February 28, 2021—2Nd Sunday of Lent

February 28, 2021—2nd Sunday of Lent

As disciples of Jesus, we look for God present in all things, that we might LOVE him and SERVE him in all things.

SAINT THOMAS MORE CHURCH & SCHOOL 636 W Ponce de Leon Ave Decatur, Georgia 30030-2951 www.stmgaparish.org

PARISH OFFICE Phone: 404-378-4588 Fax: 404-378-0506 Email: [email protected] Mon. - Fri. 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Closed for Lunch 12-12:30 PM

SCHOOL 404-373-8456 MASS, CONFESSION & STATIONS OF THE CROSS EMERGENCY NUMBER Weekend Masses during Lent will be held as usual. 678-337-8910 Weekday Masses during Lent: SCHEDULE OF MASSES Mon. - Fri. at 12:15pm and 5:30pm SATURDAY 5:30 PM (Vigil) Confessions during Lent: SUNDAY Saturdays from 4pm-5pm 9:00 AM, 10:15 AM Wednesdays from 7pm-8pm—Family Room (Outdoor, weather permitting, in the gym in the Stations of the Cross: event of bad weather), Begin after the 5:30pm mass on Fridays. A livestream will also be 11:30 AM, & 5:30 PM MON—FRI available at stmgaparish.org/livestreams/ 12:15 PM LENTEN EVENING OF REFLECTION RECONCILIATION Sunday, March 7 at 7:00pm—ZOOM Saturday 4:00 to 5:00 PM Spend an evening with the Lord as we reflect on the themes of the or by appointment Lenten season. There will be optional sharing at the end. Sign up NURSERY AVAILABLE at stmgaparish.org/adultfaith. DURING Due to COVID-19, the nursery will be closed until OUR LENTEN CALL TO LOVE further notice. In his most recent encyclical, Pope Francis reminds us that “Our call to love [is] one that transcends all prejudices, all historical and cultural barriers, all petty interests” (Fratelli Tutti 83). Throughout Lent, let us pray for converted hearts, committed to care for both Report suspected abuse by our fellow human beings and our common home. The Social Justice Church employees and volunteers to the committee has selected a prayer to be read each Sunday during Archdiocesan 24-hour Abuse Lent at the end of the general intercessions. We invite you to Reporting Hotline: continue praying with it throughout the week. Continued on page 7. 1-888-437-0764 PRAYER REQUESTS STAFF Fr. Mark Horak, S.J., Pastor [email protected]

At the weekday Masses this coming week, the presider will Fr. Tim Stephens, S.J., Parochial Vicar remember the following persons in his personal, private prayer [email protected] along with all the living and dead. We encourage parishioners to say the names of deceased loved ones aloud during the Carol Palmer, Business Manager “General Intercessions” if invited to do so by the presider. [email protected]

Andy Otto, Adult Faith Formation Mon., March 1 Harold Mulherin † [email protected] Tues., March 2 Kay Lisicia † Thurs., March 4 Sissy Perry † Sarah Otto, Pastor's Liaison to the STM Social Justice Fri., March 5 Andrew French † Committee, [email protected]

Pray for those who have died: Stewart Voegtlin, Youth Faith Formation Charlotte Collins, parishioner and staff member, [email protected] condolences can be sent to St Thomas More Church, 636 Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030 Joe Messina, Director of Worship [email protected] Jim Davis, parishioner and husband of Karyl Davis Condolences can be sent to Karyl Davis c/o St Thomas Todd Hines, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds More Church, 636 Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030 [email protected]

Mitu Assefa and Darija Pichanick, Administrative Pray for those who are sick: Assistants, [email protected] Corky Pagoria Danny Rockecharlie Shelly Stafford, Communications [email protected] Pray for those who received their First Eucharist: Gabe Lora, Jack Bufe, Chandler Merck and Ronin Krall Brian McMichael, Director of Parish Athletics [email protected] If you would like to have an intention mentioned in an intercession at Mass, please contact the parish office at Carl and Fran McColman, RCIA Coordinators 404-378-4588. We will not accept any gift in return for [email protected] praying for someone by name during the intercessions at Mass. In order to add a name to these lists, you must be Shaun Bland, Principal, STM School either the person seeking prayers, an immediate relative of [email protected] the one to be remembered, or have the express permission of the one to be remembered. STM PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS

The STM Parish Council is a group of active parishioners who advise Fr. Mark regarding significant parish matters pertaining to parish identity, mission, and ministries. Present members are: Cass Catroppa, Paul Blackstone , Juliette Johnson, Chris Marquardt, Mesrak Nadew, Steve Siler, Sujad Quinn, Terresa Ford, and Elizabeth Small. Parishioners who wish to communicate directly with Council members can do so at: [email protected].

