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MISSION STATEMENT: We, the joy-filled Catholic community of St. Thomas the Apostle, are united in faith and drawn to the life-giving sacrifice of the Eucharist. Through worship, ministry and education we foster spiritual growth and Christian values. As a parish family, we share with and encourage each other through the many times of our lives. With open hearts and helping hands we respond to the needs of our community and the world. | SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER  MAY 4, 2008 We can take heart that the Holy Spirit is present
in our midst to strengthen and guide us. THIS WEEK AT ST. THOMAS:
Click here for the full Calendar Sunday, May 4, 2008Rosary Society Spring Luncheon
& May Crowning Tuesday, May 6, 2008“Cars” w/Fr. Andiy • 7:30 PM • PC Wednesday, May 7, 2008Knitting Class • 10 AM • PC Don't Forget
Sunday, May 11, 2008MOTHER’S DAY
Gospel Reflection John 17: 1 - 11Could anyone doubt how much Jesus loved his friends after hearing the prayer that Jesus prayed at the Last Supper? As he speaks to his Father, Jesus constantly identifies himself with his friends. The disciples have been entrusted to Jesus by the Father. And Jesus has shared everything with them. On this fateful night before his death, Jesus prays not for the world but for those who have returned his love. He prays that they will experience the same unity he has with the Father. Discussion Questions for Gospel Jesus' friends were gifts to him from the Father. They were not perfect, but he loved them anyway. Our friends are gifts from God, too. They are not perfect either, but we are called to love them anyway! Do you pray for your friends? How? When? How do you help your friends? How do your friends help you? In this prayer, Jesus prayed for you, too. You are not perfect, but he loves you anyway! How can you show yourself as a friend to Jesus? One way might be to widen your group of friends, and not cut anyone out. We may not be able to be "best friends" with everybody, but we are always called to be kind. Life is not always easy, and some have it harder than others. You do not know what burdens others carry. A smile and a kind word can help a lot. How can you keep your circle of friendship open to others? |
S haring Our BlessingsDaily DisciplesThere is an energy that surrounds Wendy and Jean-Baptiste Carelus that infects anyone who encounters them. It is part laughter, part compassion, and part a clear-sighted perspective that makes them such a integral part of St. Thomas the Apostle. Introduced to this parish eight years ago when searching for a Pre-K program for their oldest child, Wendy and Jean, then residents of Hempstead, found their daughter’s time with Sr. Julie in St. Thomas School to be "an awesome experience," Wendy recalls. An unexpected benefit for them as Alicia progressed (later joined by siblings Jarren and Megan) was an introduction to the Catholic faith. Learning about it for the first time through a child’s eyes made manageable concepts that would otherwise be "overwhelming for adults," Wendy adds. Wendy and Jean entered the RCIA program at St. Thomas and immediately "became famous," he recalls. "People would come up and talk to us about the program and welcome us. We felt at home right away." In 2003 they completed their sacraments at the Easter Vigil. That same year they moved to Cathedral Gardens and became active members of the parish community. Both are huge supporters of St. Thomas School and put their time where their interest is. Wendy took an active role in the Parents’ Association and currently serves as its President. "I’ve changed a lot of things this year to help people feel more welcome," she says. Jean-Baptiste is finishing his third year on the St. Thomas School Board and feels a great sense of accomplishment. "Parents come together and contribute worthwhile ideas that are really listened to," he finds. "This School Board is the real thing." Wendy is also in her fourth year as a third grade Girl Scout leader. "I love teaching the girls, learning with them and taking them on trips," she says. For Jean, the Knights of Columbus was the answer to "what can I do to get more involved in the parish and get to know more people?" Between food drives, school-sponsored events and "lots of stuff you don’t see," he says, "the Knights touch on so many parts of our church." They both agree that St. Thomas is a very welcoming place; truly a family. When they renewed their vows in 2006, the experience was amazing. Remembers Wendy, "Fr. Noel was wonderful and everyone we know in the parish was so supportive. The only question we heard was ‘what kind of help do you need?’" On sharing our blessings, Jean-Baptiste notes, "Some people say ‘I give money so why do I have to give time,’ and vice versa. But God’s work has to move forward through both – money and time. Just showing up on Sundays isn’t enough," he says. "It’s your parish. You’re missing the fullness of the experience if you’re not involved. There’s no way we would have gotten to know St. Thomas, its people and their generosity if we stayed only on the sidelines." Adds Wendy, "Since I’ve gotten involved in St. Thomas, I’ve enjoyed the happiest years of my life. Coming closer to God makes me a better person and a happier person. Until you know Him, it doesn’t work. Once you do, you start to recognize His hand in everything that happens to you." Weekly Offering Sharing Our Blessings -
