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
February 19, 2012
Pastoral Staff:
Rev. Raymond Moore, Pastor, x12
Rev. John Kinter, In residence, x16
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
8:45 am
11:30 am
8:00 am
(Rectory Chapel)
Youth Choir
Gospel Choir
(Rectory Chapel)
7:00 pm
(Rectory Chapel)
Novena:
Monday
Items for Sunday’s Bulletin must be
received via email by 5:00pm 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 or by appointment, or on Wednesday Evenings, 6:30-8:00 pm in the Church.
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
Adult Education Catholic Inquiry Classes: Every Sunday at 10:30am
Bible Study: Every Tuesday at 7:30pm
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Preparing to Hear God’s Word
Reading I: Is 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25 - Despite Israel’s
infidelity, God nevertheless comes to deliver them and forgive
their sins.
Responsorial Psalm 41: Lord, heal my soul, for I have sinned
against you.
Reading II: 2 Cor 1:18-22 – God is faithful and has His
Spirit in our hearts.
Gospel: Mk 2:1-1 2 - Four men acted out of faith to bring a
paralyzed friend to Jesus. Whether one is broken in body or
burdened by sin, Jesus heals. We just have to come to him.
Readings for Next Sunday
Gn 9:8-15
1 Pt3:18-22
Mk 1:12-15
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK:
Sunday 8:45am
11:30am
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Health of James Bell
Blondinia Brown and Family
Intentions of Mary Waters
Intentions of Pattie Hamilton
Strength/Healing during Lenten Season
Health of James Hilton
Felicia James and Family
Fr. Moore, Fr. Kinter and Fr. Casmir
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK:
Sunday
Adult Faith Sharing Group (10:30am-Red Rm)
CCD Classes (10:30am-Classrooms)
Second Chance (3:30pm-Old Library)
Youth Choir Rehearsal (7:00pm-Church)
Bible Study (7:30pm-Red 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
NCW Communities (8:00pm)
Monday
Tuesday
STEWARDSHIP REPORT
EFFECTIVE SUPPORT OF YOUR CHURCH
IS WISE STEWARDSHIP
Be imitators of God…and life a life of love,
just as Christ has loved us and gave himself up for us
as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
(Ephesians 5:1-2)
Eternal God, grant that the gifts we bring are the authentic
demonstration of dedication we give ourselves—body, soul
and spirit—unto you, which is our gift of sacrifice and service.
AMEN.
Your offerings at last weekend’s Masses amounted to
$6,623.00 for the support of our Church. This includes $17.00
from Youth Envelopes.
5:00 pm
8:45 am
11:30 am
8
100
130
238
Thank you for continuing to be as generous as possible!
OFFICE CLOSED: The Parish Office will be closed on
Monday, February 20th, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
PASTOR’S BIBLE STUDY: There is healing in the power
of God’s Word. Join with others as we experience Jesus
together in our weekly fellowship around the Bible. We meet
on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm in the Red Room.
Experience not necessary, just bring your Bible and a desire to
grow in your faith. All are invited to join us!
ADULT DISCUSSION & FAITH SHARING GROUP:
The STM Faith Discussion Group will meet today at 10:30am in
the Red Room. All adult Catholics, ages 19 and up, are welcome
to join us to enjoy good conversation and fellowship on many
faith-based topics. For more info, please see Faye Powell.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM: CCD classes
DAILY MASS READING
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Jas 3:13-18
Jas 4:1-10
Jl 2:12-18 2 Cor 5:20—6:2
Dt 30:15-20
Is 58:1-9a
Is 58:9b-14
Mk 9:14-29
Mk 9:30-37
Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
Lk 9:22-25
Mt 9:14-15
Lk 5:27-32
KEEP THE SICK IN YOUR PRAYERS:
Veronica Apiafi,
Florence Askew, Monique Bailey, Georgiana Barnes (mother of Rena Meredith),
Viola Barnes, James W. Bell (brother of Suzanne Chandler), Linda Black,
Blondinia Brown, Deacon James Brown, Alvin & Shirley Brown, Cynthia Bruce,
Felicia V. Bush, John Bush, Mary Agnes Bush, Jane Butorac, Gwen Cannon, Dixie
Clark, Andrea Cole (niece of Sandra Proctor), Susie Curtis, Francess Davies,
Barbara Deale, Edith Ellis, Renee Feliu, Mary E. Ford, Eric Fuller, Tasha Gant,
Tyrone Garrison, Brenda Green, Natalie Green, Emmanuel Greene (uncle of
Christina Tilghman), William Gunn (Brother of Elnora Jackson), Earl Hamilton,
Andre Harris, Margaret Harris, Claudine Hawkins, Shant’e Hawkins, Joe Hill,
James Hilton, Darryl Jackson, Gail Jackson, Jimmie Jackson, Sarah Jones, Andre
Lyles, Doris Martin, Gloria & William McCaskill, Emma McEntyre, Betty
Moeller, Gloria Morgan, Angela Neal (daughter-in-law of Mrs. Neal), Margarita
Perez, Tom Propes, James Roberts, Arthur Robinson, Leroy Robinson, Robert
Robinson, Ciara Shields, Pauline Shorter, Leonard Singleton, Brenda Smith, Joe
Stewart, Edsel Swann, Jane Thomas, Estelle Thompson, Kristine Vivican, Paul
Waters, Mary Webster, Marilyn Denise Whetstone (Richardson’s daughter), Kobe
M. Williams, Sharron Willis (daughter of Lindora Owens), David Wilson, Orlando
Witherspoon, Jean Wright (sister of Pat Wright), Marianne Young, and all who are
Sick and Shut-In.
