April 18, 2021 Page 1 April 18, 2021

Page 2 Third Sunday of Easter

Stewardship Thoughts—April 18, 2021

A Note From The themes linked in today’s Scripture readings encourage us to avoid sin by following the Lord’s directives, to repent, Our Pastor and to seek forgiveness. St. Peter, in the Acts of the Apostles, reminds the people, and us, of the evil of Christ’s THE EASTER SEASON passion and death, and that through repentance and conversion, our sins be wiped away. St. John, in his First The weeks between Easter and Pentecost are above all the Letter, tells us that Jesus is an offering for our sins. In St. seasons of the Church liturgical year, the time of Christian Luke’s Gospel, Jesus appears to His disciples after His joy. The joy of knowing that the Lord is risen to everlasting Resurrection while two of them recount their encounter life, the joy of sharing in His resurrection through baptism with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. They finally recognize and Eucharist, the joy of anticipation of the Heavenly Feast Him in the breaking of the bread. The Church has long of the world to come, the joy of living with our hearts lifted taught that partaking of the Eucharist strengthens us on up with Christ in a world redeemed and reconciled with the our journey as Christ’s disciples. Likewise, participating in Father, and the joy of being called to be ministers in the the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the forgiveness of sins world of the victory of Christ. opens us to Christ’s grace, bringing us closer to Him, giving During Lent our attention was focused on the way to us peace in our lives. This week, go to confession and resurrection through the suffering and death of the Lord. receive Holy Communion to draw into union with Christ. During the Easter season we celebrate the liberty brought about by the Lord’s resurrection and how we already share in it by our baptism. Christ’s triumph is the promise of our own, and so the Easter season is a joyful anticipation of the final victory that will be ours. That is why through the entire Easter season of fifty days the Church never grows tired of rejoicing. Endlessly she sounds the triumphant Alleluia.

Enjoy this Easter season as a grateful response to what God has done for us in Christ. Remember, we are called to live Readings for the Week of April 18, 2021 as daughters and sons of this Gracious God, ministering His Sunday Third Sunday of Easter love to all. Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; Ps 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9; Have a wonderful week and let’s remember each other in 1 Jn 2:1-5a; Lk 24:35-48 prayer. Monday Acts 6:8-15; Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30;

Msgr. Tom Rice Jn 6:22-29 Tuesday Acts 7:51—8:1a; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 7b and 8a, 17 and 21ab; Jn 6:30-35 "Sharing Christ in and through the Church" Wednesday Saint Anselm, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Acts 8:1b-8; Ps 66:1-3a, 4-5, 6-7a; PARISH MISSION STATEMENT Jn 6:35-40 We the Christian Community of St. Thomas More, Thursday Acts 8:26-40; Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20; in an atmosphere of hospitality, are dedicated to Jn 6:44-51 proclaiming the life, death, and resurrection of Friday Saint George, Martyr; Saint Adalbert, Jesus Christ through excellence in worship, education, Bishop and Martyr and service to others. Acts 9:1-20; Ps 117:1bc-2; Jn 6:52-59

We believe that the nurturing of the community Saturday Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Priest and around the Eucharistic Table is extended Martyr through gatherings which further strengthen Acts 9:31-42; Ps 116:12-13, 14-15, 16-17; and support us. We shall pursue this Jn 6:60-69 mission faithfully through the power Sunday Fourth Sunday of Easter of the Holy Spirit and the gifts and talents Acts 4:8-12; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, of our members. 29; 1 Jn 3:1-2; Jn 10:11-18

April 18, 2021 Page 3 Prayers in our Parish

THIS WEEK’S EUCHARIST INTENTIONS THIS WEEK’S PRAYER INTENTIONS

Saturday April 17 PRAY FOR THE SICK

4:30p John Conley Rosanne Bishop Traci Johnson Matthew Diehl—14th Anniversary

Maurine Brennan Bill McPhail Sunday April 18 Bill Budowick Dan Medved 8:30a Dorothy Alexander Tom Cavanaugh Jonathan Medved Carol Black—Special Intention Martha Demerly Kathy Mills

Cleary Family—Special Intention Peggy DeVos Simona Paul

Dickow Family—Special Intention Shellysee Girouard Nicholas Rinehart Richard Duff, Mary Whiting, Special Intention

Linda Gostomski Abby Schorer Special Health Intention

Nancy Heffernan Joe Sokolowski

11:30a Zach Kidd—Special Intention Brian Hennessy Helen Walczak

Lottie McPherson—1st Anniversary

Jerome Schroeder PRAY FOR THE DECEASED Jerome Wieber—39th Anniversary Our deepest sympathy and prayers to the family of: Wednesday April 21 9:00a Zef Micakaj † Deacon Francis Xavier Chau Doan

