Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 9, 2021
A Message from Carolyn McKinnis,
Director of Children and Youth Catechetics
Spring is one of my favorite seasons of the year. It’s a time for new beginnings, hope, and new life. There is nothing like opening the house again after a long winter or enjoying the fresh, crisp outdoor air while watching the trees and flowers begin to bud, adding a little more color around us day by day! In addition to the marvels of nature, I love the spring season at St. Tom’s; new life surrounds us in the Easter season and the celebration of the Sacraments.
As many of you know, our elementary youth made their First Reconciliation and their First Holy Communion this last month. These joy-filled occasions followed months of preparation by our parents and LifeGuides. On one particular afternoon, my son and I were practicing the Act of Contrition and breaking down the lines of the prayer. He was finding his own words to summarize what he was saying to God as he prayed. When we got to the line, “I firmly intend, with your help…”, I was stunned. Through those simple words of a routine prayer, we teach our youth, and I was reminded that in uniting our will to God’s will, He acts through us in powerful, unimaginable ways.
What a timely reminder, especially now, spring of 2021. After months of isolation, physical distancing, and feeling boxed in, I was reminded that viruses don’t isolate or box in God’s will. As I question, where is this virus going? How will it continue to unfold or wrap up? I am reminded that God knows, and His plans continue to be for our good. God is with us, acting first in our lives, then it’s up to us how we respond. “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you...”
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, I reflect on my journey as a mom. Around seven years ago, Father Cassian heard my confession and encouraged me to go on a retreat, something I hadn’t done since high school! That was some of the best life-changing advice I have been given. As a mom, I have experienced the pure joy and indescribable happiness of motherhood. I also know the moments of exhaustion and uncertainty. Going on that first retreat, I had time to reflect, re-energize, and re-focus on my vocation without worrying about home life.
Especially after this last year, I encourage all mothers to go on a retreat. I didn’t realize until Father Cassian suggested it that yearly retreats are a healthy practice. Like an annual check-up with a medical doctor, it’s a yearly check-up for our soul, a time to examine our branches, maybe prune some, and definitely nourish the roots to begin anew.
As many of you know, our elementary youth made their First Reconciliation and their First Holy Communion this last month. These joy-filled occasions followed months of preparation by our parents and LifeGuides. On one particular afternoon, my son and I were practicing the Act of Contrition and breaking down the lines of the prayer. He was finding his own words to summarize what he was saying to God as he prayed. When we got to the line, “I firmly intend, with your help…”, I was stunned. Through those simple words of a routine prayer, we teach our youth, and I was reminded that in uniting our will to God’s will, He acts through us in powerful, unimaginable ways.
What a timely reminder, especially now, spring of 2021. After months of isolation, physical distancing, and feeling boxed in, I was reminded that viruses don’t isolate or box in God’s will. As I question, where is this virus going? How will it continue to unfold or wrap up? I am reminded that God knows, and His plans continue to be for our good. God is with us, acting first in our lives, then it’s up to us how we respond. “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you...”
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, I reflect on my journey as a mom. Around seven years ago, Father Cassian heard my confession and encouraged me to go on a retreat, something I hadn’t done since high school! That was some of the best life-changing advice I have been given. As a mom, I have experienced the pure joy and indescribable happiness of motherhood. I also know the moments of exhaustion and uncertainty. Going on that first retreat, I had time to reflect, re-energize, and re-focus on my vocation without worrying about home life.
Especially after this last year, I encourage all mothers to go on a retreat. I didn’t realize until Father Cassian suggested it that yearly retreats are a healthy practice. Like an annual check-up with a medical doctor, it’s a yearly check-up for our soul, a time to examine our branches, maybe prune some, and definitely nourish the roots to begin anew.
Carolyn McKinnis
Mass Resources:
We encourage you to prayerfully consider what you might be able to give to the “Hearts on Fire” Catholic Ministries Appeal," which benefits both our Diocese of Lafayette and St Tom’s. To date, we have reached 89 percent of our goal, with about $25,000 in pledges still needed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mother's Day Carnations
Members of the Men of St. Tom's (MoST) will be honoring mothers with the distribution of carnations before all of the weekend's Masses.
Worship schedules for summer
A reminder that Mass reservations are no longer required, effective next weekend, AND the summer worship schedule has started meaning NO evening Mass during the week or weekend. Confession continues to be offered Monday to Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. One exception to this schedule: Due to a Priest Formation Workshop in Kokomo, there will be no 11:00 a.m. confession or 11:30 a.m. Mass on Monday.
Ushers, Liturgical Ministers needed for summer
With our student parishioners’ departure for the summer, we need ushers for weekend Masses. If you can help, please contact Nick Baietto at nbaietto@purdue.edu. We also need liturgical ministers. Our greatest need at this time is for sacristans. Whether you are new to liturgical ministries or returning after COVID-19, please consider serving in one or more of these ministries. Please contact liturgy@boilercatholics.org if you are interested.
Baccalaureate Mass on May 14
On Friday, May 14, we celebrate St. Tom’s May, August, and December 2021 Purdue graduates with our traditional “Baccalaureate Mass” at 11:30 a.m. Graduating student parishioners are encouraged to attend the Mass in their commencement regalia and visit the “Senior Send-Off” webpage to leave their post-graduation contact information.
Holy Hour for Young Adults
St. Tom's Young Adult Ministry will host a Holy Hour for Catholic Young Adults this coming Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. through CALL 20/30 ministry. They would especially like to invite all graduating seniors to join for prayer in the sanctuary and fellowship at 8:30 p.m. afterward at Lafayette Brewing Company.
Volunteer Receptionists
There is still a great need for parishioner volunteers to staff the office reception desk, with less than half of the timeslots filled so far. The time commitment is two times a month for three hours or less. If you would like to help visitors and answer phone calls on behalf of St. Tom’s, please contact Mary Riehle at mary@boilercatholics.org on weekdays between 11 am and 3 pm.
For more information on these events and St. Tom’s many other activities, including log-in details for virtual events, consult the Announcements section and calendar on the Boiler Catholics website and in today’s bulletin.
To provide a one-time or recurring gift to St. Tom's, visit our FaithDirect giving page. We are grateful for your generosity to our mission and ministries.
