St. Thomas More Catholic Church 767 Elliott Road, Paradise, CA 95969 530.877.4501 Fax 530.877.5633

Email: office@stmparadise.com Website: www.stmparadise.org

Mass Times: Saturday - 5:00pm Vigil Sunday - 8:00am & 10:30am

2o Sabado del mes Misa en Espanol, 2nd Saturday of Month- 6:30pm Spanish Mass

Monday thru Friday - 8:30am Holy days ~as announced

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday - 3:30 to 4:30pm or by appointment.

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time November 17, 2013

“Christ In Me Arise”“Christ In Me Arise”“Christ In Me Arise”“Christ In Me Arise”

“In This Place”

“In This Place”

“In This Place”

“In This Place” “We Belong To You”“We Belong To You”“We Belong To You”“We Belong To You”

“Send You Glory Down”

“Send You Glory Down”

“Send You Glory Down”

“Send You Glory Down”

St. Thomas More Catholic Church presents

OCP Singer/Composer Trevor Thomson

Sunday November 17 Guest Musician at our 10:30am Mass

FREE Concert 12pm

All names will remain on the prayer list for four weeks

Events Reminders Christmas Card Sales

Holiday Boutique & Bake Sale, Nov. 23rd

New Parish Directory (schedule portraits)

Baptismal Retreat, Dec. 14

Saturday, November 16; Blessed Virgin Mary St. Gertrude; St. Margaret of Scotland;

3:30pm Sacrament of Reconciliation, Church

5:00pm Sunday Vigil Mass (Guy Saiani , Vern Miller ,

Joann Hegwer )

Sunday, November 17; 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

8:00am Sunday Mass (People of St. Thomas More)

10:30am Sunday Mass (Intentions of Braeu Family, Donald Wiggins ) Music by Trevor Thomson & STM choir

11:30am Meet/Greet Trevor Thompson Light Luncheon, Large Hall

12:00pm Concert by Trevor Thompson, Church

Coffee and Donuts: Adult Faith Formation

Monday, November 18; The Dedication of the Basilicas of

Ss. Peter and Paul; St. Rose Phillippine Duchesne

8:30am Daily Mass (Eddie Walters ) 5:30pm KOC Monday Night Football, Small Hall

Tuesday, November 19; 8:30am Daily Mass (Intentions of Gabriel Pereirra) 6:30pm Centering Prayer Group, Church

Wednesday, November 20; 8:30am Daily Mass (Intentions of Zayden Stamn) 9:15am Mothers and Others, Church Conference Room

Noon: Wednesday Hot Lunch, Main Hall

1:00pm Shawl Ministry, Small Conference

1:00pm 50+ Singles Group, Main Hall

7:00pm Joyful Noise Choir Practice, Church

Thursday, November 21; The Presentation

of the Blessed Virgin Mary 8:30am Daily Mass (Elizabeth Binstock ) 9:15am Ladies Prayer Group, Old Rectory

7:00pm Adult Faith Formation, Small Hall

Friday, November 22; St. Cecilia 8:30am Daily Mass (Deceased Members of Legion of Mary) 9:15am Legion of Mary, Church Conference Room

10:30am Table of Plenty Food Distribution, Garage

1:00pm Set-up for Fall Boutique & Bake Sale,

Ladies Guild, Large Hall

Saturday, November 23; Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Clement I; St. Columban; Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro

9:00am Ladies Guild Fall Boutique & Bake Sale, Large Hall

3:30pm Sacrament of Reconciliation, Church

5:00pm Sunday Vigil Mass (People of St. Thomas More)

Please pray for the recently deceased:

Tamara Tatiana Passariello

Anne Monocmon

Fr. Steven Foppiano

Missal Readings for Sunday,

November 17th, Page - 240

Denotes deceased

Calendar & Mass Intentions

Please Pray for our Brothers

And Sisters in Christ

Next Sunday, November 24th Coffee & Donuts: Ladies Guild

No Second Collections This week or next

Debbie Adema

Patrick Benedict

Guy Brown

Fr. Paschal Cheline

Gemma Clow

Loretta Collins

Greg DeCristofaro

David J. Brown & Family

Derrill Farley & Family

Greg Forman & Family

Michele Heloux

Grace Marvel

Doris McManus

Grace Nute

Vince O'Donnell

Donna Orrence

Amy Richardson

Sue Risso

Ruth Rundle

Loraine Shipton

Jan Skinner

Pat Swain

This week’s highlighted bulletin sponsor is:

R.W. Hawkins Construction, Inc.

