Catholic Parish of St. Thomas More

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

WEEKLY BULLETIN

Dear Parishioners.

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 391-395) we read that Satan or the Devil was at first a good Angel, created by God. He became evil by rejecting God. He made the final choice. It is the irrevocable character of his choice, and not a defect in the infinite divine mercy that makes the Angel’s sin unforgivable. The Devil hates both God and us. His greatest desire is our condemnation; it means to share his fate. Usually, Satan tempts us against faith, hope and chastity. As the father of lies, he undermines the teaching of the Church, discourages us in our struggles and makes us slothful in religious practice or eliminates God from the public life. We may possess many “unclean spirits”, if we willingly choose a godless life, being focused only on our bodies.

The good news is that the power of Satan is not infinite. One can say that he is on God’s leash. Although his work may cause grave injures to each human being and to society, the action is permitted by the Divine Providence. It is a great mystery that God permits him to act, but we also know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him. After all, we are not abandoned by God. In our weaknesses we have to turn to Jesus. He is our refuge, because all evil spirits tremble before Him and have no power over Him. The final victory belongs to God alone. If we cling to Christ we are safe.

I invite you to adore Jesus who is present in the Blessed Sacrament. Take a moment to be with our Lord. Pray and trust in Jesus!

Fr. Andrew Bogdanowicz

SCRIPTURE STUDY: (Wednesday morning group) will be studying “Parables of the Kingdom” part 2 commencing Feb 1. If interested call Dianne at 780-435-4297 or Jackie at 780-438-4631, so study materials may be ordered.

SINGLE ADULTS: Monday January 30. Mass 7:00 p.m. followed by gathering 7:30 - 9:00. Guests Paul and Carol Quist (Holy Trinity Parish) will engage us in an informal and interactive dialogue about issues relevant to single adults in the church community. As well they will provide details about an upcoming retreat for single adults that they will be hosting in February. Plan to attend what promises to be a fruitful evening.

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL (SSVP) is in need of volunteer members, particularly, to do home visits. If you or someone you know might be interested in becoming a “Vincentian” to help the society in its mission of ministering to the poor, please attend one of our monthly meetings. Our meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is February 7. ”Remember, if you or someone you know needs help or wish to donate furniture or household goods, please give us a call at 780-471-5577 or visit us at www.ssvpedmonton.ca

FAMILY PASTA DINNER DINNER AND DANCE: Saturday, February 11, 6:30 pm at the St. Thomas More Parish hall. All seating will be reserved. Ticket prices - adults 13 years and older: $10.00, children aged 6-12: $6.00, children 5 years and under are free; or “buy” a table for eight (with children, up to nine chairs) $70.00. Tickets are on sale this weekend. For more information call Arnold Lorenz at 780-988-5634. Hosted by the Knights of Columbus.

ORGANIST NEEDED: An organist is needed to play for 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass twice a month at Providence Centre, 3005 – 119 St, Edmonton. Please call Sr. Margaret McGovern at 780-436-7250.

FOOD DRIVE A “reverse collection” will be held on February 25/26. Please bring food items to church on March 3/4. On behalf of the Food Bank and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, we wish to thank all parishioners for their generosity. This special donation of time and food distribution fills a great need in our community.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Sun, Jan 29 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.

ST. THOMAS MORE MUSIC MINISTRY invites you to attend the second annual Archdiocesan Hymn Sing on Sunday Jan. 29 at 2 pm at St. Joseph’s Basilica. Several choirs from parishes throughout the archdiocese are leading a wide variety of hymns for a joyful afternoon of music, including the choir from St. Thomas More. We hope to see you there!

ANAWIM FOOD BANK: We continue to serve the needy in the city center. We portion food for them every week. We are much in need of egg cartons, grocery bags, veggie bags and empty food containers of all sizes (from medicine containers up to 1 litre size). There is a deposit box for these items in the Coat Room. Thank you from the Anawim Team.

DO YOU KNOW OF SOMEONE WHO MAY BE CALLED TO THE PRIESTHOOD? As a Parish Community, we need to encourage the young men among us to pray about the possibility of a priestly vocation. If you would like to suggest a name for consideration please call our St. Thomas More Vocations Representative, Darlene Smigelski, 780-434-6313 ext 226, or directly to the Archdiocese of Edmonton Vocations Office, Fr. Paul Terrio, 780-392-2445 ext. 6221. It never hurts to enquire.

COME AND SEE WEEKEND: Do you know a young man who may be curious about the vocation of priesthood? Those 18 and over are warmly invited to a discernment weekend at St. Joseph Seminary, February 10-12. Hear the vocation stories of seminarians, join them in prayer and recreation, and get the information you need from the formation team. For more information call Father Paul Terrio at 780-392-2445.

