Saint Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church

December 23, 2012 Christmas

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nativity of Our Lord 2012

Rectory/Parish Center: (973) 338-9190 ● Fax: (973) 338-4224 ● Religious Education: (973) 338-7400 School: (973) 338-8505 ● Convent: (973) 338-9118

Address: 60 Byrd Avenue, Bloomfield, New Jersey ● Website: www.stachurchbloomfield.com

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Fourth Sunday of Advent December 23, 2012

Masses for the Week

Sunday, December 23 Saturday, December 22 5:00 pm Thomas & Celia Casiere – Family

Sunday, December 23 7:30 am Jimmy Sutcliffe – Family 9:00 am For the people of the parish 10:30 am Elizabeth Dennin – Friend 12:00 pm Louis Elio – Friend

Monday, December 24 8:30 am Richard Zingaro – Family - Daily Mass 4:00 pm Herron Hall – Anna & Frank Korec – Daughter 4:00 pm Church – Ernest & Philomena Cordasco and

Joseph Bianchi – Family 6:00 pm John Janiec – Family 10:30 pm Josephine A. Ruffalo (8th Anniv) – Son

Tuesday, December 25 8:00 am Jacob Szajkowski – Daughters 10:00 am Daniel & marie Lovallo – Family 12:00 pm John J. McGovern (2nd Anniv.) – Family

Wednesday, December 26 7:30 am Marie Mazzeo – Friend 11:30 am Rocco Nardelli – Family

Thursday, December 27 7:30 am Pat & Phyllis Russillo – Children 11:30 am Patricia A. Shannon – Friend

Friday, December 28 7:30 am William Delefeti – Daughter 11:30 am Maria Teti – Family

Saturday, December 29 8:30 am James Vincent Lepore – Friend

Sunday, December 30 Saturday, December 29 5:00 pm Ofsak & Russo Families – Family

Sunday, December 30 7:30 am Maria Marra – Family 9:00 am Joseph & Anna Stevens – Daughter 10:30 am For the people of the parish 12:00 pm Leonard Berloco – Friends

PRAY FOR OUR SICK

Billy Kleissler, Sheree Monetti, Ariellla Chivil

Rest In Peace

Jerry Hannelly

CANDLE INTENTIONS:

CHURCH: The Powers/Rohan Family Rectory: David Kossack & Bridget Kochuk

CONVENT: Joseph Besida

For unto us a Child is born Unto us a Son is given

Mass Schedule for Christmas Season 2012 - 2013

at

St. Thomas the Apostle Church

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE

Monday, December 24, 2012 (Christmas Eve)

4:00pm (Herron Hall – School) Christmas Music Prelude and Mass 4:00pm (Church) Christmas Music Prelude and Mass 6:00pm (Church) Mass 10:30pm (Church) Concelebrated Mass with Music Prelude at 10:00pm. (there is no Midnight Mass)

CHRISTMAS DAY

Tuesday, December 25, 2012 Christmas Day

8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon (All Masses with traditional Christmas Carols)

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD

Monday, December 31, 2012 4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass Tuesday, January 1, 2013 7:30am and 11:30am

SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY

(Annual “Bell Sunday”) Sunday, January 6th

Saturday, January 5, 2013 - 5:00 Vigil Mass Sunday, January 6th -7:30am-9:00am-10:30am-12:00pm (Children’s Epiphany Pageant following 12 noon Mass)

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The main source of operating funds for St. Thomas the Apostle Parish is our weekly offertory collection. To assist us in being good stewards of God’s gift of treasure, our collection from last weekend is compared below to the collection the same weekend a year ago. You will notice that the amount is considerably less and has been for quite some time. Although we have been cutting costs for the last several years, our income has also been less which means the expenses for the year may not be met. Please help your Parish to make up the difference by being as generous as your means allow. The information below will be updated weekly.

Second Sunday of Advent 2011 $ 19,593 Second Sunday of Advent 2012 $ 14,726 Difference This Year vs. Last Year: $ (-4,867) July1-Nov. 30 2012 vs. Last Year $(-34,468)

STA HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION WILL BE SELLING

SHOP RITE GIFT CARDS

10:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M. ON: DEC 23rd

THE CARDS CAN BE USED AT ANY SHOP RITE &

FOR ALL YOUR PURCHASES!