(530) 877-7325

Please let our supporters know you saw their ad! Thank you for your generosity!

Weekly Offering November 16-17, 2013

Regular Donations $4,236.50

All Saints 265.00

Youth Ministry 81.00

Table of Plenty 245.00

Building Maintenance 463.00

St. Vincent de Paul 4.00

Wednesday Hot Lunch 50.00

Total $5,344.50

St. Thomas More Knights of Columbus

Are continuing to sell Catholic Christmas cards before and after each Mass this year. Please keep us in

mind when getting ready to send out your Christmas

Cards. Our cards are high quality and average about

$0.50 per card.

More than ever we need to remember God and keep

Him present in our lives. All money goes to our college

scholarship fund and benefits our youth.

Contact Ed Rundle (877-4607) or Greg Kidder for more information and special orders.

Whether

You’re Online

or on the go,

your favorite

Catholic programs are just a click away!

EWTN Radio now airs in most states in the nation. Find

a local station near you by clicking on EWTN's new

Interactive Affiliate Map at

http://www.ewtn.com/radio/radioaffiliatemap/

Find out how to tune in via our mobile app, via SIRIUS

Satellite Radio, or via iHeartRadio at http://

www.ewtn.com/radio/index.asp

Do you feel God is calling you

closer to Himself and His church?

The Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) is a group of men

and women who are attempting to answer the call to

live as gospel people patterning their lives in the spirit

of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis discovered true joy

through his love of Jesus and by his total surrender to

this love. His joy was contagious and he attracted

many who wanted what he had; a total abandon of

everything worldly and embracing the freedom that it

offered.

“You must be renewed in mind and spirit, and

put on the new nature created in God’s likeness,

which shows itself in the upright and devout life

called by the truth.” (Ephesians 4:23-24-REB)

Secular Franciscans follow the spirit and rule or Order

that guides us to live in harmony with all and to be an

example and witness of the gospel. The Rules help us

to live out our Baptismal call;

“Christ, the gift of the Father’s love, is the way

to him, the truth into which the Holy Spirit

leads us, and the life which he has come to give

abundantly.” SFO Rule, Article #4

If you are interested in finding out more about the

SFO, we invite you to consider coming to our next

Sts. Francis & Clare fraternity monthly gathering

Dec. 7th, always on the first

Saturday of each month.

We start at 8:00am in the

Church by reciting the Crown

Rosary, followed by Mass and

Liturgy of the Hours.

Afterwards we start our

meeting in the Small Hall with

social time and on-going

formation study.

Our numbers are growing with

people who desire the

company of others who are

also seeking to grow in

Christ’s love through the

support and guidance of the

Secular Franciscan

community.

The Virtue of Fai th”

Part nine of a ten part series

The Virtues of Perseverance and Faith

F aith is belief in God and the truths about

Him which either He or the Church has

revealed to us. The goal of faith is life in

Heaven with Him and hope is the virtue by

which we know this goal to be attainable.

However, it is not without other virtues and

indeed God’s grace that we are in fact able to

obtain Heaven. The Lord tells us in the

gospel that “by your perseverance you will

secure your lives.” (Luke 21:19)

Perseverance is a virtue within the realm of

the cardinal virtue of Fortitude. Fortitude

makes us bold enough to be able to pursue

those things which we believe to be good. St Thomas Aquinas tells us that perseverance

is the virtue that enables to endure both the

difficult and thing which are long lasting. In summary, hope motivates us, fortitude

causes us to go after it and perseverance

enables us to accomplish the goal or obtain the good which we are seeking. In particular perseverance keeps us

strong when we faith the discouragement of weariness or failure. This can often be seen in the lives of those

who are trying to overcome a sinful habit or break free from an addiction.

