September 29, 2019

ST. CHURCH 904 E. Lake Ave. Peoria Heights Illinois 61616 (309) 688-3446 stthomaspeoria.org

Readings for the Week of September 29, 2019

Sunday Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 6:1a,4-7; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31

Next weekend we welcome our 7th grade Monday St. students who will assist us at Donut Sunday. This Zechariah 8:1-8; Luke 9:46-50 is an important date for us for another reason, since October 6 is the anniversary of the Tuesday St. Therese of the Child Jesus dedication of our church in 2002. This Zechariah 8:20-23; Luke 9:51-56 anniversary is a solemnity for us and there will be special readings separate from the Sunday Wednesday The Holy Guardian Angels of Ordinary Time. Nehemiah 2:1-8; Matthew 18:1-5,10

This week we also celebrate the feast day of St. Thursday Nehemiah 8:1-4a,5-6,7b-12; Luke 10:1-12 Therese of Lisieux, the patroness of vocations for the Diocese of Peoria. I ask you to join me in Friday St. praying for vocations and for those seminarians 2:1-9; Luke 9:18-22 who are studying for our diocese. Her feast day is Tuesday, October 1st. I have reprinted the Saturday Blessed Seelos novena pray below. Baruch 4:5-12,27-29; Luke 10:17-24

-Msgr Gray Sunday Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 1:2-3;2:2-4; 2 Timothy 1:6-8,13-14; Luke 17:5-10

St. Therese, you answered the Lord's call to become love in heart of the Church by entering Carmel, and living the hidden life of Mass Intentions contemplative prayer, fasting, and self-offering Monday, September 30, 2019 for the mission of the Church and the salvation 7:00 a.m. Suzette Little Kennedy/John and Amy Kelly of souls. 8:00 a.m. Vivienne Burek/Dan and Bea Elbert

Through your gracious intercession, grant our Tuesday, October 1, 2019 prayers for an increase in vocations to the 7:00 a.m. Rosemary Bartley/Bernadette Shekleton priesthood and consecrated life in our diocese. 8:00 a.m. Mary Louise Jacquin/Family

Beg our Lord to send us laborers who will be Wednesday, October 2, 2019 true disciples of the Lord faithful to the service 7:00 a.m. Sue O’Donnell 1st Anniv/Maria Diaz of His Church, the pursuit of holiness, and 8:00 a.m. Mrs. Theresakutty Varkey/ Family always eager to place the needs of others before their own. Thursday, October 3, 2019

7:00 a.m. Ray Little/John and Amy Kelly We make this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ 8:00 a.m. Marilyn Draggist/Jim and Kristina Montelongo Our Lord. Amen. 9:15 a.m. Veronica Jachim/Becky Eberle

St. Therese, Patroness of Vocations, pray for us. Friday, October 4, 2019 7:00 a.m. Ric and Joe Olson/Joe and Marge Kustz 8:00 a.m. World Peace and Special Prayer Intentions

Saturday, October 5, 2019

8:00 a.m. Purgatorial Society Pray with the 5:00 p.m. Roberta Colgan/Dave and Kathleen Pager September 2019 Sunday, October 6, 2019 The Protection of the Oceans 7:00 a.m. Tom and Dorothy Lavin/Rich and Colleen Lavin That politicians, scientists and economists work 9:00 a.m. For the People together to protect the world’s seas and 11:00 a.m. Carlito and Lucinda Bautista/The Bennett Family oceans. 5:00 p.m. Richard Janda/The Janda Family

St Thomas the Apostle Church Page 2 Peoria Heights, Illinois This Week in the Parish Our Sympathy SIGNUP FOR EUCHARISTIC ADORATION in the Narthex this week Rosie Kearney CENTERING PRAYER GROUP Monday, September 30, 8:30 a.m., Church mother of Linda Schrader

ROSARY Tuesday, October 1, 10:00 a.m., Chapel

PRIESTS PEDALING FOR PRAYERS Tuesday, October 1, 2:45 p.m., School Wedding Congratulations Gym Jerrod Roedell Wollard ~ Jennifer Anne Barkley

CCD Wednesday, October 2, 6:00 p.m., School

RCIA Wednesday, October 2, 7:00 p.m., School Library

CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP Thursday, October 3, 7:00 p.m., School Conference Room

THAT MAN IS YOU! Friday, October 4, 6:00 a.m., Parish Hall

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Friday, October 4, beginning after 8:00 a.m. Mass and closing with Benediction at 8:00 p.m.

