Saint Thomas More Parish & Academy
4275 Fourth Street, Southeast
Washington, D.C. 20032
Telephone: 202-562-0431 Fax: 202-563-7347
E-mail: Website: www.stthomasmoredc.org
School: 202-561-1189
May 21, 2017
Pastoral Staff:
Rev. Raymond Moore, Pastor, x12
Ms. Patricia Hamilton, Pastoral Administrator, x11
Mrs. Mary Waters, Office Assistant, x10
Ms. Bridget Coates, Academy Principal
Ms. Wanda Brooks, Coordinator of Religious Education, x31
Mr. Henry Herrera, Gospel Choir Director
Mrs. Charnetta Dobbins, Youth Choir Director
Mrs. Denese Clay, Glorify Praise Team Director
Mrs. Barbara Elliott, Parish Council Chair
Ms. Diana Brown, Finance Council Chair
Mass Schedule:
Saturday 5:00 pm (Rectory Chapel)
Sunday 8:45 am Youth Choir
11:30 am Gospel Choir
Weekdays 8:00 am (Rectory Chapel)
Bulletin Deadline: Items for Sunday’s Bulletin must be received via email by 12:00 pm Monday in order to have them included in Sunday’s publication. Thank you for honoring this important timeline.
Baptism: Please call the Parish Office to register for classes.
Confession: After Sunday Masses, by appointment, or on
Saturday afternoon at 4:00 pm in the Rectory.
Marriage: Diocesan policy requires notification to the priest at least six months in advance. Attendance at pre-Cana classes is also required. Contact the Parish Office for more information.
Pastoral Care of the Sick: Please notify the Parish Office when a member of the parish is in the hospital, nursing home, or is otherwise unable to come to Mass and wishes to receive any of the sacraments.
Religious Education:
Interested in becoming a Catholic? Please contact Fr. Raymond Moore at the Rectory.
CCD Classes: Every Sunday at 10:30am
Bible Study: Every Tuesday at 7:30pm
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Preparing to Hear God’s Word
Introduction: Depending upon where we live, many of us are unaware of those who actually suffer because of their faith. but many circumstances can challenge our commitment to Christ: politics, economic choices, job decisions and lifestyles. Like the early church, we are promised the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit. But consider two questions: How prepared are we to suffer for or at least be uncomfortable with living the Gospel? How open are we to the influence of the Holy Spirit in our lives?
Reading I: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17~We are not only given the Spirit by the Father, we are also given the power to share that Spirit with others, as Peter and John went to Samaria to do.
Responsorial: Ps 66: Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Reading II: 1Pet 3:15-18~A prayer for Christians undergoing suffering.
Gospel: Jn 14:15-21~ Jesus promises to send us the Spirit
Readings for Next Sunday
Acts 1:12-14 1Pet 4:13-16 Jn 17:1-11a
DAILY MASS READINGS
Monday: Acts 16:11-15 John 15:26-16:4a
Tuesday: Acts 16:22-34 John 16:5-11
Wednesday: Acts 17:15, 22-18:1 John 16:12-15
Thursday: Acts 18:1-8 John 16:16-20
Friday: Acts 18:9-18 John 16:20-23
Saturday: Acts 18:23-28 John 16:23b-28
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK:
Sunday 8:45am STM Academy Class of 2017
11:30am STM Outreach Committee Volunteers
Monday Health of Mary Bush
Tuesday Health of Betty Owens
Wednesday Our Sick & Shut-in Parishioners/Loved Ones
Thursday Health of Robert Robinson
Friday Health of Marion & Ruth Richardson
Saturday Safekeeping of our Youth
PLEASE KEEP THE SICK IN YOUR PRAYERS:
Veronica Apiafi, Monique Bailey, Viola Barnes, Betty Beatty, Marie Brown, Shirley Brown, Francillia Browne, Cynthia Bruce, Felicia V. Bush, John Bush, Mary Bush, Mary Agnes Bush, Herman Butler, Jane Cannon, Dixie Clark, Shertia Clark, Odessa Curtis, Francess Davies, Barbara Deale, Barbara DeJesus, Renee Feliu, Diane Finley, Eric Fuller, Craig Fulmer, Betty Furr, Tasha Gant, David Garner, Tyrone Garrison, Brenda Green, Emmanuel Greene, William Gunn, Earl Hamilton, Andre Harris, Margaret Harris, Vance Harris II, June Harrison, Shant’e Hawkins, James Hilton, Maximillon Holland, Darryl Jackson, Jimmie Jackson, Ivy John, Carolyn Johnson, Larry Johnson, Sarah Jones, Seymour & Patrick Jones, David Larison, Dennis Lucas, Gloria & William McCaskill, Emma McEntyre, Betty Moeller, Gloria Morgan, Dorothy Myrtle, Angela Neal, Tammy Peterson, Charles Queen, Marion Richardson, Arthur Robinson, Jean, Leroy & Robert Robinson, Thelma Sawyer, Robin Sescoe, Ciara Shields, Brenda Smith, Claudell St. Julien, Edsel Swann, Jane Thomas, Kristine Vivican, Kayla Warren, Paul Waters, Marilyn Denise Whetstone, Anita Williams, Bertha Williams, Kobe M. Williams, David Wilson, Jean Wright, Marianne Young, and all who are Sick/Shut-In.