are underway. You may register for our Religious Education
Program for youth in the School Office following the 8:45am
Mass. To register, or for more information, please speak to Ms.
Wanda Brooks, Coordinator of Religious Ed., on 301-395-3442.
Please Note: All children are expected to participate
in the celebration of Mass on Sundays!
STM FEBRUARY WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES:
Couples observing a Wedding Anniversary in February are asked
to notify Mary Waters in the Church Office by Wednesday,
February 22nd. Special Blessings will be shared with
anniversary celebrants on Sunday, February 26th.
~~~SPECIAL PRAYER REQUESTS~~~
Please lift up James Bell, brother of Suzanne Chandler, in your
prayers. Please continue to pray for all of our sick, shut-in and
grieving parishioners. Thank you!
Laurel “Coco” Bertman Larison expresses her appreciation to
the STM family for our continued prayers on her behalf. She
asks that we convey how much she still misses her dad, Don
Bertman, and thanks us for honoring his memory by being a
loving demonstration of Christ in our daily lives, just as he was
throughout his lifetime. Thank you for remembering “Coco” in
your thoughts and prayers.
PASTOR’S PEN
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and we once again begin
our yearly forty day journey of repentance, renewal and
reconciliation. During this season of grace I would invite you
to make every effort to come closer to the Lord through the
sacraments and the Bible.
As we prepare for Ash Wednesday and Lent, let us be
reminded that the ashes we will wear on our foreheads are an
outward sign of our internal and communal desire to grow
closer to Jesus Christ. We do this when we commit ourselves
to deeper prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Before you receive your ashes, ask yourself, “Am I
praying right?” Do I need to spend more time in my prayer
closet? Take advantage of our weekly Bible Study and aids
like The Word Among Us. Are you willing to commit
yourself to weekly or perhaps even daily celebration of the
Eucharist? The words of an old hymn come to mind: “Faith
is the key and prayer unlocks the door.”
Before you receive your ashes, ask yourself, “What am I
willing to give up for the love of Jesus this Lent?” Let’s take
seriously what the Church asks us to do regarding the Lenten
fast and abstinence. Fasting means eating a lesser amount of
food. Catholics who are eighteen and not yet sixty years of
age are asked to observe the fast days established by the
Church: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstinence
means not eating any meat at all on Ash Wednesday and the
Fridays of Lent. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday we are
asked to fast and to abstain. On these days we do not eat any
meat and we partake of only one full meal. We do not eat
between meals on these two days. (Catholics, 14 to 17 years of
age must also observe abstinence during Lent, but they are not
required to fast.)
Before you receive your ashes, ask yourself, “What am I
going to contribute in my almsgiving?” There are several
options. Every day a number of families come to us seeking
food assistance. You might bring some non-perishable foods
to support the food pantry. You might want to purchase
“Share” packages to assist those in need. Each year we
participate in Operation Rice Bowl which addresses the needs
of global hunger.
As you receive your ashes on Ash Wednesday, you will
hear the words, “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the
Gospel.” With ashes marking our foreheads, we will witness
publicly to our faith in the power of the cross and resurrection.
We will join with other believers throughout the world in our
desire to turn from sin and experience the love and tender
mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In His Love,
Father Raymond Moore
DID YOU KNOW?
The effort to bring together African
American Catholics came from journalist Daniel Rudd (18541933). Born a slave in Kentucky, he moved north after the Civil
War to attend high school. While only in his 30’s, he established
a newspaper for black Catholics, The American Catholic
Tribune. Rudd was instrumental in organizing a series of
National Congresses of Black Catholics. From 1889 to 1894,
there were five Black Catholic Congresses.
ASH WEDNESDAY
MASS SCHEDULE
February 22, 2012
*8:00am ~Rectory *10:00am ~Church *7:30pm~Church
(School Mass)
Ash Wednesday Confession Schedule: Fr. Kinter will be
available for Confession in the Church from 6:00 - 7:15 pm.
Please plan to observe this Holy Day.
