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
June 19, 2016
Pastoral Staff:
Rev. Raymond Moore, Pastor, x12
Deacon Richard L. Walker, x30
Ms. Patricia Hamilton, Pastoral Administrator, x11
Mrs. Mary Waters, Office Assistant & Rectory Cook, 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. 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)
Novena:
Monday 7:00 pm (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
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Preparing to Hear God’s Word
Introduction: Jesus asks us today: “Who do you say that I am?” He already knows the answer. He wants to make sure his disciples realize the challenges that are ahead. Do we know the cost of discipleship? We pray to know—and then freely choose to follow Jesus, who alone can give us life.
Reading I: Zec 12:10-11; 13 ~ God has mercy on Israel as they suffer for their sins.
Responsorial: Psalm 63: My soul is thirsting for you, O
Lord my God.
Reading II: Gal 3:26-29~ There is one common identity among all who are baptized in Christ.
Gospel: Luke 9:18-24~ Disciples must be willing to take up their crosses.
Readings for Next Sunday
1 Kgs 19:16b, 19-21 Gal 5:1, 13-18 Luke 9:51-62
DAILY MASS READINGS
Monday: 2 Kgs 17:5-8, 13-15a Matt 7:1-5
Tuesday: 2 Kgs 19:9b-11, 14-21… Matt 7:6,12-14
Wednesday: 2 Kgs 22:8-13, 23:1-3 Matt 7:15-20
Thursday: 2 Kgs 24:8-17 Matt 7:21-29
Friday: Is 49:1-6 Acts 13:22-26 Luke1:57-66, 88
Saturday: Lam 2:2, 10-14, 18-19 Matt 8:5-17
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK:
Sunday 8:45am Our Deceased Fathers/Father-figures
11:30am In Honor of All Fathers/Father-figures
Monday Orlando Shooting Victims/Survivors
Tuesday Jean Robinson-Birthday
Wednesday Our Sick & Shut-in Parishioners/Loved Ones
Thursday Rubye Smalls-Birthday
Friday Family of Vernon Harris
Saturday STM Parish Action Committee
PLEASE KEEP THE SICK IN YOUR PRAYERS:
Shirley Adams, Veronica Apiafi, Monique Bailey, Viola Barnes, Marie Brown, Shirley Brown, Francillia Browne, Cynthia Bruce, Felicia V. Bush, John Bush, Mary Bush, Mary Agnes Bush, Jane Butorac, Gwen Cannon, Richard Chandler, Dixie Clark, Shertia Clark, Odessa Curtis, Francess Davies, Barbara Deale, Renee Feliu, Diane Finley, Eric Fuller, Craig Fulmer, Betty Furr, Tasha Gant, David Garner, Tyrone Garrison, Brenda Green, Emmanuel Greene, William Gunn, Earl Hamilton, Mitchell Hamilton, Andre Harris, Margaret Harris, Vance Harris II, Shant’e Hawkins, James Hilton, Maximillon Holland, Darryl Jackson, Jimmie Jackson, Ivy John, Larry Johnson, Sarah Jones, David Larison, Dennis Lucas, Gloria & William McCaskill, Emma McEntyre, Betty Moeller, Gloria Morgan, Dorothy Myrtle, Angela Neal, Margarita Perez, Tammy Peterson, Ed Poindexter, Tom Proctor, Charles Queen, Marion Richardson, Arthur Robinson, Jean, Leroy & Robert Robinson, Yolanda Rollins, 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 and Shut-In.
~ PRAYER REQUESTS ~
Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Vernon Harris,
brother of Hilda Best, who recently died in North Carolina.
Let us lift all of our fathers and father-figures in prayer, as well as those who have gone home to be with God. We thank God for their lives in a special way today.
Continued prayers are appreciated for our members who are on the road to recovery, sick, shut-in or grieving; and
Pope Francis, Fr. Moore, Fr. Casmir & Deacon Walker.
STEWARDSHIP REPORT
EFFECTIVE SUPPORT OF YOUR CHURCH
IS WISE STEWARDSHIP
“Greater love has no person than this—
laying down one’s life for his friends.”
Father God, you are the giver of every good and perfect gift. We thank you for every blessing of life. We come today with joy, celebrating your goodness and contributing tithes and offerings in honor of your holy name to the end that others might come to know you as Lord and Savior. In the precious Name of Jesus, we pray.
AMEN.
Tithes and offerings for June 12, 2016 amounted to $6,743.00.
(Maintenance total: $1,111.00)
This same time last year, June 14, 2015, offerings amounted
to $6,896.00.
Youth Envelopes- $8.00
Attendance 5:00pm 14
8:45am 155
11:30am 100
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!
PASTOR’S BIBLE STUDY: Bible study meets on Tuesday evenings, 7:30pm, in the rectory living room. We are currently discussing the mercy of God. All are welcome to join our lively and good discussions.
RELIGIOUS ED: Parents are reminded of their important responsibility to educate their children in the faith. And, don’t forget Mass! Keep holy the Sabbath day. As practicing Catholic families, we are expected to join the rest of the church family at Sunday Mass. Remember, seven days without Eucharistic Food makes one weak!
JUNE ANNIVERSARIES: Couples observing a Wedding Anniversary this month are asked to notify Mary Waters in the Church Office by Thursday, June 23, 2016 if you would like to be recognized at Mass on Sunday, June 26, 2016. 2016
CARDINAL’S APPEAL: Don’t Delay! Pledge Today!
Christ is calling us to be difference makers in our world. Through the Cardinal’s Appeal we are afforded the opportunity to make a difference by participating in the Cardinal’s Appeal. Pledge envelopes are available in the back of the church.
