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
October 26, 2014
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 (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 or 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
Adult Ed Catholic Inquiry Classes: Every Sunday at 10:30am
Bible Study: Every Tuesday at 7:30pm
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
STEWARDSHIP REPORT
Preparing to Hear God’s Word
EFFECTIVE SUPPORT OF YOUR CHURCH
IS WISE STEWARDSHIP
Reading I: Ex 22:20-26 ~ God hears the cry of the poor and
teaches Israel how to love.
Responsorial: Psalm 18 ~ I love you, Lord, my strength.
Reading II: 1 Thes 1:5c-10 ~ St. Paul speaks to the
Thessalonians about the nature of faithful, authentic ministry
in the name of Christ.
Gospel: Matt 22:34-40 ~ Our love of God by loving our
neighbor in this life is preparation for the life of fulfillment
and total loving that will be ours when we share in the
kingdom of heaven
Readings for Next Sunday
Wis 3:1-9
Rom 6:3-9
John 6:37-40
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK:
Sunday 8:45am
11:30am
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Health of Mary Bush
In memory of Delores Anne Dawson
In memory of Fr. John Payne
In memory of Don, Flo & Bruce Bertman
In memory of Joshua Tucker, Jr.
Pamela Neferkara-Birthday
Alvin & Shirley Brown-Anniversary
Health of Fr. John Kinter
The angel said, “Your prayers and acts of charity
have gone up to heaven to speak for you before God.”
(Acts 10:4b)
What an act of worship our offerings can be—signs of our
love for you, O Lord, and our love for those whose lives will
be blessed because of what we give of our very selves and our
material possessions. Receive these offerings, we pray, and
help us to know the joy of worship and sharing. AMEN.
Tithes and offerings for last weekend, October 12, 2014,
amounted to $5,321.75. (Maintenance total: $125.00)
This same Sunday of last year, October 13, 2013, offerings
were $9,999.40.
Youth Envelopes- $19.00
Attendance
5:00pm
8:45am
11:30am
14
153
101
268
Your on-going contributions are most appreciated!
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK:
PASTOR’S BIBLE STUDY: Bible Study will resume on
Sunday
Tuesday evening at 7:30 in the Red Room. All are welcome!
Adult Faith Sharing Group (10:30am-Red Rm)
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-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)
DAILY MASS READINGS
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Eph 4:32-5:8
Eph 2:19-22
Eph 6:1-9
Eph 6:10-20
Phil 1:1-11
Rev 7:2-4, 9-14 1John 3:1-3
Luke 13:10-17
Luke 6:12-16
Luke 13:22-30
Luke 13:31-35
Luke 14:1-6
Matt 5:1-12a
PLEASE KEEP THE SICK IN YOUR PRAYERS:
Shirley Adams, Veronica Apiafi, Monique Bailey, Viola Barnes, Anthony Brown,
Deacon James Brown, Francillia Browne, Cynthia Bruce, Felicia V. Bush, John
Bush, Mary Bush, Mary Agnes Bush, Jane Butorac, Gwen Cannon, Mary Carey,
Dixie Clark, Francess Davies, Barbara Deale, Edith Ellis, Renee Feliu, Diane
Finley, Eric Fuller, Craig Fulmer, Tasha Gant, Tyrone Garrison, 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, Mack & Barbara
Kennedy, Fr. John Kinter, Dennis Lucas, Andre Lyles, Gloria & William
McCaskill, Emma McEntyre, Betty Moeller, Gloria Morgan, Dorothy Myrtle,
Angela Neal, Obi Ogene, 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, Dcn. Richard Walker, 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.
NEW TIME FOR CONFESSION: As Fr. Kinter continues
to recover Fr. Moore will offer the Sacrament of Penance on
Saturday afternoon at 4:00pm in the rectory and at most other
times by appointment.
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. Classes have already begun
but registration is continuing. There will also be a Field Trip to
the St. John Paul, II Shrine in NE, DC, on November 1, 2014.
OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES: Congratulations to all
couples celebrating a Wedding Anniversary this month! We pray
that your union will continue to be blessed by God!
~PRAYER REQUESTS~
Please continue to pray for the peaceful repose of the soul
of Fr. John Payne, beloved Principal of The Duke Ellington
School of the Arts. Please also remember his family,
colleagues and the many students whose lives he touched and
enriched with his caring, dedicated presence in your prayers.
Prayers are also appreciated for Fr. Kinter, Dcn. Walker,
Anthony Brown, Mary Bush, Audrey & Roland Caldwell, Lydia
Johnson, Barbara & Mack Kennedy, Andre Lyles, Obi Ogene,
our sick, shut-in and grieving parishioners, and all who need our
prayers at this time, including our dear pastor, Fr. Moore, as he
assumes many additional duties in Fr. Kinter’s absence!
Thank you! God Bless!
POINTS TO PONDER
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Thank you for your kind attention last weekend as we
began our new stewardship initiative. I am grateful for your
comments and suggestions. But most importantly, I thank you
for your generous support of St. Thomas More through your
gifts of time, talent and treasure. During the past week you
may have received a letter from me regarding some of the
specific details of the “Taking the Next Step” process. If you
did not receive my letter, I want to share the following with
you today.
