A Message from Dee Bernhardt, Director of Campus Ministry
Happy Mothers’ Day to all of you who are mothers, godmothers, grandmothers, and spiritual mothers to so many individuals! In a very real sense, the Church acts in the capacity of a mother for each of us, providing sanctification, grace, and unconditional love as we learn to accept ourselves and others during our life journey. The Church raises up our beloved Mother Mary as a model of true motherhood, with all its joys and challenges, for us. We extend our warmest blessings to all of you!
Happy Graduation Weekend to our graduates, your friends, and families who are gathered here to celebrate a new beginning, stepping into the unknown adult and professional spaces of life. Special thanks to our Purdue faculty, staff, students, STA resident parishioners, and friends who have offered time, talent, and treasure to these students during their years with us. And prayerful gratitude to all of you, your parents, friends, and other supporters who have brought all of you to this moment of celebration for your engagement and presence with us!
We continue to walk with the apostles as they and their disciples are sent out into unknown territories to share the gospel, the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, and our salvation. In the first reading, we hear how Philip proclaims Christ to Samaria, bringing great joy through his ministry in Jesus’ Name. Peter and John, anointed to bring the Holy Spirit (like our priests), travel to the region to bring the sacrament of Baptism to those newly converted, and our psalm calls us to echo the joy of knowing Christ. When we pursue our goals and dreams, we too travel into unknown territories, showing others the path to salvation in Christ (like mothers and new professionals), bringing them to the Church so that they can experience the great love of God, which in turn brings them to wholeness in Christ.
In the first letter of Peter, he teaches us how, through lived faith and witness, we can continue this mission of sharing the good news of Jesus with others. He tells us, “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear…” going on to tell us, “…it is better to suffer for doing good if that be the will of God than for doing evil.” This advice rings true whether you are a parent, a teacher, a friend, a colleague, a graduate, a current student, or any other human being who strives to live a life of beauty, truth, and goodness.
In the gospel, Jesus reminds us that a life filled with faith, hope, and love – a life of Christian witness – also requires discipline. We have been given the commandments, the beatitudes, and our Catholic intellectual tradition to help safeguard our life journey. Jesus reminds us that he will not leave us orphans – the bond of love that connects the entire Trinity draws us in and keeps us close, despite our personal tendencies to wander. When we are tempted to believe that our flaws, faults, or failings are insurmountable, His love brings forgiveness and healing; He comes alongside us and companions us so that we can find even more fulfillment than we could ask or imagine!
Mothers cooperate with God in the particular gift of giving life through birth to children. No mother has all the answers or can possibly live up to the expectations of every child, spouse, and society. Yet, generation after generation, women step up in faith to accept and nurture little people who, formed by God, may be completely incomprehensible to them. Young adults enter the academy to learn concepts, theories, and practical applications which will serve the common good – investing years of their lives in mastering information that allow them to utilize their God-given aptitudes (or learn which aptitudes they do not possess) for the common good. With Jesus as our companion, the tasks at hand – daunting though they may appear – become possible, hopeful, and engaging.
This weekend involves looking back, savoring the present moment, and moving into the future. As we gather for these special celebrations, let’s remember to trust in Christ as our constant companion and the Church (through our priests and bishop) as our guide. With that trust, we can move forward in hope, find deepening joy and recognize how intimately connected we truly are in the family of God.
Happy Graduation Weekend to our graduates, your friends, and families who are gathered here to celebrate a new beginning, stepping into the unknown adult and professional spaces of life. Special thanks to our Purdue faculty, staff, students, STA resident parishioners, and friends who have offered time, talent, and treasure to these students during their years with us. And prayerful gratitude to all of you, your parents, friends, and other supporters who have brought all of you to this moment of celebration for your engagement and presence with us!
We continue to walk with the apostles as they and their disciples are sent out into unknown territories to share the gospel, the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, and our salvation. In the first reading, we hear how Philip proclaims Christ to Samaria, bringing great joy through his ministry in Jesus’ Name. Peter and John, anointed to bring the Holy Spirit (like our priests), travel to the region to bring the sacrament of Baptism to those newly converted, and our psalm calls us to echo the joy of knowing Christ. When we pursue our goals and dreams, we too travel into unknown territories, showing others the path to salvation in Christ (like mothers and new professionals), bringing them to the Church so that they can experience the great love of God, which in turn brings them to wholeness in Christ.