If you have not pledged yet, you can do it today in 3 easy steps:
1. Get a pledge envelope in the back of church. 2. Fill it out.
3. Give it to Fr. Moore or an usher. We will mail it in for you.
We are counting on you to make your pledge and make a difference. Our goal for this year is $ 37,045. Our pledges as of June stand at $29,567. This is 79% of our goal!
SPECIAL PRESENTATION!
The Parish Council has invited CeretaA. Lee, Register of Wills for Prince George's Countyto return to STMon Wednesday, June 22, 2016. Ms. Leewill give a presentation and answer questionsregarding wills, probate, administration of your estate, guardianship of minor property, etc., for both PG and DC. Please join us in the Cedar Room at 6:00pm for this informative presentation. For more information, please contact Barbara Elliott, 301-292-2792.
MORE JESUS QUESTIONS
Matthew Kelly writes, “If we were discussing these things over coffee, by now you would probably want to interrupt and ask, “OK, so what is the Jesus question?”
Several years ago I was in Israel with a group of pilgrims, walking where Jesus walked. On the second day of our trip we found ourselves at the ruins of Caesarea Philippi. Our guide’s name was Nedal. He was learned and wise. He knew the region and history, but you could also tell that for him it was personal. His teaching on that day entranced me. He brought the following story form Matthew’s gospel to life, and I have been pondering it in new ways ever since.
Jesus was walking with his disciples in the district of Caesarea Philippi when he asked them two questions. The first question was: “Who do people say that I am?” The disciples replied, “Some say John the Baptist , others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets” (Matthew 16:13-20).
The second question Jesus asked was: “But who do you say that I am?”
This is the Jesus question. Who do you say that Jesus is? Not who do your parents or teachers, spouse, pastor, or friends say that Jesus is, but who do you say that he is? This is the inescapable question about the unavoidable Jesus. Sooner or later, we each have to proclaim for ourselves who we think Jesus is.
As I read this passage and imagine the disciples gathering around Jesus as he asks these questions, I get the sense that the disciples were a little hesitant. Perhaps they were looking around at each other wondering if these things were trick questions. They were richly human and so I imagine them playfully saying, “You take this one, Peter!”
There were many aspects to Peter, as there are to all of us. But the leader in Peter recognized the importance of that moment, and he stepped up and said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!”
If Jesus showed up to your church this Sunday and stood before everyone and said, “Who do people say that I am today?” what would we tell him?
Our culture seems intent on placing Jesus in the same category as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. But Jesus is not a figment of the Christian imagination. He lived in a place and a time; he walked the earth as you and I do today. The historical evidence of Jesus is irrefutable. Christian records and writings are more comprehensive than any other ancient texts. Jewish historians clearly established Jesus in history, and the major secular historian of his time also acknowledged him.
There is also a growing number of people who want to reduce Jesus to just a nice guy. Not the nice guy, or even the nicest guy, but just one of many nice guys. As a result of this type of thinking, there are many people who want to reduce the essence of Christianity to simply being a nice person.
Countless people and cultures since the time of Jesus have come up with countless ways to diminish who he was and what that means to humanity, history, and each of us individually. Our own time is not unique or different in this way.
The world’s other major religions believe that Jesus was either a great prophet or a great teacher. It is first interesting and important to note that they do not deny his existence or the fact that he lived and walked the earth at a certain time in a particular place. But Jesus did not claim to be a great teacher or a great prophet. Who did Jesus claim to be? The question for us to consider today is, “Have you ever really explored the Jesus question?
More copies of Matthew Kelly’s Rediscover Jesus have been ordered and should be in soon.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
TO ALL FATHERS,
FATHER-FIGURES
&
THOSE WHO
NURTURE & GUIDE
IN WAYS SEEN & UNSEEN!
MAY GOD BLESS & KEEP YOU!
CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS!
ALL Organizations/Groups are asked to submit your 2016-2017 calendars/space requests to Pattie Hamilton via email by Monday, July 11, 2016!
Groups not submitting calendar dates might miss out on space to hold meetings and/or events.
Please send your dates to and indicate ‘calendar’ in the subject line.
Thank you for your dedicated service!
THINK SUMMER! THINK COOKOUT!
Join us NEXT SUNDAY, June 26, 2016, for our church family cookout. This year we are planning a day of family fun and fellowship right here at the church and Merrick Center. We will have plenty of good food and time to relax and fellowship with one another!
Rain or shine, we are hoping that you can be with us!
PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!
The STM Outreach Crab Feast will take place on Sunday, September 18, 2016. Time: 2:00pm-5:00pm. Tickets will be available soon. Please stay tuned for more information!
ST. THOMAS MORE
CATHOLIC ACADEMY!
Serving Grades Pre-K3 through 8th!
Register Now!
~ Catholic Environment ~
~ Academically Excellent ~
Before and After School Care Provided!
Tuition Assistance is Available!
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 G-I-V-E WHAT YOU CAN
TO HELP KEEP OUR PANTRY STOCKED.
Food Assistance Requests Are
STEADILY INCREASING STM ASSISTS FAMILIES YEAR-ROUND! YOUR DONATION MATTERS!
We are seeking the following CONTRIBUTIONS:
DRY GOODS: Rice/Pasta/Beans/Hot & Cold Cereal
CANNED GOODS: Meat/Tuna/Soup/Fruit/Vegetables
WE APPEAL TO YOUR GENEROUS SPIRIT OF GIVING.
STM has served as a REFUGE OF RELIEF for many!
Food/Monetary donations will help keep our pantry viable!
Thank You! God Bless!
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If you would like to donate a SHARE Package to the
Food Pantry please see any member of the SHARE Team!
Your $21.00 donation will assist those in need!