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 invite you to bring your old palms from Palm Sunday 2009 to the church. We will burn these and the ashes will be used for Ash Wednesday 2010. The church will be giving you new palms on Palm Sunday, March 28, 2010.

• April 1 – Holy Thursday – 7:00 pm (incense)
• April 2 – Good Friday – 12:00 noon & 3:00 pm (no incense)
• April 3 – Easter Vigil – 9:00 pm (incense)
• April 4 – Easter – 8:00 am & 10:00 am & 12:00 noon (no incense)

PRE-AUTHORIZED DONATIONS (PAD) – All PAD participants with authorized Special Collections for 2010 should make note of the St. Joseph’s Seminary – Newman College collection which is scheduled to be withdrawn from accounts on February 15.

OFFICE OF PASTORAL CARE & LIFE INITIATIVES…BRINGING COMMUNION TO THE SICK: This free workshop is offered to Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who bring Communion to the sick and homebound or who serve in hospitals and other care facilities, and those who are interested in serving in this ministry. The workshop offers a deeper and fuller understanding of the sacraments, with particular emphasis on the Eucharist and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. The workshop will be Thurs, Feb 25, 7-9 pm at the Catholic Pastoral Centre. To register contact the Office of Pastoral Care and Life Initiatives at pastoralcareandlife@caedm.ca or call 780-469-1010, John MacDonald at ext. 249 or Gloria Pigat at ext. 247.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM for infants to age 7 is one of the Sacraments of Initiation by which children become members of the Body of Christ, the church. Whether you are expecting or your child has been born, we at St. Thomas More would be happy to assist you with the preparation of your child’s baptism. Both parents are required to come and register for the March 3/10 Baptism Preparation Sessions in advance and must contact Monica Bober, Pastoral Assistant at 780-434-6313 ext 227.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWLY BAPTIZED: On January 23, 24 and 31 the following children were received into our parish family through the celebration of Baptism: Jovhe Catajan, Emma Mooney, Parker Sklarchuk, Ethan Danko, Annabelle Chrystal, Elliot Chrystal, Rachel Paras, Aleksander Zawadiuk, Darius Nelson, Eli Padnivelan, Jillian Perez and Dailyn Woronuk. We pray that each child will come to know our God’s great love through the example, care and prayer of our parish community.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION AT STM: The Marriage Prep Course at STM will be a weekend course, March 12/13/14, 2010. For information or to register there are brochure/registration forms in the display stand in the foyer.

On 14 Feb we will celebrate the Rite of Calling to Lenten Renewal at the 10 am Mass for those in the RCIA who are Baptized and are preparing for the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. Please pray for: Anthony Fan, Brenda Gillmore, Katherine Smith, Lisa Welburn, Joanna Yu, Alexandra Trojanowicz, Kurt Otto, Jeff Epp, Mary Anne Loney-Buijs, Erich Reimer and Jesse and Monique Reimer

On 20 Feb at the 5 pm Mass we will celebrate the Rite of Sending for those adults & children who are preparing to receive the Sacraments Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. Please pray for: Brittany Corsiatto, Heather Freeman, Hideko Kurcharski, Lyle Larson, April and Myles Madden, Andrew Mann, Dhiren Naidu, Nick Radloff, Kristy Smith, Patricia Ting, Craig and Ethan Welburn, Scott Williams, Gillian Yap, Farley Wilson and Harrison Fraser.

PARISH CLOTHING BANK asks parishioners to please donate clothes only. We cannot make use of any other items. We don’t have the space to store anything other than clothing. We don’t have the means to haul other items away. Thank you for your cooperation.

RED CROSS BABY-SITTING COURSE - will be offered on Saturday, Feb 13th, from 9am to 5pm in the church hall. Registration is $55 and is limited to 15. Minimum age is 11 years old. Contact Jean Ashdown at 780-435-1861 or jean.ashdown@telus.net for registration information. Sponsored by Catholic Women's League and Catholic Girls' League.

THE SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL: Remember, if you need help, or know of someone who does, or you wish to donate furniture or household items, give us a call at 780-471-5577.

CATHOLIC COMPANION CLUB invites you to join them on Tuesday, February 16th, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Come and discover "The Secret Life of Bees". "The core of this story is Lily's search for her real mother, and she finds one in a place she never expected". N.B. The gathering is open to all parishioners. Bring a friend, share companionship and refreshments.

