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St. Thomas Aquinas
Catholic Church
Many, but one body in Christ.
Muchos, pero un solo cuerpo en Cristo.
Follow us on
@sta_catholics
“Like” us on
/stacatholicchurch
DECEMBER 20, 2015
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Calling all people to help decorate
our Church for Christmas.
No experience needed.
Monday, December 21 beginning at 9:30
a.m. in the church.
For more information, contact Kathy Kuczka
at [email protected].
Please note the parish offices will be closed
Thursday Dec. 24, and will reopen Jan. 4, 2016
Building will be open:
Thursday, Dec. 24:
Friday, Dec. 25:
Saturday, Dec. 26:
Sunday, Dec. 27:
Monday, Dec. 28:
Tuesday, Dec. 29:
Wednesday, Dec. 30:
Thursday, Dec. 31:
Friday, Jan. 1, 2016 :
1 p.m. to 2 a.m.
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
8 a.m. to 9:45 p.m.
6:30 am to 9:45 p.m.
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
STA wishes you a Blessed Merry Christmas
and prosperous New Year in 2016!
Christmas Pointsettias
If you would like to contribute to our Christmas floral decorations in honor of/or in memory
of a loved one, please attach this coupon to your gift of $15 or more. Place it in the collection
basket or drop it off at the Parish Office.
In Honor or Memory of:
Donated by:
Thank you for your generosity!
DECEMBER 20, 2015
WWW.STA.ORG
FAITH FORMATION NEWS
Adult Faith Formation Classes for the Week of Dec. 20, 2015
On Care for Our Common Home
(‘Laudato Si’)
Toward a New Lifestyle
Sunday
10:30 a.m. room 202
Full schedule of classes will resume Jan. 20.
FAITH FORMATION
CHRISTMAS BREAK
No classes
Now - Jan. 3
Classes resume
on Jan. 9 Merry
Christmas and
Happy New Year!
Formación en
la Fe
Descanso
durante la
Navidad
Vamos a tener
ninguna clase de
desde ahora hasta
el Domingo, 3 de
enero
Las clases se
reanudarán
sábado 9 y
domingo 10 de
enero. ¡Feliz navidad y próspero año nuevo!
A NEW SERIES OF ADULT FAITH FORMATION CLASSES BEGIN
Sunday, Jan. 10 and on Wednesday, Jan. 13. A choice of several classes
is offered on Sundays at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. and on
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. You will be receiving a brochure describing these
classes soon. There is no need to register; in fact, you are encouraged to
“shop around” to find a topic and a group of people with whom you feel
at home. Adult Education at St. Thomas is informal, the facilitators warm
and inviting and the coffee pots are always perking. Why not give it a try?
NEW SMALL FAITH COMMUNITIES
WILL BE FORMING IN JANUARY
On the weekend of Jan. 9-10, members of our Small Faith Communities at
St. Thomas will speak at all Masses and invite you to sign up to be part of
a Come As You Are group. Groups will meet in homes on the day of your
choice, beginning the first week of February.
To find out more about what it means to be part of a Small Faith Community you are invited to a dinner hosted by members of our Small Faith
Communities on Saturday evening, January 16th after the 5:30 p.m. Mass.
Msgr. Stack will be there to tell you more about Small Faith Communities
and to share with you his vision for our parish. Mark your calendar now
and plan to join us. If you have any questions about Small Faith Communities, please see the Adult Education Brochure or call Terry Zobel in the
Religious Education Office.
The Faith Formation Board wants to hear from you! If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions,
please contact [email protected]. Our next scheduled board meeting is Jan. 13, at 8
p.m. in room 204.
El comité de Formación en la Fe quiere escucharte! Si tienes preguntas, inquietudes o sugerencias por favor contactar a [email protected]. La próxima reunión del comité será el dia 13
de enero a las 8 p.m. en el salón 204.
STA Preschool Registration for 2016-2017 School Year
Come join us for fun, friendship and learning!
