Saint Thomas More Parish & Academy
4275 Fourth Street, Southeast
Washington, D.C. 20032
Telephone: 202-562-0431 Fax: 202-563-7347
E-mail: stmchurch@comcast.net
Website: www.stthomasmoredc.org
School: 202-561-1189
May 10, 2015
Pastoral Staff:
Rev. Raymond Moore, Pastor, x12
Deacon Richard L. Walker, x30
Ms. Patricia Hamilton, Pastoral Administrator, x11
Mrs. Mary Waters, Office Assistant & Rectory Cook, x10
Ms. Bridget Coates, Academy Principal
Ms. Wanda Brooks, Coordinator of Religious Education, x31
Mr. Henry Herrera, Gospel Choir Director
Mrs. Charnetta Dobbins, Youth Choir Director
Mrs. Barbara Elliott, Parish Council Chair
Ms. Diana Brown, Finance Council Chair
Mass Schedule:
Saturday
Sunday
Weekdays
5:00 pm (Rectory Chapel)
8:45 am Youth Choir
11:30 am Gospel Choir
8:00 am (Rectory Chapel)
Novena:
Monday
7:00 pm
(Rectory Chapel)
Items for Sunday’s Bulletin must be
received via email by 12:00 pm each Monday in order to have
them included in Sunday’s publication. Thank you for honoring
this important timeline.
Bulletin Deadline:
Baptism: Please call the Parish Office to register for classes.
Confession: After Sunday Masses, by appointment, or on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 pm in the Rectory.
Marriage: Diocesan policy requires notification to the priest at least six months in advance. Attendance at pre-Cana classes is also
required. Contact the Parish Office for more information.
Pastoral Care of the Sick: Please notify the Parish Office when a member of the parish is in the hospital, nursing home, or is otherwise
unable to come to Mass and wishes to receive any of the sacraments.
Religious Education:
Interested in becoming a Catholic? Please contact Fr. Raymond Moore at the Rectory.
CCD Classes: Every Sunday at 10:30am
Bible Study: Every Tuesday at 7:30pm
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Preparing to Hear God’s Word
Reading I: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 ~ Peter preaches to
the gentiles.
Responsorial: Psalm 98 ~ The Lord has revealed to the
nations his saving power.
Reading II: 1 John 4:7-10 ~ God’s love calls us to love on
another.
Gospel: John 15:9-17 ~ Love on another as I have loved
you.
Readings for Next Sunday
Acts 1:1-11 Eph 1:17-23 Mark 16:15-20
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK:
Sunday 8:45am
11:30am
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Our Deceased Mothers/Mother-figures
In Honor of All Mothers/Mother-figures
In memory of Monica Coates
Barbara Elliott, Rena Meredith-Birthday
In memory of Hazel St. Julien
In memory of Obi Ogene
Family of Fr. John Kinter
Fr. Casmir Onyegwara
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK:
Sunday
CCD Classes (10:30am-Classrooms)
Second Chance (3:30pm-Old Library)
Monday
Youth Choir Rehearsal (7:00pm-Church)
NCW 2nd Community (8:00pm-Cedar Rm)
Tuesday
Bible Study (7:30pm-Rectory Living Rm)
NCW 2nd Community (8:00pm-Cedar Rm)
Wednesday NCW 1st Community (8:00pm-Cedar Rm)
Thursday Adult Choir Rehearsal (7:00pm-Church)
Friday
AA (8:00pm-Old Library)
Saturday
NO 5:00pm MASS!
NCW Communities (8:00pm-Church)
DAILY MASS READINGS
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Acts 16:11-15
Acts 16:22-34
Acts 17:15, 22-18:1
Acts 1:1-11
Acts 18:9-18
Acts 18:23-28
John 15:26-16:4a
John 16:5-11
John 16:12-15
Mark 16:15-20
John 16:20-23
John 16:23b-28
PLEASE KEEP THE SICK IN YOUR PRAYERS:
Shirley Adams, Veronica Apiafi, Monique Bailey, Viola Barnes, Blondinia
Brown, Deacon James Brown, Shirley Brown, Francillia Browne, Cynthia
Bruce, Felicia V. Bush, John Bush, Mary Bush, Mary Agnes Bush, Jane
Butorac, Gwen Cannon, Dixie Clark, Francess Davies, Barbara Deale, Renee
Feliu, Diane Finley, Eric Fuller, Craig Fulmer, Tasha Gant, David Garner,
Tyrone Garrison, Brenda Green, Emmanuel Greene, William Gunn, Andre
Harris, Margaret Harris, Vance Harris II, Shant’e Hawkins, James Hilton,
Maximillon Holland, Elizabeth Holmes, Darryl Jackson, Jimmie Jackson,
Larry Johnson, Lydia Johnson, Sarah Jones, Dennis Lucas, Gloria & William
McCaskill, Emma McEntyre, Betty Moeller, Gloria Morgan, Dorothy Myrtle,
Angela Neal, Margarita Perez, Tammy & Davon Peterson, Charles Queen,
Arthur Robinson, Leroy & Robert Robinson, Robin Sescoe, Ciara Shields,
Brenda Smith, Claudell St. Julien, Edsel Swann, Jane Thomas, Kristine
Vivican, Paul Waters, Marilyn Denise Whetstone, Anita Williams, Bertha
Williams, Kobe M. Williams, David Wilson, Jean Wright, Marianne Young,
and all who are Sick and Shut-In.
