Catholic Parish of St. Thomas More

210 Haddow Close, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6R 2P3, Ph: (780) 434-6313, Fax: (780) 438-2088

WEEKLY BULLETIN

We are approaching Pentecost. Before Jesus’ departure, we hear His wonderful words: “Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News to the whole creation.” In order to fulfill this apostolic mission today we need the assistance of the Holy Spirit. He descended upon us when we were baptized. At that moment we became “a temple of the Holy Spirit”. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that the Most Holy Trinity gives us sanctifying grace which enables us to believe in God, to hope in Him, and to love Him. Also it gives us the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through His gifts and allows us to grow in goodness through the moral virtues (CCC 1266). So, in our prayers we need to turn to the Holy Spirit and ask Him to help us to cooperate with sanctifying grace. Without this grace we are not able to fulfill this apostolic mission. This is why I propose that we pray the Novena to the Holy Spirit. You can pray individually or pray together within the family circle and during the group meetings. At the entrance of the church you will find pamphlets which can be used for the Novena.

On Saturday, May 26, Fr. Stefano Penna will be celebrating the additional Vigil Mass at 7.30 pm in our church. The invitation to this special Eucharist was sent to all parishes across our Archdiocese by Catholic Renewal Services. Let us join them in celebrating this Vigil of Pentecost and pray that the Holy Spirit will help us to bring the Good News to all creation according to our vocations and tasks in the Church.

It is important to notice that Pope Benedict asked that May 24 be observed as a Day of Prayer for the Church in China. He chose this day since it is the traditional feast of Our Lady of Help of Christians, who is venerated at the Shrine of Sheshan in Shanghai. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters in China who are still being persecuted because of their beliefs, that the Good News will be proclaimed in freedom and peace.

Fr. Andrew

Fr. Andrew and Fr. Roger will be at the Priest’s Assembly on May 21, 22, 23, 24 & 25.
There will be no Masses on those days. In an emergency please call the office - 780-434-6313.

THE PENTECOST VIGIL of the Catholic Renewal Services will be celebrated in our parish on Sat, May 26 at 7:30 pm. Fr. Andrew Bogdanowicz and Fr. Stephano Penna will be concelebrating. We invite everyone to celebrate the birth of the church.

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL will be co-hosting a Charity Barbecue from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm on Sat, June 2 at the M & M Meat Shop in Heritage Square. Proceeds will go to SSVP Tri-Parish Conference and Wings of Providence Society, a charitable organization that provides housing services to women, with children, who have experienced family violence. Enjoy a delicious hamburger and a drink, and at the same time assist great charitable organizations. “Remember, if you or someone you know needs help or wishes to donate furniture or household goods, call 780-471-5577 or visit our website www.ssvpedmonton.ca.

SINGLE ADULTS: Welcome the summer with our year - end BBQ potluck May 28 6-9 pm in the Parish Hall. Come socialize with fellow singles over a BBQ'd meal and surprise entertainment. You are invited to bring your family and fellow single friends. Please RSVP by phoning Laurie @ 780-249-7715 or by email: stm.singleadults@gmail.com.

CWL MAY GENERAL MEETING: All ladies of the parish are invited to attend the May General Meeting of the St Thomas More Catholic Women's League on Tuesday, May 29 at 7:30 pm. Members of the CWL enjoy companionship with fellow Catholic women, spiritual development, community engagement, and leadership opportunities at the parish, diocesan, provincial and national levels. Our parish CWL council has 90+ members and welcomes all abilities, interests and talents. For more information, contact Clover Oryschak at (780) 434-5955 or stmcwl@gmail.com.

CWL – Thank you to all parishioners who purchased roses on Mother’s Day to support the Annual Edmonton Pregnancy Crisis Centre fund raiser. Your support is very much appreciated for this worthy cause.