Mark your calendar for the St. Thomas 2019 Upcoming Events Progressive Dinner! Saturday, November 2. We invite you to consider hosting cocktails or Step Out with St. Thomas October 12 dinners this year. In the past, some people Trunk or Treat October 25 have joined with others in hosting to share in Progressive Dinner November 2 fun. Open House and Advent Market December 8 For those of you who have not attended, parishioners open their homes for a cocktail party or dinner. Everyone who attends is assigned one location for cocktails, and a Why Make a Holy Hour? different location for dinner. After dinner this year, we will convene for dessert and drinks at Because it is time spent in the presence of Our Lord the Betty Jayne Brimmer Center for the Himself. If faith is alive, no further reason is needed. Because in our busy life it takes considerable time to Performing Arts in the Heights shake off the "noonday devils," the worldly cares (www.thebettyjayne.com) which cling to our souls like dust. Because all our preaching, confessing, and other good works start For more information, or to offer to host with the Flame of Love in the Tabernacle. cocktails or dinner, please text or email: -Venerable Fulton Sheen Jen Lynch 309-363-1616 or [email protected] Ann Kube 309-370-7642 or Weekly Collection [email protected] September 22, 2019 Fiscal YTD Collections needed ...... $20,000 ...... $240,000 Please let us know by October 1 if you are able Sunday Collections ...... $11,036 ...... $165,705 to host. Electronic Collections ...... $3,399 ...... $40,406 Total Collected ...... $14,435 ...... $206,111 Over/(Short) ...... $(5,565) ...... $(33,889) Sponsor of the Week Your support of St. Thomas Parish is important to sustain our mis- sion. Please remember to contribute regularly with your envelopes or checks in our regular Sunday collection. Electronic contributions can be made through direct debit, or by using the Giving 4208 PARTRIDGE WAY • P.O. BOX 3858 • PEORIA, IL 61612 tab on our parish website: stthomaspeoria.org. — Parishioners — www.hedigerandmeyers.com Collins Voorhees 309.691.5001 William Voorhees Thank you for your support.

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 3 September 29, 2019 RCIA Topics Bishop Jenky has released his Festival Letter on the Holy Eucharist. This is a timely reminder of the importance of the Body and Blood of Christ that October 2: Biblical History, Bible Timeline we celebrate every time we come to Mass. Part 1 begins his letter. We October 9: Holy Trinity will print sections of the letter in the coming weeks, to make it available to October 16: God the Father all. October 23: God the Son October 30: God the Son (continued) and The Real Presence God the Holy Spirit Nineteenth Festival Letter - AD 2020 Sunday Coffee and Donuts PART 1 Divine Revelation is the way that Almighty God personally invites Spalding Knights of Columbus will host the us to know, love, and serve Him. It is God’s self-communication of the Sunday Coffee and Donuts at the morning fullness of truth, revealed in Scripture and Tradition. Being grounded in Masses on October 6. true doctrine is therefore absolutely necessary for living our precious Faith.

