A Message from Fr. Luan Pho, OP
I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed to the Hunger Hike campaign. We did it; we met our goal! Seeing so many people respond to our efforts to help the poor is touching and exciting. May God repay you for your generosity.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the story of a rich man who dined sumptuously each day. Lying at his door was a very poor man named Lazarus, who would be happy just to eat the scraps falling from the rich man’s table. Nothing is shocking about that – at least not to the people living at the time of Jesus. The rich man probably accumulated his wealth in a fair way – Jesus did not say otherwise – so why should he not enjoy life? And many people would say that he was under no obligation to help Lazarus. What is shocking is the reversed fortune that Jesus depicted for those two men in the afterlife. Lazarus now has it very good, while the rich man now lives in a tormented state.
Western civilization was not the way it is now. Before the arrival of Jesus and Christianity, everyone believed that a person was born into a certain class. It was customary for the people to look down upon those at the bottom of society. For example, in Hellenistic society, a Greek word for a lowborn is kakos, which means bad, evil, and worthless. There was no obligation for people at the top of society to help those at the bottom. Jesus came and radically changed our world. He said that we are not allowed to be indifferent to those suffering or end up like the rich man whose only apparent sin was indifference to Lazarus.
Our country, the United States of America, is greatly influenced by Christian morality. That’s why people want to come here, many from places that still practice caste system or are under totalitarianism.
The American dream is that if you work hard, you will be successful. A person may be a lowborn, “untouchable” class member in her native land, where she can only receive elementary education. Still, in this country, she has the opportunity to reach her full potential. Christian morality urges us not to turn a blind eye to those in need.
We must help the newcomers to our country. At the same time, we realize that what makes this country attractive is its values.
We expect people who come here to follow our laws and practice our values. It does not make sense for one to flee his country just to come here and turn this place into the country he had fled from. Therefore, in helping those in need, we should not shy from presenting and living our values. That means Christian morality or the Gospel culture is something we should safeguard and preach to everyone.
Fr. Luan Pho, OP
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the story of a rich man who dined sumptuously each day. Lying at his door was a very poor man named Lazarus, who would be happy just to eat the scraps falling from the rich man’s table. Nothing is shocking about that – at least not to the people living at the time of Jesus. The rich man probably accumulated his wealth in a fair way – Jesus did not say otherwise – so why should he not enjoy life? And many people would say that he was under no obligation to help Lazarus. What is shocking is the reversed fortune that Jesus depicted for those two men in the afterlife. Lazarus now has it very good, while the rich man now lives in a tormented state.
Western civilization was not the way it is now. Before the arrival of Jesus and Christianity, everyone believed that a person was born into a certain class. It was customary for the people to look down upon those at the bottom of society. For example, in Hellenistic society, a Greek word for a lowborn is kakos, which means bad, evil, and worthless. There was no obligation for people at the top of society to help those at the bottom. Jesus came and radically changed our world. He said that we are not allowed to be indifferent to those suffering or end up like the rich man whose only apparent sin was indifference to Lazarus.
Our country, the United States of America, is greatly influenced by Christian morality. That’s why people want to come here, many from places that still practice caste system or are under totalitarianism.
The American dream is that if you work hard, you will be successful. A person may be a lowborn, “untouchable” class member in her native land, where she can only receive elementary education. Still, in this country, she has the opportunity to reach her full potential. Christian morality urges us not to turn a blind eye to those in need.
We must help the newcomers to our country. At the same time, we realize that what makes this country attractive is its values.
We expect people who come here to follow our laws and practice our values. It does not make sense for one to flee his country just to come here and turn this place into the country he had fled from. Therefore, in helping those in need, we should not shy from presenting and living our values. That means Christian morality or the Gospel culture is something we should safeguard and preach to everyone.
Fr. Luan Pho, OP
Fr. Luan Pho, OP
Resources:
Livestream Mass @ 9AM (Note: Livestream Mass is NOT recorded for later viewing.)
Sunday Bulletin
Readings: The Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Faith Direct e-giving
Parish Calendar
Parish Website
Prayer Intentions
To submit names for prayer intentions in the Bulletin, use this link or call the Parish Office at (765) 743-4652.
Announcements
St. Tom's celebrates Purdue Homecoming
Our 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass before the game this Saturday will include a special blessing for our Boiler Catholic alumni. Alums are encouraged to pick up a spirit item from our Homecoming table in the Gather Space. Also, if you need a shirt for the game, our Boiler Catholics "Hail Mary. Hail Purdue" shirts will be on sale in the Gather Space after Mass for $5 each. In addition, be sure to look for our Boiler Catholic students participating in the Homecoming parade tonight (Friday at 8:00 p.m.) Visit boilercatholics.org/homecoming for information and a link to game tickets.
No Popcorn Sales this Weekend
The Boy Scouts Troop 303 was scheduled to sell popcorn this Sunday, but they will not be here due to illness.
