Catholic Parish of St. Thomas More

June 28, 2009

A theme which links the first reading and the Gospel is enunciated in the first line of the text from the Book of Wisdom: 'God did not make death, and he does not delight in the death of the living.' The human experience of death is then explained as the result of the devil's activity, an idea which anticipates St Paul's connection between sin and death. According to the Book of Wisdom, death is not the will of God. God brings us into existence not so that we may die and disappear again, but precisely so that we might live. The Book of Wisdom does admit that God's purpose was frustrated, but the Gospel reminds us that God restored his purpose; he restored life instead of death through Jesus. For the believer death can now be seen as a sleep, not an endless one but one which leads to the dawn of a new life.

What is to be taken from this is the note that hope is the remedy to our difficulties, a hope based on what Jesus actually achieved. It is this hope that I am inviting you as I appeal to you today, to help bring to children of my village by whatever you are able to donate to help us build an Elementary School. We all recognize that the path to a better future is Education. This we know is the responsibility of governments to provide for their citizens. But this has become, not a right but a privilege for most children in Nigeria and other parts of Africa and the third world. Because the government is not providing enough and good Education, parents, who can afford to, buy education for their children. I have recognized that one of the basic needs of children in my home village is access to a good education. I venture into this project with a realization that the future of these children depends on the efforts and generosity of people of vision who will help to make this vision come through. I ventured into this because I trust in your goodness and generosity.

Today's text from the Book of Wisdom is a help with its reminder that 'the generative forces of the world are wholesome'. This kind of confidence only comes from faith in God's restoring power. We can be motivated to act on it by the example of Jesus, as St Paul reminds us in the reading from 2 Cor. Jesus took the risk of sacrifice in his life and it was precisely this which brought new life and the possibility of a future for us all. I am inviting you to take that risk and to make a sacrifice that will help to bring a possibility of a future for children of my village.

Your donation will go to a construction of a School and supply of some learning equipment for the School. Your donation can be made to Volunteer International Christian Service (VICS) for PROJECT HOPE. VICS will issue a tax receipt.

Fr. Daniel Abba, CSSp

ST. THOMAS MORE MINISTRY FAIR: Would you like to use some of your time and talent that God has given each of us? Would you like to give and receive? Then St. Thomas More Ministry Fair on September 26 & 27 is looking for you! Stay tuned for more on the Fair in the September bulletins.

HOLY COMMUNION MINISTERS are invited to pick up the summer schedule in the vesting sacristy. If you have any changes or will be away in the fall (September to Christmas) let Sharon Pisesky know so you aren’t scheduled for that time period. Phone 780 436 4888 or email to sharonp@telusplanet.net

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Captain’s Leadership Program for Ages 11-14, July 13-17, 9 am – 12 noon. ($25) Our captains take very important leadership roles by designing sets for and participating in skits, helping team leaders and other volunteers, assisting with party planning and mass, and being positive role models for the younger children. There’s something for everyone at Vacation Bible School! To register or to volunteer, contact Michelle Dendwick-Spak at (780) 436-2165.

YOUTH MINISTRY HAS A NEW COMPONENT AT STM: A Catholic Scouting Group! To start up in September we need to sign up and train leaders for (initially) Beavers (5-7 year olds) and Cubs (8-10 year olds). Interested boys and girls in those two age categories can sign up too. Brochures for leaders and youth are at the church entrance. Questions? Contact Roger Plouffe at 780-432-9108 or at plouffer@telusplanet.net

Do you have or know a child between the ages of 7 and 15 who would like to become a Catholic? C.I.C (Christian Initiation of Children) is a process for children aged 7 -15 years of age who are inquiring and seeking initiation into the Catholic faith beginning September 17, 2009 – May 23, 2010. For more information call Monica at 434-6313 ext 227 or email at stm.pastoral.assist@telusplanet.net.

Do you know someone who would like to become Catholic? For Adults wishing to be initiated into the Catholic Church, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) will run from 17 Sep 2009 to 23 May 2010. A graphic depicting the four-phase RCIA Process is located at the entrance of the Church. For information on registration, call Darlene Smigelski – 435-3370 or 434-6313 ext 226 or e-mail at stm.rcia.coord@telusplanet.net or visit the RCIA links at http://www.stmparish.com/rciaprep0910.html

Would you like to Sponsor someone who would like to become Catholic? This is a richly rewarding experience of sharing faith and an opportunity to learn more about the “treasure” that is yours! See the pamphlet at the entrance of the Church and call Darlene Smigelski – 435-3370 or 434-6313 ext 226 or e-mail at stm.rcia.coord@telusplanet.net

Also visit the Photo links on the Parish website at http://www.stmparish.com for a photo journey through the program! See the RCIA Links for more details on the program.