~PRAYER REQUESTS~
We ask your prayers for our
St. Thomas More Catholic Academy Class of 2017.
Please also pray for health and well-being of Mary Bush, Betty Owens, Marion & Ruth Richardson, Robert Robinson, all of our members who are on the road to recovery, sick, shut-in or grieving; and
Pope Francis, Fr. Moore, Fr. Casmir & Ed Poindexter
STEWARDSHIP REPORT
EFFECTIVE SUPPORT OF YOUR CHURCH
IS WISE STEWARDSHIP
“You ought to support the weak, and to remember the words
of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give
than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)
Gracious God, you have showered us with your gifts, and we embrace you with thanksgiving. We welcome your blessings with open arms and open hearts. May we use these spiritual and material gifts in generous service to the church and our world. Continue to bless us as we strive to bless others through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Stewardship Thought: “The generous person forgets what he give and remembers what he receives.”
Tithes and offerings for May 14, 2017 amounted to $6,274.00. Maintenance: $330.00. Youth: $6.00.
Attendance 5:00pm 18
8:45am 160
11:30am 91
269
Thanks to all who have so well supported our Growing One Step stewardship program. Because of the strong commitment of many of us, we are blessed with good success thus far. May we be blessed as we bless our ministry and commitment to the Lord!
Your on-going contributions are most appreciated!
FAITH DIRECT 2017: The Lord is risen! As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to go forth and spread the good news of the Resurrection. Our church ministries are examples of how many of you answer that call. Our ministries require not only gifts of time and talent, but also financial help. Please prayerfully consider supporting St. Thomas More with electronic donations through Faith Direct. If you would like to sign up please go to www.faithdirect. Our church code is DC773. Thank you for your loving and generous support of St. Thomas More.
PASTOR’S BIBLE STUDY: The Bible Study group WILL MEET this week, Tuesday, May 23, at 7:30pm in the rectory living room. All are welcome!
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN: One of the most important ways to evangelize our faith in Jesus Christ to others is through our parish religious education program for children. Parents have this responsibility. Godparents share in this responsibility. All of us must take an active role in spreading the faith. Let’s get involved in fostering a strong relationship with Jesus Christ.
2016-2017 ADULT FAITH FORMATION PROGRAM:
Adults looking for a closer walk with Jesus are invited to our Faith Formation Program for adults. We meet on Sundays at 10:30am in the Red Room. If you have questions that need to be answered and/or would like to become a Catholic, please join us.
2017 CARDINAL’S APPEAL FOR MAY:
“Seek first the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 6:11). Our parish goal for the 2017 appeal is $ 37,045.00. As of May 1, our pledges amount to 17,936.00. This amount represents 63 pledges. Last year at this time 108 donors pledged $ 27,717.00. Let’s try to catch up to last year. We are counting on everybody to make a pledge. Please prayerfully consider a pledge to the 2017 Cardinal’s Appeal.
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
FOLLOWING JESUS,
THE JESUS CONNECTION.
For the past six weeks of the Easter season we have focused on showing and sharing Jesus. We have seen that he is our Good Shepherd who calls us each by name. We have seen that he is our way, our truth and our life. This week Jesus makes a proposal that is easy and tough at the same time: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” And if we love him and keep his commandments he promises us another Advocate,the Holy Spirit! He also promises, “I will not leave you orphans.” What a promise? What a possibility? All this can be true in our lives if we are faithful to him and to his commandments. And his commandment is that we love him and love one another. Then we are connected to him and to the Father.
But here is the problem.So much of our life seems anything but connected to Jesus, and not really expressive of our love for him. Our sheer busyness barely leaves us with a moment to catch our breath, let alone be concerned about loving Jesus.
Loving Jesus, being connected to Jesus, is a simple matter of keeping his commandments—being gentle and reverent toward others, having a clear conscience, doing good. For most of us we are already doing what we need to do to be good Christians—showing and sharing Jesus; what more is needed is to recognize that these good actions are the way we keep Jesus’ commandments and express our believing in him. In other words, his commandments are pretty simple to know: love as he loved, believe as he believed, be self-giving as he was, do the Father’s will as he did. Most of all, keeping his commandments means opening ourselves to the Spirit who dwells within us and makes us reflect the image of the Risen Jesus 2000 years later!!
ON-LINE SURVEY TO SHARE
WITH POPE FRANCIS!