BAPTISM: is for infants to age 7 by which children become members of the Body of Christ and we at St. Thomas More parish would be happy to assist you with the preparation of your child’s baptism. Parents are required to provide documents, then call for an Office Visit appointment before registering for the Baptism Preparation classes on Feb 1 & 8 (7 pm-9 pm). Documents required include a 4 x 6 picture of your child; a copy of the child’s birth certificate; copy of the Catholic parent’s baptism certificate and proof of documentation that the Catholic godparents received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

For a full explanation on how to prepare your child for the Sacrament of Baptism, please read carefully the following brochure: Baptism Brochure 2011-2012

1ST RECONCILIATION & 1ST HOLY COMMUNION brochures are in the display stand in the foyer. Check the brochures for instructions and dates before you call the office. *1st Reconciliation, choose a meeting date and come to that meeting. (No registration required). *1st Holy Communion you need to register for the two meetings and the celebration date (and time) of your choosing. These brochures are also on the parish website. You must register before the deadline of February 1, to ensure your child’s spot in this year’s session!

MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE AT STM: Brochures (with registration form) are available in the display stand. The next Marriage Preparation course will be Friday, March 2, 2012, 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm; Saturday, March 3, 2012, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday, March 4, 2012, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Drop registration off at the office or mail in.

ADULT SERVERS NEEDED AT STM: St. Thomas More needs Adult Servers for the 10:00 am Masses on Sundays. One-on-one training will be provided. You must be a confirmed Catholic over the age of 16. The commitment will be dependent upon the number of volunteers. To volunteer or to find out what an adult server does, please contact Wayne at waynew@hydracan.com.

THE COUNCIL OF CONSECRATED WOMEN OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF EDMONTON invites Consecrated Men and Women and all the faithful to celebrate Christ’s presence in the world and our commitment to love and serve, on the occasion of the world Day for Consecrated Life – Thursday, February 2 – in a Eucharistic Celebration with Archbishop Emeritus Joseph MacNeil at St. Joseph’s Basilica at 7 p.m. A reception will follow the Eucharist.

PRINT, PLANT & PRAY FOR VOCATIONS: The Office of Vocations is appealing to all Catholics to pray regularly for religious vocations and in particular for vocations to the priesthood. Priestly vocations tend to ‘grow out of’ healthy vocations to marriage and family! Thus we all have a role in creating a ‘culture for vocations’ for the Church. Help create a vocations culture in your home by putting the Seminarian Calendar on your fridge and teaching your children to pray daily for vocations!

SEMINARIAN PRAYER CALENDAR: Please PRINT the new Calendar from the link below, PLANT it on your fridge and PRAY daily for the Seminarians. You should notice there are more Seminarians on this year’s calendar; clearly God is hearing our prayer! ALLELUIA! http://www.caedm.ca/Portals/0/documents/vocations/2011-11-29_Vocations_Calendar_First_Name.pdf

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS: Heavenly Father, bless Your Church in the Archdiocese of Edmonton with an abundance of holy and zealous priests, deacons, religious and seminarians. Give those You have called to the married state and those You have chosen to live as single persons in the world, the special graces that their lives require. Form us all in the likeness of Your Son so that in Him, with Him, and through Him we may love You more deeply and serve You more faithfully, always and everywhere. With the Virgin Mother Mary we ask this through Christ Your Son. Amen.

ARCHDIOCESAN COUNCIL OF DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE annual Share Lent Workshop is on Feb 4, from 9 am to 3:15 pm at St. Theresa Parish, (7508 29 Ave). The workshop is designed to help parishes organize and execute the Share Lent campaign. Examples of materials to be used in the campaign will be displayed and discussed. The theme is “Help a Just World Take Root.” Lunch will be provided therefore pre-registration is requested (pjacheson1@mac.com)

ANNUAL PARISH CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF ST. JOSEPH SEMINARY AND NEWMAN THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE takes place on the weekend of February 11/12. It is through this campaign that expenses such as faculty and staff salaries, library books, food for seminarians, heating, water and electrical costs are covered. Your generous support ultimately enables the seminary and college to develop strong Catholic leadership, both lay and ordained, for our parishes, schools and communities. Our 2011 campaign raised nearly $282,000; this year’s goal is $285,000.

YOU ARE INVITED to the Franciscan Centre. As Catholic believers who long to know, love and serve God, we are drawn to pray. Come and respond to the invitation to become “better” prayers. Wednesdays from 1 pm to 2:15 pm. Topics are: February 1 – Prayer of Adoration, February 8 - Prayer of Petition and Intercession, February 15 - Prayer with Mary and the Saints, February 22 – Praying with Scripture, For further information contact Sr. Helen at 780-422-7263 or hhadcock@atonementhome.com

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS are raffling off a 2012 fully-loaded AWD Lincoln valued at $52,000. Tickets will be available at the Pasta Night table in the foyer before and after all Masses until February 5. Tickets are 3 for $5

BEAUTY OF STEWARDSHIP: “A heart that receives God's Word in Sacred Scripture is a heart alert to the signs of God's abiding presence in all the circumstances of our lives.” (Archbishop Smith, Nothing More Beautiful, December 9, 2011) REFLECTION QUESTION: As I make plans, what place and space do I make for quiet contemplation of the Word of God? ACTION: Deliberately choose to ask God for the gift of a contemplative heart. Ask Him to make you still, ready, and able to receive His Word.

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.