BULLETIN
May 10th/11th, 2008

Pentecost Sunday

“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
they were all in one place together.
And suddenly there came from the sky
a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.”

 

 

MOTHER'S DAY
NOVENA BEGINS

If you wish to have your mother or someone else remembered in our upcoming MOTHER'S DAY NOVENA, please return the offering envelope to the Rectory before Mother's Day. Mother's Day cards and offering envelopes are available in the Church vestibule and the Rectory.

 

 

 

DIA DE LAS MADRES

Comenzando el Dia de las Madres, 11 de mayo 2008, tendremos un Novenario de Misas para las madres de nuestra parroquia, vivas o muertas. Si desea que su madre (u otra persona) sea incuida, favor devoler el sobre especial antes del 11 de mayo 2008. Los sobres de ofrenda estan disponibles en la Iglesia.

 

 

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL

This year's ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL goal is $18,000. Any amount over our goal will be returned to us. In 2007 that amounted to a little over $4,000. We are so very grateful for your financial sacrifices on behalf of our parish and our diocese.

To date, 69 pledges have been made for a total of $10,969. Of this amount, $6,707. has been received by the Stewardship Office. For your convenience, all pledges made to the Annual Catholic Appeal may be paid over a period of ten months. A payment of just $10 a month for ten months will satisfy a pledge of $100; $15 a month satisfies a pledge of $150; $25 a month, $250, etc.....

Please consider how you can help the work of the Catholic Church here in the diocese of Brooklyn and Queens. Checks or money orders may be made payable to:

Diocese of Brooklyn
2008 Annual Catholic Appeal
310 Prospect Park West
Brooklyn, New York 11215

Please remember...we are all responsible to do the work of our Father!

 

 

STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
RESTORATION RESUMES!

The beautiful rosette window and the smaller side windows in the choir loft are finally receiving some much needed TLC from our friends Jack & Renata of D'Ambrosio Ecclesial Art Studios.

The cost for this final stage of the Stained Glass Windows restoration work is $52,000. Thanks be to God for your generosity, we have approximately half of the money needed to begin the work.

 

 

 

125th ANNIVERSARY OF
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
CHURCH

This celebration will be one year long from November 2008 to November 2009 with our Anniversary Mass. At our first meeting in October we came up with many exciting ideas, but we would like to include your input too! Please help us in making this a memorable celebration!
PLEASE HELP US MAKE THIS A MEMORABLE CELEBRATION!

 

 

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS FORMING

To help fulfill our parish pastoral planning goals, two English Bible study groups have formed. One group, led by Edith Newman, will meet in the Rectory each Monday at 7:30 p.m. The other group, led by Deacon John, will meet in the Rectory each Tuesday at 11 a.m. Please bring your Bible!

 

 

 

BILINGUAL ROSARY

Sundays throughout the month of May at Holy Family Church. Gathering time - 9:30 a.m.
Bilingue rezar el Rosario todos los domingos durante el mes de mayo. Lugar - Holy Family Church. Hora - 9:30 a.m.

LESSONS LEARNED MEETING
Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

Spring Dinner and Auction committee members are encouraged to come to this meeting to "critique" this year's event. Please come ... we need your positive feedback and your "gentle" criticisms in order to plan for next year.

We would also love to hear from our guests at this year's event. If you have any ideas or opinions related to the Dinner and Auction please plan to attend.

Light refreshments and goodies will be available! The meeting will be held in the Parish Hall.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The next meeting of the Parish Council is on Thursday, April 15th, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium. All parishioners are encouraged to attend!

REUNIÓN CONSEJO
PARROQUIAL

La próxima reunión del Consejo Parroquial será el jueves, 15 de abril 2008 a las 7:30 p.m. en el auditorio. Todos están invitados.

 

 

FIRST
HOLY COMMUNION DAY
Saturday, May 17th, 2008
12:15 p.m. Mass

 

 

 

PARISH FOOD PANTRY
We help those in need!

 

 

GOLDEN AGE CLUB

The next Golden Age Club meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 27th, 2008 at 1 p.m. in the Auditorium. All senior citizens of the parish and neighborhood are welcome!
Bus Trip to Showboat Casino on June 24th, 2008. Cost will be $33 per person. Departing at 8:45 a.m. Returning at 8:45 p.m. Payment can be brought to the Rectory. Juice, water, cookies and candy will be served on the bus.