It is not just our free will that causes to persevere in things, while virtue is always a habit which we must

cultivate they are often graces given to us by God as well. In particular the virtue of perseverance helps us

remain firm in our desire to obtain heaven. Therefore we must, as with all virtues, work to deepen this virtue in

our life and strive to be more open and cooperative to the grace God freely gives us. The virtue of perseverance

is strengthened as we grow closer to God and see more clearly the reality of the things we hope for.

Perseverance is also necessary to live out the demands of the Gospel and our faith, by it we look and see the

good we desire and rededicate ourselves to pursuing it. In the lives of many of the saints we hear the stories of

how relentless they were in their good works and their prayer, it was by a habitual use of the gift of

perseverance that they were able to accomplish those things.

Just as good works are the fruit of our faith, perseverance is a key grace it in being a lively faith, a true faith.

Therefore let us head the words St Benedict wrote in the prologue of his rule for monks: See, in His loving

kindness, the Lord showeth us the way of life. Therefore, having our loins girt with faith and the performance

of good works, let us walk His ways under the guidance of the Gospel, that we may be found worthy of seeing

Him who hath called us to His kingdom (cf 1 Thes 2:12).

--Prepared by Alex Estrella

ROCK At-A-Glance Check out these websites (It’s Year of Faith, Peeps!): www.diocese-sacramento.org www.stmparadise.org www.annusfidei.va www.usccb.org

Sunday, 17 November 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Masses at 8am and 10:30am HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSE!!! AND…WELCOME TREVOR THOMSON & BAND!!! 10:30am — Playing at Mass 11:30am — Meet/Greet in hall 12:00pm — Concert in Church

Monday, 18 November 6:30pm — Youth Ministry Grades 7-12 Upstairs Basement Tuesday, 19 November 5:29pm — BTS Arrives to Elks Club BTS/Black Shirt/Black pants/jeans/skirt NO flip-flops/NO open toed shoes/sandals/NO shorts

Wednesday, 20 November FAITH FORMATION Grades K-5/RCIA/SS FAMILY DAY (Children must be accompanied by parent, guardian, or other loving adult please) ******************************************************** THEOLOGICAL VIRTUE OF WEEK — Love/Charity Saint of the Week — St. Cecilia Saint Team — Off until January! Parents jump in!! ******************************************************** 3:00pm — Playground 3:30pm — Children and Catechists to Hall Parents/Guardians/Adults to Church 4:45pm — Closing Prayer in HALL By or before 5:00pm — Dismissal 6:30pm — Faith Formation Grades 6-9

Thursday, 21 November 6-8pm Grades 10-12/Post-Confirmation/Recent Grads 7pm — Adult Formation — Small Hall

Sunday, 24 November FEAST OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE KING 9:59am — Confirmation Young People to Church Conference Room for 10:30 Rite of Acceptance!

Volume VII! Issue 28

Got questions about Faith Formation or Youth Ministry at St. Thomas More? Call/text Colleen at 831-917-5731 OR email colleen@stmparadise.com

Volume VIII! Issue 3

FROM THE YOUCAT — with full references to CCC! Use both!

Question 337: How are we saved? No man can save himself. Christians believe that they are saved by God, who for this purpose sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world. For us salvation means that we are freed by the Holy Spirit from the power of sin and have been brought back from the realm of death to a life without end, a life in God’s presence. Paul observes: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). Sin cannot exist in the presence of God, who is justice and goodness through and through. If sin is worth nothing, what about the sinner, then? In his love, God found a way by which he destroys sin but saves the sinner. He makes him “right” again, that is to say, righteous or just. That is why from ancient times salvation has also been called justifi-cation. We are not made just by our own power. A man can neither forgive his own sins nor rescue himself from death. For that, God has to act on our behalf—out of mercy, not because we could deserve or merit it. In Baptism, God grants us “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ” (Rom 3:22). Through the Holy Spirit, who is poured out into our hearts, we take part in the death and Resurrection of Christ—we die to sin and are born to new life in God. The divine gifts of faith, hope, and charity come over us and make us able to live in the light and to obey God’s will. Dig Deeper: CCC sections 1987-1995

STM SACRAMENT COUNTDOWN:

K-5/RCIA Family Session= 3 days!!!

Next 1st Reconciliation = 25 days!!!