In the first letter of Peter, he teaches us how, through lived faith and witness, we can continue this mission of sharing the good news of Jesus with others. He tells us, “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear…” going on to tell us, “…it is better to suffer for doing good if that be the will of God than for doing evil.” This advice rings true whether you are a parent, a teacher, a friend, a colleague, a graduate, a current student, or any other human being who strives to live a life of beauty, truth, and goodness.
In the gospel, Jesus reminds us that a life filled with faith, hope, and love – a life of Christian witness – also requires discipline. We have been given the commandments, the beatitudes, and our Catholic intellectual tradition to help safeguard our life journey. Jesus reminds us that he will not leave us orphans – the bond of love that connects the entire Trinity draws us in and keeps us close, despite our personal tendencies to wander. When we are tempted to believe that our flaws, faults, or failings are insurmountable, His love brings forgiveness and healing; He comes alongside us and companions us so that we can find even more fulfillment than we could ask or imagine!
Mothers cooperate with God in the particular gift of giving life through birth to children. No mother has all the answers or can possibly live up to the expectations of every child, spouse, and society. Yet, generation after generation, women step up in faith to accept and nurture little people who, formed by God, may be completely incomprehensible to them. Young adults enter the academy to learn concepts, theories, and practical applications which will serve the common good – investing years of their lives in mastering information that allow them to utilize their God-given aptitudes (or learn which aptitudes they do not possess) for the common good. With Jesus as our companion, the tasks at hand – daunting though they may appear – become possible, hopeful, and engaging.
This weekend involves looking back, savoring the present moment, and moving into the future. As we gather for these special celebrations, let’s remember to trust in Christ as our constant companion and the Church (through our priests and bishop) as our guide. With that trust, we can move forward in hope, find deepening joy and recognize how intimately connected we truly are in the family of God.
Dee Bernhardt
Resources:
Prayer Intentions
To submit names for prayer intentions in the Bulletin, use this link or call the Parish Office at (765) 743-4652.
Announcements
Support to Bravely
Boilermakers for Life recently handed out baby bottle money collection banks after Mass to fundraise for Bravely Women's Health. Bravely provides women with free health and support services and helps them choose life for their unborn babies.If you took a bottle, be sure to bring it back to Mass THIS weekend, May 13 and 14. Boilermakers for Life members will be here to collect your bottles.
Mother's Day Brunch on May 14
Treat your mother, the mother of your children, or any of the mothers in your life with a delicious Mother's Day brunch this Sunday, May 14, from 9:00 to 11:15 a.m. in Newman Hall. Lovingly coordinated and prepared by the Men of St. Tom's (MoST), the brunch features five omelet stations, pancakes, bacon and sausage, breads and spreads, yogurt, fruit, juices, mimosas (21 and over!), and more. Mothers dine free. Suggested donation for their guests is $10/adult, $5/child (12 and under), toddlers free, and $20 max./immediate family.
Ice Cream Sundae Party for Sebastian Kenny
Friends of (Sebastian) Kenny and Annie Schap are hosting an ice cream sundae party to celebrate Kenny's completion of his doctoral degree program in biochemistry this Monday, May 15, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Siena Rooms (downstairs). All who know and want to celebrate with Kenny are invited! Kenny has served St. Tom's in many capacities over his undergraduate and graduate years at Purdue, including, most recently, as chair of our Pastorate Parish Council.
Parish Office Closed on May 17
Due to a St. Tom's all-staff in-service meeting, our Parish Office will be closed on Wednesday, May 17.
"No Regrets" Part 2: Preparing Yourself and Loved Ones for Survivorship
Death is a certainty. Make your preparations NOW to leave this life with no regrets. It's never too early or too late. Hosted by the Men of St. Tom's (MoST), this workshop series will prepare you and help your loved ones with the worldly implications of your departure. Seven weekly sessions take place on Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in Newman Hall. For questions, email most@boilercatholics.org. For session details and to register, visit www.boilercatholics.org/no-regrets
EMHC Training on May 20 and 21
The Precious Blood will be reintroduced during Holy Communion beginning with the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Corpus Christi Sunday, June 11. To prepare, training sessions for the current Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs) on distributing the Precious Blood and for new EMHCs will take place after the Saturday 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Mass on May 20 and after the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 21. For questions, email liturgy@boilercatholics.org.