THERE IS NO COST TO YOU!

YOU RECEIVE 100% CASH VALUE & STA SCHOOL EARNS 5% OF EVERY SALE! QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL Lorena @ 201.747.7847

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

www.stthomastheapostlenj.com

St. Thomas the Apostle School

MOMMY ‘n ME PLAYGROUP

Monday Mornings 10:15-11am in the school gym

The playgroup will serve children from 2 to 4 years of age. The playgroup aims to promote new and lasting

friendships for both children and their parents. Parents will be responsible for the supervision of

their children at all times. If you or a friend have any questions, please call

the school office at 973-338-8505.

At Christmas the story of

the Christ Child’s birth lights our lives

with love and joy. Wishing you a peaceful and blessed Christmas!

The Students, Faculty & Staff Saint Thomas the Apostle

Parish School

Join us as we celebrate CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Opening Liturgy: January 27th, 10:30 a.m. Open House: January 27th, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Information Day: January 31st, 4:00-7:00 p.m. New Family Registration begins March 7th

www.stthomastheapostlenj.com

WHY CHOOSE A CATHOLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION?

Family and Community

A Catholic School recognizes the parents and family as primary educators and joins with them to form a living community of shared visions. • Catholic Schools help students understand that each

person is unique and valuable. • Catholic Schools join with the family to help students

understand their special place in the family, the Church, and society.

• Catholic Schools encourage family input and involvement in the ongoing education of their children. Research shows that such a partnership results in higher attendance rates and lower dropout rates.

• Catholic Schools strive to create a special bond among the students, the home, the school, and the church, so that all share the strong sense of community.

Every child shares in an educational environment filled with love and concern -- a community joining together to help create a better world.

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE

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Religious Education News

Currently our Religious Education program offers classes for children in grades 1 through 8 with grades 1 and 2 meeting on Tuesdays and grades 3 through 8 meeting on Mondays from 3:40 – 5:00. Registration is ongoing.

We also offer an alternative Summer CCD Program which, this year, runs from July 8th through July 19th each day from 9:00 – 12:30PM. Registration is limited to parishioners only and will begin in mid-January. Space for our Summer Program is limited so please watch the bulletin for the registration announcement.

Sacramental preparation is a two year commitment which means that children who would like to make their First Communion in second grade must complete first grade in order to be eligible. Additional information may be found at our website stachurchbloomfield.com or by calling the Religious Education Office at 338-7400. There will be NO CCD the week of 12/24 and 12/25 and NO CCD the week of 12/31 and 1/1. Classes will resume on Monday, January 7th.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our students, families, and catechists!

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Schedule Eucharistic Adoration: April 29, 2013 Jan. 28, 2013 May 20, 2013 Feb. 25, 2013 June 24, 2013 March 11. 2013

Schedule: 11:00 a.m. Holy Rosary 11:30 a.m. Holy Mass 12:00 p.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 3:00 p.m. Chaplet of Divine Mercy 3:30 p.m. Holy Rosary 6:00 p.m. Angelus 7:30 p.m. Respect for Life Holy Hour

St. Thomas the Apostle Mission Statement

The Roman Catholic faith community of St. Thomas the Apostle recognizes God’s call to be a sign of His Kingdom in the communities we serve. We respond to this call by:

† Leading people to a deeper relationship with Christ by providing opportunities for spiritual growth, renewal, education, the celebration of the Sacraments, and the worship of God in the sacred liturgy;

† Encouraging a commitment to justice and to service of those in need;

† Promoting good stewardship of our time, talent and treasure;

† Building a community of hospitality and support in the daily living out of Christian ideals by nourishing mutual respect and understanding within our Church, our families, our community, and other faith traditions.

The Filipino-American Community of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish announces the last Simbang Gabi* Novena Mass in the surrounding area this

season.

*Simbang Gabi is one of the most popular Filipino traditions celebrated in this country. Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn is a nine-day novena to our Blessed Mother in anticipation of the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The culmination is the Christmas Eve mass to welcome the birth of Jesus.

12/23 5 PM, St. Peter’s Church, Belleville

For more information please call: 973-893-0392; 973-338-9414; 973-338-4402

WELLNESS MINISTRY

The Wellness Ministry is in need of volunteers. If you would be willing to provide an occasional ride to a doctor’s office, store or other errand to a parishioner, we would love to hear from you. Please leave your name and phone number on the Parish Center phone line 973-338-9190 extension 120.