 

 

IT'S OFFICIAL!
HOLY FAMILY -
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
MERGING CEREMONY
Saturday, May 31st, 2008
Bishop Nicholas Di Marzio, Celebrant

Vespers at 3:30 p.m. in Holy Family Church
Procession to St. Thomas Aquinas Church
Vigil Mass at 5:30 p.m.
Reception in the Parish Hall

All parishioners are invited to the reception after Mass. If you will be attending you MUST complete a response form and return it to the Rectory or drop it in the offering basket on Sunday. We need to know how many people will be attending to be sure that enough food is ordered from the caterer. We expect many people will want to join us on the 31st. We certainly hope to be able to accommodate everyone who wishes to celebrate with us that day. Your prompt response will be most helpful to our Reception Committee.

 

 

 

THE ENGLISH
CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP

You are invited to be part of an English speaking Charismatic Prayer Group that meets every Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Rectory. For info call Roxanna Rodriguez at 718-499-1356.

 

 

FR. EXPEDIT

St. Thomas Aquinas Church cantor Lainie Diamond's new CD "Hail Divine" consisting of arias and songs recorded on the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas in St. Thomas Aquinas Church is now available for purchase. The CD features sacred songs and arias including "Ave Maria", "O Holy Night" and arias by Bach & Handel. The CD is $11 and may be purchased by signing up on the list in the church vestibule. You may pick up the CD from Lainie in the back of the church after the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday or the 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday Masses. $1 from the sale of each CD goes to St. Thomas Aquinas Church.
This CD is now available online at CDBaby.com. Please visit www.cdbaby.com/cdlainied

 

 

 

TELEVISION MASS
FOR THE HOMEBOUND

Each week through television, Passionist Communications brings the Sunday Mass to the sick and homebound. It can be seen in the NY area: Brooklyn Prayer Channel - Time Warner Channel 70 at 8 p.m. on Saturday, 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday and on Cabevision - Channel 30 Time 8 p.m. on Saturday, 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 5 p.m. on Sunday.

 

R.C.I.A.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

 

R.C.I.A. prepares both non-Catholic and those Catholics who have not received the Sacraments for full participation in the life of the Church. Candidates for R.C.I.A. are :
Those who are not baptized
Those baptized in another Christian denomination who wish to become Catholic.
Those who have been baptized in the Catholic Church but who have not yet received the Sacraments of Communion and Confirmation.
If you are someone you know is interested in knowing more about R.C.I.A., please call the Rectory and leave your name and telephone number. A group will be forming in September.

 

 

R.I.C.A.
El Rito de Iniciación Cristiana para Adultos

 

 

 

MINISTRIES

Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist are greatly needed. If you feel called to either one of these ministries, please call the Rectory and speak to Fr. Jesús or Fr. Ngozi. A basic training course is required by the Diocese. We are also in need of Altar Servers. Boys & girls who come regularly to Sunday Mass and have received First Communion are invited to be Altar Servers.

 

 

 

PLEASE

Por favor apague su teléfono cellular. Para hablar con Dios no lo necesita, y a la comunidad le estorbará mientras oran. Gracias por su amable colaboración.

 

 

 

SCHOLARSHIPS

Exciting opportunity for Public School Students who wish to attend Catholic Elementary and High School! There are scholarships available! Visit the web site: www.scholarshipfund.org or call 718-965-7340. These scholarships are for Brooklyn and Queens schools only. PLEASE GIVE IT A TRY!

 

 

 

HOLY FAMILY &
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
~ CCD ~

All Catholic children in Grades 1 through 8 who attend Public School should come to Religious Education Classes. All students must present their original Baptismal Certificate (and proof of previous Religious Education enrollment along with any other sacraments received in the case of transfer students) at the time of registration. Each year parents/guardians must re-register their children.

FEES:
One child ~ $45 for the year
Two children ~ $75 for the year
Three children ~ $100 for the year.

As always you are cordially invited to join us! We need a few adults to teach in the Children's Program. We definitely would appreciate some assistance with general office chores such as record-keeping, mailings, copying, etc. Please consider helping. You may contact Sister Doryne in the Rectory for more information or more ideas on how you can help.

 

CLASES DE INSTRUCCIÓN RELIGIOSA ~ CCD

Registración para la Comunión y Confirmación se llevarán en Septiembre. Requisitos:
1- Nuevos estudiantes deben traer el Certificado de Bautismo.
2- La donación es de $45 para libros y otra materiales.
3- Los padres deben asistir a misa con sus hijos los domingos.
Los padres deben ser miembros registrados en la parroquia de San Tomás.

 

 

 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
It's not just for kids anymore!

The Pastoral Institute offers many interesting and informative programs for adults of all ages. We encourage all adults in Holy Family ~ St. Thomas Aquinas Parish to recognize the importance of ongoing religious formation. Call the Pastoral Institute at (718) 229-8001 for a brochure.

