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No May 2012 ~ Volume 1 ~ Issue 1 Newsletter of St. the apostle Catholic From Father Jim Fr. Jim Kuczynski has been referred to as the “Doubting thinking that you would like to be a part Thomas.” It was not that he did not of this project by sharing something have faith in the Risen , it was more about your experience of parish life Welcome to the first a desire on his part to have “no doubt” at St. Thomas, or about sharing in edition of our St. as he put his hands into the wounds of the many ministries and activities of Newsletter! very pleased you are the crucified and risen Lord. He had a our St. Thomas Community. You taking the time to learn more about the personal encounter with the Lord and can reach out to any member of the people, the groups, and the activities he believed. newsletter staff to help work on future that constitute our parish life here at In each edition you can expect newsletters. St. Thomas. to find: The number one goal for the ~Updates on our efforts to build a new “NO DOUBT” is one of the newsletter is to improve communication church means that can help us to become throughout our faith community. As your ~What’s happening in our multitude better engaged with each other and in pastor, one of the most regular refrains of ministries the mission of our parish community. I hear from parishioners is, “I didn’t ~Photos of events and parishioners “NO DOUBT” = Conviction. May know that!” “NO DOUBT” can be ~Meet a Family Feature this new instrument of communication one step toward addressing this. ~Learn more about our priests help us to share the convictions of You may wonder why we have ~Inspirational Articles and more. our faith, and the convictions of our titled this “NO DOUBT” --- Our I’m hopeful that once you have discipleship and service among this patron, St. Thomas the Apostle, often enjoyed this first edition you may be faith community we know and love. Archbishop seals teens with Holy Spirit’s gifts

Photo courtesy of St. Thomas Flickr Archbishop Wilton Gregory con- firmed 49 teens at St. Thomas on March 18. Please pray for the newly confirmed, that they daily stir up the gifts of the Holy Spirit within them.

In this issue To view the newsletter online go to: www.stthomastheapostle.org/communications/newsletter Church Progress Ministries Getting to know Moving Forward in Hope -2 SVdP -4 Russells & Lovellos -7 Spiritual Life Feeding the Hungry -5 Our Priests -8 Reality of Eucharist -3 Marriage Encounter -6 Church Progress 2 Building Our New Church

MFIH Capital Campaign might continue to move on the brick sales are being forward with this vital considered at this time Newsletter staff Committee campaign to build a new In the near future church. The committee a letter from our pastor As of this week, discussed a program to will be sent out to those Fr. Jim Kuczynski the pledges made to our help parishioners develop who have not yet pledged, Gus Scannapieco “Moving Forward In a deeper relationship appealing to their sacrificial Hope” campaign stand with the Lord: through giving possibilities to further Yeyme Reyes at $3,162,000; a total that Evangelization Retreats, help the campaign. We Andrew McGovern continues to fluctuate follow-up efforts based need everyone who can slightly with pledges upon the results of our to participate in this most being added and some Gallup survey and related important endeavor of our Jerry Sweeney pledges being reduced by stewardship efforts to name parish. Jose Ocana parishioners who move out a few options. We feel the In addition, there of the parish. These updates more faithful we are, the has been continued activity Sue Bunda are posted weekly in the more we will be willing to to acquire the home adjacent Jim Hagan parish bulletin. Of the total support God’s work in our to the church. We have amount pledged, we have parish community, including presented an offer that to Lauren Russell thus far received payments the need for more space date has not been accepted. Maxine Thurman of $937,000. With our goal which would be substantially Also, we are in the process for our building campaign at addressed with the building of acquiring additional land Copy Editor $5,000,000, it is important of a new church. adjacent to the rear parking to point out that in order to In May 2012, we lot for more parking which Yolanda Rodriguez commence construction of plan to reintroduce the is needed at some weekend Layout a new church, we must have sale of Memorial Garden masses. Patricia VanBuren collected at least one half of bricks. Each brick sells for If you have any Kristina McGovern the stated goal, an amount $200. With 9,832 bricks still questions, please contact of $2,500,000. remaining to be purchased, Gus Scannapieco, our Recently, the MFIH there is a potential for Parish Administrator, at committee met to discuss $1,960,000 toward the 404-234-0034(direct line.) where we are and how we campaign. Various programs Spiritual Life 3 The True Presence of in the Eucharist