Weekly Goal to Meet Operating Expenses: | $20,000.00 | Sunday Offering (April 27, 2008) : | $18,007.00 | Over/Under Goal: | - $1,993.00 | |
Continue Supporting the Parish Through Automated Giving This month, we have introduced a new and exciting way for you to support our parish offertory and second collections: Faith Direct. This program will enable you to support our parish offertory through a practice, called "Automated Giving" which is growing fast throughout the country. Churches, charities and many other organizations are using this as a method of collecting donations. With Faith Direct, you can make donations directly from your bank account or credit card. It’s safe, secure, and a great way to regularly support the work of the parish even for those times when you cannot be present at Sunday Mass. By using "Automated Giving", St. Thomas will gain a predictable cash flow that will help us with planning our parish needs and programs. Faith Direct also offers you personalized offertory cards to place in the basket instead of your envelopes as a sign of your gift, and an itemized statement at the end of the year for tax purposes. We find Faith Direct a "win-win" for both parishioners and our parish. If you haven’t already enrolled, please consider calling Faith Direct at 1-866-507-8757, by visiting www.faithdirect.net to enroll securely online or click here to download and print our enrollment form. Our parish code is NY63. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any additional information. God bless you,
Msgr. Jim Lisante |
Our Church Bulletin - When you’re out of town, sick or just forgot to pick up a copy, we are posting a downloadable copy of our Church Bulletin on the Website every week. Click here to view, read and download a copy. The bulletins are in pdf format and to view and print them you need to have Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader on your computer, you can download Reader first then click on the link for the bulletin. You can download Acrobat Reader free of charge. You only need to download Acrobat Reader Once. To obtain a free copy of Adobe Reader from this site: Click here. |
PLEASE NOTE : Nothing should be left outside the Clothing Box at the Chapel parking lot, especially non-clothing items like furniture, etc. St. Vincent de Paul does not pick up anything but clothing, any non-clothing items are discarded. |
St. Thomas the Apostle
2008 Cash Calendars ARE HERE!!! Our CASH CALENDARS were mailed out to all our parishioners. If you did not receive yours, you may pick them up in the back of the Church/Chapel or at the Rectory. CASH CALENDARS are just $10.00. Click here to download and print a CASH CALENDAR. |
| On September 29th we had our annual Blessing of the Animals. A special thanks to Rita Kratt for organizing this wonderful event, to Deacon Anthony for presiding and Kevin Thompson for his gift of music. Thanks to Rob Kaminski for set up and to our wonderful helpers: Erin Von Elm, Maria and Vinnie Mione for handing out the neckerchiefs! Thanks for all who brought their special pets to be blessed. Click here to view photos of this special event. Thanks to Mary Ann Pellegrino for these wonderful photographs. |
VOCATIONS Over the past four years, the Vocation Office has responded to over 450 requests for Vocation Events at various schools, religious education programs, parishes, and youth groups. God calls each of us to our own special vocation. Having priests and religious share the stories of how they came to hear their call from God and to talk about how He may be calling you, (generous single life, marriage, parenthood), is a great way to spend an evening. If you are interested in taking part in such an evening, please call Eileen Minutoli in the Religious Education office at 538-7460 for more information. |
Congratulations to our March Cash Calendar Winners. Click here to see the list of winners.
St. Vincent de Paul Society Our main source of revenue comes from the "Poor Boxes" in the Church and Chapel. Your generous gifts enable us to address basic human needs of people who come to us for help. Our ability to respond reflects your willingness to help those in need; on their behalf, we thank you! |
| Getting Married? . . .