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT HOMELESSNESS IN OUR CITY? In response to Archbishop Smith’s call for the Catholic Women’s League to become involved in this issue, our CWL council invites you to a workshop offered by the Edmonton Interfaith Initiative on Housing and Homelessness on June 6 at 7 pm. The workshop will be Co-chaired by Sister Mary Clare Stack of Catholic Social Services and Rev. Brian Kiely of the Unitarian Church. The success of the homelessness initiative requires the commitment of individuals and organizations in all parts of Edmonton. Nearly 1800 individuals need our friendship and our prayers as they make the transition as newly-housed people. Contact Jacky Beriault of our CWL council at 780 752 7949 for further information.

PERMANENT DIACONATE: A permanent deacon's ministry evolves in response to specific needs and his God-given talents. There are three dimensions of diaconal service: Ministry of Love and Justice, Ministry of the Word of God, and Ministry within the Liturgy. Permanent deacons prepare the faithful to celebrate the sacraments and to carry out their vocations as baptized Christians. They are commissioned to preach, to teach, to counsel and to give spiritual guidance. They baptize, witness marriages, and preside at wake services and funerals. In all that they do, permanent deacons act as servants of the Church. One of the men scheduled to be ordained to the permanent diaconate on Saturday, June 2, at 11 am at St. Joseph’s Basilica is. Randall (Randy) Abele, a member of St. Thomas More Parish. Please keep this faithful servant in your prayers.

WORLD YOUTH DAY: A new initial information Package for World Youth Day 2013 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil is now available. You can view or download this package by visiting www.caedm.ca/worldyouthday Note: information will be added as it becomes available, so check back frequently. Contact Andrew Papenbrock at 780-469-1010 ext. 2238 for question or concerns.

WANT TO TAKE A PEEK OR LISTEN INTO THE RCIA TEACHINGS? Now you can! The audio & slide shows of our adult faith formation ministry, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, can be found on our webpage at: http://www.stmparish.com/rcia2011-12presentation.html.
While these sessions are aimed at adults seeking to become Catholic, these are also a great way for the 'long-in-the-tooth' Catholic to dig in & explore that RICH TREASURE CHEST that IS the Catholic Church!…the TREASURE that is already ours! These sessions are taught by fellow parishioners - faithful Catholics who have a desire to share their faith & thus commit themselves as Catechists to the RCIA. The teachings follow the RCIA "Journey of Faith" (Liguori Publications), a package which can be purchased for approximately $20 from St. John of God Book store or Universal Church Supplies. Join us on-line! Or, better yet - join us on Thursday evenings from mid-Sept through to Pentecost each year!

1ST RECONCILIATION AND 1ST HOLY COMMUNION NEWS: Congratulations to all 250 boys and girls who celebrated their 1st Reconciliation in April. Please look at their beautiful paper hearts that hang in our west hallway. This great group of kids attended their Holy Communion retreat on Saturday, May 5. Many activities were planned for them to better understand the gift of the Eucharist. These children will be celebrating their 1st Holy Communion on specific weekend masses in May and June. Please keep these young parishioners in your prayers.

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM IS FOR INFANTS TO AGE 7 by which children become members of the Body of Christ. St. Thomas More parish would be happy to assist you with the preparation of your child’s baptism. Parents are required to provide documents, call Monica and see her for an Office Visit appointment before the Baptism Preparation Sessions on June 6 and 13 (7-9 pm). Documents required include a 4x6 picture of your child; copy of the child’s birth certificate; copy of the Catholic parent’s baptism certificate and proof of documentation that the Catholic godparent(s) received the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Catholic Church (updated copy of baptism certificate with confirmation notations or copy of Confirmation certificate).

For a full explanation on how your child can receive the Sacrament of Baptism, go to our website: Baptism Brochure 2011-2012 or pick up a Baptism brochure in the foyer.

CONFIRMATION 2012: for young people in grade 7 or older. Confirmation will be celebrated at St. Thomas More on Sun, November 25, 2012 at 2 pm. Confirmation brochures are in the stand in the foyer. We ask that you complete the Candidate Information section and hand it in, mail it, or fax it to the parish office before June 30. Please mark your calendar with all of the important dates and times (parents meeting, catechism sessions, candidate workshop, completed Faith Book deadline, candidate retreat and Confirmation Mass).

