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 Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

“You are the Light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Mt.5:14)

As I met so many of you during the opening celebrations at St. Joseph Seminary and Newman Theological College, these words of Jesus Christ came joyfully to mind. I witnessed the beautiful light of faith shining on your faces, and was assured that this light will shine for generations from the classrooms, chapels, libraries and halls of the new Catholic Campus – our own “city on a hill” in the heart of Edmonton.

When I think of the priests, Catholic educators and lay ministers who will be formed here, I give glory to God for His loving plan to bring the Good News to every generation. Each of you, through your prayers and financial gifts, is a precious part of this loving plan.

The weekend of February 11/12 marks the Annual Parish Campaign in support of St. Joseph Seminary and Newman Theological College. Your support of St. Joseph Seminary will help nurture a culture of vocations to touch you, your children and your grandchildren with the Sacraments and the Word of Jesus Christ. As you provide for the operations of Newman Theological College, you are actually handing on the gift of faith formation entrusted to you, to future generations. When you say “yes” to this Annual Parish Campaign, you are also saying “yes” to the New Evangelization, bringing the Light of the Good News to those who have not met our Lord and to those among us for whom the Light has grown dim.

I am deeply grateful for the generous support you have given to the seminary and college through the Annual Parish Campaign over the years. The goal for the 2012 collection is $285,000. Your witness and service, your prayer and your financial support become, through the Holy Spirit, Light for the world. “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Ps. 118)

May God bless you in abundance,

Richard W. Smith - Archbishop of Edmonton

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.

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.

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.

NOTHING MORE BEAUTIFUL: The Wonder of the Sacraments, Thurs – Feb 16 - 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Our fourth year of Nothing More Beautiful considers the life of grace. We direct our attention to the wondrous call that is ours to follow the Lord Jesus Christ as his disciples. Join us for an evening of music, prayer and special presentations by Catechist Most Rev. Donald Bolen, Bishop of Saskatoon and Witness Teresa Kellendonk, the Associate Director of Pastoral Care for the Archdiocese of Edmonton. We will have a bus leaving the parking lot of St. Thomas More at 6:00 pm SHARP. Our bus generally returns to St. Thomas More from the Basilica by 9:00 pm. The Bus Sign-up Sheet is on the counter at the entrance of the Church.

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 March 7 & 14 (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

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWLY BAPTIZED - During the month of January, the following children were received into our parish family through the celebration of Baptism: Gabriel Dalmacio, Willow Scott, Scott Ridley, Elizabeth Forys, Levi Gratton, Gabriela Jarillo Alvrado, Lucas Letourneau, Sarah Paras and Sean Yeo. We pray that each child will come to know God’s great love through the example, care and prayer of our parish community.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE AT STM: Brochures (with registration form) are available in the display stand. The next course is Fri, March 2, 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm; Sat, March 3, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sun, March 4, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Drop registration off at the office or mail in.

K4J-CATECHSIM CLASSES: A reminder that the K4J-Catechsim classes coming up are on February 6 and 13. Please make sure you bring your children no later than 5:55 pm as we always start our classes on time.

WORLD MARRIAGE DAY CELEBRATION – Feb 12 at St. Charles Parish, 1:30 pm to 5 pm. Living and growing in the sacrament of marriage is the theme for this year. The Sacrament of Marriage is a tremendous gift to the life and faith journey of the Christian Community. The love of a man and woman, committed to an exclusive and permanent relationship, is a powerful witness to the love and presence of God in our life.

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.

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

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.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF PRAYER GATHERINGS - Sr. June and Sr. Teresa, members of the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement, have recently moved to Edmonton and desire to meet with fellow prayers. Mondays from 10 am to 11 am and Thursdays from 2 pm to 3 pm. You’re invited to come to the Franciscan Centre at 11035 92nd Street, to pray. Call 780-422-7263 for further info.

CATHOLIC RENEWAL SERVICES is sponsoring a Mass and Healing Service Sun, Feb. 5 with Fr. James Banu Bodula at Good Shepherd Church. at 7 pm, with Mass to follow. There will be a love offering. This is your chance to bring someone who needs a healing from the Lord! For information call 587-989-0483 (Local number)

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

PROVIDENCE RENEWAL CENTRE: Join Sr. Jeannette Filthaut on Mon, Feb 13, 10:00 to 3:30 for Leading Ladies from Scripture. We will spend this day reflecting on four images of female leadership from the Old Testament and explore how they are relevant to us as contemporary women and men. $40 (includes lunch). Call 780-701-1854 or email retreats@providencerenewal.ca

BEAUTY OF STEWARDSHIP: Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “Where there is silence there is prayer, where there is prayer there is faith, where there is faith there is love, where there is love there is God. It all starts with silence.” (Bishop Chatlain, NMB Dec 9, 2011) REFLECTION QUESTION: When faced with silence, what do I do? What can I do to turn off the distractions and turn on the silence? ACTION: Look for the moments of silence in your life this week. Use these moments of silence to open a conversation with God.

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.