Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 24th and 25th, 2021
Dear Faithful Parishioners and Guests of St. Thomas of Canterbury,
Thanks be to God for the many successful events of our parish: Camp THRIVE, Praise and Worship, Movie under the Stars. Thanks to our young people of our parish being mentors for our young children. They had a blast!
Thank you very much for your participation in the matching fund for vocations in memory and honor of Fr. Mark Catalana piloted by our parish pastoral council and finance council. As of today, there have been $1,000 in donations. We will keep you updated every week.
May God bless all the grandparents and elderly of our parish this weekend as we celebrate the first World Grandparents and Elderly Day, established by Pope Francis (celebrated on the 4th Sunday of July):
God of all Ages, we praise and thank you.
From generation to generation you have been our refuge and strength.
You give your gifts of grace for every time, place and season as we strive within the family to walk in your ways and remain close to one another and to you.
From generation to generation you have been our refuge and strength.
You give your gifts of grace for every time, place and season as we strive within the family to walk in your ways and remain close to one another and to you.
We give thanks for our elderly and grandparents.
As we pray for them, we honor them today.
We give thanks for they connect us with our heritage and our roots through the mists of time.
As we pray for them, we honor them today.
We give thanks for they connect us with our heritage and our roots through the mists of time.
We give thanks for their Christian memory which inspires and enlightens us.
We give thanks for the example of their faith, for the witness of their lives,
We give thanks for the example of their faith, for the witness of their lives,
for the constancy of their love, for the support of their prayers.
Bless all grandparents and the elderly, keep them in your care. Bless them with peace, health, and strength.
May they always experience respect, support, and love within the family circle.
May they always experience respect, support, and love within the family circle.
Reward them for their faith and fidelity, for their work and gifts.
Give them a long and happy life.
May happy old age come to them in the company of family and friends. And when life is over, unite them again, where parting will be no more, in the Kingdom of Your love.
Give them a long and happy life.
May happy old age come to them in the company of family and friends. And when life is over, unite them again, where parting will be no more, in the Kingdom of Your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Have a blessed week!
Fr. Andrew
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Friendly Reminders:
Mass Schedule:
- Saturday (Sunday’s Vigil) Mass: 5:15pm (Indoors)
- Sunday Mass: 10:00am (Outdoors)
Daily Masses (Wed – Thu – Fri): 8:30AM (Indoors) - Confessions (Sat): 4:30pm-5pm (Outdoors)
*All Masses will be streamed online through YouTube and Facebook.
*All Weekend Masses will still be transmitted through Radio FM 87.9 and have Communion service to the cars.
Due to the increase in cases from the Delta variant, the county is highly recommending wearing masks indoors even if fully vaccinated. Thank you.
Visits from Fr. Andrew:
If you, or someone you know of, is in dire need of receiving the sacraments of Eucharist, Reconciliation or Anointing of the Sick, Fr. Andrew is available to visit you. Please call the parish office, and leave a message or contact Fr. Andrew: FrAndrew@StThomasSJ.org OR (408) 766-3318 (emergency number)
Christ is Alive...AND TRULY PRESENT IN THE Eucharist
Delve into the central mystery of our faith by taking a deeper look at this most Holy Sacrament. This new spiritual study program will give you a deeper understanding of the precious gift of Christ's divine life that you can receive at each and every mass. Explore the Catholic belief in the Eucharist as Sacred Meal, Sacrifice and Real Presence in this multi media study series produced by Word on Fire Catholic Ministries and hosted by Bishop Barron. Bishop Barron is an acclaimed author, theologian and podcasting priest who has been called "one of the church's best messengers" by Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago, and "possibly the most thoughtful and effective evangelist of culture" by George Weigel.
Please join us as we discover and celebrate what Vatican II referred to as the "source and summit of the Christian life."
Delve into the central mystery of our faith by taking a deeper look at this most Holy Sacrament. This new spiritual study program will give you a deeper understanding of the precious gift of Christ's divine life that you can receive at each and every mass. Explore the Catholic belief in the Eucharist as Sacred Meal, Sacrifice and Real Presence in this multi media study series produced by Word on Fire Catholic Ministries and hosted by Bishop Barron. Bishop Barron is an acclaimed author, theologian and podcasting priest who has been called "one of the church's best messengers" by Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago, and "possibly the most thoughtful and effective evangelist of culture" by George Weigel.
Please join us as we discover and celebrate what Vatican II referred to as the "source and summit of the Christian life."
Starting Thursday Aug 19th at 5:30 pm for 6 weeks. The final week we will have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the church. Sign up details coming soon.