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 already 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 October 7 and 14 Baptism Preparation in advance and should contact Monica Bober, Pastoral Assistant at 780-434-6313 ext 227
Please Note: We encourage expectant parents to complete the Baptism Preparation Sessions before your child is born.

2009-2010 CATECHISM PROGRAM: Would you like your children to receive instruction on the Catholic faith, have fun and at the same time learn & live the virtues? Beginning September 28, St. Thomas More will be offering Catechism classes on Monday evenings from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. for children in Kindergarten, Grade 1 to 4 and Junior High. If you would like to know more about this program and would like to register, please pick up a brochure from the display stand in the foyer.

1ST RECONCILIATION AND 1ST HOLY COMMUNION: Brochures with information regarding these 2 sacraments will be available in August. Dates of meetings and celebrations for the upcoming school year will be found in these brochures. Please check the brochure stand in August.

CONFIRMATION 2009: This special sacrament is reserved for young people in grade 7 or older. Confirmation will be celebrated at STM on Sunday November 22, 2009. Candidate Information brochures are now available in the brochure stand. We ask that you complete the Candidate Information Section of the brochure and return it to the parish office. Mark your calendar with all of the important dates found in the Candidate Information brochure regarding the celebration of Confirmation 2009.

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

CWL LUNCH PROGRAM: The Catholic Women’s League would like to thank all who so generously donated to the Edmonton School Lunch Program through our lunch bag collection. A total of $5,537.76 was raised.

CATHOLIC COMPANION CLUB: The year-end gathering will take place at Muttart Conservatory, 9626-96 A Street, on Tuesday, June 30, 2009. We will be meeting at 12:45 p.m. Cost? $7.25 (age 65+) Newcomers are always welcome!

FAMILIA - FALL ’09: Ladies, are you looking for balance in your daily lives? Do you want to learn more about your rich Catholic faith and how it pertains to your family life? If yes, watch for more information this fall or call Allison at 780-452-6064.

DO YOU ENJOY CARING FOR VERY YOUNG CHILDREN? The Familia group is looking for volunteers to help with childcare during their study group which is starting this fall at St. Thomas More. The meetings are twice a month, but any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated. For more information or to volunteer, please call Brenda at 780-437-0898.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PANCAKE BREAKFAST: There are no pancake breakfasts in June, July or August.

STM PRAYER SHAWL If you would like a prayer shawl during June, July or August, contact Maureen Maynard 780-435-4917 or Linda Sorenson 780-988-9229 to set up a time to pick up a shawl.

THE SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL reminds Parishioners that for the month of July we will be shutting down to provide our volunteer Vincentians with a much needed break. Emergency service will be available, but our normal activities are being curtailed. Regular operation will commence again in August. Thank you for your generous donations of food, clothing, furniture, household items and money on a regular basis.

ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE AT SKARO: On Friday, August 14, the 91st annual Skaro Pilgimage will be held in Skaro at 8 pm at the Grotto. Following the Mass, the candlelight procession to the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction will conclude the evening. On Saturday, August 15 at 10 am, there will be a special Mass with the Sacrament of the Sick. The Blessed Sacrament Procession with lit candles will follow the Blessing of the religious articles. Lunch will be available after the Vigil Mass on the 14th and also after the 10 am Mass on the 15th. Skaro Shrine is 45 miles north-east of Edmonton. It is at the intersection of Highway 45 and Secondary 831 (the poster on our bulletin board includes a map).

OFFICE OF STEWARDSHIP: In today’s second reading, St. Paul offers the community at Corinth a spirituality of giving. He urges them to give and helps them understand that through their generosity, they will in turn be recipients of a spiritual abundance. They will receive from those who are the beneficiaries of their own giving; a reciprocal gift that amounts to an equality of giving through the generosity of Christ. A good reflection this week would be on how Christian stewards, through their generosity, enjoy a spiritual abundance through Christ Jesus.

THANK YOU FROM ECS: As we draw near to the end of the 2008-2009 school year, a year in which Edmonton Catholic Schools celebrated its 120th anniversary as a school district, I would like to thank all those individuals who support us in providing Catholic education to nearly 33,000 students across the City of Edmonton. May you continue to feel God’s presence in your life as you enjoy the beauty, warmth and restful periods that the summer season brings.
Joan Carr, Superintendent, ECS