Catholic Parish of St. Thomas More

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

WEEKLY BULLETIN

ST. THOMAS MORE PICTORIAL DIRECTORIES: Anyone who had photos taken for the pictorial directory is entitled to a free directory. Pick up your directory in foyer (on the table beside the donation envelopes).We have a few directories for sale for $10. each (from the parish office).

LECTORS: You may pick up your Missal in the Sacristy.

LECTORS WORKSHOP: November 19 at 7:30 pm in the nave. All lectors please attend.

ALTAR SERVERS: Your fall/winter schedule is available in the sacristy.

LADIES AUXILIARY thanks all parishioners who supported our recent Mini Craft Sale. We welcome new members to join us any Wednesday morning from 9:30 – 11 am.

JOIN US for reading-discussion of the Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Benedict XVI on the Eucharist. We will meet in the Library of St. Thomas More Church at 11:00 A. M. on every second Friday beginning on November 14. Coffee too! For further information please call Marcella at 780-430 6283 or Dolores at 780-434 1230. See you there!

PARISH GAMES NIGHT - everyone is invited to a games night on Friday, Nov 14th, 6:30 – 9:00pm. Bring your favourite board game and get ready to play! Please bring a snack to share. Hot chocolate and other drinks will be provided. This event is sponsored by the Catholic Women’s League.

CATHOLIC GIRLS' LEAGUE - girls ages 10-15 are invited to join the Catholic Girls' League. We usually meet one or two Saturdays each month from 2:30 to 4:30pm. Call Dorothy at 989-0663 to register and get more information.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PANCAKE BREAKFAST: There will not be a breakfast in November or December.

CATHOLIC COMPANION CLUB (CCC) Come join The Catholic Companion Club on Tuesday, November 18, from 1:30-3:30 pm Our topic? "Vocation: God's call to consecrated life and the priesthood. Our guest presenters are Sr. Pat Derbyshire, FCJ, and Dean Dowle, a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Edmonton.

THE LADIES AUXILIARY is offering a WORKSHOP for YOU …man, woman, youth, child. COME AND LEARN how to sew, knit, crotchet or quilt. You will be taught the basics and will leave with a finished garment! COME AND LEARN Monday, November 24, 6:30 – 8 pm. To register contact Elaine Smith 780 436 8324. Supplies and refreshments will be provided.

ADVENT RETREAT: (all parishioners welcome) Tuesday, December 2 from 1:00-3:30 pm. Our facilitator, Adele Roy, will guide us through personal and group prayer experiences as we discover together, "Mary: Model for an Advent people". Cost? donation. For further information and to register please phone Sr. Mary Clare at (780) 471-1122, ext. 2531 or email sister.maryclare@catholicsocialservices.ab.ca

SENIORS SOCIAL: The Knights of Columbus will be holding their annual Seniors Social on Saturday, December 6 at the St. Thomas More Parish Hall. The ticket price $15 each and will go on sale next weekend.

SCHOOL LUNCH COLLECTION – The Catholic Women’s League thanks you for your generous financial donations to the school lunch program that is operated by E4C (Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation). Donations totaled over $4,700. Receipts will be issued by E4C.

THE SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL provides emergency help to anyone facing a crisis situation. Upon visiting families or individuals, we try to connect them to agencies which can provide long-term help such as Catholic Social Services or Alberta Works for job training, personal counseling, AISH pensions etc. We seek to see Jesus in the eyes of the poor on behalf of all Parishioners. Remember, if you need help or know of someone who does, give us a call at 780-471-5577.

CONFIRMATION 2008: 137 young people of our parish continue their journey toward Confirmation. The confirmation candidates attended a workshop in October. They will attend a retreat on November 15. Completed workbooks are to be handed in November 1. Confirmation 2008 will be celebrated by Archbishop Richard Smith on Sunday November 23, 2:00 P.M. All candidates will participate in this one special Mass. Due to limited space, and parking, we request only those families who know the confirmands attend the celebration.

FIRST RECONCILIATION & FIRST HOLY COMMUNION brochures are available in the display stand. Please pick up the 1st Reconciliation brochure and 1st Holy Communion brochure (choose your meeting dates) and call the office to book your child’s sacrament celebration.

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. Parent’s are asked to pre-register in advance and attend 2 Baptism Preparation classes prior to the Baptism Celebration. If you are interested, contact Monica at 434-6313 ext. 227 or email at stm.pastoral.assist@telusplanet.net.