Join Adoration on May 22
In preparation for the transition from the diocese- to parish-level of the Eucharistic Revival on June 11 (The Feast of Corpus Christi), each pastorate in the Diocese of Lafayette will hold a special Adoration. All are welcome to join St. Tom's for Adoration during Confession time on Monday, May 22, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. A group of student and resident parishioners has formed a committee to help plan events and activities to strengthen our parish’s love for the Eucharist over the next year. If you have a special love for the Eucharist and would like to help out, too, please email Jenny Bay at jbay@purdue.edu. For more information on the Eucharistic Revival, visit St. Tom's website or the National Eucharistic Revival website.
Coffee & Donut Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to continue Coffee and Donuts after 9:00 a.m. Mass during the summer months. If you can assist, please sign up on the sheet outside the kitchen door downstairs or email Judy@boilercatholics.org.
Honoring and Remembering Our Mothers
During the month of May, nine Masses are being offered at St. Tom's for our mothers, living and deceased. To submit names of the mothers and mother figures in your life, pick up the special envelopes in the pews or near the Mother Mary Statue to the right of the Altar in the Sanctuary. Donations are welcomed but not required for your intentions.
St. Tom's Parking Policy
Thank you for everyone’s patience with our newly enforced parking policy. If you are a resident parishioner who visits the church on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and have not picked up a St. Tom’s parking permit from the Parish Office, please do so to avoid receiving a Purdue parking ticket. For details, visit www.boilercatholics.org/news/parking.
Spotlight Ministry:
Fresh Market Food Pantry Volunteers
Kier Crites Muller, CEO and president of Food Finders Food Bank (FFFB), and her staff express their appreciation for all of its volunteers.
Barb Strausburger, St. Tom's parishioner and ministry lead, shares more about her experience volunteering for Fresh Market Food Pantry.
To volunteer, visit Food Finders or call Barb Strasburger (765) 426-0423
Did you know St Tom's has a ministry at the local food pantry? More than 20 St. Tom's parishioners share their time every Wednesday afternoon at Fresh Market Food Pantry through Food Finders Food Bank, Inc.
Food Finders Food Bank collaborates with other organizations to provide food for people in need and to educate, advocate, and address food insecurity in North Central Indiana. Volunteers are the heartbeat of this organization and are vital to its mission of fighting hunger in 16 counties.
More volunteers are needed, with the Purdue students leaving for the summer. Volunteers are not required to commit to every week. In addition, there are slots open on Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.St. Tom's summer hour shift is Wednesdays from 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Also, THIS Saturday, May 13, is the "Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive." Fresh Market's most needed food items include (no glass jars):
Canned meat
Canned Fruits and vegetables
Peanut Butter
Cereal
Pasta, rice
Macaroni and Cheese, boxed meals
Canned Soups
About The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive: The event is held in all 50 states every year on the second Saturday of May: on this day, mail carriers both deliver mail and collect food donations. It is held in May because most food banks face depletion in donations from the holiday season.
Congratulations 2023
Boiler Catholic Graduates!
Congratulations to all Boiler Catholics who are graduating this weekend! Thank you for being a part of the mission and ministries of St. Tom's and our faith community during your time at Purdue University. St. Tom's will continue to keep you in our prayers as you pursue your next Giant Leap in true Boiler Catholic and Boilermaker fashion! God bless you all!
At this morning's Baccalaureate Mass, Fr. Steve announced the 2023 recipient of the Davila Award -- Anushree (Anu) Ari. Annually, a graduating Boiler Catholic student is selected for this recognition in gratitude for their giving spirit to the furtherance of the mission and ministry of St. Tom's. A recent convert to Catholicism, Anu has taught vacation bible school, supported our OCIA and faith formation programming, and even served as an unofficial "Minnie Mouse" alongside St. Tom's live-in custodians, affectionately known as Church Mice. Anu has been a beacon of hospitality for visitors and parishioners, has a lovely smile to share, and she has volunteered many hours supporting our parish. St. Tom's is grateful for her quiet and caring leadership.