Yet today, we are forced to admit that for several generations, the Also at all Masses on Saturday and Sunday, Church may not have effectively passed on even some core elements of October 5th and 6th, the Knights will sell Tootsie Catholic Christianity to those whom may now constitute the majority of Rolls for $5 for a box of 50. These sales benefit our members. A shocking example is evidenced by a recent opinion poll intellectually disabled citizens in our that indicates that in the United States, more than half of today’s community. Catholics may no longer believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. This failure in faith and conviction has happened despite the St. Thomas Women’s Guild fact that the received teaching goes back to Apostolic times and has always been held as foundational to our Catholic identity. So as your Monday, October 7, 6:30 p.m. bishop, I believe it is a grave personal obligation for me to try to state as Parish Hall clearly as I am able some basic truths about the Blessed Sacrament. Dinner will be Mexican Food and Dessert We are a Eucharistic Church, whose life and service revolve Our speaker will be Dr. Robert Sawicki, around the gift of the Eucharist. Just as truly as Christ ascended into Vice President of Clinical Service Home heaven, so truly he descended into the Sacraments, until he comes Care and Post-Acute Service OSF again in glory. As the Catholic Catechism teaches, the Eucharist “is the HealthCare. Sacrament of sacraments,” empowering us to appreciate and then live all the other Sacraments. We are baptized and confirmed into a All Ladies of the Parish are invited. Remember Eucharistic community. Reconciliation restores us to grace so that we to bring a friend. may worthily receive the Eucharist. The Sacrament of Holy Orders is intrinsically connected to Eucharistic service. The covenant of Holy If possible, bring items to the October meeting Matrimony is based upon Christ’s spousal love for the Church embodied and help Sr. Michelle, Executive Director of in the Eucharist. The Anointing of the Sick heals and restores to wholeness Catholic Charities, fill the St. Nicholas Mobile in Christ, corporally present in the Eucharist. As Pantry. Items needed: towels, wash cloths, once so succinctly summarized: “The Eucharist contains the entire blankets, sheets, toothpaste, toothbrushes, spiritual wealth of the Church.” shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, frying pans, Certainly the Blessed Sacrament is the richest possible symbol of toys, diapers, wipes, hats, gloves and gift cards. our Faith, but through the transforming words of Christ and power of the Holy Spirit it also truly makes present what it signifies. Jesus clearly bestowed enormous importance to the Bread and Wine of the Last Step Out With St. Thomas Supper. He took pains to prepare for the holy meal, expressed special Potluck, Social, and Dance instructions, and invested certain gestures with new meaning. He then October 12, 6:00 - 9:30 pm gave a personal commandment: Do this in memory of me. (Luke 22:19) EVERYONE Welcome His unambiguous words: This is my body, this is my blood, rather obviously Invite family, friends & neighbors! mean: “This is truly me, this is myself.” Rather than speaking Free Will Donations Accepted metaphorically, he intentionally established for the community of his disciples an outward sign that effected an entirely new reality. After his  6:00 Dance Lesson (Night Club 2 Step) passion and death, the Risen Christ would continue to abide with them by & Diana and confirm them by his Real Presence at each and every celebration of  7:00 Short Talk: The Joy of Being Catholic the Eucharist. On the first Easter Sunday, two disciples after traveling with Jesus and even listening to him along the road to Emmaus, only finally  7:10 Potluck dinner (bring a dish to pass) recognized him at the breaking of the bread. It is this very same  7:30 Dancing! Socializing! awesome reality which today the Western Church calls the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and which the Eastern Church celebrates as the Divine RSVPs helpful: Tracy & Michael Seyfert Liturgy. It could quite accurately be asserted that Christ’s living presence 309-229-0929 or [email protected] in the Blessed Sacrament is the most real thing men and women of faith Sweaters optional - room kept a bit cool for may ever experience in this passing world. dancing.

St Thomas the Apostle Church Page 4 Peoria Heights, Illinois

40 Days for Life-St Thomas Vigil Friday, October 11, 12:00-6:00 p.m. is our designated time to pray outside the Planned Parenthood office, 2709 N. Knoxville. Please join us for this valuable opportunity to end abortion.

40 Days for Life Fall 2019 Campaign From September 25 to November 3, the Peoria area community will take part in 40 Days for Life. In the past year, we have celebrated the closing of Peoria’s Whole Woman’s Health surgical abortion facility.

8th grade takes Peoria continues to have a Planned Parenthood facility which distributes time for prayer the abortion pill taken up to 10 weeks into a pregnancy. This facility refers in the garden. patients for surgical abortions.