Preschool registration for the 2016-2017 school year will
begin for current and new families on January 7, 2016. Families are
welcome to visit between 10 a.m. and 12:00 noon Monday through
Friday for a tour and classroom visit. Our Preschool program serves
children who are 18 months (Toddlers) by September 1st of the
current school year, 2’s, 3’s, and Pre-K 4’s/Young 5’s.
Our teachers are trained in First Aid, CPR and AED, and
participate in several professional development workshops each
year. They are here to nurture and teach your little one while you
have some time for yourself. Please call the Preschool Office at
770.664.2214 for more information.
DECEMBER 20, 2015
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Q
P
uestion of the
week:
regunta de la
semana:
When has a visitor brought Christ to me?
¿Cuándo he recibido una visita que ha traído a Cristo hacia mí?
Question of the week is studied and reflected on each Sunday’s
Gospel. Refer back to today’s gospel to reflect on your personal
response. Today’s gospel is LK 1:39-45.
The Amen Corner
Kathy Kuczka
W
e look down a lot to check our electronic devices
for the latest tweet, text and post. Sometimes
it pays to look up—way up. Many years ago I
took a trip to the Western United States. I looked up at
the night sky near Moab, Utah, and witnessed an umbrella
of cosmic radiance. Never before had I seen so many stars.
There were billions of them. The night was so clear and so
beautiful, as if the entire universe was frozen in stillness.
Southwestern skies are a stargazer’s dream. The skies
are clearer there partially because of an absence of light
pollution. The farther we get from artificial light the more
we can see the stars.
The season of Advent beckons us to move away from
Reflecting on God’s Word
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION
Many of our most treasured traditions link the liturgy
of the church with the hearth of
the home. The food on the table
at certain feasts helps to extend
the mystery into everyday life. On
Christmas Eve, for example, many
families of Italian heritage, especially
those with links to the south of
Italy, will settle down to the “Feast
of the Seven Fishes,” or La Vigilia.
It is a command performance for
the whole family, as the saying goes:
Natale con I tuui, Pasqua conchi
vuoi, or “Christmas with your
family, Easter with whomever you
La pregunta de la semana es estudiada y reflejada sobre el evangelio del
domin go. Usa el evangelio y las lecturas para encontrar tu respuesta
personal a la pregunta. El Evangelio de hoy LC: 1:39-45.
whatever “artificial” lights prevent us from seeing Jesus, the
true light, more clearly. John the Ba ptist showed us how
to do this. He humbled himself knowing that one greater
than he was coming. John’s words, “He must increase; I
must decrease,” are echoed in the cosmos. We celebrate the
feast of John the Baptist in late June around the summer
solstice, which heralds the beginning of shorter days and
longer nights. On the other hand, we celebrate the feast
of the birth of Christ around the winter solstice, the
beginning of shorter nights and longer days. We (in the
Northern hemisphere) are a couple days away from the
winter solstice, when the earth is tilted farthest from the
sun, giving us the year’s shortest day and longest night. The
name “solstice” is derived from the Latin sol, meaning sun
and sistere, meaning to stand still. During the solstice the
sun stands still, virtually coming to a stop before reversing
direction.
As we approach the winter solstice and these final days
of Advent, may we still our hearts to see more clearly the
Christ among us, and perhaps we too might be caught up
in the cosmic dance, radiant with hope and peace.
wish.” Seven different fish, some say one for each day of
Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, others say one for
each sacrament, or one for each day of creation, are served.
Eel and shrimp, lobster and crab, calamari, pasta with clam
sauce, flounder and hake all
abound, but most especially
baccala, dried salted cod. Why?
Many say that it is a way to
pay homage to the beasts of the
stable who witnessed the holy
birth and relinquished their
manger to make way for God.
On Christmas Eve, if someone
asks you to “pass the shrimp,”
you’ll be able to shed a little light
on a menu that is a delicious
treasure in our tradition!
— Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
DECEMBER 20, 2015
WWW.STA.ORG
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church announces a new program …
FAITH FORMATION FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
Helping Parents Tell the Story of Their Catholic Faith
¡
We celebrated the Baptism of
our child, what happens now?