Pope Francis wants to hear from you! In preparation for an international gathering of Bishops (Synod) next year, Pope Francis wants your input on the topic of Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment. People of all ages are invited to give their feedback on how the Church can engage and support youth and young adults in making major life decisions. To participate in the survey, visit
www.SharewithFrancis.org.
WOMEN’S HEALTH SYMPOSIUM!
Saturday, June 3, 2017, 10am-2pm, Virginia Merrick Center. Fee: $10. To register, or help sponsor another participant, please contact Vanessa Barnard (202-604-9934) or Clint Ray & Iggy Washington after Masses.
Topics addressed include Breast Cancer, Diabetes, Hypertension, Healthy Choices, etc.
Please see full, detailed information on flyers available in the church. Sponsors: STM Youth Group and SOSI.
WELCOME VISITORS!
We warmly welcome our visitors to
St. Thomas More Church.
Please sign our Visitors’ Book!
We invite all who are seeking
a church home to join our church family.
Please encourage all visitors to sign our
Guest Book.
WELCOME…
~Newly Baptized~
We welcome Shawn Spriggs, infant son of Delone and Vanessa Spriggs who was Baptized this week. May he and his family be abundantly blessed!
~Newly Registered Members~
Please join in welcoming Joanne and Richard Crittenden of Clinton, who recently joined our church family
MAY ANNIVERSARIES!
Couples observing a Wedding Anniversary this month are asked to notify Mary Waters in the Church Office by Tuesday, May 23, if you would like to be recognized at Mass on Sunday, May 28, 2017!
GRADUATE RECOGNITION SUNDAY!
We will honor our graduates on Sunday, June 4, 2017!
Please sign up on the sheets provided in the church
by Sunday, May 28, 2017!
CHURCH WINDOW REPAIRS! As we celebrate our 65th anniversary, we are blessed to be able to begin the repair of our church windows! This is due to your generosity in stewardship. This work will begin very soon. Please continue to be as generous as you have been in the past so that wemay accomplish this task.
********************************************* TRINITY DOME COLLECTION LAST WEEKEND! Thanks to all who contributed to this special Mother’s Day Collection last weekend. Your generous support of the nationwide effort amounted to $781.00.
VIRGINIA MERRICK CENTER’S
NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS!
A New Board of Directors has been formed to provide guidance and oversight for the Merrick Center.
The members of the Board are
Erik Causey,George Hanna, Rodney Hollins
and Father Moore.
The Merrick Center (Victory Youth Centers, Inc.) is a great resource for this community.
ST. THOMAS MORE
CATHOLIC ACADEMY
Serving Grades Pre-K3-8!
~ Catholic Environment ~
~ Academically Excellent ~
Before and After School Care Provided!
Tuition Assistance is Available!
Registration is Now Underway
for the 2017-2018 School Year!
FOR MORE INFO PLEASE CALL 202-561-1189
STM FOOD PANTRY
DONATIONS APPRECIATED!
PLEASE HELP US DO OUR BEST TO PROVIDE NUTRITIOUS FOOD FOR OUR CHILDREN & FAMILIES!
PLEASE GIVE WHAT YOU CAN
TO HELP KEEP OUR PANTRY STOCKED.
We are seeking the following items:
DRY GOODS: Rice/Pasta/Beans/Hot & Cold Cereal
CANNED GOODS: Meat/Tuna/Soup/Fruit/Vegetables
STM has served as a REFUGE OF RELIEF for many!
Food/Monetary donations will help keep our pantry viable!
Thank You! God Bless!
JUNE SHARE!
Sign-up: June 4, 11 & 18, 2017.
Pick-up: Saturday, June 24, 2017.
Time: 11:30am-1:00pm.
Please be on time! Unclaimed packages will be donated to the STM Food Pantry.
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
Sunday Religious Ed Classes (10:30am-Classrooms)
Second Chance (3:30pm-Old Library)
Monday Youth Choir Rehearsal (7:00pm-Church)
NCW 2nd Community (8:00pm-Cedar Rm)
Tuesday Bible Study (7:30pm-Rectory)
NCW 2nd Community (8:00pm-Cedar Rm)
Wednesday NCW 1st Community (8:00pm-Cedar Rm)
Thursday Adult Choir Rehearsal-(7:00pm-Church)
Friday AA (8:00pm-Old Library)
Saturday NCW Communities (8:00pm-Church)
~ Our 2017 Pentecost Power Prayer ~
Let us pray this prayer as we prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. May the Holy Spirit inspire and invigorate our witness to the Gospel:
Loving Lord,
Here I am.
I trust that you have an incredible plan for me.
Transform me. Transform my life.
Everything is on the table.
Take what you want to take
and give what you want to give.
Transform me into the person you created me to be, so I can live the life you envision for me.
I hold nothing back;
I am 100% available.
How can I help?
AMEN!
NOTES FOR TODAY ______