Our Fall Campaign will take place at the Planned Parenthood facility at

2709 N. Knoxville Ave, Peoria. You may stand and pray at Knoxville and WE NEED YOUR HELP Hanssler Place.

You must bring your own signs. There is room for your chairs, especially on Whoever is merciful to the poor lends to the the boulevard of W. Hanssler Place. Please join us to pray for an end to Lord, and he will repay them for their efforts. abortion in Peoria and everywhere. Proverbs 19:17

Please attend the 40 Days for Life Kickoff Rally, Tuesday, September 24, As well as mentoring the needy in this 6:00 p.m., Women’s Care Center, 7319 N. University, Peoria. The rain community, the St. Vincent de Paul Society location is St. Vincent de Paul Parish Hall, 6001 N. University. helps with some monetary ways. We fund the

Food Panty in the St. Thomas Center (old gym). Join us to celebrate the closing of Peoria’s surgical abortion facility and to We also provide assistance to people who pray for all the lives lost there. For further information contact: need help with basic living essentials, such as Jason Season, local director, 217-816-1947 or utilities, rent and furniture. Karen Guth, Catholic contact, 309-453-7493

Your generous contributions to the monthly collections, and the food and other items you provide in the Food Pantry box in the Narthex Central Illinois Right to Life Bake Sale of the Church, help us keep these worthy Central Illinois Right to Life will host a Bake Sale at the Knights of Columbus endeavors going. Midwest Food Bank and Fish Fry, Friday, October 4, 5:00-7:00 p.m., 7403 N. Radnor Road, Peoria. Peoria Food Bank also provide tremendous support for our work. Have a tasty dinner of fish or chicken. Then stick around for yummy

desserts. Dinner cost is $12 per person ($5 child for 1 piece filet). Menu: Through the end of August 2019, the pantry whole catfish, filet catfish, fried chicken, baked chicken, baked cod, fried assisted 17.6% more people than the same in shrimp; fries, baked potato, potato salad, rye bread, coleslaw, tea and 2018. The number of people seeking help with coffee. living expenses has also increased.

This time of year typically takes its toll on our resources. Since July 1, we have had to St. Thomas Food Pantry suspend home visits three separate times due The Food Pantry is open Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the to lack of funds. The most recent closure was St. Thomas Center (old gym). We are closed on holidays. We can al- on September 10. ways use the following items. Thank you for your generosity!

We rely on your generosity to serve the needs of the poor. Next Sunday is the regular Dry Pasta Jelly collection for SVDP. When considering your Rice Peanut Butter Box Potatoes Can Veggies contribution please consider your blessings so Pancake Mix Cereal you can help another person not as blessed. Syrup Meal Helpers Also, please review the list of items the Food Canned Tomatoes Mac & Cheese Pantry uses and share according to your Canned Fruit Soup ability. Tuna Tomato Sauce Beef Stew Crackers Nanette Westerhold

St Thomas the Apostle Church Page 5 Peoria Heights, Illinois Veterans and Widows of Veterans The Illinois Valley Fuller Center for Housing offers the following Fall Services to Veterans and Widows of Veterans:

 Volunteers will provide a maximum of two hours of raking yards in November.

 Furnace safety checks offered through a partnership with Fritch Heating and Cooling.

To request either of these services or to learn about the home repair program through the Fuller Center call 309-363-3737.

St Mary’s of Kickapoo 69th Annual Sausage Dinner Exposition Gardens Sunday October 6, 2019 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Adults: $15 Children 5-12: $5 Children 4 and Under: FREE Hot Dog Plate Available All You Can Eat Carry-outs Available Fall Market Vendors Quilt Raffle- Bucket Raffle-Wildlife Raffle Parish Registration Complete this form and drop it in the collection basket, or mail to the Holy Hour for the Unborn Parish Office or The Holy Hour for the Rights of the Unborn Child Register on our website at stthomaspeoria.org. Under About open the Monday, October 7, 7:00 p.m. at Immaculate New Parishioner Registration, complete and submit the form. Conception Convent, 2408 W. Heading Avenue, West Peoria.

Last Name ______

First Name(s) ______Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat Join Rachel’s Vineyard, October 25-27, 2019, Email ______for a retreat for women and men struggling with the pain of abortion. Phone ______If you have suffered the loss of abortion in your Address ______family, you need not suffer alone.

City______ZIP______We are now accepting reservations for this weekend retreat. Rachel’s Vineyard is a safe Phone ______place to renew and rebuild hearts broken by abortion. Scholarships are available on request. New Parishioner ______Change of address/phone ______For additional information, please call 309-264- 1489, or email [email protected].