CONFIRMATION PEEPS! Interesting information this week from Baltimore at the United States Confer-ence of Catholic Bishops General Fall Assembly: Among many significant agen-da items, one of the smaller action items our bishops (including our very own Bishop of Sacramento Most Reverend Jaime Soto) discussed was the best and most appropriate translations of the Rites of Marriage Confirmation (typically they will revisit translations each time they meet for different rites and rituals — to make sure we are celebrating the truest and clearest and most authentic translations over time). Up for discussion was the translation of Fear of the Lord vs Wonder and Awe in God’s Presence AND (get ready parents and grandparents) — whether or not we should bring back “the slap” that marked the newly confirmed as a “soldier of Christ.” You’ll be glad to know the bishops decided to continue with the use of “Wonder and Awe,” and to the disappointment of this youth minister — will not be slapping anyone during Confirmation. You lucked out this time, peeps! #thankyouJesus

REMINDER TO K-5/RCIA PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Next week’s session on 11/20 is a FAMILY SESSION. Please do not send your children without an adult next week. They need you to be present for multiple reasons! Please be here — and help others be here! As is our St. Thomas More tradition — we assist families to teach at home during the Seasons of Advent and Christmas — and next week is when we run through the schedule, the material, and hand out all of your resources! There might also be some fantastic and amazing prizes. But we need you HERE. Children will be working on a special new service project for homebound parishioners at STM since our virtue for next week is the Theological Virtue of LOVE/CHARITY. Why do we do this? Good question! Our desire for the Season of Ad-vent is that you begin to slow down your home, communicate a sense of anticipatory preparation and joyful waiting with your family. There are special days of obligation and of opportunity to attend. We want your home to feel like Mary awaiting the birth of Jesus. Relieving you of 1 meeting is our way of concretely helping you do this. The Season of Christmas communicates an addition — a change — and great joy! This joy radiates from our first community — our home/family. Although we will meet once over Christmas as a parish — we choose not to pull the family outside of itself and its joy during that time.

Please arrive with your children to the playground by or before 3:30pm!

TREVOR THOMSON (WHODAT? CHECK YOUR MISSALETTE, YO!) IS HERE TODAY AT STM!!! Born in 1971 and named Trevor Nash Thomson after the musical great, Graham Nash, Trevor’s name seemed to predict his destiny. Trevor attributes his keen ear for vocal harmonies to the music his mother listened to when he was a child—Crosby, Stills and Nash, The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. As a teenager Trevor excelled at the guitar and, after joining a school choir, was quickly discovered as having exceptional vocal ability. After high school, Trevor pursued a degree in music and worked part-time as a worship leader at his church. In 1999, Trevor gained national recognition with the release of In This Place, an album of original music. He then began performing at events all over the United States. His sophomore album, Before You, followed in 2000.

The release of Trevor’s third album, Eyes to You, marks a significant advance in a career that began over 12 years ago in Southern California. A Los Angeles native, Trevor has a special partiality for the L.A. music sound. When he began the project, he raised his own musical bar and pushed himself to create an album where rock music would blend seamlessly with passion-ate Christianity.

He went back to his musical roots and the end result exceeded all of his expectations. The sound of the album is a synthesis of guitar-driven melodies, tasty percussion, and Trevor’s smooth and unmistakable vocals. Trevor is influenced by many artists including Michael Penn, Aimee Mann, The Wallflowers, Delirious?, Elvis Costello, and Oasis. His fusion of classic rock, pop and alternative music appeals to fans of all ages.

Trevor believes he has a very simple mission—to lead people to the heart of God through the prayer of music. He seeks to accomplish this by performing live around the country at parishes, conferences and youth events. In the summer of 2004, Trevor opened his own recording studio, Sound Pub Studios. While he works with many artists in the music industry, he takes a special interest in developing up-and-coming contemporary Christian songwriters. Trevor lives in Glendora, California, with his wife, Victoria, and their four children.