¡
When should faith formation
begin?
¡
How will I teach my child about
God?
¡
What Bible stories should I
share?
¡
How can I pray with my young
child?
¡
How can I raise my child to be
caring and compassionate?
If these are quesƟons you are asking,
then the Faith Forma on for Families
with Young Children program could be
just what you need!
This program is designed to create an
opportunity for parents to learn more
about sharing their faith with their
young children from birth-age 5.
Many Catholic parents are looking for ways to raise faithfilled children, beginning in the earliest years. The St. Thomas
Aquinas parish community wants to assist parents through
Faith Forma on for Families with Young Children, a program
designed for parents with children from birth to age five.
Parents receive tools they need to pass on their faith to their
children in two-hour class sessions that meet for seven weeks
on Saturday mornings from 9:30-11:30.
Goals of Faith Forma on for Families with Young Children
include:
i Provide parents with guidance in sharing the Catholic faith with
their children.
i Bring young Catholic parents together within the parish seƫng
to share with each other their own beliefs.
i Help parents grow in their own faith and to put that faith at
the center of family life at all stages.
The Faith Forma on for Families with
Young Children program consists of a
parent-child interacƟon component, a
parent discussion Ɵme, and an acƟvityfilled interacƟve session for children
(children under 1 year remain with their
parents).
Join us for this very special FREE offering…
Class sessions are 9:30 a.m.—11:30 a.m.
the following seven Saturdays:
January 16, 2016
January 23, 2016
January 30, 2016
February 13, 2016
February 20, 2016
February 27, 2016
March 5, 2016
ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Please contact the Faith Forma on Office
to register today.
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
535 Rucker Rd.
AlphareƩa, GA 30004
770-475-4508
[email protected]
Registra on is FREE, but is limited to 10 families!
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
STA Middle School
DECEMBER 20, 2015
- NAZARETH NEWS
The Joy of Christmas
many times; however, we think of it as a story and do not
see the true meaning in it. Christmas is the most joyful time
in the church year; this is the birth of Christ! The joy of
Christmas festivities are in full swing! In all the shopping Christmas is easy to find and easy to spread: Smile, tell your
and gifting, it is easy to lose sight of the true meaning of family you love them, spread Jesus’s joy to all around you
Christmas and the joy of our celebration. The Christmas as we approach Christmas; most of all, be joyful in your
story is a story that we as Catholics have most likely heard life!! Show hope, peace, joy, and love in everything you do!!
St. Francis Table
Soup Kitchen
On Dec. 12 , we went to the
St. Francis Table Soup Kitchen
at the Catholic Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception to provide food to the homeless. We
began our day attending Mass.
The church was beautiful; the
ceiling was covered with stunning pictures of various saints.
Then we went downstairs and
were assigned jobs; greeting and
serving guests and then cleaning
up. This was a great experience
and in the end, we loved putting
smiles on their faces and serving
our brothers and sisters in Christ.
The Live Nativity
The live nativity scene is a
tradition at Saint Thomas
Aquinas. Middle school
youth recreated the story of
the birth of Jesus. We had a
farm supply us with miniature animals for the shepherds and for the animals
in the stable. The animals
included tiny goats, sheep,
a cow and two donkeys. Everyone, adults and children,
loved petting the animals.
It was a wonderful way to
remind ourselves of the true
meaning of Christmas!
DECEMBER 20, 2015
WWW.STA.ORG
PARISH NEWS
PILGRIMAGE: Father Mario invites you to visit
the Shrines of Italy to celebrate the Year of Mercy
on an 11-day trip Oct. 18-28, 2016!
The trip is conducted through Halcyon Cruises
and the price includes airfare, 15 meals and
ground transportation.
Highlights include Rome, The Bascilica of St.
Francis of Assisi, The San Giovanni Rotondo,
The Tomb of Padre Pio, The Abbey of Santissima
Trinita, The Madonnna del Rosario, Vatican City,
a Papal Audience, a Christian Rome city tour,
St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran, St.