Saturday April 24 † Madalene Faycurry 4:30p Mary Ann Longuski † Scott Holland—brother-in-law of Cindy Cprek James D. Pawlowski † Fr. Timothy P. Mazur † Zef Micakaj—brother of Gnj Micakaj Sunday April 25 † Fr. Robert Singelyn 8:30a Virginia Gabriel Nick Surowka—Birthday Remembrance Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; Let them rest

11:30a For the People of St. Thomas More from their labors for their good deeds go with them.”

Madalene I. Faycurry

Died on April 8, 2021 Buried from St. Thomas More On April 12, 2021

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. Amen

PRAY FOR THE MILITARY

Major Matthew Altomari M1st Class Megan Jamison SSgt. Cory Borders ENS Julia Jermstad Lt. Andrew Boschert Lt. Christopher Mitek Major Phil Brule OS2 Emily Muhlenbeck Sgt. Maj. Patrick Corcoran Airman 1st Class Calen Nido 24 Hour Prayer Line

Capt. Joel Cortright Senior Airman Grant Pensa The Nuns of the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament have ENS Michael Dwyer LTjg. Bradley Pienta initiated a 24 Hour Prayer Line. 1st Lt. Michael Ehlen Capt. Nick Pollock Major Charles Evans Spc. Jack Steinhauer The Sisters are attentive to begin the Spc. Evan K. Fowler Sgt. Kyle Stout requested prayers promptly—248-626-8253 2nd Lt. Theresa Corsentino Capt. Ben VanHorrick or email [email protected] SSgt. Daniel F. Jamison Lt. Adam Weisgerber

Page 4 Third Sunday of Easter In our Parish

CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL 2021

FAITH FORMATION

It’s that time of year when the Faith Formation program is in high gear with sacrament preparation. The second Due to the pandemic the Archdiocese of Detroit managed graders learned the very first time Jesus said the most the 2020 Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) for the parishes. special words, “Take it; this is my body.” and “This is my There was much success so the Archdiocese of Detroit will blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.” (cf. again manage the 2021 Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) Mark 14:22-24) Over 2000 years ago Jesus instituted the Campaign which begins the first weekend of May. A mailing Mass and the same words are still said today by priests. was sent to households last week with materials for donating to CSA for 2021. The children are learning that what they will receive at their First Holy Communion is truly the body, blood, soul, and You have always been very generous in supporting the divinity of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Catholic Services Appeal. This campaign assists the Archdiocese of Detroit with many programs that benefit The 8th Grade Candidates were interviewed to evaluate the parishes as well. Please take a moment to review the their readiness to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in material you receive and prayerfully discern your support May. I was truly impressed by their faith. Some led the for 2021 CSA. prayer at the beginning of the interview, most said they have grown in their relationship with God, and are praying Your continued support is appreciated! more. They were challenged by the on-line virtual classes and missed being in person with their peers. This is a testament to the fact that God created in us a desire to be in communion with one another.

Please keep all of our faith formation children in your prayers as the school year comes to an end, especially those receiving Sacraments in May.

Yours in Christ, Josylin Fermin Mateus

MINISTERS FOR MASS—FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER—APRIL 24 & 25, 2021 MASS TIME 4:30 PM Saturday 8:30 AM Sunday 11:30 AM Sunday CELEBRANT Msgr. Tom Rice Fr. Bob Spezia Msgr. Tom Rice DEACON Don Baross Michael Stach Don Baross READER Leslie Ward Jack Withrow Joan Reddy SERVERS Alessandra Lee Isela Mulcahy Claire DePorre USHERS Cary Sheremet John Gielniak Zack Azzam Ernesto Tuazon Gerry Gostomski George Halter Jim Ward Dan Hayden Marvin Olane Mike Morrison Mark Parent Mike Tauscher MASS COORD. Cary Sheremet Larry Jeziorski Zack Azzam

April 18, 2021 Page 5 Unleash the Gospel Stewardship EVANGELIZATION TIME, TALENT, AND TREASURE

Learning Discipleship from the Acts of the Apostles Stewardship Reflections by John Hannigan Third Sunday of Easter

In these 50 days of the Easter Season, the first reading at ACTS 3:13-15, 17-19; PS 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9; 1 JN 2:1-5a; each daily and Sunday Mass is from the Acts of the LK 24:35-48