A Prayer for Catechists
Loving Father, we pray today for catechists, those you have called to serve your people.
We thank you for their gift of ministry in your Church.
Grant them also your love that they may be fruitful heralds of your Word and lead others to love you.
Pour forth your Holy Spirit upon them to grant them wisdom about what is important; knowledge of the truths of faith; understanding of their meaning; right judgement about how to apply them in life; courage to persevere even in the face of adversity; reverence before all that is sacred and holy; and that loving zeal which leads others to a transforming encounter with your Son.
Amen
Help us Feed the Multitudes!
In today’s Gospel from John, we hear the familiar story of the feeding of the 5000. A large crowd of around 5000 men (not counting the women and children!) followed Jesus and upon seeing this, Jesus knew they would be hungry! Jesus, being God himself, could have fed them on his own, without the help of his disciples and the without the gift of the boy’s five barley loaves and two fish. However he seeks the help of his disciples and uses the boy’s humble gift of five barley loaves and two fish to feed the multitude that had gathered. Jesus is setting the stage for how to feed his people…with our gifts and talents and with humility, trust and love just like the boy.
What does this gospel story have to do with Faith Formation? On the surface, we all need to eat for our sustenance but below the surface we all have a hunger that only God can fill. One of the primary reasons we come to Mass is to be fed by the Word of God and by the food of God, the Holy Eucharist. Other ways we also feed our soul is by learning about God through scripture, through prayer, and through study of the catechism. Just as Jesus asked for assistance from his disciples to feed the multitudes, he relies on us, the baptized, to also help with this task of feeding his people. He calls you and me to share our faith and be witnesses of the gospel to the young generation of Catholics and to those seeking to become Catholic. This is the mission of the Church. Faith formation at our parish and any parish for that matter, needs disciples to help feed God’s people. Are you willing to serve in this way? Are you willing to give what little time you have and let God multiply your efforts? God needs you for our parish Faith Formation program.
Please consider the vocation to become a catechist. We have many opportunities available. Find something to work into your schedule and consider this time spent with God. To learn more, please contact Vicki Schwoob, Director of Faith Formation/Religious Education: Vicki@StThomasSJ.org or (408) 766-3270.
FAMILY FAITH FORMATION:
Faith Formation: Our weekly Tuesday catechism classes and Sunday sessions for Sacrament Prep have ended for this school year. Classes will begin again in Fall 2021.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION: Becoming Catholic
Are you interested (or do you know someone who is) in learning more about the Catholic way of life? Are you interested in becoming Catholic? Have you been away from the faith? Are you are a baptized Catholic but still need to receive First Eucharist and Confirmation? Are you a Catholic and have questions about your faith? Are you seeking something more?
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Team welcomes all! We are here to provide information and spiritual guidance for all those interested in becoming Catholic, those interested in completing the sacraments and those who have a desire to know God.
The RCIA itself is a process developed by the Catholic Church for unbaptized adults and adapted for children (ages 7 and above) guiding them through education, formation and ritualization of entrance into the Catholic community. The process for the RCIA is always open and is year round since God’s time and plan is different for everyone.
Contact Barbara Louis for inquiries and sacraments or call (408) 378-1595.
In search of a safe space to ask hard questions about race?
The St Thomas of Canterbury Faith and Social Healing Ministry, in conjunction with several local parishes, is offering two programs that do just that. Both are a product of JustFaith Ministries and explore the concept/construct of race through the lens of the Christian tradition.
The St Thomas of Canterbury Faith and Social Healing Ministry, in conjunction with several local parishes, is offering two programs that do just that. Both are a product of JustFaith Ministries and explore the concept/construct of race through the lens of the Christian tradition.
Faith and Racial Equity: Exploring Power & Privilege:
An eight-session program that awakens individuals and groups to racial injustices within our systems and structures that empower some and oppress others.
Our initial Gathering for Faith and Racial Equity will be in-person on Saturday, August 14th, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Location: St. Lucy, Campbell.
Sessions 1-8 will be via Zoom on Alternate Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
A highlight of this program is the in-person Immersion Experience on November 14.
Book List:
40 Days of Prayer compiled by Cheri L. Mills
I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
40 Days of Prayer compiled by Cheri L. Mills
I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
For more information, click here to view a short Faith and Racial Equity video
To register for either of these programs, contact: Kathy Mattingly at kat@kajon.com of (408) 378-2355
The Faith and Social Healing Ministry at St. Thomas of Canterbury is grateful for a generous grant from the Catholic Community Foundation of Santa Clara County
Weekly Offering 07/18/2021 $5,885
Thank you!
