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WELCOME TO ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE
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. |
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 21, 2016 Parish Message: We need to live our life so that when we die Jesus won’t say to us, “I do not know where you are from. Depart from me you evil-doer.” We hear in today’s Gospel a question that we would probably like to ask – “Lord, will only a few be saved?” Jesus does not answer that question. Instead he issues a series of sayings and parables that emphasize the difficulty involved in entering God’s kingdom, and he stresses the need for constant fidelity and vigilance throughout our lives. Thus, Jesus reminds us that even though God wants all of us to be saved, we all need to work at it. Entry into God’s kingdom is not automatically granted, and we cannot presume on God’s mercy and do nothing by way of response to God’s invitation. We have our own questions – “Who will be saved? Will I be saved? Will Jesus know me when I come to that narrow door?” Isaiah tells us that the Lord does not exclude anyone but gathers all the nations. And in the letter to the Hebrews we are told not to lose heart. We all suffer in life, some us more than others, and we are all in good company because Jesus suffered too. But, as with Jesus, God is always with us. So, we should take hope and live authentically, which means, live according to the Gospel. Parish Question for Reflection: Will Jesus know us when we come to the door? Will he welcome us or will he turn us away? Parish Intention: So that we may be welcomed at the table in God’s kingdom, help us, Lord, to live in a way here that will allow us to be welcomed there. We pray ….
MASS BOOK OPENING The Mass Book for 2017 will be opened as of Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 7th, 2016* at 9:30 am in the Parish Center * Please note this change of date. When you arrive you will be asked to sign-in and give your time of arrival. Intentions will be accepted in the order in which parishioners arrive according to the sign-in sheet. We will begin accepting Mass intentions precisely at 9:30 a.m. Parish staff will be present beginning from 9:15 a.m. on to sign-in arrivals. Please not arrive earlier than 9:15 a.m. To avoid duplication only one person’s Mass intentions can be recorded at a time, so please be prepared to wait.
GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY The Diocese of Rockville Centre will hold a Golden Wedding Liturgy honoring couples who have been married fifty years or more on two Sundays this Fall. The liturgies will take place at 2:30pm on Sunday, October 23 at the Church of St. Rose of Lima in Massapequa and on Sunday, November 6 at the Church of Christ the King in Commack. Couples who wish to participate are asked to fill out a registration form, have it signed by Msgr., Maniscalco, and then return it to the Office Worship. CLICK HERE for the form and to learn more details.
St. Thomas the Apostle FALL 2016 BEREAVEMENT PROGRAM “May you always remember when the shadows fall- You do not walk alone.” Old Irish Blessing Anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one is encouraged to attend. There are eight weekly sessions that help people know what to expect and not to expect during the grieving process. All groups are led by trained facilitators. Sessions will be held on TUESDAYS from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the PARISH CENTER (enter via the Elevator entrance on Argyle Road) Beginning September 27th for eight weeks including October 4, 11, 18, 25, November 8, 15, & 22. There is NO SESSION on November 1st (All Saints Day) CLICK HERE for the reservation form and return it by Sept. 20th to : St Thomas the Apostle Human Services/ Bereavement 24 Westminster Road West Hempstead, New York 11552 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dedication of West Hempstead's 9-11 Memorial Thursday, July 14, 2016 St. Thomas the Apostle Church was represented by Father Noel Effiong  
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT ST. THOMAS Click Here to Learn More
SAVE THE DATE! Parish Dinner Dance 'Friday November 18, 2016 7-12pm at Chateau Briand “My spirit rejoices in God my savior” Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Msgr. John A. Alesandro More details to follow…
Anointing of the Sick: The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be celebrated after the 9 a.m. on the first Saturdays of the month. Church Bulletins - To view and download a copy of this weeks bulletin, click here. Prayer in the Spirit - Ongoing Conversations with God - Have you ever wondered how the readings from Mass apply to your own life? Are you looking for more support and encouragement in your prayers? Would you like to spend an evening with others who are interested in these things, too? Then come to the Rectory Meeting Room (downstairs from the Rectory Office) at 7:30 pm on Thursday, Dec. 3rd to reflect on the Sunday scriptures and pray for one another’s needs. Upcoming dates include: June 22, July 14, July 28, August 11, August 25. Click here for additional information. St. Thomas the Apostle eNews - Would you like to receive occasional emails with parish news, reflection questions, Catholic trivia, and other information? Then sign up today for St. Thomas eNews! Just send an email to [email protected] with your last name and the word “subscribe” in the subject line, and you’ll be added to our mailing list.
