St. Parish Diocese of Peoria 904 E Lake Ave Peoria Heights stthomaspeoria.org St Thomas the Apostle Church TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Peoria Heights, Illinois September 17, 2017

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Reading I: Sirach 27:30-28:7 Reading II: Romans 14: 7-9 : :21-35 SIGN UP FOR WALK FOR THE POOR will be after Masses this weekend. This week’s readings demonstrate the undeniable connection between God’s life and our life. Sometimes we experience our relationship with God and we experience RECONCILIATION PARENT MEETING Monday, Sept our relationship with people and we view them as two 18 at 7:00 pm in the school library for parents of 2nd separate relationships. The Scripture tells us that our world graders preparing for First Reconciliation. Plan to and God’s world are the same. God the Father throughout attend this meeting or Thursday, Sept 21. history, and ultimately in the person of , offers us forgiveness. That wonderful, saving reality from “above” ROSARY FOR PEACE Tuesday, Sept 19 at 10:00 am in only has meaning in the ways in which we forgive each the chapel other. There is no relationship to God which is lived out apart from our relationship to each other. An abstract love PARISH COUNCIL Tuesday, Sept 19 at 7:00 pm in the of God, which does not manifest itself in love of neighbor, parish office meeting room simply does not exist. STUDY Wednesday, Sept 20 at 8:45 am in the parish office meeting room

CCD Wednesday, Sept 20 from 6:00-7:00 pm in the Monday, September 18, 2017 school 7:00am Irene McMenamin 8:00am Annie Smogorzewski/Jeanne Whalen MEN’S CLUB Thursday, Sept 21 at 6:30 pm in the old gym basement. All men of the parish are welcome. Tuesday, September 19, 2017-St Januarius 7:00am Dan Connolly/Joe & Cari Connolly CHOIR PRACTICE Thursday, Sept 21 at 6:30 pm in 8:00am Rod Hinchman/Dale & Brenda Noel the music room Wednesday, September 20, 2017-Sts Andrew Kim Tae-gon and Paul Chong Ha-Sang and Companions CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP Thursday, Sept 21 at 7:00am Thomas S Farraher 7:00 pm in the old church basement 8:00am Ed Burkardt/Carole Benson RECONCILIATION PARENT MEETING Thursday, Sept Thursday, , 2017-St Matthew the Apostle 21 at 7:00 pm in the school library for parents of 2nd 7:00am Jesse Flores/Family graders preparing for First Reconciliation. Plan to 8:00am Carol Ostrander attend this meeting or Monday, Sept 18. 9:15am Paula Claude/Kevin Karcher THAT MAN IS YOU Friday, Sept 22 at 5:30 am in the Friday, September 22, 2017 7:00am Annie Merkle/Mike & Theresa Haughney lower level of the church. The topic this week is The 8:00am Dan Van Buskirk/Family Mystery of Creation Renewed

Saturday, September 23, 2017-St Pius of Pietrelcina WALK FOR THE POOR to benefit our St Vincent de 8:00am Earl Bill 23rd Anniv Paul Society, Saturday, Sept 23 at 9:00 at St. Vincent 5:00pm Mary Louise Jacquin/Family de Paul Church.

Sunday, September 24, 2017 6:30am For the People SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION 8:00am Ray Bastonero/Lucille Harczuk & Family 9:30am Sarah Salmon/Family Saturdays in the chapel 11:00am Jing Bautista/The Bennett Family 4:00-4:45 pm and 6:00-6:30 pm 5:00pm Norma Stroup/Dale & Brenda Noel

The 100th Anniversary of the final apparition of Our Lady of Fatima takes place in about a month, on October 13, 2017. This week, I met with our extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to make some adjustments in the distribution of To prepare for this anniversary, a limited number of books Communion. I have asked our Communion ministers to are available on Our Lady of Fatima. For those interested, remain in fixed positions near the altar while the congregation these books are free of charge. comes forward. This reflects the theology of the Psalms that we should “go up to the altar of God” (Ps 43). On a practical level, I hope that this will also diminish any danger of dropping the host or spilling the Precious Blood when moving Peace Pals throughout the church. Finally, I would like to avoid any two- way traffic in the aisles to minimize congestion when receiving Come join a wonderful group of volunteers who go to Communion. Trewyn School and read with 1st through 4th graders. You are asked to go at least twice per month to read with your This will require some adjustment for those seated in the side three assigned students. The day of the week and time are section by the choir. Those in the corner sections and cry flexible. Many volunteers enjoy it so much they go every rooms will now need to come forward to one of the ministers near the sanctuary. The ushers will be ready to guide you as week. A Peace Pal makes a difference in a child’s life. For we become familiar with this new pattern. more information call Louise McCann at 243-5722 or send an email to [email protected] For those with physical limitations, I encourage you to sit in the first pew of the center or side sections, where the Body of and the Precious Blood will be brought directly to you at the beginning of Communion. If you are seated elsewhere and are not able to come forward, please tell your usher, who will tell the celebrant at the end of Communion so the Body of Christ can be brought to you. Finally, for those who require, CCD classes began on Wednesday, September 6 at low gluten hosts will always be available from the celebrant in 6:00 pm. Classes for Grades 1-8 meet from 6:00- the center aisle. 7:00pm on Wednesdays. If you have questions or still need to register, contact Angie Robenstein at 645- Thank you for your support of St. Thomas Parish. 1364. -Msgr. Gray