Father Mieczyslaw “ Mitch” Maleszyk:

PastorMitch@stmparadise.com

Parish Plant Manager: Greg Kidder Cell 228-6163

Faith Formation & Youth Ministry: Colleen O’Dowd

514-3892 (call) OR 831-917-5731 (text/call)

Music Director: Zooba Zwicker Office - 877-4501

Vocation Committee: Lou Donnelly 872-1212

Catholics Come Home: Cathy Gunter 877-3919

Mothers and Others: Norma Degmetich 873-4913

Funeral Planning: Barbara Wright 570.0449

Eucharistic Home Visits: Lani McManus 877.6997

Or email homebound@stmparadise.com

Finance Chairman: Mark DiDuca 872.5140

RCIA: Parish Office 877-4501

Table of Plenty: Office 877-1485

Infant Baptism Coordinator (Pre-K & younger):

Elaine Helmick 872-7341

St. Thomas More Catholic Church Contact Information

Office Hours: Monday-Thursday from 11am-4pm and Fridays from 11am-2pm

St. Vincent de Paul Society: Office 872-4687

Knights of Columbus: Greg Kidder 228-6163

Ladies Guild: Pat Wallila Home 876-9185

Bulletin: Deadline: Friday @4pm, (10 days in advance

of published weekend). Email: editor@stmparadise.com

Bulletin Ads: Joe DiDuca - 877-6842

Master Calendar: MC@stmparadise.com

Grief Support Ministry: Lois Gervais 872.0278

Deacon Ray Helgeson: 413.9520 servant@ksdmm.com

Parish Website: www.stmparadise.org

Parish Registration forms are located in church vestibule.

STM Paradise

Text “stmparadise” to 84576 to register FREE on flock-

Note for parish news, ministry lists and other info!

www.facebook.com/stmparadise

@stmparadise

AND...MORE LIFELONG FAITH FORMATION COMING TO A 10:30 MASS NEAR YOU TODAY!!! OCP composer/musician Trevor Thomson (look him up in your missalette!!!) is HERE

at St. Thomas More Church TODAY — 17 November!!! This is a BIG DEAL!!!

Trevor will be a guest musician at our 10:30am Mass where we’ll be singing In This Place, We Belong to You, Christ in Me Arise and Send Your Glory Down — ALL songs written by Trevor. Following refreshments in the hall PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT MISS the 12 noon concert back in the church with Trevor Thomson and band as part of their Good Medicine Tour. Concert is free (goodwill offerings will be accepted)! Let’s turn out for this one, STM! NOBODY gets OCP artists to swing through town and play at Mass like we do! BE MORE.

(for MORE information — see additional blurb on reverse page)

THIS MONTH AT ADULT FAITH FORMATION:

It’s November! So we will be looking at our building up SAINTS and our SOULS this month! EVERY Catholic is called to continue their formation in our faith! Join us Thursdays from 7-8pm in the Small Hall!

Thursday, 21 November — Death-Judgment-Heaven-Hell-Purgatory

WHERE THE HELL AM I GOING?????? Life is not ended but changed with death, but how? Do we become angels with halos and wings strumming harps on fluffy clouds? Where is Heaven? Is Hell a really a burning lake? Does the Church even believe in Hell? Join us for the last Adult Faith Formation of the liturgical year as we talk about the Last Things; Death, Judgment, Purgatory, Heaven and Hell. This discussion will not only guide us through the Church’s teaching on these things but also help us understand them so as to appreciate them and help others understand what they are. There’s no cost and the benefits will last well into the next world. Thursday, 28 November — OFF (Thanksgiving)! Advent Sessions will include 2 great and different series: Tuesday mornings from 9:30-11am AND Thursdays 7-*8:30*pm!

Treasures From Our Tradition

We are faced with strong and disturbing readings

today that hold a certain fascination, since they

seem at first glance to be blueprints for future

inevitable wars and hardship. A fundamentalist

interpretation focuses on this aspect. Yet we hear

them at our Sunday celebration of the Eucharist,

which infuses them with hope and optimism.

Rather than dreading the future, today’s liturgy

assures us that God is with us in all of life’s

inevitable trials, and that we have a role in

shaping the outcome of human history.

Occasionally, some Christians have attempted to

decode these readings for an exact measure of the

world’s end, but they have thus far been

disappointed.