Liturgical Ministry Training on October 2
A training session for ALL liturgical ministries will be offered after 11:15 a.m. Mass next Sunday, Oct. 2. Volunteers are needed for all roles — Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC), Lector/Reader, Sacristan, and Altar Server. Both new and experienced volunteers must attend the session if they have not already participated in a fall training session.
Note: EMHCs and Sacristans who have not trained or retrained this fall will not be scheduled after October 15. For questions, email liturgy@boilercatholics.org.
Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
Graduate students, young adults, and resident parishioners are welcome to attend a call out to learn about and possibly begin a year-long journey with the Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life. This long retreat runs from September through May, with weekly prayer assignments and accountability. Join Dee in the Conference Room on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 7:00 p.m. to learn more about this opportunity.
Assist the Elderly in our Community
Caregiver Companion is a local non-profit ministry that assists elderly community members with non-medical volunteer help throughout Tippecanoe County. They are in great need of volunteers and are looking to recruit more. If you can assist them, call (765) 423-1879 or email office@caregivercompanion.org. You can also learn more about Caregiver Companion by attending our next Catholic Social Teaching session on “Call to Community, Family, and Participation on Monday, Oct. 3, at 7:00 p.m. in Newman Hall. Caregiver’s executive director, Erica Stephen, will share information about their organization as the presenter for the evening. Also, St. Tom’s will assist CC clients during the organization’s annual “Make a Difference Day” on Saturday, Oct. 22.
Mother Teresa Fund, ACE Food Pantry Collections
Next weekend is the first Sunday of the month when we collect items for the campus food pantry. Items can be placed in the southeast corner of the sanctuary. The second collection will benefit our Mother Teresa Fund, assisting community members needing rent and utility assistance. Donations can be made through Faith Direct, by mail, or by placing them in the second collection basket at Mass. Thank you for your generosity!
Theology on Tap Topic for October: “Reflections on the Rosary”
Enjoy great company and a discussion about the Holy Rosary with Bill Strasburger, parishioner and Vietnam Veteran, and Boiler Catholic students on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the upstairs room at Harry's Chocolate Shop.
Wisdom Books of the Bible Study
Join Fr. Luan Pho, OP as we read, study, and pray with the Wisdom books of the Bible starting on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 6:00 p.m.in Room 3. Meetings will take place on the second and fourth Tuesdays until May 2023. If you do not have a Bible, one will be provided for you to use during the session. For more information or to sign up, email John@boilercatholics.org.
Sign up to help Food Finders
St. Tom's is beginning a ministry of volunteers to assist our local Food Finders food pantry. Food Finders annually serves 75,000 people from Tippecanoe and 16 nearby counties and relies heavily on volunteers. St. Tom’s hopes to staff a shift that requires eight volunteers. Market hours starting September 6 are:
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: First shift (12:45 - 3:45 PM) and Second shift (3:30 - 6:30 PM)
Wednesday: First shift (12:45 - 3:45 PM) and Second shift (3:30 - 6:30 PM)
Thursday: First shift (12:45 - 3:45 PM) and Second shift (3:30 - 6:30 PM)
Friday: First shift (12:45 - 3 PM) and Second shift (2:45 - 5 PM)
Saturday: First shift (9:45 AM - 12 PM) and Second shift (11:45 AM - 2 PM)
Sunday: CLOSED
Depending on the number of volunteers (BOTH resident and student parishioners), St. Tom’s could staff one shift per month or even once a week. If you would like to volunteer or have questions, please contact Barb Strasburger at
bbstras@comcast.net or call 765-426-0423.
St. Tom’s Service Day next Saturday
Hand's and Feet of Christ ministry is hosting a parish-wide service day on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 8:00 a.m. to Noon. There are a variety of projects both inside and outside the church and rectory, including a huge landscaping project on State Street. All help would be greatly appreciated. There will be both indoor and outdoor projects available. Pizza for lunch will be provided! Sign up online to help out. For questions, email Lily Shafer
St. Francis Pet Blessing on October 2
Attention Rover, Fido, Fuzzy, and Tweety: All animals are welcome to attend a blessing in celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi next Sunday, Oct. 2, at 4:30 p.m. in the back parking lot. Please bring caged or leashed pets only.
Support LTHC's Socktober
With cold weather coming, LTHC Homeless Services is seeking donations of new adult socks for its annual Socktober initiative during October, and St. Tom's is a collection point. You can also donate men's boxers (sizes S-L) and women's underwear (sizes 5-8) and sports bras. If you would like to support this initiative, drop off your donation in the "Socktober" collection bin, located just outside the Church Office.
Support LTHC's Socktober
With cold weather coming, LTHC Homeless Services is seeking donations of new adult socks for its annual Socktober initiative in October, and St. Tom's is a collection location. You can also donate men's boxers (sizes S-L), women's underwear (sizes 5-8), and sports bras. If you would like to support this initiative, drop off your donation in the "Socktober" collection bin just outside the Church Office.
