Catholic Parish of St. Thomas More

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

WEEKLY BULLETIN

BOOK OF PRAYER AND REMEMBRANCE: A book of Prayer and Remembrance has been placed in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament beneath the window of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This book is for all parishioners who wish to request prayers for the sick as well as the recently departed. Prayer request forms can be found in the book itself. Once completed, you may place them in the book (in a transparent sleeve supplied) or in the CWL mailbox in the sacristy. All parishioners are invited to regularly look through the Book of Prayer and Remembrance and pray for the individuals contained within. If you have any questions about the Book of Prayer and Remembrance, please contact Clover Oryschak at (780) 434-5955. This ministry is overseen by the St. Thomas More CWL.

THE SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL: is in dire need of furniture to support the needs of those less fortunate. Should anyone be planning to donate gently used furniture and / or household items, please consider donating to SSVP. Pick up will be arranged by calling 780-471-5577. Up coming events. Reverse collection at St. Thomas More, March 13 and 14. Charity sale at St Andrews Centre Auditorium 12720-111Ave, March 11, 12 and 13. Proceeds to support the Society's work with the poor and needy. Please remember should you need help, or know of someone who does, please call us at the above number.

CATHOLIC COMPANION CLUB "Our Lenten Journey: Living the Present Moment": You are invited to St. Thomas More Church, on Tues, Mar 2 from 1:00-3:30 pm for a retreat facilitated by Adele Roy. There will be opportunity for "input", quiet reflection, individual and community prayer, music and refreshments! Suggested donation? $10. Adele was very well received when she joined us previously so why not mark your calendars now so you don't miss this wonderful opportunity for Lenten renewal? For information contact Sr. Mary Clare at sister.maryclare@catholicsocialservices.ab.ca or (780) 471-1122, ext. 2531.

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

FOOD DRIVE: A “reverse collection” will be held on March 13 & 14. Please bring food items to church on March 20 & 21. 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.

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.

COLLECTION of stamps, Campbell soup labels and can-tab’s is ongoing in our parish. This collection is worthwhile in helping the good works of charitable organizations and our schools. It is important that stamps be in good condition with a margin of paper around them to protect the fringe. It is best to cut the stamps off the envelope. Tearing them off damages the stamps. Campbell’s Soup Company is asking for the WHOLE label. Discarded cell phones and ink cartridges are also collected and passed on to the Food Bank. Contact Elaine Smith 780- 436-8324.

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 plastic containers, especially sizes 250ml and 500ml and plastic grocery bags. We thank you in advance for all that you can save for us. There is a deposit box for these items in the coat room. The Anawim Team

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 May 5/12 Baptism Preparation Sessions in advance and must contact Monica Bober, Pastoral Assistant at 780-434-6313 ext 227.

FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: Over 190 children have now begun their preparation to celebrate these two special sacraments this school year. First Reconciliation will be celebrated April 28, 2010. First Holy Communion will be celebrated throughout May and June. Please keep these children in your prayers.

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.

• 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)

2010 CATHOLIC CONFERENCE: The 2010 Catholic Conference is an opportunity to come together to grow in our shared Catholic faith. The conference, March 12-13 at the Mayfield Inn & Suites Conference Centre, features internationally renowned speaker David Wells, a master catechist and storyteller, as well as many local and national speakers and presentations by each of Alberta’s bishops. For more information and to register, visit the conference website at www.catholicconference2010.ca

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Sun, Feb 28 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.

FAIR TRADE COFFEE SALES will take place in the hall during the Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast.

SHARE LENT – SEE YOUR GIFT GROW: The Development and Peace Share Lent campaign began on Ash Wednesday. Please continue to use your Lifestyle Awareness Calendar. Here is a brief story from one of our partners. In the Global South people have to start all over again each time floods or drought destroy their livelihoods. Indonesian partner KontraS and its staff lost everything in the 2004 tsunami. They rebuilt with the help of DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE and the generous gifts of people across Canada. They emerged with a renewed commitment to one of their key goals: building peace. “Now we understand what peace means, and the importance of communication and tolerance,” says Suparmi Panji, a participant in a training session led by the partner.