Andrew McGovern can say that we are searching for truth? and my blood is true drink.” (Jn.. 6:55) Youth Minister We are always on a quest to find what Now we take this discourse in is true and right for our lives, much like John’s and we relate it to the As Catholics, we believe that the people who heard Christ. narrative in the Synoptic the bread and the wine that we see at Christ’s answer to these people and we see the Eucharistic Mass are transformed into the Body proclaims, “I am the bread of life.” (Jn. Tradition in all of its beauty. “And He and Blood of Jesus Christ. If we stop 6:35) The people are asking and Jesus took bread, and when He had given to think about it, how can this happen? is telling them that what they are asking thanks He broke it and gave it to them Many Protestant Churches for is right in front of them. Jesus is saying ‘This is my body which is given have a more symbolic understanding using the words “I AM” He is telling for you.” (Lk.. 21:19) of the Eucharist as a remembrance of these people that He is what they are Christ is saying that it IS His Christ rather than the Real Presence looking for. He is not saying “I have body given for us. When I introduce of the Body and Blood of Christ. It is the bread” or “I can get you the bread” my wife to people, I say “this IS my true that the Eucharist is a memorial He is saying that “I am the bread.” wife, Kristina.” When I say this, I’m of Christ’s suffering and death and A little further down in the not saying this is kind of like my wife ultimately His glorious resurrection. text in verse 51 Christ tells the people, or she represents my wife. I’m saying But it is so much more than a memorial. “I am the LIVING bread… and the that she IS my wife. This is the same It is the BODY, BLOOD, SOUL, and bread which I shall give for the life for Jesus. This IS His body, not a DIVINITY of Jesus Christ. Some of the world is my flesh.” (Jn. 6:51) symbol or a representation. Recent polls taken in the United States Christ takes the bread statement a step Christ has given His apostles tell us that only 30% or 3 out of 10 further. He is saying that the bread that the power to change the bread and Catholic Americans believe in the Real He is, isn’t just regular bread, it is Living wine into His Body and Blood. This Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Bread and that it is truly His flesh. Eucharistic action occurs at every Mass This is a very sad statistic. Now at this, the people went through the power of the Holy Spirit, To find the truth of the into a rage. To eat the flesh of a man the bread and the wine, become the Eucharist, we need to open to the was detestable a punishable by death Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. , Chapter 6, verses according to the Law. Christ had every When we are in communion 22-59. I encourage you to read the chance to clarify and tell them, “Don’t with Christ and each other in the whole text, but in this article we will worry, it’s only a sign.” Instead He Eucharist, do we appreciate the concentrate on certain verses. said, “Truly, truly, I say to you unless gift given to us? Do we stay after Let’s look at verse 35 to begin. you eat the flesh of the Son of Man Communion to give thanks to Jesus The people that Christ is talking to and drink His blood, you have no life for the gift He just gave us? We have to are asking for the bread of life. They within you.” (Jn. 6:53) Christ takes it a remember that Judas left the Mass early are searching for eternal life, they are step further and tells them exactly what too, after taking the Body and Blood searching for truth. How many of us He means. “For my flesh is true food, of Christ… Sacred Silence Maxine Thurman You may be jokingly admonished by a priest during Mass: “Don’t answer it unless it’s Jesus.” But, Jesus probably “It” is the first thing I grab in the morning. I can’t won’t use “it” to announce His return; a trumpet? Yes. A leave home without “it;” and if I do, I go back to get “it.” cell phone? No! When I think of His reaction to the money- I flip through “it” continuously all day. “It” is with me all changers in the temple, I wonder how he would react to “it” the time. I take “it” to work, shopping, and to dinner. I take interrupting the Mass today. “it” everywhere I go, except one place. I don’t need “it” to No, I don’t need a cell phone during Mass. I know know God is calling me. He’s been known to use a burning Who is already calling me; that’s why I go to church! This bush, but never a cell tower. To receive His text messages, I is the one exception where “it” does not come first. As a simply flip through the ; there is no need for a screen. matter of fact, “it” does not come at all. Ministries 4 The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Albert Thomas

