Faith Formation for Adults and Children, Indoor Mass, See's Candy Virtual Fundraiser and More
Week of October 12, 2020
Dear Faithful Parishioners of St. Thomas of Canterbury,
It has been a joy for me to see many of you at Mass. Thanks be to God for granting us good health. From the Mass count for the past two weekends (in-person, # of cars and # of online views on both YouTube and Facebook), we have 355 for the first weekend and 407 for the second weekend in October for all three Masses not including the multiple people in a car or viewing on a screen. Thank you very much for engaging your faith with this important Sacrament of the Eucharist.
I have always been grateful also to you for your ongoing support especially in this difficult time not only for our church, but especially for your family. Thanks for your generous offertory of $8,934 ($1,298 @Mass, $4,395 @Office, and $4,241 online) this past week. May God continue to bless your family for your generous hearts. In addition to this income, we have been blessed to be the receiver of six different grants from the Catholic Community Foundation with the total of $15,300 for the specific ministries in the parish. I am grateful for the great help of those who helped apply for these grants. Thanks also to many who have been donating to the parish and also through charitable funds and matching gifts. Thanks to be God and to you that our parish’s financial health is well.
I am also happy to hear that we have started with our Faith Formation classes for our children. Thanks to our Director of Faith Formation, Mrs. Schwoob, all teacher volunteers and parents for their generous hearts in sharing their love, faith, and time in making this possible for our children. I see that the children really enjoy their classes.
As our county transitions into the Orange Tier, we are now allowed to have what was given for the Red Tier, which is to have indoor Mass for either 100 or 25% (78) capacity, whichever is fewer, which in our case would be 78. Our outdoor Masses capacity has changed from 60 to 200 people following the same health protocols. We will keep you posted as we transition into indoor Masses, hopefully, starting Wednesday, 10/21. My hope is that we will still stream our two indoor Masses and have one outdoor Mass if the weather permits. Thanks always for your patience and understanding as our team prepares this transition.
With prayers,
Fr. Andrew
OCTOBER is the month dedicated to
the Holy Rosary
The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God…and if you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the family Rosary.
– Pope St. Pius X
PRAY THE ROSARY WITH US!
St. Thomas of Canterbury Rosary Group:
Join us as we pray the Holy Rosary
Monday through Friday at 7pm via Zoom. Click on the link to get the Zoom information.
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.
Each October, the Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month. See the short reflection on this year’s theme, “Live the Gospel of Life.” Join Catholics nationwide in celebrating throughout October. Learn how you can participate at respectlife.org/celebrate.
Sacramental Celebrations
Congratulations to the Ruiz Family!
We had quite the celebration with two sisters receiving Sacraments of Initiation. Bellami was baptized and Oasys received her First Holy Communion
this past Saturday! Let us pray for them and their parents.
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)
Old Testament Presentation 7:45pm Thursday, October 15
Learn More about the Old Testament:
Presentation led by Joy Aspenall, Master Catechist of Faith Beyond 2000
Presentation led by Joy Aspenall, Master Catechist of Faith Beyond 2000
Thursday, October 15 at 7:45pm via Zoom
All interested are welcome to attend this session!
Please sign up and we will send you meeting information.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION:
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 adapted for 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.
FAMILY FAITH FORMATION:
Faith Formation Sessions have begun and take place on Tuesdays 4pm-4:45pm.
All sessions will be remote via Zoom.
First Grade: November 3
Second Grade: 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.
First Reconciliation and First Communion:
Sacramental Preparation Sessions for First Reconciliation/First Eucharist will take place the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month from 1pm to 2pm, unless otherwise noted. The schedule is posted on our website.
Confirmation:
Preparation for Confirmation Year One will take place on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month from 11am to noon, unless otherwise noted.
Mandatory Parent Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, October 18 at 1pm via Zoom.
Visit our website for schedules and more specific information or contact Vicki Schwoob, Director of Family Faith Formation.
Has God called "you" to serve as a catechist? For more information, contact Vicki at info@StThomasSJ.org
YOU'RE INVITED! Catholic Relief Services Webinar
The Change You Make: An Update from the Frontlines of Global Emergency Response and Recovery
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
10AM PST
Come and Be Informed and Pray as we prepare for the 2020 National Election
As Catholics, “we bring the richness of our faith to the public square.” This means shedding light on the shadows that plague our society.
How does the church shed light on issues of human life? On the situation and rights of Dreamers and immigrant families? On religious freedom and conscience rights? On the realities of xenophobia, human trafficking, racism, and even infanticide?
All of these are current issues that need to be met with the Church’s testimony that all human beings, from conception to natural death, have inherent dignity, are created equal, and have the right to life.
SAM – Social Action Ministry of Santa Teresa will be offering a three week series on Tuesday evenings, October 6th, 13th, 20th at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom. These sessions will study the Bishops’ publication Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship for timeless insights on these timely social issues.
We invite you to register at: civility@santateresachurch.com
Questions please contact Donna Ingoglia: (408) 826-9217
Lynda DeManti: (408) 839-3163
Merciful Father,
Thank you for inviting each of us to join in your work of building the kingdom of love, justice, and peace.
Draw us close to you in prayer as we discern your call in our families and communities.
Send us forth to encounter all whom you love:
those not yet born, those in poverty, those in need of welcome.
those not yet born, those in poverty, those in need of welcome.
Inspire us to respond to the call to faithful citizenship, during election season and beyond.
Help us to imitate your charity and compassion and to serve as models of loving dialogue.
Teach us to treat others with respect, even when we disagree, and seek to share your love and mercy.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Good News for Our Parish!
Apolonia Andre Fund for Liturgical Music Grant awarded!
Through the generous support of The Catholic Community Foundation of Santa Clara County, St. Thomas of Canterbury was awarded the Apolonia Andre Grant of $700 to support Music Ministry and Training. Along with providing training for our musicians and sound technicians, equipment repair or upgrades, and updating resources, we will also be able to support our youth and young adult musicians. This grant will greatly benefit our Liturgies and Community.
We still need a few more people interested in helping with sound and camera – Training will be provided. Please speak with us after any Mass, or respond on our website www.StThomasSJ.org under ministries, then volunteering.
Thank You! Blessings, Anne Gadd
SEE'S CANDIES FUNDRAISER: OCTOBER 18 - NOVEMBER 16
St. Thomas of Canterbury will once again participate in the annual See’s Candies Fundraiser for the 2020 Holiday Season. Parishioners will have the option of purchasing candy by using the provided order forms, ordering online or filling out their order in the space provided in the link attached herein. See details in the link here - https://www.stthomassj.org/sees-candies-fundraiser. This fundraiser begins this Sunday, October 18, 2020 through Monday, November 16, 2020 (“Fundraiser Period”). Order forms will be accepted through this period. If you choose to print and fill out an order form, you may drop off the form at Mass (a table will be set up to collect the forms at each Mass) or drop off at the STC office during the Fundraiser Period. If you have any questions, please contact Susie DaRos – sgdaros@gmail.com or Jeanne Glad – jeanneglad@yahoo.com
OFFERINGS 10/11/2020
Weekly budget: $ 4,500
Weekly offerings: $ 8,934
Surplus: + $ 4,434
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, to volunteer 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.
