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
March 2, 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 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 Ed Catholic Inquiry Classes: Every Sunday at 10:30am
Bible Study: Every Tuesday at 7:30pm
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Preparing to Hear God’s Word
Reading I: Is 49:14-15 ~ God will never forsake us.
Responsorial: Psalm 69 ~ Rest in God alone, my soul.
Reading II: 1 Cor 4:1-5 ~ As disciples we are stewards of
the mysteries of God.
Gospel: Matt 6:24-34 ~ Choosing God leads to satisfying
nourishment, being clothed in God’s life, confidence, trust and
deeper faith.
Readings for Next Sunday
Gen 2:7-9; 3: 1-7
Rom 5:12-19
Matt 4:1-11
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK:
Sunday
8:45am In memory of Barbara Garrison
11:30am In memory of Mother Doris Martin
Monday
In loving memory of Joe Elliott
Tuesday
Health of William Kemp
Wednesday
Health of CeeCee Poindexter
Thursday
In memory of LC Barnes
Friday
Health of Barbara Kennedy
Saturday
Health of Elizabeth Holmes
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK:
Sunday
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)
Tuesday
Bible Study (7:30pm-Red Rm)
NCW 2nd Community (8:00pm-Cedar Rm)
Wednesday Ash Wednesday Mass (8:00am, 7:30pm*)
Thursday
Adult Choir Rehearsal (7:30pm-Church)
Friday
AA (8:00pm-Old Library)
Saturday
NCW Communities (8:00pm)
*CONFESSION: Fr. Kinter will be available from
6:15-7:15pm on Ash Wednesday.
STEWARDSHIP REPORT
EFFECTIVE SUPPORT OF YOUR CHURCH
IS WISE STEWARDSHIP
So as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him,
rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith
as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Col 2:6-7)
Because of all that you have done for us, gracious God, our
gratitude follows in the way we live and in the way we give.
Now we have another opportunity to thank you. Bless what
we bring of the work of our hearts and hands that our gratitude
may overflow. AMEN.
Your offerings at last weekend’s Masses amounted to
$5,745.35 for the support of our Church.
This includes $20.00 from Youth Envelopes.
5:00 pm
8:45am
11:30am
10
153
121
284
Your on-going contributions are most appreciated!
Please continue to be as generous as possible.
PASTOR’S BIBLE STUDY Our Bible study meets on
Tuesday evenings at 7:30, in the Red Room. We will continue in
the Book of 1 Samuel. All are welcome to join our spirit-filled
discussion.
ADULT DISCUSSION & FAITH SHARING GROUP:
The STM Faith Discussion Group meets on Sundays, 10:30am, in
the Red Room. All adult Catholics, ages 19 and up, are welcome
to join the Group to bring forth your questions, enjoy good
conversation and fellowship with others on many faith-based
topics. For more info, please see Faye Powell.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM: Classes are
well underway! Mrs. Wanda Brooks will be happy to speak with
you if you have any questions. The best thing that we can do for
our young people is to bless them with a strong relationship with
Jesus Christ in the fellowship of the Church!
MARCH ANNIVERSARIES: Couples observing a Wedding
DAILY MASS READINGS
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
1 Peter 1:3-9
1 Peter 1:6-10
Joel 2:12-18 2 Cor 5:20-6:2
Deut 30:15-20
Is 58:1-9a
Is 58:9b-14
Mk 10:17-27
Mk 10:28-31
Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
Lk 9:22-25
Mt 9:14-15
Lk 5:27-32
Anniversary this month are asked to notify Mrs. Mary Waters in
the Church Office by March 19th. Blessings will be shared with
you on Sunday, March 23rd.
MARCH SHARE INFO: March 9th, 16th & 23rd. Pick-up:
Saturday, March 29th, 11am-12:30pm. Please see Mrs. Mary
Bush for more info.
LENTEN MORNING PRAYER: Please join the NCW
Communities, Monday through Friday, 5:30am, in the church.
PLEASE KEEP THE SICK IN YOUR PRAYERS:
Shirley Adams, Veronica Apiafi, Monique Bailey, Viola Barnes, Natalie Bishop,
Francillia Browne, Deacon James Brown, Cynthia Bruce, Felicia V. Bush, John
Bush, Mary Agnes Bush, Jane Butorac, Gwen Cannon, Mary Carey, Dixie Clark,
Francess Davies, Barbara Deale, Edith Ellis, Renee Feliu, Diane Finley, Mary E.