MTD OFFERINGS AS OF 07/17/2021
MTD budget: $ 13,500
MTD offerings: $ 19,226
MTD surplus: $ 5,726
You are welcome to drop off or mail your donations to the parish office.
On-line giving available at our website: www.StThomasSJ.org
Click: Give & Fundraising
or scan the QR Code to the left.
Next week is our monthly maintenance collection. Thank you for your support and generosity!
Lucy Chai is in charge of Scrip at St. Thomas. See button below to click on to buy scrip and she can deliver it to you.
Please remember these checks should be made out to: St Thomas Scrip
Thank you for your purchases - they help raise funds for our parish!
10 hours of Eucharistic Adoration is every 2nd Saturday of the month.
The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian faith.
An excerpt from the book, The Way of Divine Love, Jesus says to Sr Josefa, "...the long and lonely hours of the day and of the night in which I remain alone on the altars....and the multitudes who would not heed the appeals of My heart." "And you, dear souls, why this coldness and indifference on your part? ... Do I not know that family cares,... household concerns... and the requirements of your position in life.. make continual calls upon you? ... But cannot you spare a few minutes in which to come and prove your affection and your gratitude? ...spare a few minutes to visit and receive this Prisoner of Love! Come then to the One who is able to give both strength and health to your soul and bestow the alms of love on this Divine Prisoner who watches for you, calls for you and longs to see you at His side"
Our next Eucharistic Adoration will be on August 14 from 7am to 5pm in the cry room inside the church. Access to this cry room will be from outside the church NOT inside the church. Adoration will end at 5pm with Benediction.
Here is an agenda for the 10 hours.
7am - open for adoration
7am - open for adoration
7 to noon - adoration in silence
Noon - Angelus/rosary
1 - 3pm - adoration in silence
3pm - Divine Chaplet
3:30 - 4:30pm - adoration in silence
4:30pm - Benediction
Sign up here to spend time with Jesus on August 14th.
GIVING AT ST. THOMAS: Time, Talent and Treasure
Your continued support greatly helps us to live out the mission of the parish and of the Church, especially during these difficult times.
- TREASURE: Thank you for your on-going financial support! There are many ways to give: Offering envelopes, On-line recurring giving, and also through Benevity! If you work at Apple, you can give through the Benevity platform and Apple matches your donation to the parish. Let us know if your company has a giving/matching benefit. To access all our giving platforms, visit our parish website or click below.
- TIME and TALENT: Volunteers are needed to help with our outdoor Mass celebrations. There are many tasks; set up before Mass (Altar, equipment, chairs, camera, sound system), check-in of Mass attendees, check-in of "in-car" attendees, seating and sanitizing. Would you like to serve as a Lector, Eucharistic minister or Sacristan (prepare the Altar) or Usher? Prayerfully discern how you can serve. Training will be provided in all areas.
June is Internet Safety Month: Every June we celebrate Internet Safety Month. It's a great time to review our online behavior and identify ways we can use the internet in safer ways. These days, kids are online more than ever; for education, entertainment, and to socialize with friends. To support you and your family, we have chosen to highlight a few resources from our partners at VIRTUS and NetSmartz to help children of all ages stay safer online.
The Holy Father's Universal Prayer Intention for July:
Social Friendship
We pray that, in social, economic and political situations of conflict, we may be courageous and passionate architects of dialogue and friendship.
We pray that, in social, economic and political situations of conflict, we may be courageous and passionate architects of dialogue and friendship.
Please remember to keep all our seminarians in your prayers and to pray for vocations. Thank you for your donations to our matching vocations fund.
You are invited to pray the Rosary with us every evening, Monday through Friday from 7pm to 7:30pm via Zoom. Our group has been praying daily since the pandemic began. Let us continue to pray and offer our prayers to Mother Mary who intercedes for us.
INSTITUTE FOR LEADERSHIP MINISTRY (ILM) is accepting Nominations:
Do you have a call to the ministry of leadership within the Catholic Community? Do you currently participate in some form of pastoral ministry? Do you want to learn more and get skills to better serve your community? Explore the opportunities available at the ILM this year. ILM is accepting nominations for the academic year 2021-2022, classes begin September 2021. Please find the application forms on the ILM Admissions or bit.ly/ilm21-22.
Marriage Preparation Retreats:
The Diocese of San Jose offers English and Spanish Virtual Marriage Preparation retreats throughout the year. The retreats are one day. Visit the Marriage Prep webpage. Upcoming English Saturday Dates: Sept 18th and Nov 20th