STEWARDSHIP REPORT
EFFECTIVE SUPPORT OF YOUR CHURCH
IS WISE STEWARDSHIP
From everyone who has been given much, much will be
demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with
much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12:48b)
Father, bless these gifts as expressions of our renewed
dedication to your service. Multiply them in ways that declare
your glory. Make steadfast our resolve to love you more
deeply and to serve you more fervently—that we may live
faithfully and bear much fruit. AMEN.
Tithes and offerings for last weekend, May 3, 2015
amounted to $10,151.70 (Maintenance total: $3,089.00)
The same time last year, May 4, 2014, offerings were
$8,056.40
Youth Envelopes-$18.00
Attendance
5:00pm
8:45am
11:30am
9
152
118
279
Thanks to all who have so well supported our Growing One
Step stewardship program. Because of the strong commitment
of many of us we are blessed with good success thus far. May
we be blessed as we bless our ministry and commitment to the
Lord! Your on-going contributions are most appreciated!
PASTOR’S BIBLE STUDY: Bible Study meets on Tuesday
evening at 7:30 in the Rectory Living Room. All are invited!
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Classes meet on Sunday from
10:30am to 11:30am. Parents are expected to help defray the cost
with a $20.00 per family donation. Registration is on-going.
MAY ANNIVERSARIES: Couples observing a Wedding
Anniversary this month are asked to notify Mary Waters in the
Church Office by May 20th. Blessings will be shared with you
on Sunday, May 24th.
CONGRATULATIONS, FATHER CASMIR!!! Father
Casmir Onyegwara will receive his doctorate in Moral Theology
and Ethics from the Catholic University of America on Saturday,
May 16, 2015, at 10:00am.
CONGRATULATIONS, DAMON!! Please join us in
congratulating Damon Smith II for his academic achievement as
a 2015 Carson Scholar Winner! Damon was recently honored at
the Nineteenth Annual Awards Banquet, and granted the
prestigious opportunity to serve as the Introductory Speaker for
the highly acclaimed neurosurgeon, Dr. Benjamin S. Carson!
GRADUATE RECOGNITION SUNDAY: We will honor
all of our graduates on Sunday, June 7, 2015. Please sign up on
the form in the back of church.
~ PRAYER REQUESTS ~
Your continued prayers are requested and appreciated for the
improved health of Blondinia Brown, Mary Bush, Lydia Johnson,
our sick/shut-in & grieving parishioners; and Fr. Moore,
Fr. Casmir & Deacon Walker.
~FAITH AND KNOWLEDGE~
Pope Francis’ offers the following prayer to our Blessed
Mother as he concludes his book, The Joy of the Gospel.
Since May is Mary’s month let’s pray with Pope Francis:
Mary, Virgin and Mother,
you who, moved by the Holy Spirit,
welcomed the word of life
in the depths of your humble faith:
as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One,
Help us to say our own “yes”
to the urgent call, as pressing as ever,
to proclaim the good news of Jesus.
Filled with Christ’s presence,
you brought joy to John the Baptist,
making him exalt in the womb of his mother.
Brimming over with joy,
you sang the great things done by God.
Standing at the foot of the cross
with unyielding faith,
you received the joyful comfort of the resurrection,
and joined the disciples in awaiting the Spirit
so that the evangelizing Church might be born.
Obtain for us now a new ardor born of the resurrection,
that we may bring to all the Gospel of Life
which triumphs over death.
Give us a holy courage to seek new paths,
that the gift of unfading beauty
may reach every man and woman.
Virgin of listening and contemplation,
Mother of love, Bride of the eternal wedding feast,
pray for the Church, whose pure icon you are,
that she may never be closed in on herself
or lose her passion for establishing God’s kingdom.
Star of the new evangelization,
help us to bear radiant witness to communion,
service, ardent and generous faith,
justice and love of the poor,
that the joy of the Gospel
may reach to the ends of the earth,
illuminating even the fringes of our world.
Mother of the living Gospel,
wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones,
Pray for us.