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 6 September 29, 2019 St. Thomas the Apostle Parish  309-688-3446 Receptionist Val Wallenfang (x1301) 904 East Lake Avenue, Peoria Heights, IL 61616 [email protected] [email protected] Administrative Assistant Terri Moon (x1300) Pastor Msgr. Jason A. Gray (x1400) [email protected] [email protected] Accountant Julie Streid (x1340) Parochial Vicar Rev. Paul Stark S.J. (x1430) [email protected] [email protected] Tuition Coordinator Pat Wombacher (x1341) Deacon Dcn. Frank Eaton (Senior Status) [email protected] Dcn. Mark Kelsch (692-4908) Dcn. John Nelson (981-2716) CCD Coordinator Angie Robenstein (x1200) Dcn. Ed Mallow (360-7735) [email protected]

School Principal Maureen Bentley (x1210) [email protected] Music Coordinator Ann Horst (682-5507) Choir Director Erin Craig [email protected]

Annulment Consultant John Mackoway (699-5213) Sacrament of Baptism Confessions How to Submit Bulletin Information Parents participate Baptism class Saturday Send information for the bulletin to [email protected] with before the Baptism of their first child. 4:00-4:45pm & subject “Bulletin”. Submissions are due by Friday noon one full week prior. Send Contact the parish office to schedule 6:00-6:30 p.m. images or logos separately as attachments. Submissions may be edited for the class. content and length.

PDC Services, Inc. ACCOUNTING Peoria’s Trash & Recycling Service Provider Joseph G Runkle CPA

674-5176 • pdcarea.com PE-4665526 Professional Income Tax Preparation & Accounting Services * General Construction Locally owned * Design Build for 90 years Matt & Kris Coulter St. Parishioners 309.691.4417 • www.josephgrunklecpa.com * Commercial & Residential * Construction Management osfhealthcare.org Peoria Notre Dame High School * Pre Engineered Structures 5105 N Sheridan Road DESIGNERS & CONTRACTORS EAST PEORIA 698-8404 AUFMAN Peoria, IL 61614 • 309-691-8741 Dennis Bishop, Parishioner 243-5599 peorianotredame.com SPECIALIZING IN ASPHALT PAVING • ASPHALT SEALING 2800 W Alta Rd.

certified public accountants & consultants 8726 N. Industrial Road • Peoria, IL 61615 Allison Buckardt - Parishioner fax: 309.692.4159 gswcpa.com phone: 309.692.4030 Caribbean SPRAY TAN | HAIR | FACIAL | WAXING | SAUNA (309) 688-TREE (8733) (309) 686-3751 [email protected] 1217 W. Main St. • Peoria, IL “We think of them as our trees, www.caribbeantanandsalon.com but why don’t we keep them in your yard.” DENTURES PAR EXCELLENCE Come see us for a free hearing screening “Excellence in Removable Prosthodontics” Richard P. June, DDS richardjunedds.com (309) 688-4327 Parishioner 309-693-7200 Trumpeter 4704 N. Sheridan Rd., Peoria IL 61614 Ronald Rabjohns, MD -- Parishioner (309) 691-4410 Compliments of 2400 S.W. 4208 PARTRIDGE WAY • P.O. BOX 3858 • PEORIA, IL 61612 — Parishioners — www.hedigerandmeyers.com www.kellyglass.com • (309) 676-3573 Collins Voorhees 309.691.5001 William Voorhees Since 1968 Large Indoor Pool & Whirlpool Free Enhanced Continental Breakfast 1 & 2 Room Whirlpool Suites Children under 12 stay FREE 9106 N Lindbergh Dr. www.grandstayhospitality.com 309-692-9200 www.shermansnow.com