society came to the United he Society of St. Vincent States in 1845, and to Atlanta Tde Paul continues the in 1903. ministry started by the Blessed The charity is organized Frederic Ozanam in 1833. Frederic as conferences, with each one was 20 years old and a student at serving a specific geographical Sorbonne University in Paris. It was area. This is usually within post-revolution France, when poverty the parish boundaries. SVdP and hunger were rampant. During a believes in giving a hand-up discussion with others at the university, to those in need. The motto Frederic and his friends were challenged is to help “Change lives one to put Catholic creed into action. at a time.” In doing that, no On April 23, 1833, Frederic act of charity is considered met with several friends and started the foreign to the society. Different Conference of Charity. The mission conferences assist clients was simple: they collected donations in different ways based on of food and took them to the needy the need and availability of who lived in the immediate vicinity. resources. Frederic was deeply inspired At St. Thomas, the Photo courtesy of stvincentup.org Blessed Frederic Ozanam living in the spirit of by St. Vincent de Paul, who lived in society helps clients in the Vincent de Paul. France between 1581 and 1660, and following ways: decided to rename the Conference of important life-skills such as budgeting, Charity as the Society of St. Vincent Direct Assistance – rent, mortgage, interviewing, etc. They stay for free de Paul. Frederic worked hard to get gas, electricity, phone bills, storage, while they are looking for jobs. Once friends in other cities to do the same transportation, etc. The assistance they start working, they are expected kind of charity that he and his friends is provided after two volunteers have to pay a small rent while they stay and had started. visited the client at home and discussed build up a cushion. Frederic died in 1853, but the the case at the weekly meeting. society grew rapidly; and today, it is A Caring Ear – Clients appreciate active in 142 countries and is estimated Food – Volunteers purchase food at being treated as people. They have to have about 700,000 members. The the Atlanta Community Food Bank been used to doors being slammed and distribute at the Food Pantry or shut or being yelled at. The human deliver it to clients at their homes. interaction of Vincentians is perhaps more valued than all the material help Thrift Store – The thrift store stocks from the clients’ perspective. donated goods and clients are given vouchers so they may acquire needed The society is grateful for goods at no cost. The profits from the generous contributions of time, paying customers are funneled back talent and treasure provided by our into the various forms of assistance parishioners. If you have questions or the society provides. want to volunteer call 770-432 -8579 x 300. House of Dreams – Long-term A short video about the society housing for single women. The women is available at: http://youtube./ are assigned mentors and taught TTArfk8BL3M Ministries 5 of Mary celebrates the 2012 Acies Frances Ohanenye prayers and led the Rosary. Food was aplenty. Happiness suffused all The Most Rev. Wilton D. in this great annual function and Gregory celebrated south Atlanta unparalleled devotion to the Queen. Curia’s Acies in March with a morning Legionaries knelt before Our Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the Lady, placed their right hands on the King Church in Atlanta. staff of the Vexillum and recited The Latin word, Acies, means the in Spanish or “an army ranged in battle array.” The English. Fr. Chae led the catena and assemblage of Mary’s Legion was one concluding prayers. The finishing of fierce devotees. Members walked touch was a melodious “Hail Holy in reverent pairs to the Legion Altar. Queen.” Attendees soulfully glorified The St. Thomas the Apostle Christ with the hymn, “Holy Is His Church’s Legion of Mary Praesidium Name,” and honored Mother Mary is called Our Lady Refuge of Sinners. with the entrance song, “Sing of It has strong participation, but new Mary.” A short pause for thanksgiving members are always welcome. to our Lord followed the Mass, marking the official beginning of the Member Spotlight: Lumanie Jean- 2012 Acies Ceremony. Pierre made hundreds of rosaries Consecrators made joyful single-handedly, which helped noise with more singing, and Father Our Lady Refuge of Sinners meet Cyril Chae, of St. Patrick’s Catholic Archbishop Gregory’s fall 2011 Church in Norcross, opened with Rosary Appeal. Photo courtesy of John Ashibuogwu Feed the Hungry John Boyle forms of cultural and religious poverty” called to share.” In a small way the Feed the (CCC 2444). And with many of the Hungry mission does exactly that! I joined the Feed the Hungry mission poor living just a few short miles from St. about five or six months ago. It was an Thomas I felt it my “duty” to serve them outgrowth of the JustFaith® course taught through this mission. at St. Thomas the Apostle, which is an We give out about 150-200 food outgrowth of the ’s Social packages Saturday mornings. The packages Teachings. The Feed the Hungry mission consist of a sandwich, boiled eggs, soft is about 15 months old. The mission is fruits, granola bars, and bottled water. We direct and simple. In the Gospels it says, also distribute home-made soup which is a “Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these great favorite among the homeless. my brethren, even these least, ye did it I have made many friends among unto me” (Matt. 25:4 .ASV). those we serve. Their stories are often One of the Social Teachings heart-breaking, but they rise above them to of the Church is the Special Option for the show us their love and dignity. My reward Poor and Vulnerable. In the Catechism of is the love and kind words we receive from To read more about Feed the Catholic Church we read: “Love for our poorer brothers and sisters. They have the Hungry, view the online the poor is even one of the motives for prayed with us, have sung with us, and have newsletter at: www.sttho- the duty of working so as to ‘be able to even written poetry about us. mastheapostle.org/communi- give to those in need.’ It extends not only “Poverty is not a problem to be cations/newsletter to material poverty but also to the many solved. It is a Mystery into which we are Ministries 6 Proclaiming the Holy Word Russells Joe Yorio