Peter’s Bascilica and St. Mary Major.
A detailed brochure is available at the Parish Office.
The trip is limited to 30 people, so don’t delay! For
more information and pricing, contact
[email protected].
JANUARY 8-10, 2016 NEW YEAR/FRESH START
Start your New Year out on a positive note. Do you live with the self
-condemnation of abortion? Do you think there is no forgiveness? Do
you live with anxiety, fear, panic or depression?
Good News! God desires you to be healed and whole. He wants you to
be joyful again. Good News! We can help.
Start the New Year out with a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat. January 8-10,
PATH (Post Abortion Treatment and Healing) will be facilitating a
weekend long retreat where broken hearts can be rebuilt, renewed,
redeemed. Give yourself the gift of freedom.
OUR FOOD PANTRY IS IN NEED:
SVdP clients select their own food and the
following items are in high demand. Due to
limited space (a closet), we ask that only these
items be donated at this time.
Boxed cereal, Mac and cheese boxes, Canned
Fruit, Toilet Paper, Ramen, Dry 1 lb. bags of
beans, Dry 1 lb. bags of rice
For more information, visit our website at www.healingafterabortion.org
or call (404) 717-5557
2016 Whitesville Mission Trip
JOBS MINISTRY
The Job Networking Ministry
is not holding any further
meeting session during
December. If you have a
particular question about your
job search, please feel free to
contact our Job Networking
Ministry leader, Bob Volz at
bvolz_ [email protected].
There will be a mission trip information and sign-up meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish
Hall for all interested teens and their
parents. Sign-ups begin at 7:30 p.m.
and the meeting starts at 8 p.m. This
summer will be the 24th year of mission
trips from St. Thomas Aquinas Church
These weeklong trips offer teens a new
experience, helping them to put their
faith into action. The dates for the 2016
Whitesville Mission Trip are June 18-26.
The trip is open to all high school teens
— you must be a rising high school
freshman for the 2016-17 school
year. Information about the trip and
fundraising needs from teens and adults
God Bless you for your generosity!
[email protected]
will be presented. We have a limited
number of spots available, so please plan
on attending and bring a $50 deposit to
secure your spot. For more information,
visit www.stamissiontrip.com.
DECEMBER 20, 2015
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
STA EN ESPAÑOL
Thank you to all who participated and made our celebration of
the feast of Our Lady of Guadelupe such a success!
¡Gracias a todos los que participaron y hicieron nuestra celebración
de la fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe un éxito!
Reflexionemos sobre la Palabra de Dios
TRADICIONES DE NUESTRA FE
Muchas de nuestras tradiciones más preciadas
enlazan la liturgia de la iglesia con el corazón de
la casa. La comida en la mesa en ciertas fiestas
ayuda a extender el misterio en la vida diaria.
En la víspera de Navidad, por ejemplo, muchas
familias de herencia italiana, especialmente
los que tienen vínculos con el sur de Italia, se
establecen a la “Fiesta de los siete pescados”, o
La Vigilia. Es un funcionamiento del comando
para toda la familia,
como dice el dicho:
Natale con I tuui,
Pasqua conchi vuoi,
o “Navidad con los
tuyos, Pascua con
quien quieras.” Siete
diversos pescados,
algunos dicen que
una para cada día del
viaje de María y de
José hacia Belén, otros dicen que uno de cada
Sacramento, o bien uno para cada día de la creación, se sirven. Anguila y camarón, langosta y
cangrejo, calamares, pasta con salsa de almejas,
lenguado y merluza que todos abundan, pero
más especialmente baccala, secado bacalao. ¿Por
qué? Muchos dicen que es una manera de rendir homenaje a los animales del establo que vio
nacer a Santa y renunció a su pesebre para dar
paso a Dios. En vísperas de Navidad, si alguien
le pide que “pasar los camarones,” serás capaz de
arrojar un poco de luz en un menú que es un
delicioso tesoro en nuestra tradición!
— Fray Gilberto Cavazos-Glz, OFM, Copyright
© J. S. Paluch Co.