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Men - Prepare to be inspired! Catholic Men's Conference at Seton Hall University Saturday, March 2nd, 2013 Offering Fellowship and support to deepen men's Faith and relationships with Jesus, their Families, and Society. More details to follow or go to www.rcanmenscommissioin.org

Wellness Ministry Cares… Assistance Program

The Wellness Ministry phone line is available Mon-Fri, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Call the Parish Center 973-338-9190 ext. 120. A return call will be made within 24 hours. A Parish Nurse will provide limited confidential health counseling & referrals to Community health resources & services. Volunteers are available for errands, home visits and phone contacts.

.

SUPPORT GROUP FOR THOSE GRIEVING THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE

If you have lost a loved one to death, we invite you to join us for a series of six sessions of information, mutual sharing and support in a spiritual, caring, strictly confidential setting. . The group is led by trained facilitators certified by the Family Life Office of the Archdiocese of Newark.

Our Mission: • To provide a Christ-centered group experience to those

grieving the loss of a loved one • To support spirituality and emotionally those who

mourn • To provide knowledge of the grieving process and

resources for the journey • To offer a caring, compassionate, confidential

atmosphere for the sharing of experiences Our next 2013 Session dates Mondays: January 14, 28, February 4, 11, 25 and March 4

January 14, 28 & February 11, 25 meetings are held in the Parish Center St. James meeting room from 7:30 – 8:45 p.m. and February 4 and March 4 meetings will be held in the Parish Center St. Matthew Room.

If you are interested in joining us, please contact the Parish Center at 973-338-9190 and you will be directed to contact the Bereavement Facilitator for more information. All calls are confidential. Pre-registration is required.

Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish

ZÉwÄç ZÉÉwá Gift Shop

Sundays 9 am-1 pm

(Located in the Parish Center) Cards Books Jewelry Rosaries

Gifts for all occasions!

****20% off all Boxed Christmas Cards****

Advent & Christmas items are available.

We will be closed on December 30th.

~ ~ September Club Meeting Dates ~ ~

0

St. Thomas the Apostle September Club cordially invites all seniors (55 or over) to attend our weekly meetings:

Dec. 10 Dec. 17 Jan. 7 Jan. 14 Jan. 28 Feb. 4 Feb. 11 Feb. 25 March 4 March 11 March 18 April 1 April 8 April 15 April 22 April 29 May 6 May 13

Remember, even if you registered your Stop & Shop card last year, you must re-register this year for our school to receive credit for the Stop & Shop A+ Bonus Program.

We need your support!

Please be sure to register or re-register your card to benefit St. Thomas the Apostle School using ID #08625.

All you have to do is: Register online at www.stopandshop.com/aplus OR Call 1-877-275-2758 to register over the phone

***Please also encourage your friends and relatives to register or re-register too!

Contact us at973.338.9190

ext 133

Sign Up for Special Ministers of CommunionSt. Thomas the Apostle

We are currently in need of Special Ministers of Communion to assist with the respectful distributionof the Eucharist at all of our masses. If you are over 18 years of age and a practicing Catholic ingood standing, you may qualify for this ministry. The mandate as a Special Minister is given by ourArchbishop to those who are qualified and have completed the training sessions.

Training Sessions will take place right here in our Parish Center

Session One: The Theology & Spirituality of Liturgical Minister8Tuesday, January 8 at 7:30pm

St. Peterʼs Room in Parish Center

Session Two: Rituals & Parish PracticeSaturday, January 12 at 1:00pm

Church Sanctuary

Please sign me up for the training sessions to become a Special Minister of Communion at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish.

NAME: AGE

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP

HOME PHONE MOBILE PHONE

E-MAIL

The Mass that I usually attend is: (Circle One)

Saturday 5:00pm Sunday 7:30am 9:00am 10:30am 12:00pm

Please fill in all the above and return this form by bringing it to the Parish Center, or by dropping it intothe Sunday Collection.. You can also mail it to

Rev. Charles MillerSt. Thomas the Apostle Church

60 Byrd AvenueBloomfield, NJ 07003

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