DO YOU HAVE 4 HOURS A WEEK to lend a hand and make a difference to those experiencing Cancer? Call the Cross Cancer Institute Volunteer Department (780) 432-8484 or email acb.ccivols@albertahealthservices.ca. Join Our Team!!!

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE 2010 – MARCH 5, 2010: The 2010 World Day of Prayer Service for this zone will be held on Friday, March 5 at Dayspring Presbyterian Church, 11445 – 40 Avenue at 1:30 pm. The theme of this year’s service is: “Let Everything That Has Breath Praise God”. This years service was prepared by the women of Cameroon. Join our neighbours in celebrating World Day of Prayer. All are welcome - bring a friend.

BIRTHRIGHT NEEDS YOU! Are you interested in sharing your skills and experience in assisting Birthright in its life saving work? We are looking for board members with financial, fundraising, administrative or office experience. Call Pat at 780-963-0789 for more information. Thank you.

GO LIFE: U OF A CAMPUS PRO-LIFE: March 6, Go Life: U of A Campus Pro-Life will host a semi-formal Fundraising Extravaganza as a part of their Life Week 2010. Go Life: U of A Campus Pro-Life is a student group at the U of A dedicated to proclaiming, affirming, celebrating, and defending the sanctity and dignity of all human life, from conception until natural death. The Extravaganza will consist of cocktails, musical performances, dinner, a dance, silent auction, and an address from His Grace Archbishop Richard Smith. The evening begins at 5 pm at O'Leary Hall. Tickets are $60-adult, $40-student/youth (under 18), and $10-dance only. A portion of the proceeds goes towards supporting the Dr. Charlotte Denman Lozier Bursary for Single Mothers. For more info or to order tickets contact ualberta.prolife@gmail.com or visit www.ualbertaprolife.wordpress.com

40 DAYS FOR LIFE: If you had the chance to do something to end abortion, would you? The campaign runs for 40 days and we need all of you to make a commitment to pray for one hour at the clinic. Go to www.40daysforlife.com/edmonton, click on Vigil Sign Up and go to the registration page to see the available times on the calendar and fill in the registration form. That's it! Then, help spread the word to everyone you know about the spring 40 Days for Life! The campaign runs throughout Lent. For more information contact Karen at 78-425-1637 or email to edmpl@interbaun.com

EDMONTON COLUMBIAN CHOIRS ANNUAL SPRING CONCERT: Tues. March 16 - McDougall United Church, 10050 MacDonald Drive. Time- 7:30 - Tickets at the door or call Beth 780-430-6806. The Edmonton Columbian Choirs is in its 44th season of providing choral music and training to the people of Edmonton. The two children’s and one adult choir will entertain you with a variety of sacred and secular music. The choirs are sponsored by the Edmonton Chapters of the Knights of Columbus.

CUSTOM PILGRIMAGE AND CULTURAL TOUR OF HOLLAND, BELGIUM, GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND: June 7-24, 2010. You are invited to join Fr. Dennis Polanco and experience the spirituality, culture and history of these four countries. From the chapel of “The Lady of all Nations” in Amsterdam, to Brussels, Cologne, a Rhine River cruise, Heidelberg, Rothenberg, Oberammergau, Munich, Lucerne, Zurich, to Einsiedeln and the Lourdes of Switzerland. For more information call Liz at 1-888-565-9922.

THE GOOD STEWARD: At the top of the mountain Peter and his companions were blessed to witness the glory of God present in the person of Christ. It was good for them to be there. We do not have to climb to the top of a mountain to experience God’s glory. We see God’s glory every day in simple acts of generosity and kindness. We good stewards know that when we use and share our gifts for God’s glory, and not our own, our lives can be transfigured. As good stewards we all have a role to play in advancing God’s Kingdom, it is good for us to be here!

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.