We number 50, give or take. We make an annual message they are trying to get across. commitment to read at any one of the five English-speaking I am entering my second year as head of the lector weekend masses and other special times, such as Holy ministry here at St. Thomas and I am encouraged by the Days and at Ignite. The readers prepare the faithful for the dedication and professionalism of those who are called to proclamation of the “good news” and the homily following. serve as proclaimers of the word. Assisting me in running the To have a profound impact on the congregation, ministry are Miller and Linda Veit with their respective lectors prepare for the scheduled readings in advance. For duties in the areas of liturgy-scheduling and training. pronunciation and emphasis techniques, they rely on the We are grateful to Father Jim, the priests, , lector workbook. Naturally, effective speaking techniques -- parish administrator and office staff at St. Thomas for their eye contact and clear pronunciation -- are critical to touch the support and assistance in carrying out this ministry. hearts and minds of all those listening to God’s word. The To our wonderful parishioners, if you could, kindly key is to read effectively, without the flair for the dramatic. let the readers know after Mass how you were moved by the But, it is through the Holy Book of Scriptures presence of the Holy Spirit in their spoken words, it would itself, , that lectors embrace the full context of the certainly mean a lot.

MariaWhat Croshaw is Worldwide Marriage Encounter? of marriage, it soon spread On Feb. 11, Wilbur the journeys they began on The mission of and became a multi-national, and Theresa Faiss of Las their weekend encounter. Worldwide Marriage multi-denominational Vegas were honored as the Through our Encounter is to proclaim the program, open to all couples longest married couple: they common experience of value of marriage and Holy wishing to enrich their married 79 years ago. the Marriage Encounter Orders in the Church and in marriages. At the celebration, weekend at some point the world. Recently, the a son of the happy couple in our marriage, we were The Worldwide internationally known spoke on behalf of his taught how to communicate Marriage Encounter Weekend website About.com, which parents. Theresa “is grateful with our spouse through is a positive and personal annually conducts its but very mystified. She dialogue, which we continue experience offering married Readers Choice Awards, cannot understand all this to use daily and in our couples an opportunity to named Worldwide Marriage fuss about a couple simply W.E.D.S. meetings. learn a technique of loving Encounter (WWME) because they kept their During our monthly communication which they the 2012 winner in the commitments to each other,” meetings we share with each can use for the rest of their Best Marriage Workshop the couple’s son said during other some suggestions of lives. It is a chance to look category. the celebration. To see more what different couples do deeply into their relationship Each year, from go to: http://wwme.org/ to enrich their marriages. with each other and with October through January, node/16064/view? We also socialize and have God. It is a time to share their a nationwide search is What is W.E.D.S.? a good time together. feelings, hopes and dreams conducted to find the After couples attend Currently, St. Thomas has with each other. longest married couple in a Marriage Encounter about 10 active couples in This marriage the United States. weekend, they are invited our W.E.D.S. group with enrichment program was During this search, to join smaller W.E.D.S. a combined total of more founded by Father WWME found four couples groups within the parishes. than 200 years of marriage. Calvo in Barcelona, Spain in who had been married for 78 The W.E.D.S. meetings are Though the lengths of our 1961. Though it began as years. The search also turned usually held once a month marriages vary, we have a Catholic program for the up many who were married and are designed to support been united in our goal to enrichment of the Sacrament for more than 60 years. the couples as they continue keep our marriages strong. In each issue, we will introduce you to a new family and one who has been at St. Thomas Families for many years. If you are interested in having your family featured, please let us know! Lovellos 7 ussells Dennis and Sue Lovello R Dennis and Sue Lovello came to St. Thomas the Apostle 42 years ago. A change brought the couple and their two boys, Dean and Dominic, from Buffalo, N.Y. to Smyrna. They arrived on Easter Sunday in 1970. One of their first priorities was to find a parish to call home. They drove around for four days until they came across St. Thomas. They ventured inside to see what the church had to offer. Both articles written by: Lauren Russell Father Richard Morrow welcomed them. It was Ka `Ohana o Russell the start of a long-lasting friendship. Dennis and Sue found a home