A Message from Fr. Tom McDermott, OP
Part of the vision of the Uniting in Heart 2030 Pastoral Plan is to increase collaboration across the diocese while decreasing isolation among parishes, schools, and pastorates. Over the last two years, the Uniting in Heart plan has brought forth much fruit to our diocese and St. Tom’s, including the development of our three-year rolling pastoral plan, the establishment of the Pastorate Pastoral Council, and the ongoing formation of our clergy and staff leadership team—to name a few.
Helping pastors like myself develop our management and leadership capabilities gives me more time to focus on faith, liturgy, sacraments, and people. Making missionary disciples that will build the Kingdom of God! With these goals in mind, the Great Lafayette Central Administration Office (GLCAO) will begin offering shared services to the pastorates and the Catholic school system in Lafayette and West Lafayette in July.
Consistent with the objectives of Uniting in Heart, the Greater Lafayette Central Administration Office seeks to achieve the following objectives:
- To alleviate some of the daily business administration duties and responsibilities of pastors and the president of LCSS to allow more time for ministry and relationship building.
- To free pastors and the president from the daily demands and stress of human resource and administration issues.
- To remove the challenge of balancing the role of pastor and president, and human resource director for our staff.
- To employ subject matter experts at the GLCAO that ensure the highest quality services. These employees will also have a direct line into the bishop’s office for needed support and services. Some of these areas of expertise include:
- Accounting
- Payroll
- Human Resources
- Property & Facilities
While this change will take some time to transition and adapt to, I’m most excited for the opportunities that will result from its creation. By utilizing the GLCAO, we can share in managing and developing our financial, human, and physical resources across the Greater Lafayette area. In turn, we can better serve the People of God in our diocese by fostering a deeper, personal relationship with Jesus Christ in His Church for the salvation of souls.
Fr. Tom McDermott, OP
Missionary Pastor
P.S.
A note from St. Tom’s Facility Committee: “In 2019, ARSEE Engineers conducted a condition assessment of the exterior masonry, concrete beams, and roof structures of our building. Their report prioritized the need for the roof project that was completed in the spring of 2021. Repair & reinforcement of the deteriorated concrete beam that supports the brick apse wall behind the altar was identified as the next project that should be addressed. Cast-in-place concrete beams span across the basement level patio and support a portion of the sanctuary floor slab as well as the laid-in-place masonry of the apse wall. These beams span approximately thirty feet and frame into the concrete retaining walls serving the basement level patio and access stairways. Cracks and spalls within these beams are concentrated at the ends adjacent to the retaining walls. The damage to the concrete beams has not yet evolved to a critical condition, but this deterioration needed to be repaired sooner rather than later. The beam to retaining wall intersections are being reworked to reestablish the load transfer function of the connections by enlarging and reinforcing the corners of the retaining walls with haunches. The work should be completed by the end of July or the first week of August.” Estimated cost: $25,000.00.
P.S.S.
Plans are underway to renovate the photo display in the Gather Space of priests and religious who attended Purdue University. If you know of anyone who is not represented, please contact me at frtom@boilercatholics.org.
Fr. Tom McDermott, OP
Missionary Pastor
P.S.
A note from St. Tom’s Facility Committee: “In 2019, ARSEE Engineers conducted a condition assessment of the exterior masonry, concrete beams, and roof structures of our building. Their report prioritized the need for the roof project that was completed in the spring of 2021. Repair & reinforcement of the deteriorated concrete beam that supports the brick apse wall behind the altar was identified as the next project that should be addressed. Cast-in-place concrete beams span across the basement level patio and support a portion of the sanctuary floor slab as well as the laid-in-place masonry of the apse wall. These beams span approximately thirty feet and frame into the concrete retaining walls serving the basement level patio and access stairways. Cracks and spalls within these beams are concentrated at the ends adjacent to the retaining walls. The damage to the concrete beams has not yet evolved to a critical condition, but this deterioration needed to be repaired sooner rather than later. The beam to retaining wall intersections are being reworked to reestablish the load transfer function of the connections by enlarging and reinforcing the corners of the retaining walls with haunches. The work should be completed by the end of July or the first week of August.” Estimated cost: $25,000.00.
P.S.S.
Plans are underway to renovate the photo display in the Gather Space of priests and religious who attended Purdue University. If you know of anyone who is not represented, please contact me at frtom@boilercatholics.org.