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

Wed., March 3 Fratelli Tutti Study—7:30pm to 9:00pm—Zoom

Thurs., March 4 Signs of Life Lenten Series—7:30pm to 8:30 pm—Zoom

Sat., March 6 Tai Chi—7:30am to 10:30am—Mulhern Hall

Sun., March 7 Red Cross Blood Drive—8:00am to 1:00pm—Mulhern Hall RCIA First Scrutiny—9:00am to 10:00am—Church Lenten Evening of Reflection—7:00pm to 8:30pm—Zoom FROM THE PASTOR

Below is an article that appeared in the February 17 issue of So what is to be done? This Lent presents us with an the Catholic periodical, Commonweal. Parishioners may opportunity to examine the desert that we have been find it helpful as we navigate through this unusual Lent. living in for the past year. If Church leaders and institutions wish to lead us in our Lenten spiritual Perpetual Lent: The pandemic is already a period of journey, it is imperative that they unequivocally

mourning. acknowledge the seriousness of the times and the By Claudia Avila Cosnahan horrors the pandemic has wrought. They need to provide opportunities for people to unpack the Every Lenten season is ushered in with the reading traumas of lost livelihood, lost loved ones, racism, and from the prophet Joel 2: 12–13, return to me with your xenophobia. They need to raise up their voices and

whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; recommit to a pastoral, merciful, and spiritual rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the engagement with the body politic, lest the Church lose Lord, your God. How does one enter a time of fasting, itself in political divisions. To not do this would be a weeping, and rending of hearts when you feel like disservice to those in need of healing and justice; a you’ve already been in one for so long—when COVID- disservice to those in need of conversion, because they

19, racism, xenophobia, political drama, ecclesial have hardened their hearts and refused to accept the division, and the Capitol insurrection have kept us in a truth of our social ailments; and a disservice to state of mourning and weeping for the past year? The everyone in between. Our Lenten promises, practices, pandemic closed many parishes during the Lenten and ministries should orient us toward these aims. season of 2020, and even though the liturgical seasons have come and gone, I find myself—and I’d wager that I always keep the end in mind when I begin my Lenten many are with me—in a state of perpetual Lent. journey: the grace of Easter. Although I may currently find myself in an emotional state of perpetual Lent, As I’m bombarded with reminders on social media that there have been glimpses of the resurrection, moments Lent is upon us, I’ve observed a spiritual disconnect. of joy and hope. In a way, an unexpected grace of this The way that our Catholic institutions are inviting us to past year has been a heightened awareness that life is enter this season makes it sound like it’s liturgical in fact a season of Lent with glimmers of divine business as usual. Posts on how to prepare for Lent incarnation, death, and resurrection. When Lent invites read like pro-forma templates, statements that in us to enter the desert—to return to God with our whole choosing not to address the problems of the day can’t heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning—it is help but fail to inspire. I see Mass and service times actually an invitation to recognize that we are already posted for Ash Wednesday with small caveats about there, because there is suffering and injustice some- continued parish restrictions; since I live in Los Angeles, where. one of the cities hit hardest by the pandemic, I know that I will not be receiving ashes this year. Yet I’m not as As I said in a homily a couple weeks ago, let us move disappointed about it as I might have been a year ago. through this Lenten season thinking creatively how we In this moment, these social-media posts can leave us might pray, give alms, and fast. I bet we can come up with feeling unseen and unheard by the very Church that is Lenten practices that provide a positive benefit to persons entrusted to walk with its people. Our personal and who are struggling during this pandemic, practices that collective concerns require attention, acknowledgement, assure them that they are not alone, that Jesus is with them and accompaniment. It is not Lent as usual. in our love and care.

Church leaders cannot blithely ask hard-hit Fr. Mark communities to consider fasting and almsgiving as unemployment rates rise and families struggle to meet expenses and put food on the table. How can we speak of mourning and weeping as a liturgical spiritual shift when the more than 485,000 Americans who have died from COVID-19 have left behind so many who already mourn and weep—not only loved ones, but also health -care professionals who serve the dying in their final moments? We have been mourning, we have been weeping. We continue to live in quarantine, longing for the company of family and friends we haven’t been able to see. A nudge toward private prayer and to take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them (Matthew 6:1) seems almost pointless.