2012 National Black History Theme:
“Black Women in American Culture &History”
Schedule of Events
~~Sunday, February 26th~~
*Essay/Poster Entries due by Noon*
********
~~SOUL FOOD SUNDAY~~
Food~Fun~Fellowship!!
The culminating event for STM’s Black History Month
celebration will be our parish-wide Soul Food Sunday. PAC
requests that organizations be responsible for contributions to the
family meal. Organizations and food items are listed below.
Please contribute servings for approximately 50-75 people.
BEVERAGES (Water & Beverages)
*Altar Servers *Youth Choir *Youth Group
CHICKEN
*Adult Choir *Knights of Columbus *Ladies Sodality
HAM
*Ministers of Hospitality *Wonderful Smiles of Children
MACARONI & CHEESE
*Eucharistic Ministers *Outreach Committee
RICE & GRAVY
*Lectors
SALADS (Pasta, Green Salad, etc.)
*Neo-Catechumenal Communities
VEGETABLES (String Beans, Cabbage, etc.)
* CCD Staff *Dance Ministry *Knights & Ladies of Peter Claver
YAMS
*Faith Discussion Group *Lectors *Bible Study Group
DESSERTS
*Parish Action Committee *Life in Spirit Prayer Group
Please confirm your organization’s intent to contribute to Soul Food
Sunday by calling Liz Berry, 301-516-6987, on or before
Wednesday, February 22nd! If you are not a member of an
organization, we invite you to contribute your favorite food dish.
(Please make enough to serve at least 10 people.)
Signing up in advance is required for this event
to help PAC plan accordingly.
Please join us for this special gathering!
PAC thanks you for your support!
SHARE: LAST SHARE REGISTRATION for this month
is T-O-D-A-Y from 10:30am-1:30pm in the Cedar Room.
PICK-UP will take place on Saturday, February 25th, from
12-1:30pm in the Cedar Room. PLEASE, PLEASE be on time!
St. Thomas More Church
60th Anniversary Gala
on
Saturday, September 8, 2012
at
La Fontaine Bleu
Lanham, Maryland
8:00pm~Midnight
Semi-Formal Gala ~~ Adults Only
(Must be at least 21 years of age)
Price: $65.00
Purchased tickets from Ticket Captains:
Laura Brown &Margaret Butler ~8:45am Mass
Sharie Wood &Viola Davies ~11:30am Mass
Seeking Table Captains to sell tickets for a table.
If interested, please contact one of the Ticket
Captains, any Anniversary Committee member, or
Liz Berry.
Lay-Away Plans available~purchase your tickets
now and pay as you go!!
VALENTINE’S DAY SOCIAL: The STM Ministers of
Hospitality extend our sincerest appreciation to our STM family
and friends, for attending our Valentine’s Day Social last
weekend.
A “Special Thanks” also to those who gave a
donation; we greatly appreciate the support from everyone. Our
proceeds will benefit both our STM 60th Anniversary Celebration
AND our Church! We hope to see all of you again next year -`same time and same place’. Thanks for celebrating with us!!
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY CELEBRATION:
The St. Columba African-American Ministry is sponsoring the
African American History Celebration and Dinner on February
25, 2012, in the Fr. Dewan Hall. Enjoy an evening of historical
reflection, gospel music, and delicious food. The celebration will
start at 6:30pm. Tickets are $20 per person and can be obtained
from Mike Maxey (301-336-1543) or mikemaxey748@aol.com ,
or from any member of the African American Ministry (see the
Parish website: http://stcolumbaacatholic.net). Please plan to
join the celebration! You will not be disappointed!
*** SODALITY ***
Please Save the Date!!! On April 28, 2012, the Sodality will
host a Senior Fashion Show & Luncheon at St. Thomas More,
from 1:00-5:00pm. Doors will open at 1:00pm. Lunch served:
1:30-3:00pm only. Ticket donation: $15.00. Ticket contacts:
Audrey Caldwell, 301-567-6451; Laura Brown, 301-899-8099;
Margaret Butler, 301-702-1398 or any Sodality member
NOTES FOR TODAY…
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PROM GOWN GIVEAWAY: Are you a 12th grade senior
looking for a beautiful prom GOWN? St. Mary’s ‘Haiti
Committee’ is hosting a free prom gown giveaway at St. Martin’s
Catholic Church at 1908 North Capitol Street, NW, on March
10th, at 10am and 11:30am. Leftover gowns will be sold to raise
money for Haiti, See www.st-josephs-haiti.com. Pre-registration
is required. For more details, to preregister, or to donate a dress,
please email Susan at SusanSFO@msn.com Thank you!
VISIT OUR STM WEBSITE: Would you like to listen to a
recent Homily, read the Sunday Bulletin or check for updates to
the Parish Calendar on-line? You may access these items, and
much more, at www.stthomasmoredc.org.
** The STM Website is “under construction” at this time. Thank
you for bearing with us during this “remodeling” process!