 

 

 

CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP

 

 

JORNADISTA

¿Tienes mas de 15 anos? ¿Quieres aprender sobre su religion pero tambien se quiere divertir? ¿Se quiere juntar el los paseos, y otros eventos? Entonces unase con nosotros el Grupo de Jornadistas. Todos los domingo de 2 a 4 p.m. en la auditorio. ¡Esperamos en contar con su presencia!

Are you 15 or older? Want to learn about the Church but still have fun? Want to join us on trips or other events? Then join our Jornadista Group. We meet every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. in the auditorium. We hope to see you there!

 

 

 

THIRD ORDER CARMELITES

A Third Order Chapter of Lay Carmelites meets once every month in Our Lady of Angels Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. This is a Secular Community devoted to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Her Divine Son under the direction of the Carmelite Fathers of the Ancient Observance. Members study the Rule of Carmel, which is prayer and contemplation in action. If you are interested in knowing more about the Third Order, please call the Director, Alice Gould at: 718 788-5290.

 

 

~PURGATORIAL MASS SOCIETY~

Once a person is enrolled in the Purgatorial Mass Society, he or she will be remembered in prayer every Friday at the 7 a.m. mass for a period of one year. A Remembrance Book will include the names of all those enrolled. The Remembrance Book can be found in the Church. It will be updated each month to include the latest enrollments in the St. Thomas Aquinas Church Purgatorial Mass Society. A one year enrollment in the St. Thomas Aquinas Church Purgatorial Mass Society is ten dollars.
The Purgatorial Mass Society folders measure 6" x 8". For your convenience, they are available in English or Spanish. Those of you who are in the practice of bringing a Mass Card to a wake may now obtain a Purgatorial Mass Society Enrollment Card simply by coming to the Rectory.
Our prayers are often the only way we can offer comfort to a grieving friend or loved one at a time of loss. An enrollment in the Purgatorial Mass Society will certainly bring at least a small measure of comfort to you, the giver, and the assurance of continued prayers for the deceased.

 

 

 

GREGORIAN CHOIR

Music in your soul?? Looking for a way to more fully participate in the liturgy?? We have formed a Vocal Group under the direction of Edith Newman to sing at the Sunday 9:30 a.m. Mass. The group will perform unaccompanied music with an emphasis on Gregorian Chant. A love of music, commitment and a willingness to work hard are the only requirements. Practices are held on Fridays at 4:30 p.m. in the Rectory and on Sunday at 8:00 a.m. in the chapel.

 

 

 

AN INVITATION TO
CATHOLIC YOUNG ADULTS
Ages 20 to 30

Attention all 20 and 30 somethings! Come meet more young adults in your community at our picnics in Prospect Park, movies under the stars, or kayaking on the Hudson River.
We're meet for monthly Tuesday Night Faith Sharing. So if you're new to the "hood or just curious to check us out, now's the time to get to know us. Come check us out our website or give us a call at 718-783-3132 extension 36. We look forward to meeting you!

 

 

 

A MESSAGE FROM
FR. JESÚS.....

Let me take this opportunity to say "thank you" to those of you who make a point of keeping up your weekly financial commitment to our Church. I am especially grateful when you go to the trouble of sending us the contributions you missed because of vacations or holidays. By doing this, you surely give witness to the seriousness of your own faith and the importance of Good Stewardship.

TIME ~ TALENT ~ TREASURE

Each Sunday, we take up two collections. The first collection is for the support of our Church. It is meant to be used to meet our everyday operating expenses such as electricity, fuel, salaries, telephone bills, etc. Since we receive no outside financial support, we rely entirely on your generosity in the first collection to meet these regular operating expenses.
The second collection is taken to support special diocesan collections such as Retired Religious, diocesan programs and services, etc. and for the extraordinary expenses that arise from maintaining a one hundred twenty year old church. Your offering of as little as one hour's wage or income each week will help us meet our needs. Please be as generous as your means allow.

 

 

CHILDREN'S LITURGY
OF THE WORD

At the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses each Sunday, we offer the opportunity for our children to participate in a special celebration of a Children's Liturgy of the Word consisting of song, reading, instruction and fun. For additional information contact MaryAnne Walsh.

 

 

LITURGIA DE LA
PALABRA PARA NIÑOS

Jesus dijo "Dejad que los niños vengan a Mi." Durante la misa de las 9 a.m. y 11 a.m. ofrecemos a nuestros niños la oportunidad a participar de una celebración especial Liturgia de la Palabra para Niños consistiendo de canciones, lecturas, instrucción y diversión.

 

 

HOSPITAL VISITS

If you or a relative will be in the hospital, please notify the Rectory so that a visit can be arranged. We do need to know that you want a visit! The hospital does not provide us with this information. We do not know the need is there unless you call! The usual day for hospital visits is Thursday.