It is time to begin thinking about people you might know who are interested in joining the . The RCIA is a program SERVER SCHEDULES intended to give people the opportunity to reflect on their relationship with God and learn what

Please check in the sacristy when you arrive the Catholic Church believes and teaches. to see if servers are needed. If you know someone interested please call Sr. SEPT 16/17 at 688-3446. Sat 5:00 pm C Tockes, K Tockes, C Tyre, H Tyre Sun 8:00 am D Bare Sun 9:30 am A Meister, E Sherman, Z Sherman Sun 11:00 am G Kilian, H Kilian, J Kilian Sun 5:00 pm A Stevenson, C Stevenson, N Stevenson

Sept 18-23 8:00 am J Campbell, T Robenstein We are in our third year of the That Man is You pro- gram. The theme for this year is “The Revelation of SEPT 23/24 the Father.” Sessions began last on Friday morning Sat 5:00 pm A Fontana, C Tockes, K Tockes with doors open for coffee and light breakfast at 5:30 Sun 8:00 am B Doubleday, Q Doubleday am. The video presentation starts at 6:00 am, and we Sun 9:30 am C Guingrich, M Guingrich, S Slevin adjourn just before the 7:00 am Mass. Whether you Sun 11:00 am R Bender, L Jockisch, S Wyman are a returning participant from last year or an inter- Sun 5:00 pm C Pag-Ong, C Pag-ong, A Perez, A Perez ested new party, please join us on Friday morning.

SEPT 25-30 8:00am C Tyre, H Tyre This week’s topic is: The Mystery of Creation Renewed St. Thomas Activities

Sponsor of the Week WEEKLY COLLECTION

9/3/2017 Fiscal YTD

Collections needed $ 23,000 $ 230,000 Sunday Collections $ 22,435 $ 170,170 Electronic Collections $ 4,210 $ 42,100 Total Collected $ 26,645 $ 212,270 Over/(Short) $ 3,645 $ (17,730)

We appreciate your generosity

St. Thomas Reads Charismatic Prayer Group

The next meeting: Thursday, September 28 at The Charismatic Prayer Group will host a video series Donnelly’s Pub. featuring Fr. Pivonka:

Book: Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver.  September 21 Baptism of the Holy Spirit  October 5 Gifts of the Holy Spirit We meet at 4:00 pm. For more information, contact  The Spirit in the Desert Jane Genzel, 645-5303  December 7 The Spirit Convicts  January 18 The Spirit’s Freedom  February 15 The Spirit Gives Witness

Meetings: second Thursday of month in the old church basement PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED THIS WEEK: FALL GARAGE SALE

The St. Thomas Fall Sale will be held October 19-21.

St. Thomas Website: stthomaspeoria.org Volunteers and merchandise are needed to make the Sale possible. Set up in the Old Gym will begin Satur- St. Thomas e-mail: [email protected] day, October 14 through Wednesday, October 18. If you have any questions call Carey or Ed at 693-0019.

PARISH REGISTRATION

NAME ______ST. THOMAS FOOD PANTRY FOLLOWING IS A SUGGESTED LIST FOOD ITEMS:

ADDRESS ______Dry Pasta Rice Box Potatoes

Pancake Mix Syrup Can Tomatoes CITY ______ZIP______Can Fruit Tuna Beef Stew Crackers Jelly Peanut Butter Can Veggies Cereal Meal Helpers PHONE ______Mac & Cheese Soup Tomato Sauce

Thank you for your generosity

CHANGE OF ADDRESS____EMAIL ______Volunteers Needed –call the parish office if you can help on Mondays or Thursdays from 9-11am WALK: St. Vincent de Paul Church parking lot on the north side 6001 N. University St. Peoria