Ford, 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, Sarah Jones, William Kemp, Mack & Barbara Kennedy, Dennis Lucas,
Andre Lyles, Gloria & William McCaskill, Emma McEntyre, Betty Moeller, Gloria
Morgan, Dorothy Myrtle, Angela Neal, Margarita Perez, Tammy & Davon
Peterson, CeeCee Poindexter, Charles Queen, Arthur Robinson, Leroy & Robert
Robinson, Robin Sescoe, Ciara Shields, Brenda Smith, Edsel Swann, Jane Thomas,
Kristine Vivican, Paul Waters, Marilyn Denise Whetstone, Kobe M. Williams,
David Wilson, Jean Wright, Marianne Young, and all who are Sick and
Shut-In.
~ PRAYER REQUESTS ~
Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of our beloved
Mother Doris Martin, who has gone home to be with the Lord.
We also ask your prayers for the peaceful repose of the soul of
Barbara Garrison, aunt of Felicia James and Wanda Cooper.
Please also keep our sick and shut-in members in your prayers.
~ Funeral Arrangements for Mrs. Doris Martin ~
St. Thomas More Church, Saturday, March 8, 2014:
Viewing-9:00am; Funeral Mass-11:00am; IntermentResurrection Cemetery. Repast immediately following Interment.
POINTS TO PONDER
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.
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
In just a few days we will begin Lent again. Yes. Wednesday
is Ash Wednesday and, as usual, we will mark our foreheads with
ashes that symbolize our need and desire for healing and God’s
mercy. As Pope Francis makes it so clear for us in The Joy of the
Gospel, “God never tires of forgiving us.” So as we begin this
Lent I would like to encourage you to experience the healing
power of God’s mercy in the sacrament of Penance. Our hope
throughout these forty days is that we can do better, grow closer
to God and each other and truly experience the joy of the gospel
in our lives, families and church. This happens when we enter
into the discipline of this season of prayer, fasting and
almsgiving.
Recently, Cardinal Wuerl wrote a great little book titled, The
Light Is On For You. It is about the healing we can experience
in our lives through the sacrament of Penance. I would like to
refer to the foreword of the book which was written by Scott
Hahn. He offers some positive insights into why this sacrament is
so healthy for us.
Here is some of what Hahn writes: I’d say that Confession is
the healthiest thing going. Confession does for our souls what
doctors, dietitians, physical therapists, and pharmacists do for
our bodies.
Think about all that we do to keep our bodies in working
order. We go for regular checkups. And no one has to remind us
to brush our teeth, take a shower, and pop the pills for whatever
ails us. All this is good for us, and it’s good for everyone around
us too. No one wants to work beside us if we decide to stop
showering.
Well if we spend so much effort on the care of our bodies,
shouldn’t we be spending more time on our souls? After all, our
bodies will pass away soon enough, but our souls will live on
forever.
What’s more, our decisions about our spiritual health and
hygiene will have a tremendous effect on the people around us.
Nothing serves family life and workplace dynamics as well as a
clean soul and the advice of a good confessor.
On the other hand, nothing hurts our relationships and our
mental health more than the burdens of sin and guilt. Confession
is free health care—comprehensive coverage for every family
from cradle to grave. Christ is the divine physician, and unlike
human physicians, he can guarantee us a cure every time.
In fact, he can guarantee us immortality. Any doctor who
could do all that would have long lines outside his office door. I
also look forward to the day when long lines would be found
outside our church confessionals. Confession is nothing new. Sin
is nothing new.
So let us all use Lent as a new beginning in our lives that we
may experience the healing of the spirit that leads to a healthy
soul. Father John Kinter has “the Light on for you” every
Wednesday evening from 6:30 until 8:00. If this is not
convenient for you, I will be available for confessions on Sunday
morning before the 8:45 Mass and after the 11:30 Mass. So
please open your minds and hearts to receive the healing love of
Christ in this great sacrament of God’s mercy.
In Jesus peace,
Father Raymond Moore
ASH WEDNESDAY MASS: Mass will be held at 8:00am
in the rectory chapel, and 7:30pm in the Church.
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.)
\
MARCH 29, 2014 ~ 9:00AM-3:00PM
GUEST SPEAKER ~ Dr. Francine Dove Hawkins
THEME: “My Victory Comes From God”
Growing Together in Hope, Healing and Happiness!
Be empowered by the word, get intimate with the spirit, and
come feel the power of the message! Please join us!
For additional information, please see…
Fr. Moore, CeeCee Poindexter, Liz Berry,
Wanda Brooks, Judy Kenner, or Margaret Butler
2014 CARDINAL’S APPEAL: Many of you have already
received letters from Cardinal Wuerl asking that you make a
pledge to the 2014 Cardinal’s Appeal. All of us will be given the
opportunity to pledge our support on Commitment Weekend,
February 22-23, 2014! Our goal for 2014 is $35,932.
THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL: Great news! A second order
has been places for the Holy Father’s book, The Joy of the
Gospel. Already forty four persons have received copies of this
very useful and readable tool. The cost is only $10.00 per copy.
This is a great tool for spiritual growth, especially during the
season of Lent.
REGULATIONS REGARDING FASTING AND
ABSTINENCE DURING LENT!
FASTING: When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full
meal. Two smaller meals may also be taken. The regulations
regarding fasting apply to persons from the age of 18 until 59.
ABSTINENCE: All persons age 14 and onward are bound to
abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays in Lent.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting
and abstinence.
~APPRECIATION~
Thank You to all who made our Soul Food Sunday a huge
success. Appreciation is expressed to the STM Parish Action
Committee, Adult Choir, Dance Ministry, special guest speaker
Edward Davies, the many Church Organizations that supported
our meal with their food donations, and the entire STM church
family. Special thanks to kitchen staff: Marion Richardson, Billy
Hawkins, Desmond Bowser, Andrea & Terry McClendon, Flora
Bush, Deborah Johnson, and Alice Proctor. We also thank our
wonderful Mistress of Ceremony, Chandrai Jackson-Saunders!
Thank You, Fr. Moore, for all of your support and blessings. Our
Black History Month activities would not have been successful
without the entire STM church family participating in the events.
May God bless each of you as we grow together in hope, healing
and happiness! Liz Berry
NOTES FOR TODAY…
th
~Pre-K3 through 8 ~
Catholic Environment ~ Academically Excellent
Tuition Assistance Available
FOR MORE INFO PLEASE CALL: 202-561-1189
SODALITY NEWS!
FASHION SHOW! STOP, LOOK, LISTEN-Sodality's Senior
Fashion Show & Luncheon, April 26, 2014, 1:00-5:00pm. Cost:
$20.00. We are seeking models 55 years & up. If interested,
please sign up on sheets in rear of church. Info Contacts:
CeeCee Poindexter, 202-415-7870; or Margaret Spencer, 202561-8974.
SCHOLARSHIPS! The STM Sodality will be awarding two
scholarships: One to a graduating student from the STM Catholic
Academy who will be entering a Catholic high school; one to a
graduating high student entering college in the fall. A written
essay must meet the criteria for the Sodality Award. For more
information, please speak with one of the following
Sodality members: Laura Brown, Margarine Neal or Ruth
Richardson. Submissions must be turned in by Sunday, May 18th!
2014 ANNUAL JUBILARIAN MASS: Cardinal Donald
Wuerl will celebrate the annual Jubilarian Mass honoring
couples married 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 51+ years on
Sunday, June 15, 2014 at 2:00pm. Mass will be held at the
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Please contact Pattie Hamilton in the Church Office by
Monday, March 31, 2014 so that she may register you on-line
per the Archdiocese’s requested registration procedure.
STM FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS
STILL APPRECIATED!!
WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE A
GREAT NEED for FOOD DONATIONS.
WE APPEAL TO YOUR
GENEROUS SPIRIT OF GIVING, CHURCH!!
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR FOOD PANTRY!
Requests for assistance remain on the rise!!
STM has served as a REFUGE OF RELIEF for many!
Please consider contributing food or monetary
donations to HELP KEEP OUR PANTRY VIABLE!
We continue to have a particular need for:
STAPLES & NUTRITIOUS CANNED ITEMS!
We greatly appreciate your support! Thank You!
CATHOLIC CHARITIES SEEKS YOUR HELP!!
The Tenants Empowerment Network seeks Volunteers for
the following positions at its STM site: Assist with office
tasks and phones any day/time/hours during the week; Assist
with the care of children (ages 2-12) during Parent Groups on
Mondays or Thursdays from 6:00 to 8:00pm.
For more information, please call
Sr. Mary Louise Wessell, 202-373-0112.
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BULLETIN SUBMISSIONS
Items for Sunday’s Bulletin are requested via email
by 5:00pm each Monday.
Please send items to stmchurch@comcast.net.
(Kindly note “Bulletin Submission” in the subject line.)
We are happy to assist anyone who may need support with sending
items electronically. Please contact Pattie Hamilton in the Church
Office, and she will gladly assist you.
Our updated calendar, Bulletin and other items of interest may be
accessed on the church’s website: www.stthomasmoredc.org.