MARRIAGE PREPARATION: Brochures (with registration form) are in the display stand. The next Marriage Preparation Weekend at STM will be Friday, Feb 22, 2013, 7 pm to 9:30 pm; Saturday, Feb 23, 2013, 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday, Feb 24, 2013, 9 am to 1 pm. Drop registration off at the office or mail in. Registration deadline is Friday, Feb 15, 2013.

• Individual or family contact: first name, last name, phone number, e-mail address
• Age(s) of those planning to attend—Senior (65+), Adult (19-64), Student (13-18), Child (6-12)

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Sun, May 27, after the 8:30 and 10:00 o’clock Masses. Come & enjoy pancakes with strawberries & whipped cream, sausage, scrambled eggs, coffee, tea & juice. Cost is $5 per person or $15 per family.

LARGE GARAGE SALE: St. Joseph's Auxiliary Hospital ambulance bays, 10707-29 Avenue on Thurs, May 24, 10 am to 6 pm and Fri, May 25, 10 am to 5 pm. (Many contributors of a variety of household goods and collectables.) Proceeds are used by the St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary to enhance the care and quality of life of the residents of the Hospital.

FRANCISCAN CENTRE: You are invited to join a discussion group at the Franciscan Centre on the following dates. The Wed group meets from 1 pm to 2:15 pm. May 23 – What is the promise of Heaven? On Saturday, May 26, the scripture discussion “Who do you say that I Am” will take place from 10 am to 11:30 am. You are invited to come and pray at the Franciscan Centre, Mondays from 10 am to 11 am and Thursdays from 2 pm to 3 pm. For further information contact Sr. Helen at 780-422-7263 or hhadcock@atonementhome.com.

OUR LADY OF VICTORY CAMP: Summer is coming so send in your registration for Our Lady of Victory Camp! Share an exciting week of friendship, recreation, deepening your relationship with Jesus and learning about our faith. (Brochures in the brochure display stand). OLVC relies on the generosity of volunteers to cook and nurse. If you are able to volunteer in either of these areas call Lisa at 403-347-4952 or go to the OLVC website www.olve.ab.ca.

PROVIDENCE RENEWAL CENTRE currently has two exciting full time job openings in its program department. One position is for a Program Facilitator and the other is for a Program Assistant. For more detail about these positions please check our website www.providencerenewal.ca under Employment Opportunities.

LIVING WATER COLLEGE OF THE ARTS: Give Expression to Faith - Enliven your faith this summer: Iconography (July4-21) or Sacred Choral Music (August 6-19). Use egg tempera and 24K gold to write an Icon of St. John the Baptist, and learn the rich traditions of the Eastern Church; or Immerse yourself in beautiful church music, improve your vocal technique, gain conducting skills, and learn classical motets and Gregorian chant. Become refreshed with daily prayer, Mass, adoration. Scholarship funding is available. Contact: 780-741-2488 www.livingwatercollege.com.

ARE YOU REGISTERED WITH THE PARISH OFFICE? Being registered with the parish office is of the utmost importance. It allows us to serve all parishioners by providing a better vision of the active populace so that we may respond to the needs of this growing and dynamic parish. Please do not assume that you are automatically registered if you or your children have received sacraments at STM or if you live within the parish boundaries and attend Mass. The only way we can register you and your family is upon your submission of a registration form. These forms are on the counter at the main entrance. If you attend St. Thomas More Parish and have not yet registered, or if your information is not up to date, please fill out a registration form and return it to the parish office.

NEW PARISHIONERS / CHANGE OF ADDRESS - Please fill out a Parish Registration Form located on the counter below the bulletin board at the church entrance.

INTERESTED IN PRE-AUTHORIZED DONATIONS? – The Pre-Authorized Donation (PAD) Forms are located on the counter below the bulletin board at the church entrance.