Fr. Tom McDermott, OP
Resources:
Livestream Mass @ 9AM (Note: Livestream Mass is NOT recorded for later viewing.)
Sunday Bulletin
Readings: The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Faith Direct e-giving
Parish Calendar
Parish Website
Announcements
Please note that there will be NO Sunday 10:00 a.m. confessions this Sunday, July 31.
Priests v. Seminarians Softball Game on July 30
The priests and seminarians have entered their spring training a little late this year as they prepare to face each other at the Priest vs. Seminarian Softball Game tomorrow (Saturday, July 30), at the Kokomo Municipal Stadium. Gather with other parish families for a fun night at the ballpark. Among the players will be our own Fr. Ben Keller, OP!
Food Pantry, Mother Teresa Collections this weekend
This weekend is our monthly collection for the ACE Food Pantry, AND our second collection will benefit the Mother Teresa Fund, which offers rent and utility aid to community members in need. Your generosity is always appreciated, especially at this time as our number of applicants for Mother Teresa funds has significantly increased.
Coffee and Donuts
Everyone is invited for coffee and donuts downstairs in Newman Hall immediately after 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Mass this Sunday. We are also in need of volunteers for set-up. Please sign up on the sheet outside the kitchen door if you can assist. For questions, email Judy@boilercatholics.org.
Theology on Tap is Tuesday
Enjoy great company and discussion at this Tuesday’s Theology on Tap. John Strong will share some thoughts on St. Augustine of Hippo in his presentation titled “Late Have I loved you.” Gather at 7:00 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room at Harry’s Chocolate Shop.
Baccalaureate Mass is Friday
We will celebrate our August graduates THIS Friday, Aug. 5, at 11:30 a.m. with Baccalaureate Mass. Graduates, come in your regalia and with our friends and family. A reception will take place after Mass in the Gather Space.
Prayer Intentions
In order to make room for new intentions, the list of individuals in the weekly bulletin was recently removed. If individuals on the former list still need our prayers, please resubmit their names using this link or call the Parish Office at (765) 743-4652.
Lay Dominicans welcome all to Aug. 6 Prayer Meeting
Is God calling you deeper into the holy preaching with the witness of your life through prayer, study, community, and ministry? In joyful anticipation of the Feast of St. Dominic (August 8), all are welcome to visit the St. Mary Magdalene chapter meeting of Lay Dominicans at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6, in Room 22 (upstairs). A Dominican Rosary at 9:00 a.m. will be followed by morning prayer, a shared reflection and discussion on Sunday’s gospel of St. Dominic's Way of Life, and more. After the meeting, the group will celebrate the rite of initiation for a new member at 11:30 a.m. Daily Mass. For more information, contact Julie Krogmeier, jck89@comcast.net, or Kim Padan, berlycece@gmail.com.
Experience Worship @ St. Rita's & Holy Angels in Indy
Experience the richness of the African American style of worship. St. Tom's Racial Equality & Justice (RE&J) group cordially invites you to join them for Sunday Mass at two predominantly African American Catholic Churches in Indianapolis this summer. The RE&J Group will travel for Sunday Mass on July 24, August 14, and 21 at the following locations:
St. Rita Catholic Church (11:00 a.m. Mass), 1733 Dr. Andrew J Brown Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Holy Angels Catholic Church (9:30 a.m. Mass), 740 W 28th St, Indianapolis, IN 46208
For more information or to join the group in attendance, email Zelda Flye at zmflye@purdue.edu. Please include the date you can travel and the Church you would like to attend. Also, please include “Trip to Indianapolis” in the subject line of your email.
Hunger Hike slated for September 18
Help the fight against hunger in our community as a walker and donor for Lafayette Urban Ministry's Hunger Hike 2022 on Saturday, Sept. 18. A portion of proceeds also benefit St. Tom’s ministries in Haiti. Click here to join St. Tom's team or make a donation. For more information on Hunger Hike, visit the LUM website.
SAVE THE DATE! Blockbuster Weekend
Friday, August 26 to Sunday, August 28 is our annual Blockbuster “Welcome Back” Weekend. In addition to yard games, dinners, a parish picnic, and Mass on the Grass is YOUR chance to learn more about St. Tom’s and its many long-standing and new ministries. The Boiler Catholics Ministry Fair AND the “Engage Your Faith” information tables will take place that Sunday. More information to come!