CWL SPRING SPRING CHICKEN SUPPER AND SILENT AUCTION – Everyone, including ‘spring chickens’ are invited to our Spring Chicken Supper being held on Saturday, March 20 in the church hall. Tickets are $ 12/person (children under 6 are free) and will be on sale on the weekends of Feb 26/27, March 6/7 and March 13/14 or contact Jean Ashdown at 780-435-1861 or jean.ashdown@telus.net. If interested in donating to the silent auction, please contact Yvonne Fummerton at 780-433-8106

ECS EARLY LEARNING SHOWCASE: Do you have preschool children? Edmonton Catholic Schools invites parents and children to their Early Learning Showcase on Tuesday, February 16, 5-7:30 p.m. at the Jubilee Auditorium. This FREE event will feature an interactive family performance by children’s recording artist Charlotte Diamond, along with hands-on learning centres with teachers and early Learning Team members to showcase the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs available at Edmonton Catholic Schools. To register please call Lois Boxall at 780-638- 6810 or email lois.boxall@ecsd.net

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND: Friday – Sunday, March 5 – 7, 2010. Make a Marriage Encounter Weekend your "gift" to each other. Marriage Encounter provides a conducive environment to spend quality time together, away from the distractions and tensions of everyday life, encouraging you to focus on your relationship with each other, and your relationship with God. For registration information please contact Jim & Mary Ganton, 780-418-4051.

LOUIS ST. LAURENT JR./SR. CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, 11230 - 43 Avenue, Edmonton, Tel: 780-435-3964, ‘All The World’s a Stage. What Role Will You Play?’ Info Night: IB/Fine Arts/Hockey Program Wed. Feb. 10 – 7 pm. Open House: Wed. March 3 – 7 pm.

NURTURING CHILDREN’S SPIRITUALITY: Join Dr. Nancy Reeves for a free workshop for anyone involved with children’s spirituality: parents, teachers, youth ministers, children’s liturgy, RCIA adapted for children and children’s catechism. The workshop is set for 6:30-9 p.m. on Friday, February 26, at Good Shepherd Parish. For more information call Andrew at 780-469-1010 ext. 238.

PROVIDENCE RENEWAL CENTRE: invites you to participate in a Married Couples Retreat entitled “Is Love All You Really Need?” Friday, February 12 (5:30 pm) to Sunday February 14 (1:00 pm). On this Valentine’s Day weekend we invite you to spend some quality time with your spouse and discover a deeper appreciation for the spiritual dimension of your marriage. Romantic supper included. Private Suite; $375.00. For more information call 780-701-1854 or email retreats@providencerenewal.ca

P3M HOLY HOUR: In celebration of the Jubilee Year for Priests, the Office of Vocations is pleased to present a monthly Holy Hour of prayer for priests and for the vocation of priesthood in this third millennium (P3M). Whether you are a priest or religious, consecrated or lay, single or married, this Holy Hour of prayer is meant to celebrate the gift of the priesthood and to help us grow in our universal call to holiness and service. This month's Holy Hour focuses on the theme of Integrity. Join us Wednesday, February 10, 7:30 p.m., at St. Albert Church, 7 St. Vital Avenue, St. Albert.

LIVING WATER COLLEGE: Deacon Kenneth Noster, college president, will lead informational meetings on Friday, Feb.26 at 7 pm and Saturday, Feb. 27 at 10 am in St. Agnes Parish Hall. Take this opportunity to discover how to respond to the plea by Pope Benedict XVI to help the arts have a positive impact on our culture, whether you’re a viewer, artist or benefactor. Everyone is welcome. Any questions - please contact Ron or Elaine at (780) 434-0175. www.livingwatercollege.com

18TH ANNUAL DIM SUM WITH A DIFFERENCE: Please join the Boyle McCauley Health Centre (www.bmhc.net) on Sat, Feb 20 at 10:45 am for its annual fundraiser in support of the continued provision of inner city health services and programs. Tickets are $45 each, and the event will be held at Noodle Noodle Restaurant. Funds will be used to support the BMHC, Kindred House, HAART House and Women’s Health Promotion programs. For information or to purchase tickets, call Sarah (780) 934-8087.

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.