Apostles, St. Luke’s witness to what the disciples did after In addition to celebrating all Christ did for us this Easter Jesus ascended to heaven. They were just beginning to try season, we also are reminded of how His sacrifice impacts to live as Jesus taught them. Remember, there was no our lives. Bible. No strategic plan. No mass media. Little Today’s Gospel reminds us that Jesus should be the center “organizational structure.” of our lives. This passage begins with two disciples realizing The early community of believers faced a hostile Jesus had just appeared to them. culture in pagan Rome and antagonism from elders and We can learn a valuable lesson from these disciples. To Sadducees. Disciples were imprisoned and slandered (Acts recognize Jesus’ appearances in our 6:9). How did the disciples spread the Gospel under these lives, we need to know Him. And the circumstances? best way to know the Lord is to The disciples had all they needed from Jesus, gifts so spend time with Him. It can start powerful they would change the whole world. First, they with just 10 minutes of quiet prayer had a Mission, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all a day and increasing that each week. nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of We might begin by reading Scripture, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all books on the lives of the Saints, or that I have commanded you” (Matt 28:19-20), and the even a decade of the Rosary. Yet the means to carry it out: goal should be to carve out time • Jesus: “I am with you always” (Matt 28:20) each day, in a quiet space, for just you and the Lord.

• The Truth of His life, death and resurrection As the disciples mentioned, they recognized it was Jesus in • His teachings of repentance and the Kingdom the breaking of the bread. We, too, can better know the • A Church, uniting His followers in One Body Lord through the sacraments, most especially the Holy • The Sacraments, rich sources of His Grace; and Mass. The Eucharist is Jesus Himself — Body, Blood Soul, • Power from the Holy Spirit’s gifts and guidance and Divinity. What better way to grow in intimacy with By word of mouth, works of charity, prayer and “signs and Christ than to receive Him frequently or to go talk to Him in wonders,” the Church grew in great numbers (Acts 4:4; front of the Blessed Sacrament? As we make Jesus the 5:14). center of our lives through prayer and the sacraments, we

Archbishop Vigneron’s Letter, Unleash the Gospel, drives will be able to recognize Him in day-to-day moments. home the point that by our baptism we, too, are called to As we are still in the midst of this Easter season, take time change the world. Each one of us is “sent forth as a joyful to think about what Christ did for us and the changes we missionary disciple, so that the Gospel may be unleashed” should make in our daily lives to help us grow closer to in our time and place. Today, Christians again face a hostile, Him. or worse, an indifferent culture. “We are living the 29th chapter of Acts!” Vigneron wrote (Marker 1.1). The means by which “the Gospel was unleashed in the ancient world … [are] the same elements of repentance and faith; signs and wonders” and gifts we have today.

In these next weeks, as we reflect on dramatic events in the Acts of the Apostles, we can look to the example of those disciples for inspiration in how we can face our own challenges to living in joy-filled discipleship.

Comments/Questions? [email protected]

St. Thomas More Parish Directory 4580 Adams Rd., Troy, MI 48098

PARISH OFFICES: 248-647-2222 FAX: 248-647-8192 FAITH FORMATION: 248-647-4680

Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:30 am to 4:00 pm Closed for lunch 12:30 to 1:00 pm

[email protected] www.stthomasmoretroy.org

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday, 4:30 pm Sunday, 8:30 am and 11:30 am Wednesday, 9:00 am Holy Days: 9:00 am and 7:00 pm

Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday at 3:00 pm

PASTORAL STAFF FAITH FORMATION Monsignor Thomas G. Rice, Pastor Josylin Mateus, Director 248-647-2222 x. 1111 248-647-4680 x.5533 [email protected] Weekend Mass Assistance Fr. Robert Spezia Ella Prendi, Secretary 248-647-4680 x.5544 Deacon Don Baross [email protected] 248-647-2222 x. 8888 [email protected] SOCIAL MEDIA Debbie Knauss, Website and Facebook WORSHIP and CHRISTIAN SERVICE [email protected] Deacon Michael Stach, Pastoral Associate 248-647-2222 x. 5555 MAINTENANCE [email protected] Ben Olar Pete Whiting MUSIC MINISTRY 248 -647-2222 x. 4422 Brian Foos, Director 248 -647-2222 x. 4444 [email protected]

PARISH OFFICE Lois Sokolowski, Business Manager 248-647-2222 x. 7777 [email protected]

Kathy Strong, Parish Secretary/Bulletin 248-647-2222 x. 3311 [email protected]