If you are planning to be married at St. Thomas the Apostle, click here to obtain important information to make it possible. |
Let Us Know... One of the primary roles of the Pastoral Council is to be a means of communication between St. Thomas parishioners and the pastor and his staff. With that in mind, click here. |
For modern man, the idea of placing limits on research sounds like blasphemy. However, an intrinsic limit exists, and this is human dignity. Progress obtained at the price of the violation of human dignity is unacceptable. If research attacks man, it is a deviation of science. Even if we protest that this or that research will open possibilities for the future, we must say no when man is at stake. The comparison is a bit strong, but I would like to recall that already once before someone has carried out medical experiments on persons who were held to be inferior. Where will the logic that consists in treating a fetus or an embryo as a thing lead? Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger
(now Pope Benedict XVI) |
St. Vincent de Paul . . .We have received so much from the good Lord that we encourage others to experience his love for them through our ministry of assistance. We are family and we share God’s gifts generously and wholeheartedly! Thank you. |
| Stewardship Prayer | Creator God, Life is your gift to me. Through Baptism, you invite me to share the gift of my life in service to others. Be with me as I choose each day to show your presence in our world. Give me the courage and generosity to respond to your love, to your call. I pray especially for those who serve you in ministry throughout the parishes of Long Island. May we bring the Good News to those in need. Keep us close to you. Open the minds and hearts of many others ~ men, women and young people ~ that they may accept your challenge to build the Kingdom in our parishes. We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord. AMEN. |
H uman life is a precious gift to be loved and defended in each of its stages. The Commandment "You shall not kill!" always requires respecting and promoting human life, from its beginning to its natural end. It is a command that applies even in the presence of illness and when physical weakness reduces the person’s ability to be self-reliant. If growing old, with its inevitable conditions is accepted serenely in the light of faith, it can become an invaluable opportunity for better comprehending the Mystery of the Cross, which gives full sense to human existence. - Pope John Paul II |
Bereavement Support If you have been recently bereaved and would like to participate in our Bereavement Support Group starting soon, please contact Ray Ann McGill at 489-0237. |
YOUR MOST IMPORTANT WORK
MAY NOT BEGIN UNTIL AFTER YOU RETIRE The Ignatian Lay Volunteer Corps is an opportunity for men and women in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s to offer their skills, wisdom and life experience in direct service to the needs of people who are poor. In return for a commitment of two days a week for a year (September-July) with a local service project, the ILVC provides guidance for personal reflection and prayerful conversation with fellow ILVC Volunteers. Together we hope to see the face of Christ a little more clearly and contribute to the transformation of the world. For additional information and an application, please call or e-mail to 516-248-2022 or ignatianli@earthlink.net. |
Discipleship: The call of the disciples is so familiar to us that we tend to miss the wonder of the disciples’ response, which was immediate and complete; they leave everything and follow Jesus. Can we do less if we feel that God is calling us to the priesthood or consecrated life? If you think God is calling you, contact the Vocations Office at (631) 424-9888 or you may e-mail us at vocations@drvc.org. |
To view pictures of the Dedication Ceremony of the MONSIGNOR RICHARD A. WALSH PARISH CENTER click here. |
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Please pray for the safe return of
JOEL MARCELLA, LCPL.
LT. COL. THOMAS BRENNAN
MIGUEL A. FLAQUER
MARK E. SATIRA
Members of St. Thomas the Apostle Church
stationed in Iraq & Afghanistan LT. PETER J. EBERHARDT
CAPT. JOHN LEHANE, USMC
STAFF SGT. JOSEPH D. MARCIANO
SPEC. KENNETH ALBARRAN
SGT. ERICH McCARTNEY
KRIS KLEFFMAN
CAPT. TIMOTHY MILLER USMC
MAJOR PATRICK SWEENEY
LT. COL. PAUL SWEENEY
SGT. MATTHEW R. SCHMIDT
SGT. CHRISTOPHER McKAY
JOSEPH DELLA RATTA PFC
CAPT. JOHN LAUTEN
KEITH ILENDA
1st LIEUTENANT ANTHONY CARUSO have returned home safely from Iraq. The family wish to thank you for your prayers, and ask that you please continue to pray for our troops. God Bless You All. |
Monsignor Jim’s website is located at: http://www.msgrlisante.org. Share the site with your friends and family.
Click HERE to read the latest edition of
"Youth Group News..."
RELIGIOUS ARTICLES
FOR SALE AT THE
HUMAN SERVICES’ OFFICE
To learn about our Parish Organizations and learn what's happening on their calendars, click on "Organizations" on the left menu. Attention BOOK LOVERS. If you love books learn how you can help St. Thomas. Click here for more details.
BAPTISM:
We welcome the following little Christians into the
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Community: Mason Jay Smith ▪ Olivia Josephine Rutherford
Nia Nicole Seijo ▪ Jacob Anthony Lopez
Gianna Marie Damiano ▪ Isabella Angelina Puleo
Ashton Ryan Phillips ▪ Anthony Joseph Perrone
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR PRIESTS: Loving God, You have blessed Your church by sending us holy men to serve as priests. Guide and sustain them, Lord, as they shepherd Your flock in imitation of Your Son.
To obtain a free copy of Adobe Reader in order to read and print any document or form downloaded from this site: Click here.
Last Updated: May 4, 2008 at 7:30 AM
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