Amen. Alleluia!
NO 5:00PM MASS NEXT SATURDAY!
Please note that there will be no 5:00pm Mass on
May 16, 2015. All are invited to Fr. Casmir’s
Mass of Thanksgiving at 4:00pm!
CARDINAL’S APPEAL UPDATE! Thanks for your
generous support of the 2015 Cardinal’s Appeal. Thus far we
have pledged $21,665 towards our goal of $37,190. This is
58% of our goal.
We will reach our goal if everybody makes a commitment!
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
TO ALL MOTHERS,
MOTHER-FIGURES &
THOSE WHO NURTURE
IN WAYS SEEN & UNSEEN!
MAY GOD BLESS & KEEP YOU!
CONGRATULATIONS
AND
BLESSINGS
TO OUR NEWLY CONFIRMED!
We congratulate the following young gentlemen who were
confirmed by Cardinal Wuerl yesterday, May 9th, at the
Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception:
Dayshawn Garrison
Leonard Singleton
Demetrius Wilson
Dion Gillis
Dalantae Wilkinson
Rasheam Wilson
~PRAYER BREAKFAST~
Please join the Knights of Peter Claver Fourth Degree
Ladies of Grace, on May 30, 2015, 9:00am to 12:00pm,
for the following Spiritually Uplifting Event…
Theme:
"We Know Something About God's Grace."
Location: St. Thomas More Cedar Room
Time: 9:00am to 12:00pm
Keynote Speaker:
Very Reverend William Norvel, SSJ,
Superior General of the Society of St. Joseph
of the Sacred Heart.
Donation: $20.00 per person.
To purchase tickets please contact:
Gracious Ladies
Shirley Brown, Audrey Caldwell (301)-567-6451, Barbara
Elliott (301)-292-2792, Priscilla Fuller (202)-574-4797,
Elma Garnett (301)-265-0859 or Frances Hicks.
ST. THOMAS MORE
CATHOLIC ACADEMY!
Grades Pre-K3 through 8th
Catholic Environment ~ Academically Excellent
Before and After Care Provided!
Tuition Assistance is Available!
FOR MORE INFO PLEASE CALL: 202-561-1189
STM FOOD PANTRY
DONATIONS APPRECIATED!
PLEASE HELP US DO OUR BEST
TO PROVIDE NUTRITIOUS FOOD
FOR OUR CHILDREN & FAMILIES!!
PLEASE G-I-V-E WHAT YOU CAN
TO HELP KEEP OUR PANTRY STOCKED.
Food Assistance Requests Are
STEADILY INCREASING!
STM ASSISTS FAMILIES YEAR-ROUND!
YOUR DONATION MATTERS!!
We are seeking the following
CONTRIBUTIONS:
~ DRY GOODS ~
Rice/Pasta/Beans/Hot & Cold Cereal, and
~ CANNED GOODS ~
Meat/Tuna/Soup/Fruit/Vegetables…
WE APPEAL TO YOUR
GENEROUS SPIRIT OF GIVING, STM!!
STM has served as a REFUGE OF RELIEF for many!
Food/Monetary donations will help keep our pantry viable!
***************************
If you would like to donate a SHARE Package to the Food
Pantry please see any member of the SHARE Team!
Your $20.00 donation will assist those in need!
Thank You! God Bless!
HELP RESTORE SHEPHERD PARKWAY!
Shepherd Parkway’s 205 acres are home to two Civil War forts,
two bald eagle nests, and some of the oldest forests in DC. Help
us remove trash and invasive species from this important but
neglected natural area in Ward 8. Meet at the picnic tables near
the corner of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X Avenues SE.
Gloves, bags, and light refreshments will be provided. Wear boots
and clothes you can get dirty.
Volunteer from 10am to 1pm on these remaining Saturdays:
5/16, 6/13 & 7/18. For more info, please contact Nathan
Harrington at nbharrington@yahoo.com or 301-758-5892.
NOTES FOR TODAY
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MAY SHARE: Pick-up: Saturday, May 16, 2015, 11am12:30pm. Special thanks to all who continue to donate
SHARE Packages to help others in need!
CURSILLISTAS! Assumption Parish’s
Ultreya meets on the second Saturday of each month at 1:30pm in
the basement meeting room of the rectory. All Cursillistas are
welcome, as well those of you would like to know more about
Cursillo. Please contact Gwen Jarman: 202-562-1165.
ATTENTION
NEW 2015 PARISH PICTORIAL DIRECTORY!
The Parish Council is in the process of planning a new parish
directory. More information will be forthcoming regarding
scheduling pictures.
The Life Touch photographers will be here on July 14-15 and
September 18-19.
Please mark your calendars now! We look forward to having all
parishioners participate in this endeavor!