Noche Buenas de Navidad
Si usted desea contribuir a nuestras decoraciones florales de Navidad en honor o memoria de
un ser querido, adjunte este cupón a su regalo de $15 o más.
Colóquelo en la cesta de la collecta o entreguelo en la Oficina Parroquial .
En Honor o Memoria de:
Donado por:
¡Muchas gracias por su genorsidad!
DECEMBER 20, 2015
WWW.STA.ORG
C.J. Aaron
Tom Adams
Baby Addison
St. George W. Barron
Carly Bas ansen
David Bas ansen
Dylan Shea Bauman
Bob Benjes
Sarah Blackmon
Charlar Brew
Mary Jean Carroll
Bre Chance
Ed Coons
Harvey Crouch
Robert DeLoach
David Doom
Rita Ducharme
Ellie
Carol Fiore
Mary Fitzgerald
Marianne Fronek
Paul Fronek
Caitlyn Graebner
Frank Gruber
Ken Hanniford
Becky Harris
Fran Harrow
Dorie Hood
Robert Hull
Sandra Hypolite
Johnny
Robert Kloser
Cindy Krausen
Karl Kroeppler
Baby Lanois
Lennox Leach
R. Lewis Leach
Mike Malec
Gabrielle Mason
Joanie McGinnis
Mary Pat McParland
Fr. Doug Medlin
Paula Mihalek
Andrea Miller
Kaye Moran
Be y Murphy
Linda Oleszczuk
Pat Oreszko
David Pass
Arline Piccolo
Yambe Ramirez
Yolanda Rodriguez
Maria Sanchez
Vigelo Servera
Patti Shanahan
Nancy Sharron
Gail Shoemaker
Henry Short
Chip Silcox
Camille Smith
Christopher
Sparkman
Theresa Solomon
Dn. John Strachan
May R. Stone
M.L. Stubblefield
May Sullivan
Leslie V
Marianne Vogel
Randy Warner
Emily Wa s
Michael Williams
Gail Witworth
Jim Wylie
Teresa Zamundio
THIS LISTING OF THOSE SUFFERING ILLNESS is
UPDATED EVERY WEDNESDAY. Names will also be found
in the Bulle n on the STA website. You may add yourself
or a family member for 6 weeks. To remove a name, or
to renew for more me, please contact Doris Kirk at
[email protected] or (770) 518-0117
Let us pray together as a family for your inten ons.
Mass Intentions
Monday, Dec. 21
9 a.m.
12 Noon
(+) Ollen Ki
(L) Elizabeth Hoover Pape
Carla Crowell
Ellen Hoover
Tuesday, Dec. 22
9 a.m.
12 Noon
(+) Kevin Hayward
(+) John & Ann Snyder
Anna LeFave
Judith Nessia
Wednesday, Dec. 23
9 a.m.
12 Noon
(+) Blas Del Vecchio
(+) Alice Gadler
Valen na Del Vecchio
Maureen Rutherford
Thursday, Dec. 24
4 p.m.
6 p.m.
8 p.m.
12 Midnight
Friday, Dec. 25
9 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
12 Noon
2:30 p.m.
Christmas Eve Mass in Church & Parish Hall (English)
Christmas Eve Mass in Church & Parish Hall (English)
Christmas Eve Mass in Church (Español), Parish Hall (English)
Christmas Eve Mass in Church (English)
Christmas Mass in Church (English)
Christmas Mass in Church (English)
Christmas Mass in Church (English)
Christmas Mass in Church (Español)
Saturday, Dec. 26
9 a.m.
5:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
(L) Patrick Pli
(+) Eduardo Lima
STA
David Pli
Ive e Lima
Sunday, Dec. 27
7:30 a.m.
9 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
12 Noon
2:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
(+) Sandy LaHouse
(+) Ann Walsh
(+) Archbishop James P. Lyke
(+) Maurice & Pauline Gagne
(L) Maria Felix Arellano
(+) Apolonio Robles
Claire & Ed Dravis
Joan Kapes
O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand
has planted.
