A Message from the Pastor
Today is the solemnity of Pentecost. Far from being a mere addendum to Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, Pentecost is the high point where all the events of his life are pointed. It is on this day that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, revealed him to the world. The Spirit also comes to strip away from us all that is false and contradictory so that we can be united with him. The Spirit makes Christ present in us and others; it also makes Christ present in the Eucharist. In the coming of the Holy Spirit, Jesus has wonderfully fulfilled his promise not to leave us orphans. He is just as present today as he was when he walked this earth. Those who pray know this to be true. Pentecost is the end of the Easter celebration.
I want to thank everyone who prayed for Fr. Steve and myself, sent cards, or helped put together the little reception for our 30th and 40th anniversaries of ordination on May 9 after the mid-day Mass. Special thanks go to Mary King and Julie Krogmeier. It’s true: St. Tom’s is a friendly parish.
Here’s some good news: on May 20, Dominicans Peter Lewitsky and Jordan McGuire were ordained priests in St. Louis. Also ordained to the diaconate was Dominican Matthew Paul Grote, a native of Lafayette and former member of St. Boniface parish. I’m happy to announce that Fr. Peter has been assigned to St. Tom’s for his first assignment and is due to arrive on June 23. More about him later.
Have you seen the small wall retaining wall on the Marsteller side of St. Tom’s? It was designed by our Facilities Committee, who also brought in a lot of soil and mulch for new plants. There was a lot of muscle work involved, and we’re also grateful to the many resident and student parishioners who helped.
The Men of St. Tom’s (MoST) and their friends once again hosted our Mother’s Day breakfast in Newman Hall. The food was scrumptious, with many different kinds of omelets as well as pancakes, biscuits and gravy, fruit, and more. It was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun. I was happy to meet many of our new parishioners over a cup of coffee. Thank you, MoST! Remember: The more parishioners you meet, the happier you’ll be at St. Tom’s.
I’m sorry that I haven’t given an update on our donation drive to buy a slightly used van/bus for St. Tom’s. We reached and even exceeded our goal by $8,000. The reason I said nothing up until now is that I had hoped to have the vehicle car wrapped in colorful plastic publicizing St. Tom’s. I’m told that the job will be taken care of soon. In the meanwhile, the blue van can be seen parked on the east side of the church. St. Tom’s, and myself in particular, are grateful to all those who made contributions to this project.
Fr. Tom McDermott, OP
Fr. Tom McDermott, OP
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
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.
"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
Spiritual Restorative Yoga starts June 5
All are welcome (both men and women) to Spiritual Restorative Yoga on Mondays, June 5, July 10, and August 7, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Siena Rooms (downstairs). Integrate prayer with core strengthening, stretching, and functional movements to nourish your body and soul. Bring your mat and a $5 donation. Sessions are being led by Amy Strasburger. For questions, email Monica Waters at monica@watersfamily.com.
New Parishioner Welcome on June 11
All new resident and student parishioners to St. Tom's are invited to join the New Parishioner Welcome Reception on Sunday, June 11, after 11:15 a.m. Mass (about 12:30 p.m.) in Room 3. Meet the priests and staff of St. Tom's and other new parishioners. Learn more about the parish, including a building tour and the many programs and ministries to support your faith. Babysitting is available for families (with snacks for the children), and heavy appetizers will be served during the reception. Please RSVP to Georgana Finn at dfinn98798@gmail.com or by text at (240) 393-8182. We can't wait to meet you! Note: If you have been attending St. Tom's but haven't registered yet, we encourage you to do so on the parish 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.
Volunteer Receptionists at St. Tom’s
Do you have two or three hours twice a month you’d like to donate to St. Tom’s as a volunteer receptionist? There are openings to fill, especially morning and Friday afternoon timeslots. For more information, please contact Mary Riehle by calling the parish office on weekday afternoons or by emailing Mary@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.
Virtual Viewing of "The Letter" Next Tuesday
As a continuation of our Catholic Social Teaching on "Care for God's Creation" and the presentation by Boiler Catholic Alumnus John Mundell on the Pope's Laudato Si, please consider participation in RENEW's virtual viewing of The Letter, a film by the Laudato Si' Movement featuring Pope Francis and five leaders representing indigenous people, youth, those living in poverty, and those concerned with protecting the wildlife of our planet. The film includes exclusive dialogue with the Pope and focuses on how spiritual values can unite us in the face of a planetary emergency. The virtual view takes place next Tuesday, May 23 at 2:00 p.m. ET. There is no cost. View the movie trailer for more about "The Letter," and click HERE to register NOW for the second installment in Renew International's webinar series about caring for creation!
Join Adoration on Monday
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 this 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.
Join us for Vacation Bible Camp, June 5 to 9!
Join us this summer for an out-of-this-world adventure with Jesus! Vacation Bible Camp will be offered from Monday, June 5, to Friday, June 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (concluding Friday after Daily Mass). There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Sign up by Monday, May 29. Download your registration form below or pick up a paper copy in the Gather Space. For questions, email Carolyn McKinnis.
Jubilee Christmas 2023
St. Tom’s Jubilee Christmas Chair
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 past year, St. Tom’s served 50 families with a total of 125 children. Long-time Purdue employee and St. Tom’s parishioner Karissa Raderstorf has kindly offered to lead the 2023 Jubilee Christmas ministry at St. Tom’s. To assist Karissa with this year’s planning, please contact her by email at kraderstorf@purdue.edu.
