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 $.

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, 10:20-11:10 AM. 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 Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance" on 19 May and "The Sacrament of Penance" on 2 June. 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.

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 (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/.

Good luck to all of you on your exams this week!

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 10, from 6-7:30PM in the Community Room. We will not be meeting during Holy Week.

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.

Virginia Tech Families: Free counseling is available for students, family members and friends affected by the Virginia Tech tragedy. Licensed, certified counselors from our Commonwealth Catholic Charities offices in Richmond, Roanoke and Norton are available to help. Appointments can be made by calling toll free 866-357-6090, or in Richmond, 804-545-5936. Licensed, certified counselors from Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia in Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach can be reached at 757-467-7707, or in Newport News and Williamsburg at 757-875-0060.

Charlottesville Catholic School: wishes to thank all of our parish friends for your support of the CCS 11th Annual Gala Auction, held on April 27 at John Paul Jones Arena. You have helped to make the future even brighter for the students of CCS. Thank you!

CCS: is hosting the 4th Annual Gene Corrigan Golf Tournament on Monday, May 7, at the beautiful new Spring Creek Golf Club in Zions Crossroads. Players will receive gifts, lunch, free chair massages, and much more. All proceeds support the students of CCS. To register a team or to learn more about the tournament, visit the CCS website at cvillecatholic,org or Lisa at 964-0400, or development@cvillecatholic.org. Thank you to everyone who has registered a team or sponsored this incredible event!

St. Anthony’s Lebanese Food Festival: May 18-20, 10AM-10PM Fri & Sat 10M-8PM Sun. at St. Anthony Maronite Church, 4611 Sadler Rd, Glen Allen. Admission & parking are free. Food, music & folk dancing. For info call 804 270 7234 or go to www.stanthonymaronitechurch.org.

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 May 6, 2007