Catholic Parish of St. Thomas More

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

WEEKLY BULLETIN

Q. What is the cost breakdown for the new seminary and college project?

EASTER LILIES: The Church is accepting donations for Easter Lilies. If you wish, the donation can be made in the name of a loved one. The suggested donation is $20. You can take your donation to the parish office or place the donation in the collection basket, in an envelope, marked “Lily” along with the name you wish to have on the card.

THE SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL will be holding their Charity Sale on Thurs, March 11 and Fri, March 12, noon to 7pm and Sat March 13, 10am to 5pm, at St. Andrews Centre Auditorium 12720-111Ave. Parking is behind the building. The proceeds will support the Society’s work with the poor and needy. Please see the poster at the back of the church Many thanks to everyone who pops a bag or two of groceries in our collection bin. This keeps our pantry topped up between food drives. Thank you to those who donate to our poor box. These donations help us buy grocery certificates, bus tickets etc to give to our friends in need. Please remember, if you are in need, or know of someone who does, or wishes to donate furniture or household goods, call us at 780-471-5577. Thank you so much for all your help. God Bless.

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.

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 200 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)

PENNY COST CARNIVAL 2010 – DONATIONS NEEDED: The Catechism parents and children are preparing for the 8th Annual Penny Cost Carnival on Sunday, May 2nd and would greatly appreciate donations of cash, small or large new and used toys (clean and in good condition), children’s religious items, books, puzzles or candy/chocolate bars. Please drop off your cash donations to the office and all other donated items in the box next to the Pastoral Assistant’s office. All proceeds from the Penny Cost Carnival will be donated to the Holy Childhood Association.

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. WANTED: Items for the CWL Silent Auction, being held in conjunction with the Spring Chicken Dinner, on Saturday, March 20. All items should be new. Please contact Yvonne at 780-433-8106.

PROVIDENCE CENTRE is home to the Sisters of Providence and is dedicated to providing continuing care services to all of our residents. The Nursing Supervisor’s primary responsibility is to plan, organize, develop, and supervise the day-to-day nursing and health care activities in accordance with the mission statement and established policies and procedures of Providence Centre Complex. These duties are to be carried out in compliance with current legislation, and as directed by the Administrator, to assure that the highest standards of quality care are maintained at all times. This position requires a BScN or an equivalent combination of experience and education. A gerontology certificate is preferred. The Nursing Supervisor must possess a current, unencumbered registration with CARNA, and have at least two years of experience as a supervisor/manager in a continuing care facility or other health care related facility. Strong leadership ability and excellent written and verbal communication skills are required. Please apply in writing by April 3, 2010 to: Leola Hildebrandt, Administrator, Providence Centre, 3005-119 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6J 5R5. Fax: 780-701-1831 or Email: pcassistant@providence.ab.ca

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE SIGN OF HOPE – Thank you for your extraordinary support of the 2009 Sign of Hope Campaign. Your kindness helped us to exceed our goal and raise $2,454,512.98. Donations from St. Thomas More parishioners in the amount of $47,648.10 will help volunteers and staff of Catholic Social Services to provide services to more than 60,000 children, women and men in 2010. You are, indeed, a Sign of Hope.

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, features internationally renowned speaker David Wells, 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.

SHARE LENT – SEE YOUR GIFT GROW: As we continue our journey through lent, let us remember our partners in the south, here is another brief story……..Small acts of love can touch the lives of many people. In Nicaragua, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE partner CAPRI founded seed banks. Local small-scale farmers borrow corn, bean and vegetable seeds. They contribute seeds of their own after harvest so that others may have some. “We feel joyful because we don’t have to scramble to get seeds. In the name of our community, we are grateful,” says Cleothilda, the chairperson of one of CAPRI’s four seed banks. Jesus, Veronica reached out in love to ease your suffering. May we follow her example, and the example of people and parishes in Canada, who help these small-scale farmers in Nicaragua help themselves.

EDMONTON COLUMBIAN CHOIRS ANNUAL SPRING CONCERT: Tues. Mar 16 - McDougall United Church. Time- 7:30 - Tickets at the door or call Beth 780-430-6806. The Edmonton Columbian Choirs is in its 44th. The choirs will entertain you with a variety of sacred and secular music. The choirs are sponsored by the Edmonton Chapters of the Knights of Columbus.

THE EDMONTON ARCHDIOCESAN COUNCIL invites you to enjoy a Share Lent and Haiti Benefit Concert Fundraiser to be held Friday March 19, at 7 pm at McMahon Auditorium. Concert features local Edmonton artists. The concert will also feature a special presentation by Pedro Landa, this year’s Solidarity Visitor from Honduras. Call (780) 424-1557 for tickets and details.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE: Thus far in this 40 Days for Life campaign 107 babies have been saved from abortion that we know of! Take the time this lent to make a real difference in the fight against abortion. Get involved with 40 days for life. Stand. Pray. Fast. Witness. Sacrifice. Be part of the greatest human & civil rights movement of all time! Call Karen at 425-1637 for more information. Register online at www.40daysforlife.com/edmonton.

THE GOOD STEWARD: God heard the cry of His people in Egypt and responded generously by bringing them out of captivity. But in the desert the Israelites began complaining to Moses. They were not grateful for the gift of their freedom – a grateful heart silences a complaining voice! We good stewards pray that we will always be grateful for the gifts and opportunities that we are given. When we are at times not grateful, when we are overcome with an unhealthy lust for material things, power, or prestige, we are called to repent, and we are grateful for the Lord’s mercy.

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.