in which to worship. Back then, Mass was (The Russell Family) held in the social hall and everything, chairs, tables and the Hawaii, Florida, Georgia: three beautiful states, three lector’s stand , was a portable set-up. They quickly became different cultural environments. Bill and I moved to Smyrna involved with the parish. Sue taught baptism classes. She ran in July of 2010, after seven months of living in Jacksonville, the nursery and the Search Ministry. Dennis lectured and Fl. Before Jacksonville, we lived in Hawaii for nine years. volunteered, with Gloria and Bill Deagen and three , in As with so many moves, it was a job-related transfer. the Cursillo Movement. The boys became involved with the Upon settling in Smyrna, we found St. Thomas the Parish School of Religion. Apostle right around the corner from us. We attended the The parish blossomed. Dennis became part of the 9:30 a.m. Mass for about a year before we became registered Eucharist Ministry and Knights of Columbus. During the parishioners. St. Thomas was an eye-opener for both of us. next few years Sue gave birth to three more boys: Dennis, Hawaii is known as the “melting pot” and the islands are Damien and Dion. All of their sons continued with PSR, full of different ethnic groups. But St. Thomas is just one joined the Boy Scouts of America and were altar servers. church and it is full of many different cultures. It brings Sue lessened her involvement. She took on the responsibility a sense of wanting to be part of the St. Thomas “melting of being part of the Sunday money collection, and stopped pot.” teaching the baptism classes. She left her posts with the Our first encounter was with the Welcome Ministry. Search Ministry and the nursery. A note in the Sunday bulletin, “Looking for Someone to Dennis and Sue have witnessed how St. Thomas Head the Welcome Ministry,” made us curious, so we has flourished over the years. It has grown from 600 contacted Yeyme Reyes, the ministry coordinator, and parishioners in the 1970s to an overwhelming 6,000 families received a warm welcome. We were then introduced to Fr. today. And St. Thomas is still growing. They recall having Jim and several other parishioners. We became members Sunday coffee and donuts with the parishioners after Mass of the Welcome Ministry and I’ve also become part of the and getting to know each other. Today, the masses have Women’s Auxiliary, the parish magazine and Pew . Just increased. The Youth Ministry is well organized and the having the opportunity to meet and greet and volunteering group has become more involved with getting to know at St. Thomas has given both of us the sense of having a God’s Word and sharing it with others. Priests are more family away from home. open to exploring new things to welcome more parishioners Thanks to Yeyme Reyes, Dennis and Sue Lovello, and to expanding our church. Dennis and Sue are happy to Patricia VanBuren, Mary Cantrell, John Casey, Dot Flick, be part of St. Thomas and continue to be involved. Margarette Lesperance and the ladies of the Women’s The boys are all grown up now, have families of Auxiliary, we are happy to be part of the St. Thomas the their own and two are serving in the U.S. Navy. Apostle Catholic Church family. It may only be a year or Outside of the church, Dennis served 23 years in two for us as new parishioners but we hope to be here the Navy and loves to cook, travel and read. He also has several more years. a part-time job with Mother’s Finest Catering in Mableton. Bill and I would like to say “Aloha” to all the new Sue enjoys gardening, baking and shopping with her parishioners and to the parishioners we have yet to meet. granddaughters and bowling. She also coaches seniors and youth who bowl. 8 Living the Stations of the Cross

Photos courtesy of Fr. Andrews Kollannoor and Fr. Paul Rainville About 20 teenagers from the Life Teen program volunteered their time and talents to prayerfully prac- tice and portray the Stations of the Cross for the St. Thomas community on the first two Fridays of Lent.

Get to Know Our Priests Favorite Hobbies?

You may notice Father Andrews Father Paul is a senior priest-in-resi- Father Jim loves to travel to with a camera at church events. dence. While he describes himself as explore new places, meet a slow reader, he says reading is his His joy for photography started favorite hobby right now. Of course, new people and learn about in 1981 when he received a $10 he has read religious books and a few their customs. He also en- Kodak camera as a Christmas novels. But for .89 and a free Kindle joys cooking - just ask any gift. Five years later he took a app he has been able to enjoy 14 works portrait of while of Victor Hugo in their original lan- of the other priests. Did you guage, French. Father Paul did make she visited the Philippines. know he prepared their Eas- a little confession: in high school and Maybe if we ask him nicely, he college he preferred French over Eng- ter dinner? will show us the picture. lish literature.