We welcome you to St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Website. We are glad you are here and hope you will visit again. If you are new to the area or are a returning Catholic who has been away from Mass for a while, we invite you consider making St. Thomas your church home. To learn more about today’s Catholic Church and our faith community of St. Thomas the Apostle, contact Cindy at 516-489-8585 or [email protected]
Year of Mercy Activities at St. Thomas ■ At one of the side altars in the church, chapel and lower church, there will be a “Mercy Basket” in which you can place petitions asking God for his merciful intervention in your life or the life of someone you know. You might also consider putting in equivalent petitions of Thanksgiving for answered prayers. The basket will be emptied once a month to make room for new or renewed petitions. Each weekend’s Prayer of the Faithful at Mass will include a petition covering all the requested prayers in the “Mercy Basket.” Slips of paper with the Jubilee Logo will be available near the basket for you to write your petitions. ■ A Mercy Tree will contain cards suggesting various actions inspired by the Corporal and Spiritual Works of mercy. We hope that each week end the Mercy Tree will be cleared by parishioners willing to do these acts of mercy. ■ After Communion at each weekend Mass the celebrant will lead the congregation in a post-Communion prayer, done in responsorial psalm format, using one the psalms designated as “Psalms of Mercy” for the Jubilee. ■ The Sacrament of Penance on several Saturdays during the year will celebrated with individual confessions as part of a Communal Penance Service from 3 to 4:30 p.m. ■ One of the Hours of the Divine Office will be celebrated as part of selected weekend Masses. ■ Eucharistic Adoration will be extended to 4 p.m. on the non-First Fridays.
 THE 2013 - 2014 PARISH REPORT: "One Family In Christ". Click here to read and download a copy.
MASSES at ST. THOMASSunday Mass Schedule
Church: Saturday eve, 5 pm; Sunday, 9 am, 10:30 am 12 Noon 6 pm
Chapel: 7:30 am 9:30 am 11 am 12:30 pm
Weekday Mass Schedule
Lower Church: 7:45 am Monday through Friday; 9 am Tuesday and Thursday
Chapel: 9 am Monday, Wednesday, Friday (except from the last week of December through first week of March when these Masses are in the Lower Church).
Holy Days
Church: 7:30 pm Eve of Holy Day, 7:45 am and 12:10 pm on Holy Day.
Chapel: 9 am and 7:30 pm on Holy Day
 | A Gift of Prayer |
Besides the tradition of prayer for our deceased loved ones, an announced Mass intention is a wonderful way to recognize a birthday, a wedding anniversary, the anniversary of an ordination or entrance into religious life, some other special occasion or simply to let those you love know that they are in your prayers. Except for the last days of Holy Week, Mass is said every day for special intentions.
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Thank You!
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You are invited to...
VISIT THE ST. THOMAS PARISH LIBRARY
Click here for additional information.
How to Celebrate the Sacrament of Penance Our Catholic Church treasures the sacrament of reconciliation. Many parishes offer a communal celebration of penance, especially during Advent and Lent. But private reconciliation is usually available every week of the year. If you'd like to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation, click here to learn more.
 | Divine Mercy Ministry
Weekly Reflection |
+ I said to Him, “I know that You are my Lord and Creator even though You are so tiny.” Jesus stretched His little arms out to me and looked at me with a smile. My spirit was filled with incomparable joy. Then, suddenly, Jesus disappeared, and it was time for Holy Communion. I went with the other sisters to the Holy Table, my soul deeply moved. After Holy Communion, (71) I heard these words in my soul: I am in your heart, I whom you had in your arms. I then pleaded with Jesus for a certain soul [Father Sopocko], asking the Lord to grant him the grace to fight, and to take this trial from him. As you ask, so shall it be, but his merit will not be lessened. Joy reigned in my soul that God is so good and merciful; God grants everything that we ask of Him with trust. (Diary 609).
St. Thomas Family Mass Committee would like to thank 7-Eleven in West Hempstead and and Dunkin' Donuts (Dogwood Ave.) in Franklin Square for their generous commitment to sponsor the breakfast at our monthly Family Mass. Dunkin' Donuts kindly contributed the very popular munchkins. We also thank 7-Eleven in West Hempstead for generously donating a variety of pastries, coffee, milk, butter, cream cheese, and paper goods to the reception. Thank you for your kind support.
Baptisms take place on the second and fourth Sunday of each month at 1:30 p.m. Parents must have an interview with one of the parish clergy and attend a Baptismal Preparation Class. The classes take place on the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. Parents should call the rectory to enroll for a class and interview. Parents who are not registered parishioners will be registered at the interview. Because of diocesan requirements, in the case of adoptions, parents should consult a priest or deacon in advance. A sponsor must be at least 16, confirmed and an active Catholic. If there are two sponsors, one must be a Godfather and one a Godmother. Private baptisms are not encouraged, but if allowed a celebrant from outside this diocese must provide a testimonial of good standing from his diocese or religious superior. Click here for additional information.
BAPTISM: We welcome the following little Christians into the
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Community:Sophia Isabel Fiorentino * Christopher Javier Machado
Mary Ann Zanetti
JOIN THE HOSPITALITY COMMITTEEHospitality plays a key role in the life of the church. Here at St. Thomas our goal is to build a welcoming and vibrant parish. Members of this committee take turns setting up, serving and cleaning after the receptions. This is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow parishioners and give time to our parish. If you find yourself able to volunteer, please consider joining our committee. If you would like to find out more information about us or volunteer, please contact the Rectory Office at 489-8585.