Over the past year we experienced a 7% decrease in
offertory contributions, amounting to about a $20,000.00 loss
of revenue. This is consistent with a national trend where
many congregations are seeing similar declines in attendance
and contributions as well. And despite our strong efforts at
fundraising, we must do more to meet our day to day ministry
costs and finance our much needed and costly capital
improvements.
This is where I need your help. I want to invite you to join
with me in taking the next step in your financial support of our
parish. As you prepare to make your stewardship commitment
this year, please check your giving comparisons to your
income. You can do this by following the instructions on the
“Giving Chart” which is included in this bulletin.
After prayer and reflection, see if you can “Grow One
Step” by moving up to the next level. This is what I have
done. After comparing my income to my church giving, I
discovered that I could easily increase my present giving by
3%. If you are unable to do this, how about by 2% or 2.5%?
Today you will be encouraged to make your stewardship
commitment by completing the Offertory Commitment Card.
Please fill it out and place it in the collection basket or mail it
in to the church office. We are depending on you to help
strengthen our church’s ministries and provide the needed
funds to support our capital improvement campaign.
Thanks for your loving commitment to St. Thomas
More.
In Jesus peace,
Father Raymond Moore
WELCOME VISITORS!
We warmly welcome our visitors to
St. Thomas More Church and ask you to
please sign our Visitors’ Book
located near the church entrance.
We invite all who are seeking a church home to join
our church family here at St. Thomas More.
(Please encourage all guests to sign the Visitors’ Book.)
\
HAPPENINGS AT STM
STM SODALITY BAKE SALE!
SUNDAY, November 23, 2014
Pre-orders accepted!
The Sodality will be doing the Dessert Baking for your
Thanksgiving meal: Cakes (plain or specialty), cookies,
brownies, cupcakes and pies. The Bake Sale will be held
after both Masses. Pre-orders will be taken each Sunday
from now through November 16th. Orders will be available
for pick-up at the time of the Bake Sale. A deposit is
required for pre-orders. For more details please see the
flyer posted in the church. Order forms may be turned in to
any member of the STM Sodality. Thank you!
CRUCIFIX CRUSADE!
The Crucifix Crusade has started, with over 60 new
crusaders at St. Thomas More. There are still some Crucifix
Crusade kits available at $15.00 each. If you would like to
become a crusader-or did not pick up your kit, please see
Mike Russell. Remember, you are helping to bring souls
to Jesus, and much needed funds to the Parish.
SODALITY UNION
Sodality Union Mass/Meeting, Saturday, November 1,
2014, at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 15th & V
Streets, NW, Wash., DC. Due to limited parking,
carpooling is encouraged. Time: TBD.
CARDINAL’S APPEAL UPDATE!
APPRECIATION!!
We are making progress toward reaching our goal of
$35,932.00. Thanks to your generous commitment. Right
now, we have pledged $32,787.00 which puts us at 91.25% of
goal. If we all work together we can raise the needed
$3,145.00. Let’s do it!
The STM Parish Action Committee would like to thank all
individuals (youth/adults, members/non-members of PAC)
for their dedication and support in the Line Dance Social
which took place on Saturday, October 18th. There was
good food, tons of fun and great fellowship!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Ed Poindexter has been accepted into the first part of the
preparation process for becoming a Permanent Deacon! We
rejoice with you and promise to keep you in our prayers, Ed!
NOVEMBER SHARE! Sign-up: November 2nd, 9th &
16th. Pick-up: Saturday, November 22nd, 11am-12: 30pm.
Our Church Family thanks the STM Parish Action
Committee for raising $1,200.00
during the recent Line Dance Social.
Proceeds from this event will directly benefit our church.
Please extend your personal thanks to this tireless group of
dedicated leaders!
Way to go, STM-PAC!! God Bless You!
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 INCREASING!
STM ASSISTS FAMILIES YEAR-ROUND!
YOUR DONATION MATTERS!!
We are seeking the following
CONTRIBUTIONS:
Dry Goods ~ Rice/Pasta/Beans/Hot & Cold Cereal;
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 Mrs. Mary Bush or any member of the
SHARE Team! Your $20.00 donation will assist those in need!
Thank you! God Bless!
CHRISTMAS CONCERT TICKETS ON SALE!
St. Luke Catholic Church invites you to attend its Annual
Christmas Concert at 4:00pm on Sunday, December 7, 2014.
STM’s Praise Team, Glorify, will be among those performing.
Donation: $10.00 per person.
Church Address: 4925 E. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC.
For tickets please contact Denese Clay, 301-787-6890, or
Gregory Wright, 202-641-5132.
NOTES FOR TODAY…
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ALL SAINTS/ALL SOULS MUSIC CONCERT!
The Music Ministry of Nativity Catholic Church presents
"When the Saints Go to Worship,” a musical concert in
celebration of All Saints and All Souls Day with Bro.
Jeff Corry on piano. Special appearances by: Lyric
Soprano Angela Wray and the Nativity Gospel Choir.
Admission is free! Please join us on Sunday, November 2 nd,
4:00 pm. at Nativity Catholic Church, 6001 13th St., NW, DC.
Bulletin Submissions are due by 12:00pm on Monday,
please. Our updated calendar, Bulletin and other items of
interest may be accessed on the church website:
www.stthomasmoredc.org.