WORSHIP & SACRAMENTS CONTINUEDPARISH FINANCES FROM PAGE 3

RECONCILIATION SECOND COLLECTIONS Saturdays from 4pm - 5pm, or by appointment. February 28—Easter Flowers March 14—Catholic Relief Services RCIA March 21—STM - St. Vincent de Paul If you would like to explore the spirituality and teachings of our Catholic faith contact [email protected]. WAYS TO GIVE TO STM

ANOINTING OF THE SICK We encourage you to contribute to the support of our Call the Parish to request the sacrament at home or in ministry. There are several ways to contribute. the hospital. The sacrament is not only for those close to death, but also for those who are seriously ill or infirm  Come to Mass and place your offering in the basket. and in need of the community’s prayers and support. The anointing can be given multiple times.  Send your offering in the mail to the parish office at:

BAPTISM St. Thomas More Church 636 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. To schedule a Baptism, contact [email protected], 404-378-4588 or visit stmgaparish.org/baptism. Note: Decatur GA 30030-2951 Baptism classes are suspended for now. Links to the registration form and the safety protocols are available  Sign up to make recurring contributions or make “one under Baptisms on the website. time” payments here:

FIRST RECONCILIATION, FIRST EUCHARIST, https://www.stmgaparish.org/giving/ AND CONFIRMATION If you or your child want to receive the Sacraments of ARCHBISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL 2021 Eucharist and Reconciliation for the first time, or to be Thank you to everyone who has supported the Archbishop’s confirmed, contact the Parish Office at 404-378-4588. Annual Appeal! We need everyone’s support to help us reach our goal of $154,400. Make a gift to the annual appeal here: MATRIMONY archatl.com/appeal. Find us under Saint Thomas More. Thank To schedule a wedding, contact [email protected], you for your support! or 404-378-4588. Note: Persons desiring to be married at St. Thomas More will be required to participate in a marriage preparation program. For more information on the sacraments at STM please visit: www.stmga.org, and click on “Worship and Sacraments.”

FUNERALS In the event of the death of a loved one, call the parish and ask to speak with the priest on duty. He will attend to your needs and offer advice on how to proceed with funeral planning.

HOME MASSES If you would like to have one of the priests celebrate Eucharist in your home for your family and friends, call CATHOLIC FOUNDATION one of the STM priests. Increase your retirement income, receive a tax deduction and

LIVESTREAM MASSES leave a gift to the parish. If you are 65 or older, you can use We will livestream weekday and weekend Masses for appreciated stock to create a charitable gift annuity and receive persons unable to participate in person, if persons are quarterly payments for life. To receive a personalized available to operate the video equipment. illustration of how this could work for you, please contact Juliet stmgaparish.org/livestream Greco at the Catholic Foundation at 404-497-9440 or [email protected].

Lent—As we examine our lives during Lent, it is also a good time to examine all we own. Do I own something I no longer need but could help the parish? You can give an unneeded insurance policy to the parish endowment fund. If the policy has a cash value, you may also get a tax deduction. To learn more, contact Juliet Greco at the Catholic Foundation at [email protected] or 404-497-9440. ADULT FAITH FORMATION

LENTEN EVENING OF REFLECTION Sunday, March 7 at 7:00pm Spend an evening with the Lord as we reflect on the themes of the Lenten season. There will be optional sharing at the end. Sign up at stmgaparish.org/adultfaith to get the Zoom link.

CARAVAGGIO’S JESUS Wednesday, March 24 at 7pm Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio became one of the Catholic Church’s most effective evangelists by decontextualizing iconography and subverting her carefully approved ways of seeing the sacred. Caravaggio’s Jesus is fleshy, worldly---given and available to any onlooker. This was not the dust-veiled Christ kept in icons, or whispered through Scripture’s cracked lips. Caravaggio’s Christ is taken from the tavern, stolen from the street. His is the face of the cobbler, the cardsharp, the curbside peddler. This was painter as evangelist, making Gospel truth available to the eyes rather than the ears, and en- couraging, above all, encounter.