MORNING PRAYER Morning Prayer, part of the Liturgy of the Hours, is prayed every Tuesday at 8:40 AM, in the Lower Church. Booklets are provided. If you go to the 7:45 Mass, pray the Rosary afterward and then stay and join us for Morning Prayer. If you plan to go to the 9:00 Mass, come just 20 minutes earlier for Morning Prayer.
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Join the Catholic Alumni Partnership today! The Catholic Alumni Partnership is a new project, aimed at helping Catholic elementary schools reconnect with their alumni. Ultimately, the Catholic Alumni Partnership’s vision is to create a sustainable fundraising program for every Catholic elementary school, with alumni support as its foundation. Please act now by "Clicking Yes!" Together we can create a new future for the schools that helped us realize our own. Go to www.clickyes.com to support your elementary school today! Sign-up today and support St. Thomas the Apostle! |
DON’T TAKE A VACATION FROM CHURCH If you are traveling at any time, you can find the nearest church and Mass schedule by calling 1.410.676.6000 or by using the internet: www.masstimes.org. Please don’t take a vacation from God. |
We must unite as the body of Christ to fight the greatest evil of our day, abortion. To build a culture of life, we must start with prayer. Please join the worldwide "Pray to End Abortion" cause on facebook, at www.ProLifePrayers.org. Be part of the largest prayer group in history.
St. Vincent de Paul CLOTHING BIN: You may have noticed the recent addition of a St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Bin in the Church parking lot. Clothing contributions are vitally important to the work of the Society, both for the distribution to the needy, as well as resale at our stores and wholesale on the international market. Please consider using the new bin for your ongoing gifts! And Thank you for your generosity. |
What should I do if I suspect a child is being abused |
In our region, we regularly hear the reminder, “If you see something, say something” to ward off a terrorist attack in the future such as we suffered on 9/11. A similar motto should accompany our child protection efforts. In every issue of the bulletin, we run the notice below. But for it to achieve its purpose, each of us needs to be alert to the possibility that sexual abuse of a child may be taking place and willing to speak up. I want to draw everyone’s attention to this notice and to the fact that the efforts of us all are needed to stop child abuse or prevent it in the first place. If you or someone you know has experienced an incident of sexual abuse by clergy, employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, please contact law enforcement and the Office for the Protection of Children and Young People. The office maintains a special phone for these situations: 516-594-9063. Information on Diocesan Sexual Abuse Policies can be found at www.drvc.org.
DIOCESAN CODE OF CONDUCT FOR VOLUNTEERS St. Thomas the Apostle offers Virtus training sessions for all parish volunteers. If you would like to register for this course in any parish or need more information, please contact the Diocesan Office of Child Protection. Click here for additional information. Click here to view and download a copy of Diocesan Code of Conduct for Volunteers. If you need to report any suspected abuse, please contact law enforcement and the Diocesan office. |
Faith Direct is the innovative solution that allows you to support our parish using electronic funds transfer from either a bank account or credit/debit card just as you may do now with your mortgage payment, cable bill or other expenses. CLICK HERE for additional information and the enrollment form.
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 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. |
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. |
St. Vincent de Paul Society In the spirit of Pope Francis’s call for service to the poor. Please remember the poor boxes in the Church and Chapel. Your donations will greatly aid the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Thomas in our quest for aiding the poor and needy of our parish. Sincerely in St. Vincent de Paul
Mary Williamson, President |
| 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. |
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. |
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 . |
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 |
Please pray for the safe return of Natale Franco ▪ Miguel A. Flaquer ▪ Mark E. Satira PFC James Morrison ▪ Andy Munier Justina Medina ▪ Lt. Col. John Lehane, USMC ▪ Cpl. Kieran Grogan, USMC PFC Matthew Sirianni ▪ Sgt. James A. Conklin ▪ Sgt. Joseph Giordano, USMC Members of St. Thomas the Apostle Church stationed in Iraq & Afghanistan Lt. Col. Thomas Brennan ▪ Lt. Commander Peter J. Eberhardt Staff Sgt. Joseph D. Marciano ▪ Capt. Timothy Miller USMC Spec. Kenneth Albarran ▪ Sgt. Erich McCartney ▪ Kris Kleffman Major Patrick Sweeney ▪ Lt. Col. Paul Sweeney Sgt. Matthew R. Schmidt ▪ Sgt. Christopher McKay Joseph Della Ratta PFC ▪ Capt. Anthony Caruso ▪ Capt. Emily Ladd 1 Lt. Dennis Valdez ▪ Cpt. Joseph Munger ▪ Major Christian M. Capece, USMC have returned home safely. The families wish to thank you for your prayers, and ask that you please continue to pray. God Bless You All.
VISIT THE ST. PATRICK'S ALTAR
& PRAY FOR VOCATIONS
Monsignor Jim’s website is located at:http://www.msgrlisante.org. Share the site with your friends and family.
Attention BOOK LOVERS. If you love books learn how you can help St. Thomas. Click here for more details.
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.
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Last Updated: March 21, 2016 at 8:30 PM
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