Dear Friends in Christ,

For some time now, our Diocesan Finance Office has informed me that the John Lancaster Spalding Scholarship Endowment for Catholic Education was significantly underfunded and could only provide help for as few as 15% of the families requesting aid. Last March, with the advice of the Presbyteral Council, the Diocese hired the Steier Group to consider a capital campaign to enhance this as well as other pastoral funds. The result of their survey of both the clergy and the laity was quite positive, with the majority reporting in favor of such an undertaking. I must confess, however, that given the financial and political situation in the State of Illinois, I have had my doubts. With the highest taxes in the nation and with over a quarter of a million people moving out of state every year, together with the possible postponement of several important parish and school projects, I have been worried that this might not be the best moment to initiate a diocesan wide capital campaign. I therefore called together my Consulters, the Vicars Forane, together with the Presbyteral Council for a special meeting to further discuss the question. After an extended and frank conversation, these representative priests reconsidered their position and now believe that a capital campaign at this time would perhaps be a mistake. I am also aware of the fact that our priests undertake an enormous amount of work to keep our parishes viable, sometimes serving several parishes in a particular area. It therefore might not be prudent at this time to add to their burdens and ask them to undertake the work of a capital campaign. After prayer and reflection and greatly helped by their sound advice, I have therefore decided to cancel plans for a campaign.

Obviously, the Diocese will always invite people to consider a sacrificial gift in support of Catholic education both in their annual giving and through legacies. Our excellent schools constitute an important means of passing on the Faith to future generations and also greatly assist in evangelizing school families. May Christ the Teacher inspire us all to generously support this essential Catholic ministry.

May God bless all of you, and please accept my most sincere thanks for all your good advice.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE RESPECT LIFE ACTIVITIES

September Rosary will be Monday, September 18 at 9:00 am at St. Mark Church. MASS FOR RESPECT LIFE September 23 at 10:30 am at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Con-

ception. Following Mass there will be a Respect Life MEN’S CURSILLO RETREAT Parish Rep Meeting at the Family Resource Center. September 22-24 RSVP for meeting to Susie Messmer 966-0385.

Cursillo is a weekend retreat, a short course in Christi- 40 DAYS FOR LIFE KICK-OFF September 26th outside anity, held at the Spalding Retreat Center. If you are Women’s Healthcare Center. On Wednesday, Sept 27 interested in learning more about it or wishing to par- at 6:30 pm Jenky will lead the Rosary outside ticipate in it, please call Ken Matheny at 453-0988. the Abortion Clinic on University.

RESPECT LIFE DINNER Sunday, October 1, 6:00 pm at Barrack’s Inn on 1224 W.Pioneer Parkway. Tom THE BREAD Dermody, editor of the Catholic Post, is the speaker. Tickets: $30 per person. For more information or to Fr. Dominic Garramone will share his baking secrets at register, call Jan Smith at 266-9391. the East Bluff Community Center on September 23 at 2:00 pm. Tickets: $20. Contact 839-0781 for reserva- Profits from the dinner will be used to purchase sup- tions. plies for the Family Resources Center.

ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE PARISH 309-688-3446 904 EAST LAKE AVENUE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM PEORIA HEIGHTS, IL. 61616 [email protected] Baptism class is held for all parents before the baptism of their Msgr. Jason A. Gray, Pastor, ext 3 child. Please contact Sr. Rachel to schedule the class. [email protected] Next Baptisms: September 24 at 11:00 am Mass. Rev. Paul Stark S.J., Parochial Vicar, ext 4 [email protected] Sr. Rachel Bergschneider, Pastoral Associate, ext 5

[email protected]

Maureen Bentley, St. Thomas School Principal Deacon Frank Eaton

Deacon Mark Kelsch Deacon John Nelson Deacon Ed Mallow Terri Moon, Parish Secretary, ext 0 PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS Valerie Wallenfang, Parish Secretary Angie Robenstein, CCD Coordinator Beth Salmon, Trustee 243-2257 Matt Vonachen, Trustee 360-0578 Ann Horst, Liturgical Music Coordinator George Burek, President 446-3623 Julie Streid, Parish Accountant Anne Gray, Secretary 691-1479 Pat Wombacher, Tuition Coordinator Brian Barkley 692-4165 Jan Smith, Director of Development & Alumni Dave Donnelly 693-7315 Jan Alt, Parish Nurse Mary Jo Pinto 692-6107 Linda Hernandez, Pastoral Care/Caring Presence Ministry Mike Shekleton 258-2326 Annulment Consultations: Colleen McCulla, 256-0730 Dr Ted Wolgamot 691-0618 John Mackoway, 699-5213 Linn Perkins 231-0261

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