A Message from the Pastor
In my 39 years of being a priest, it seems that about once a year, I find it necessary to talk about money. At my last Chicago assignment, I apologized each time before making my annual pitch until one of our parishioners stopped me after Mass and said “Father, you never have to apologize for talking once a year about money.” This parishioner had departed for several years from the Catholic Church to attend a mega-church and had recently returned. She explained, “In my former church, they talked about it EVERY Sunday!”
Next weekend, February 5-6, every adult at all Masses will be asked to make a financial pledge to support our Diocese of Lafayette and its many ministries, including St. Tom’s campus ministry. Formerly called “Fruitful Harvest,” it has been renamed the “Catholic Ministries Appeal.” I’ll share more about it in my homily at all the Masses then, but I’d like to share a few thoughts with you in advance.
We are blessed with a diocese and parish community that wholeheartedly supports our mission of campus ministry. In addition, St. Tom’s receives centralized administrative, human resource, and technology support from the Diocese of Lafayette, reducing the costs to operate our parish. Based on the Diocese’s available budget, a grant is extended annually to campus ministry sites within the Diocese, including St. Tom’s. In 2022, the Diocese has allocated $183,400 to St. Tom’s. This generous grant allows St. Tom’s to offer 30-plus student-centric ministries and spiritual programs that reach 3,000+ (and potentially 10,000+ Catholic students at Purdue University) each year.
In response to the requests of priests and laypeople, the financial formula used to calculate each parish’s goal has changed for this coming year and is based on our weekly collection income; therefore, our goal is $129,203. This goal is highly attainable, given last year’s pledge amount of $187,425 and fulfilled pledges of $145,716.
Your financial gift of any size impacts our Diocese and St. Tom’s. Please never underestimate the impact of your contribution, especially the collective effort of our parish community. Below is a soundbite from one Purdue student who attributes the St. Tom’s community as his means back to the faith.
“Once upon a time, there was a Purdue student-athlete. He’d always known God, believed that he could learn more, feel more, do more. He also grew up in a beautiful support system deeply rooted in faith. But once he left that support system, he lost his way. But he was fortunate and blessed enough to find St. Tom’s … that family, that support system again, and he was brought back into the fold. He experienced beautiful things here. Everyone should. My journey with God continues here and my chance to give back through a staff position funded by some gracious supporters of St. Tom’s.”
– Malcolm Dotson, associate campus minister, and Purdue graduate student
I am sure that there are hundreds, even thousands, more stories like Malcolm Dotson’s. You can hear Malcolm’s full testimony within the “College Campus Ministry” video on the CMA website.
In the days leading up to next weekend, prayerfully consider that amount you’d like to give in support of the Catholic Ministries Appeal. Thank you.
Fr. Tom McDermott
Missionary Pastor
Fr. Tom McDermott, OP
About the Email Header Image:
February is Black History Month. In honor of our black brothers and sisters, a large banner of this Blessed Virgin Mary image, painted by artist Anthony Van Arsdale for the National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC), will be installed in the church. NBCC has kindly permitted its reproduction for St. Tom’s.
Mass Resources:
Livestream Mass @ 9AM (Note: Livestream Mass is NOT recorded for later viewing.)
Sunday Bulletin: January 30, 2022
Readings: The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Faith Direct e-giving
Masks Required - All Masses
Due to the increased infection rates of COVID-19, St. Tom's has reinstated the mask requirement policy for all Masses.
Prayer Intentions
To submit a prayer for someone in need to be included in the Bulletin and the Prayer of the Faithful for weekend Mass, visit bit.ly/StTomsPrayerIntention.
Announcements
Liturgical Ministry Training Takes Place Saturday
Liturgical Ministry Training is scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 29) from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. for those interested in becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Lector/Reader, Sacristan, or Altar Server. Meet in the Church. For questions, email liturgy@boilercatholics.org or visit www.boilercatholics.org/liturgical-ministries.
Salsa Dance Slated for this Saturday
Join us this Saturday, Jan. 29, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. for some Salsa Dancing! Participants of the Puerto Rico Mission trip this past Christmas and Hispanic Catholics are teaming up to put on a night filled with dancing and, of course, Salsa and Chips. There will be a free-will donation as admission to raise funds to restore the chapel in Puerto Rico! Don't know how to dance? Don't worry; we have many people willing to teach you!
CYA Potluck cheduled for Saturday evening
Catholic Young Adults will host its January potluck this Saturday, Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 3 (downstairs.) Join professional young adults and graduate students for good food and fellowship!
Theology on Tap Returns Tuesday
Theology on Tap at Harry’s Chocolate Shop returns this Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 7:00 p.m. Enjoy a brew and learn a thing or two about God with a presentation on “Spiritual Gifts” provided by Fr. Brent Bowen, OP.
Spring Break Mission Trip Application Reopened
We have room for a few more Spring Break Mission Trip participants, so apply on the St. Tom's website by this Tuesday, Feb. 1. A participant meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in Newman Hall.
Coffee and Donut Volunteers Needed
We are still in need of a few volunteers to help continue our long-standing coffee and donuts tradition after 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Mass. If you can assist, please sign-up downstairs in Newman Hall or email Judy@boilercatholics.org.
Hats and Gloves Collection for the Homeless
The Compassion Council for LTHC Homeless Services is collecting adult hats and gloves through this Monday, Jan. 31. You can drop off your donations in the collection box outside the Church Office. For questions, contact parishioners Nancy Piggott or Teresa Cecil. Thank you for your generosity!
Register for "Open Wide Our Hearts"
Join a loving conversation about racism in our society by registering for the “Open Wide Our Hearts” sessions on Tuesday, Feb. 8 and 15 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 3. A virtual attendance option through Zoom is available too. We will meet and converse as God’s children sharing our hospitality, thoughts, and feelings in an atmosphere of warm fellowship. Conversations will come from a desire to create the future we long to see. The moderated conversations, led by St. Tom’s Racial Equality and Justice Group, center around the 2018 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) pastoral letter on the topic of racism entitled“Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love.” The sign-up form to attend is on the Racial Equality and Justice webpage.
Buy Your Spaghetti Dinner Tickets after Mass
The Knights of Columbus Spaghetti Dinner is next Sunday, Feb. 6, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church. Knights from the 4th degree are selling tickets in the Gather Space after Mass this weekend. Proceeds benefit college scholarship(s) for two high school seniors of the Catholic Faith. The cost for advance tickets is $8 for adults, $6 for children under 10, and $20 for a family. Tickets sold at the door cost $10 per adult, $6 per child under 10, and $25 per family. The meal includes spaghetti, salad, bread, and drinks.
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.