Our conversation will explore several of Caravaggio’s depictions of Christ, and how they may invite us to evaluate our understanding of the Gospel and the person of Jesus. Presented by Stewart Voegtlin. stmgaparish.org/adultfaith

2-NIGHT ART RETREAT: ART AS PRAYER – MAKING HOLY REMINDERS March 19-21 Parishioner Terresa Ford, MFA leads this 2-night silent retreat exploring the use of our God given imagination to create “Holy Reminders.” Holy Reminders are images and icons familiar to our Catholic sensibilities that bring us in the presence of our Lord Jesus. Retreatants will have an opportunity to create one or two personal Holy Reminders to take home. Learn more and register at IgnatiusHouse.org.

FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD: AN EXPLORATION OF IGNATIAN PRAYER Tuesdays, April 13, 20, and 27 at 7:30pm Take a deep dive into the three primary forms of Ignatian prayer: meditation, contemplation, and the Examen. Each week you will take a deep dive into the roots of these prayer methods, hear Ignatius’ guidance from the Spiritual Exercises, and have a guided prayer experience. Facilitated by Andy Otto. Register via Ignatius House at bit.ly/3abqEBj

IGNATIAN FOUNDATIONS Tuesdays, Apr. 28 - Jun. 2, 7:30pm Ignatian Foundations will give participants a deeper understanding of the Ignatian worldview by studying Ignatius’ life, the Spiritual Exercises, discernment, Ignatian prayer, and Jesuit history. Classes will be led by Jesuits and lay Ignatian ministers, addressing the Ignatian themes of prayer, discernment, and freedom. $60 for the course. Register through Ignatius House at bit.ly/ignatianfoundations421. $60 fee for the 6-week class.

THURSDAY GOSPEL CONTEMPLATION Thursdays, 12pm (Live on Facebook) Each week we invite you to pray with the upcoming Sunday gospel reading. Every Thursday at 12pm, Andy Otto will lead you through a live guided prayer using the Ig- natian tradition of contemplation, engaging your imagination. You can access past recordings in the videos section of our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ StThomasMoreDecaturGa

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

2-NIGHT YOUNG ADULT IGNATIAN RETREAT March 19-21 Renew your spirit on this silent weekend retreat specifically for young adults (20s and 30s) who seek respite these days. Drawing from the themes of Ignatian spirituality, you will be invited into a quiet space to encounter a God who loves and sustains you. Register at IgnatiusHouse.org/registration.

STM offers retreat subsidies for young adult parishioners so if you need some financial assistance don't hesitate to reach out to Andy Otto ([email protected]). We don't want anything stopping you from making a retreat. PARISH NEWS S FACTOR CELEBRATES MARDI GRAS VIRTUALLY CHARLOTTE COLLIN’S MEMORIAL SERVICE Several members of the S Factor joined the Mardi Gras Charlotte’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, party via Zoom. Cass Catroppa says, “Our Zoom March 6, 2021 at 2pm, followed by a reception in Mulhern connections keep us lively, loving and living life.” Hall. Seating is limited, so anyone wanting to attend needs to call or email [email protected] to reserve a seat in the church.

FEBRUARY WEDDINGS AT STM

Rachel Turn and Christopher Olbrych were married at STM on Sat., Feb. 20.

Shown on right with Chloe. PARISHIONERS PLANT A GARDEN Several STM parishioners, including kids, gathered last Sat- urday morning to build several raised bed planters and spread a truckload of topsoil near the STM field. The plan is to an all-organic vegetable garden. Erika Fields led the project.

Ilaria Bruce and Gregory Johnson were married at STM on Sat., Feb. 10.

SCHOOL NEWS ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC SCHOOL IS HIRING! 8TH GRADE RETREAT (REIMAGINED) Saint Thomas More Catholic School, serving PreK4 - 8, seeks This time of year, our Teachers for the 2021-2022 school year. Needs include 8th graders normally Assistant Principal, Curriculum Coordinator, full-time take part in a three- Elementary Teachers, a Technology Teacher, and a part-time day retreat together classroom Assistant. Teachers must have a bachelor’s in Alabama, but due degree or higher and teacher certification. STM is a to the pandemic, we drug-free workplace and offers a competitive salary and full needed to reimagine benefits package. Cover letter and resume may be this year’s retreat. submitted to [email protected]. NET Ministries came to our rescue! Thanks to their wonderful youth ministers, our 8th graders were encouraged to open their hearts and to listen to the voice of God at their in-person, on-campus NET Retreat. They wore their personalized ‘Class of 21’ t-shirts and participated in a retreat created just for them with games, skits, and time for prayer.