• Commercial ----24 Hour Service ---- Mon-Sat Greg Foose Zack Foose Midwest • Industrial (309) 693-2400 309-362-2119 309-678-6228 • Residential 10-5 F Endodontic Specialists, Ltd. All Types of The Pursuit of Endodontic Excellence www.laserelectricinc.com Concrete Work Peoria Heating-Cooling-Refrigeration Residential & Commercial 688-PEAR 309-690-0011 RU Galesburg (309) 633-1313 4544 N Prospect Rd. [email protected] www.dmiheatingandair.com 309-315-2135 Peoria Heights Driveways • Sidewalks 24 hour emergency service aperfectpearboutique.com “free estimates on new Patios • Foundations midwest-endo.com 329 N. Western equipment installation” Libby Fritsch-Koszuta, cLass oF ‘94 Concrete Walls • Finished Floors 1208 . . Erosion Control

eting • umholz Parishioner R Building Tammy Vu K oup, Inc oup, aph arishioner S Office: 309-691-7774 gr ing nails 7620 N University St. RD S o k o gery AC Excavating

icha al lo • 309-579-2244 309-868-0204 , F our phot ur ed • $180 t wn • $150 t a & R www.krumholzbros.com om y .prairiespine.com eoria, IL ve a ed fr Junction City’s New ng . . . na Mcomm Gr Mcomm Mark Channel Alumnus/P Landscape KRUMHOLZ BROTHERS LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS D o 9 x 12 pain 11 x 14 dr

ube II, MD r t

www . • #114 • P

. K d Adrienne Art Studio Adrienne ul, s f

i Special t

awn or paint Fur Baby Fur u alena R a KEMP MFG. CO r be arishioner ortraits by Hand dr P Minimally invasive spine sur Physical therapy on site Fo 5835 N G 683-6968 Richard A Spine Surgeon P

t E G ax t o t p c d : i TIN .com m r ee aw s u m r a SUL

t e h . S n eoria c

ON ksswf t T 9am-4pm T 9am-4pm o . S

i

• e P . h h AS AS m v s G • C t E

i

E r n y AKF AKF b arishioner SIN a E esidential . Main Str r a uellon, MBA P r a z .mcquellon.com a Attorneys at L i CHA ffice • 309-693-6200 F l G ppeals y BRE y BRE K eoria, IL 61606 309-495-0179 676-1381 E P ial • R . McQ S • PUR ax A 1209 W T W AN t O ndustr AR • Sunda AR • Sunda om esident / CEO and P ober r l 5805 N Humboldt A O B O B QUITY L R P C C A A cial • I eal Estate obile • 309-693-2600 O R aisals.c ening T ening T v v G • HOME E arishioner mail: [email protected] • www P y E y E CIN Commer E da 309-839-2820 da AN Lise: 309-645-0406 tur tur ampbellappr c Sa 309-256-6700 M Sa REFIN . , IL als om t up ts ciota eoria o es d Dr . S oup.c or tf . a arishioner e E l P t Gr D w 429 E . . 114 W P Seiberling a A m Str yman-gr . (309) 688-5114 S ARISHIONER 309.685.8222 L M o Suit w eoria Heigh eoria IL 61602 PARISHIONER t ,

w P t S ues-Sat 11-5 309-740-9850 309-589-5900 olvo - P ., P ith The Aged eoria Heights a T A GEMENT d ® -

P 360-0012 .com c Thr

y GHTY

Sundays in Dec 12-4 1308 E , e esiden OR

r om ve. • w T n on Blv Cell: S r m o orking W e - P GERA arishioner – , t ose & . 309-671-4543 REAL UMBING CO t .sharrisuniforms.com Adams, #700 BILL McCARTHY A e needs of small businesses & individu oor – P .c A S rochfordlaw xville A est . Pioneer Pkwy . Pioneer Pkwy PL 1025 N Sheridan Road tner changeCI.c @ anc . M S www i

rade Shop Your New Home for School Uniforms! Jim Rochford eEx AME ering • C .SchererAuto.com J K eoria, IL 61615 309.691.0300 309.692.9880 Scherer Mazda ew P GLOBAL anc VILLAGE air T om John E F ria Ear, N .c andi JIM ROCHFORD & ASSOCIATES 309.637.5322 drochford 101 South W o Scherer Lincoln V nsur

S 2300 W 2200 W c www ting • S t ank Building • 411 Hamilt eo 7301 N Kno ears Experience W ea P ILLINOIS LICENSE 055-004303 h

Group T i omsmithplumbing GINGCARE MANA

45 Y m hase B .HealthI .t S C om@m A

w

w G

cusing on the health insur m Assessment • Consultation • Recommendation Assessment • Consultation The Real Estate The Real Estate w w o o 309-231-0318 F w Plumbing • H tspt w T

TOM SMITH