— Psalm 80:15–16
Maureen Rutherford
Josefina Alonso
Donna K. Castro
Dios de los ejércitos, vuélvete,
mira desde el cielo, fíjate,
ven a visitar tu viña,
la cepa que tu diestra plantó
y que tú hiciste vigorosa.
— Salmo 80 (79):15–16
DECEMBER 20, 2015
WWW.STA.ORG
2015 END OF THE YEAR
DONATIONS
The Holidays are upon us!
To make donations to be credited for
2015, all donations must be received
before January 2016.
• If you will be mailing your donation, it
must be postmarked by 12/31/2015.
• All donations received in offertory for
the Dec. 31, 2015, Solemnity of Mary
Vigil Mass will be credited for the year
2015.
• All donations received in offertory on
Jan. 1, 2016, Solemnity of Mary Mass
will be credited for 2016.
Parish Financial Support
Offertory 12/13/15
$39,702
Online Giving
$7,982
Parish Contact Information
535 Rucker Road
Alpharetta, GA 30004
Total Offertory
$47,684
Phone: 770-475-4501
Fax: 770-772-0355
(120 Donors)
2nd collection
Parish Office
Monday-Friday
9:00AM-12:30PM &
1:15PM- 4:00PM
Retirement fund for the religious
$5,470
This week’s 2nd Collection:
Faith Formation Office
Phone: 770-475-4508
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Debt retirement (parish)
Thank you very much
for your cooperation.
Enjoy the Convenience
of Electronic Giving
St. Thomas Aquinas wants to remind you
that we offer electronic giving as a way
to maintain your financial commitment
to our regular weekly offering. Electronic
giving is convenient and helps to sustain
the consistency of donations needed for
our congregation.
Direct Debit Giving is used to
automatically transfer funds from your
checking or savings account to the
church’s bank account. Credit & Debit
Card Giving allows you to make offerings
automatically on a predetermined
schedule using a credit or debit card.
Online Giving lets you go to www.sta.
org at any time to set up an automatic
donation plan, change your donation
plan, make a one-time donation or view
your online donation history.
The 2nd Collection for 12/25/15
is Catholic Charities
Thank you for your generosity!
God Bless!
Mass Attendance on 12/13/15
MASS TIME
ATTENDANCE
Sat. 5:30 p.m.
253
Sat. 7:30 p.m.
—
Sun. 7:30 a.m.
143
Sun. 9:00 a.m.
444
Sun. 10:30 a.m.
635
Sun. 12 p.m.
300
Sun. 2:30 p.m.
615
Sun. 5:30 p.m.
423
T
he Gospel today tells of the Virgin
Mary, pregnant herself, hurrying
off to help her cousin Elizabeth.
The model of good stewardship, she who
had given herself to bear the Savior gave
her time and love to others as well.
E
Preschool Office
Phone 770-664-2214
9:00AM-2:00PM
Monday-Friday
l Evangelio de hoy cuenta como la Virgen María, ella misma embarazada,
se fue de prisa para ayudar a su prima Isabel. Es ejemplo de la Buena
administración de los bienes de Dios, ella que se había ofrecido a llevar en
su vientre al Salvador dio también su tiempo y amor a los demás.
Oficina de Información en Español
770-475-4501 ext. 215
Martes, Miercoles, y Viernes
10:00AM-2:00PM
Jueves
1:00PM-7:00PM
Pastor
Parochial Vicar
In Residence
Msgr. Daniel Stack
Fr. Mario Lopez
Fr. Paul W. Berny
Mass Schedule
Weekday
Monday-Saturday
Monday-Friday
Jueves - Español
Saturday Vigil
Sunday
9 a.m.
Noon
7 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.-Español
7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m.,
10:30 a.m., Noon
2:30 p.m.-Español
5:30 p.m. LifeTeen
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Sacramento de La Reconciliación
Saturday
4-5 p.m.
Visitation of the Sick
We would like to be attentive to your
loved ones who are ill. Please let us
know their name by calling
Kate Oates in the
Pastoral Office @ ext. 102