A message from Fr. Brent Bowen, OP
Dear friends,
Blessed Advent to all of you. In these early days of the season, there is a temptation to focus on some of the more popular themes of Advent: expectation, awaiting the birth of Christ, etc. However, the themes suggested by the readings and prayers for today’s Mass are similar to those we saw from last week’s feast of Christ the King:
- God’s promise
- Vigilance in the face of adversity
- The coming of the Son of Man at the end times
Admittedly, these themes have a very different character, but we are nonetheless invited to pray and reflect on them.
Take the Collect for today’s mass as an example, “Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom.” This is a beautiful prayer. We are exhorted to run forth to meet Jesus with lives marked by joy and zeal, exemplified through righteous deeds. Righteousness suggests right relationships and implies that our deeds uphold the dignity and value of everyone we meet. Likewise, in the second reading for today, St. Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to make sure their conduct corresponds to their faith. Living in a right manner leads us to grow in love for God and our neighbor. We can ask ourselves: in my relationship with God and others, do my actions correspond to my faith?
It would also be good to reflect on the violet color that prevails in Advent. Few people think of Advent as a penitential season, yet it is. The season invites us to ask ourselves, “Where do we still need Jesus, our savior, and redeemer, to enter in and purify our hearts?” Consider taking advantage of our numerous opportunities for reconciliation this season.
I pray that these early days of Advent will be a time of quiet, joyful reflection for you and your family.
In Christ,
Fr. Brent Bowen, O.P
Parochial Vicar and Director of Evangelization
Fr. Brent Bowen, OP
Mass Resources:
Livestream Mass @ 9AM (Note: Livestream Mass is NOT recorded for later viewing.)
Sunday Bulletin (PDF)
Readings: The First Sunday of Advent
Faith Direct e-giving
Pastorate Vision Plan
This Sunday, Nov. 28 is the soft deadline to apply for a Pastoral Planning Team. To learn more about the St. Tom's Pastoral Plan, the teams being formed, and how to apply, visit https://www.boilercatholics.org/pastorate-plan. Also, the attachment below provides a general description of each Pastorate Plan Team and how you can become involved because "It starts with YOU!."
Announcements
Advent Preparation web page
In anticipation of the Christmas season, a web page has been created to house all of St. Tom's Advent activities and resources for parishioners. Visit www.boilercatholics.org/advent.
St. Tom's Advent Mission: "Journey to Forgiveness"
The all-parish Advent Mission entitled “Journey to Forgiveness,” starts this Monday, Nov. 29, and will meet for three successive evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Church. Brother Zachary Wilberding, a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, will lead the mission. All parish activities have been canceled on these evenings to enable all student and resident parishioners, staff, and clergy to attend.
Las Posadas to be celebrated December 3
A Mexican tradition during Advent is our Las Posadas celebration, which commemorates Joseph and Mary’s search for a place where the Christ child could be born. Bridges of Hospitality and Hispanic Catholics will co-host this celebration for all of St. Tom’s on Friday, Dec. 3 at 6:00 p.m. in Newman Hall. All are welcome!
Advent Wreath Workshop & Blessing
A reminder to all who signed up for St. Tom's annual Advent Wreath Workshop and Blessing that it will take place this Sunday, Nov. 28 at 4:00 p.m. in Newman Hall. You may want to bring pruning clippers with you. Bring a dozen cookies to share, and cider will be provided. Email Carolyn McKinnis with any questions.
Support for the Puerto Rico Mission Trip
Our Puerto Rico Mission trip group is raising funds for their December trip by doing yard work for parishioners. Please email frbrent@boilercatholics.org for available dates. Or, if you would like to make a general donation to the trip, grab an envelope from the Mission Bus display or insert your credit card into the Tap Tap in the Gather Space after Mass.
Christmas Season Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) 5:30 and 10:00 p.m.
Christmas Day (Dec. 25) 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Feast of the Holy Family (Dec. 26) 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Jan. 1) 11:00 a.m.
Solemnity of the Epiphany (Jan. 1) 5:30 p.m., (Jan. 2) 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Jan. 8) 5:30 p.m., (Jan. 9) 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.
Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule at St. Tom's
In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Church Office is closed Thursday and Friday this week. On Thanksgiving Day, there will be no confessions, and Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m.
No Coffee & Donuts
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, coffee and donuts will NOT be served after 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Mass this weekend.
Volunteer Opportunities for Jubilee Christmas
St. Tom's is a long-standing partner of Lafayette Urban's Ministry's Jubilee Christmas program providing Christmas gifts for families with children 12 and under who are experiencing financial hardship. This year, St. Tom’s will serve 46 families with a total of 99 children.
Ways to help out:
Assist with set up on Monday, Dec. 6 to Friday, Dec. 10.Sign up online.
Serve as a runner or host for Jubilee Christmas (Friday, Dec. 10 and/or Saturday, Dec. 11). Sign up online.
Provide a monetary donation by check or cash at the Church Office or online through Faith Direct.
Provide gifts for a family. As a supplement to gifts already brought in, each family has been contacted to determine their specific needs that will be listed on tags hanging from a Christmas tree at the Church starting this Saturday, Nov. 13. Take a tag, fulfill the gift request, and bring the items to the Church Office.
For questions, email jubilee@boilercatholics.org.
November is Black Catholic History Month
During Black Catholic History Month, St. Tom’s Racial Equality and Justice Group invites you to learn more about the cause of the Canonization of six people of color. A limited number of prayer cards for each of these persons are available in the Gather Space. Learn more about them in the October 18 edition of the Catholic Moment.
Family Promise Week - Dec. 6 to 11
St. Tom's next Family Promise volunteer week is Dec. 6 to 11. If you are a trained volunteer, please look for the Sign Up Genius invite directly from Sign Up Genius or Flocknote.For more information on St. Tom's support to Family Promise, visit https://www.boilercatholics.org/family-promise
Thank you so much for your support of this ministry.
Support the Mission and Ministries of Boiler Catholics
LAST Chance to purchase your raffle ticket to win $25,000, $15,000, or $10,000! Boiler Catholics will be selling tickets after all weekend Masses! The cost is $100 per ticket. The drawing is THIS Sunday, Nov. 28!
License #011405
Deadlines to Purchase Tickets:
- Mass Sales: BEFORE the drawing on Sunday, Nov. 28
- Online: Online sales close at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 28.
Purchase your raffle tickets online, AND before or after weekend Masses until the drawing on Sunday, Nov. 28 after the 11:00 a.m. Mass.
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.
Expansion of the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program
Nearly 80 percent of Hoosier families are now eligible for the Indiana Choice Scholarship program, which offsets tuitions costs to eligible Indiana students at participating K-12 schools, including Lafayette Catholic School System.
- Take a survey to see if your family qualifies.
- Read more in the attached document.
- Attend 9:00 a.m. Mass this Sunday. Mike Seeley and Julie Smith from Lafayette Catholic School System will be in the Gather Space after the 9:00 a.m. Mass to answer your questions.