BAPTISM PREPARATION SESSIONS: Our next Sessions for parents with children ages infant – 7 years will be January 14 & 21. Whether you are expecting or your child has already been born, call Monica at 780-434-6313 ext 227 or email at stm.pastoral.assist@telusplanet.net to register.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION AT STM: Brochures are available in the display stand in the foyer. The next Marriage Preparation course will begin on Fri, March 13, 2009-6:15 pm to 9:30 pm, continues Sat, March 14, 2009–9 am to 4 pm, and concludes on Sun, March 15, 2009–9 am to 1 pm. Please phone Judy at 780-434-6313 or email to stm.secretary@telusplanet.net. for information on registering.

MARIAN CENTRE: need’s men’s items – new or gently used clothing, winter apparel, underwear, blankets, books, travel size toiletries. Also appreciated are gift-wrapped “unnecessary things” (to be given out at Christmas). The Scripture Study group will deliver the items to the Marian Centre, after the Nov 8/9 and Nov 15/16 weekends. Thank you for your generosity.

REFUGEE FAMILY UPDATE: The latest news concerning the Refugee Family is that the baby girl is now two years old. Still no word on when the family will be arriving. To those offering household goods, furniture and clothes, could you please keep it until the end of the month. Hopefully there will be something definite by then. Thank you.
Maureen Gouveia - 780 438 7060.

OFFICE OF STEWARDSHIP: Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reminds us of our responsibility to be good stewards of Christ’s church. He uses the example of a skilled master builder who lays a good foundation that others can build on “Each builder must choose with care how to build on it.” (1 Corinthians 3:9b – 11, 16 – 17) What care have we shown in using our gifts to serve the community of faith?

PRAYER BREAKFAST at St. Charles Parish on Saturday, November 15, 9 am. Guest speaker: John Connelly. Tickets available at St. Charles parish office.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE: The annual Celebration of Life Mass at St. Joseph’s Basilica, usually held on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, has been rescheduled this year to Sunday, December 7, in order to accommodate the special Nothing More Beautiful event at the Basilica on Dec. 12. The Celebration of Life Mass will be concelebrated at 5 p.m. by Archbishop Smith and fellow priests. Mass will be followed by an open house in the O’Leary Hall downstairs, where Edmonton and area pro-life groups will have displays and information. Come and learn while you enjoy coffee and treats!

In 2008, CATHOLIC MISSIONS IN CANADA is celebrating 100 years of service to missions and missionaries throughout Canada. The weekend of November 23, is Catholic Missions in Canada Awareness weekend. The missions work? To foster and extend the blessings of the Catholic faith in dioceses unable to economically support their local church and its ministry. To find out more, call their toll-free number (1-866-937-2642) or visit their website (www.cmic.info). You will receive a free magazine and a free 2009 Catholic calendar.

CONCERT DATE: The King’s University College Choirs and The University of Alberta Concert Choir invite you to their concert, “Awake Psaltery and Harp!” on Mon, Dec 1 at 8 pm at the Winspear Centre. The concert includes Conrad Susa’s “Carols and Lullabies” plus works by Bernstein, Lauridsen, Liszt, Verdi and others. See poster on the bulletin board for ticket information.

MARY’S VEIL: returns to the Arden Theatre in St. Albert. This moving and inspirational musical recounts the life of Mary the Mother of Jesus. Performances will be on: Sat, March 7, at 7:30 pm; Sun, Mar 8, 2:30 pm & 7:30 pm; Fri, Mar 13, 7:30pm; Sat, March 14, 7:30 pm; and, Sun March 15, 2:30 pm and 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchase from Simonne at 780-458-0908.

ST. STANISLAUS CATHOLIC FRENCH IMMERSION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is hosting a Grey Cup Games Party and Lounge Event on Sat, Nov 22. The event is our final major initiative in support of building a play ground at the school, and includes a Silent Auction, food and drink, and games. Tickets can be ordered from the school (780-434-0295). Come out and vote for a winner in our chili cook off, have snacks and libations, check out our fabulous Silent Auction items and win bragging rights playing games or one of the many other activities! Tickets are $20 or $30 for two! Alumni, friends and family welcome!!

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 live in and attend St. Thomas More Parish and have not yet registered, or if your information is not up to date, please fill out a form and return it to the parish office. If you have moved or are leaving the parish, we ask you to contact the office and advise us of any changes as soon as possible.

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.