A Blessing of the Animals, Sacramental Celebrations, Faith Formation for Children and Adults
Week of September 28, 2020
Our Evening of Praise and Worship with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Dear Faithful Parishioners of St. Thomas of Canterbury,
It has been a great joy seeing some of our families able to attend Mass again. Your presence brings life to the parish as I have shared with some families. Speaking of life and joy, we also welcome baby Elijah Arant into the Body of Christ, the Church. We pray and thank God for all of you and your health.
Our Youth Praise and Worship evening was a success as we prayed for our young people in this time of transitioning into schools and adjusting to the new normal. I would like to give a shout out to all of our dedicated youth and young adults: Marie McCarthy, Christine and Brian Nguyen, Vincent Nghiem, Benjamin and Daniel Noel, Paul Maruthanayagam and Rina Weaver. Thanks also to our Youth Director, Lucy Chai.
This coming Sunday, October 4 is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, so the parish will have a Blessing of Animals at 11am, after our 10am Mass, in the parking lot, where we have our regular outdoor Mass. Looking forward to seeing you and your beloved pets.
Thank you as always for your support of our parish with your presence at Mass, with your prayers and with your Sunday offering whether in person, dropped off or processed online. Thank you also for sharing your resources for the Second Collections: Holy Land ($290) and Mission Co-op in India ($1,583). This weekend's Second Collection will be for the Holy Father’s mission, “Peter Pence.” Please help our Pope Francis with this special second collection this weekend. Thank you for joining me in this cause.
With prayers,
Fr. Andrew
Sacramental Celebrations
WE congratulate and welcome baby Elijah Arant to the family of God!
Elijah was baptized this past Saturday. May the Lord bless Elijah and his parents, Adam & Johanna as they raise him in the faith and
may the community of St. Thomas faithfully support them!
Our celebrations of First Holy Communion continue this weekend! Congratulations to Audrey Allen and Anna Henry who have now joined us at the Table of the Lord!
Dylan was not able to receive his First Holy Communion this past Sunday as his grandmother, Jackie Curtin passed away on this same day. May Jackie rest in peace. Let us pray for the Curtin family at this time.
Upcoming celebrations:
Saturday, October 3 at the 5:15pm Mass: Kendra Kuwada will be welcomed to the Table of the Lord!
Bless your pets! This coming Sunday, October 4 at 11am (after the 10am Mass).
Wear your masks, practice social distancing and make sure dogs are on a leash, and other pets are in appropriate carriers.
The Guadalupe Hope Society presents 2nd Friday of the Month
ROSARY and FAITH TALK
Friday, October 9 @ 11:30am to 1:00pm
VIRTUAL ZOOM ROSARY
TOPIC: St. Mother Teresa
Rev. Saju Joseph, Pastor at St. Martin of Tours, will lead the Rosary
and give a reflection.
Event is free, sign up: (408) 447-5433 or admin@ghswomenscenter.com
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
October 2020 Prayer Intention of Pope Francis – The Laity’s Mission in the Church: We pray that by the virtue of baptism, the laity, especially women, may participate more in areas of responsibility in the Church.
Has God called "you" to serve as a catechist?
For more information, contact Vicki at info@StThomasSJ.org
FAMILY FAITH FORMATION:
Faith Formation Sessions begin the first week of October on Tuesdays 4pm-4:45pm.
All sessions will be remote via Zoom.
First Grade: October 6 and November 3
Second Grade: October 13 and November 10
Third/Fourth Grade: October 20 and November 17
Fifth/Sixth Grade: October 27 and November 24
Registration for Family Faith Formation and Religious Ed has begun. All previously registered families have been mailed a registration packet. If you are new to our parish, all registration materials are available on our parish website.
Faith Formations sessions will be on-line/virtually.
Sacramental Preparation Sessions for First Reconciliation/First Eucharist and Confirmation will take place on Sundays. Schedules are being prepared.
Visit our website for schedules and more specific information or contact Vicki Schwoob, Director of Family Faith Formation.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION:
Learn More about the Old Testament and the New Testament
Presentation led by Joy Aspenal, Master Catechist
Presentation led by Joy Aspenal, Master Catechist
Thursday, October 15 at 7:45pm via Zoom
All interested are welcome to attend this session! Please sign up below and we will send you meeting information.
Becoming Catholic
Are you interested (or do you know someone who is) in learning more about the Catholic way of life? Are you interested in becoming Catholic? Have you been away from the faith? Are you are a baptized Catholic but still need to receive First Eucharist and Confirmation? Are you a Catholic and have questions about your faith? Are you seeking something more?
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Team welcomes all! We are here to provide information and spiritual guidance for all those interested in becoming Catholic, those interested in completing the sacraments and those who have a desire to know God.
The RCIA itself is a process developed by the Catholic Church for unbaptized adults and children (ages 7 and above) guiding them through education, formation and ritualization of entrance into the Catholic community.
The process for the RCIA is always open and is year round since God’s time and plan is different for everyone.
Contact Vicki Schwoob for inquiries and sacraments; info@StThomasSJ.org
or (408) 378-1595.
Old Testament Presentation 7:45pm Thursday, October 15
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Thursdays 6:00pm to 6:30pm in the Prayer Garden
Visits from Fr. Andrew:
If you would like to receive the sacraments of Eucharist, Reconciliation or Anointing of the Sick, and you are not able to come in person, Fr. Andrew would be happy to visit you. Please call the parish office, and leave a message or contact Fr. Andrew: info@StThomasSJ.org OR
(408) 660-8901 (emergency number)
OFFERINGS 9/27/2020
Weekly budget: $ 4,500
Weekly offerings: $4,793
Surplus: + $ 293
You can always drop off or mail your donations at the parish office. On-line giving available at our website: www.StThomasSJ.org
Click: Give & Fundraising
Thank you for your support and generosity!
PARISH WEBSITE:
We are still in the process of building our pages for our parish website; It is a work-in-progress so we ask you to please be patient.
Visit our website to sign up for Mass, see our Mass schedule, get information for our live-stream Mass and to send in your prayer requests.
If you cannot come to outdoor Mass, celebrate with us and watch on our YouTube or Facebook channel. The links for our channels are provided below.