NET retreats are designed “to present youth with the truth of who they are as God’s children and how true joy and meaning in life are found by accepting Christ’s gift of salvation and living as His disciple.”

For more School News, please visit www.stmga.org/news/. OUR LENTEN CALL TO LOVE SOCIAL JUSTICE

Continued from cover... MERCY CARE ACKNOWLEDGES STM'S GIFT PRAYER FOR MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES Steve Siler, who is the President of the current Lord Jesus, today you call us to open our hearts to the GrowingMercy/Giving Hope Capital Campaign of Mercy members of God's family who are fleeing oppression, poverty, Care and an STM parishioner, has written to STM thanking parishioners for our contribution to the campaign. Steve persecution, violence, and war. Like your disciples, we too are wrote: "I'd like to again thank you and the Social Justice filled with fear and doubt and even suspicion. We build Committee for their generous contribution.... Your gift is barriers in our hearts and in our minds. supporting the much-needed expansion of the Mercy Care Decatur Street facility, our largest clinic site for meeting the Help us by your grace, needs of the poor and underserved in our community."

 To banish fear from our hearts, that we may embrace REFUGEE YOUTH MENTORS NEEDED each of your children as our own brother and sister; Catholic Charities Atlanta is actively looking for adult volunteers for our Refugee Youth Mentoring Program.  To welcome migrants and refugees with joy and generosi- Mentors must be at least 21 years old. Volunteers will be ty, while responding to their many needs; matched one-to-one with refugee youth between the ages of 12 and 17. Mentors will act as self-esteem boosters,  To realize that you call all people to your holy mountain tutors, role-models and friends, and assist and encourage refugee youth as they develop their skills and talents. Each to learn the ways of peace and justice; mentor commits to meeting with their mentee virtually, due to the pandemic, once a week for at least two hours,  To share of our abundance as you spread a banquet for a one year duration. If you are interested in being a before us; youth mentor, please contact Taylor Smith at [email protected].  To give witness to your love for all people, as we celebrate the many gifts they bring. We praise you and give you thanks for the family you have

called together from so many people. We see in this human family a reflection of the divine unity of the one most Holy

Trinity in whom we make our prayer. COMMUNITY NEWS JUST US: THE CALL TO KINSHIP AND LOVE—A TALK BY FR. GREG BOYLE, SJ Live Online: March 8, 7-8:30pm EST | Sponsored by Our Lady of the Assumption Church Fr. Greg will speak about the power of kinship and inclusion and how Homeboy Industries provides hope and job training for formerly gang involved and previously incarcerated men and women. You will hear inspiring stories of how these men and women have redirected their lives to become contributing members of society. The event is free but we are asking people to register in order to receive the Zoom link. Register here stmgaparish.org/ola.

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND Married Couples, as we journey during this Lenten Season, let us take time to reflect on our marriage. What can we do to make our marriage even better? Learn how on an upcoming virtual Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend on Apr 23-25. You can get more information or apply online at wwme.org or by calling 678-242-WWME.

TRAUMA RECOVERY GROUP The Archdiocese of Atlanta Victim Assistance Program is offering a Trauma Recovery Group for survivors of childhood trauma Wednesday evenings from 6-8 p.m., beginning April 7, at the archdiocesan chancery, 2401 Lake Park Dr., Smyrna GA 30080. **COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed.** Registration deadline is Monday, March 22. The group is limited to 10 participants. Please contact Sue Stubbs at (404) 920-7554 or [email protected] for an application.

ETERNAL REST WHERE GOD IS IN ALL THINGS Niches for cremated remains are available at Ignatius House. Let your final place of rest be with the Jesuits in an active place of prayer. Visit http://bit.ly/JesuitNiche to learn more, or contact Tara La Bouff at 404.255.0503x227 or [email protected]

HOLY SPIRIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL Attention all rising 9th-grade families: It is not too late to explore your school options for the 2021-22 school year! Consider Holy Spirit Preparatory School, recognized six consecutive times as a top Catholic school by the Cardinal Newman Society. Come see why HSP would be a great Catholic option for your student. Learn more and RSVP for a private tour at holyspiritprep.org/ visit. If you would like additional information about HSP or the admissions process, please contact Alex Sullivan, Director of Admissions [email protected]