“Nothing lasts forever” is a lyric from a

Broadway show. Stars fall from the sky, leaves

wither and fall, mountains wash into the sea,

human projects and governments totter and

collapse with great regularity. Today’s liturgy

opposes this idea as incomplete, reminding us that

Christ has made a permanent change in human

history, and that life in him is life forever. Rather

than inviting us to

throw in the towel,

today’s liturgy

strengthens us for

acts of goodness

and grace in our

families,

communities, and

world. —James Field, Copyright © J. S.

Paluch Co.

Todays Readings

First Reading — For those who fear the name of the Lord, the sun of justice will arise (Malachi 3:19-20a).

Psalm — The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice (Psalm 98).

Second Reading — Those who are living in idleness are urged to earn their own living (2 Thessalonians 3:7-12).

Gospel — Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem, the persecution of his followers (Luke 21:5-19). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

Readings for the Week

Monday: 1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63; Ps 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158; Lk 18:35-43 or (for the memorial of the Dedication) Acts 28:11-16, 30-31; Ps 98:1-6; Mt 14:22-33 Tuesday: 2 Mc 6:18-31; Ps 3:2-7; Lk 19:1-10 Wednesday:2 Mc 7:1, 20-31; Ps 17:1bcd, 5-6, 8b, 15; Lk 19:11-28 Thursday: 1 Mc 2:15-29; Ps 50:1b-2, 5-6, 14-15; Lk 19:41-44 Friday: 1 Mc 4:36-37, 52-59; 1 Chr 29:10bcd, 11-12; Lk 19:45-48 Saturday: 1 Mc 6:1-13; Ps 9:2-4, 6, 16, 19; Lk 20:27-40 Sunday: 2 Sm 5:1-3; Ps 122:1-5; Col 1:12-20; Lk 23:35-43

NOT WATCHING FOR THE SECOND COMING

As we near the end of the Church year, the scriptures become more urgent. Both the prophet Malachi and Jesus in

the Gospel according to Luke offer graphic pictures of a terrible future. But we are missing the message if we use

these passages to speculate about when the world will end. The troubles predicted have already occurred, and

then some. In the last century alone we have seen devastation beyond anything the ancient prophets could have

imagined.

We weren’t given these passages to strike fear in our hearts, but faith. The sun of justice will rise, Malachi

assures us, for those who are faithful. And Jesus promises, “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

But it is Paul who brings the message down to earth. The Thessalonians were so sure that the end of the world

was upon them, some of them had stopped working! Paul states his case clearly: “If anyone was unwilling to

work, neither should that one eat.” We are not called to worry about how things will end, but to live today

faithfully. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

RESEMBLANCE

The dignity of resembling the Almighty is common to

all people; we should then love them all as ourselves,

as living images of the Deity. It is in this that we

belong to God. —St. Francis de Sales

Scripture

for you who fear my name, there will arise the

sun of justice with its healing rays. (Malachi

3:20)

let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains

shout with them for joy. (Psalm 98:8)

we worked so as not to burden any of you

(2 Thessalonians 3:8)

for I myself shall give you a wisdom in

speaking that all your adversaries will be

powerless to resist or refute. (Luke 21:15)

Reflection

Is this a joyful or difficult time for you?

How may a person retain joy in a difficult time?

Have you had an unfair life experience that

later turned around and changed your life for

the good?

Do you thank God and devote energy to

spiritually growth when life is good?

Does participating in parish ministry expand

your spiritual life and help to protect your spirit

in difficult times? We lived like skylarks.

Our real prayer was our gladness. Our rule was the

gospel, and the certainty that it was God who was

guiding us.

When I think back on that time I feel uplifted. I

would have liked to fasten forever to that manner of

living, for it helped us to break with all our habits,

and immersed us in the utopia of the gospel, which

is an explosion of freedom, simplicity of life, love,

and the absence of problems.1

1Carretto, Carlo, I Francis, Orbis: Maryknoll, NY 1982, (translated by Robert R. Barr)

p. 28 For the Ride Home by Ted Bergh © ParishVision LLC 2013

The Cross of Christ bears

the suffering and the sin

of mankind, including

our own. Jesus accepts

all this with open arms,

bearing on His shoulders our crosses and saying to

us: 'Have courage! You do not carry your cross

alone! I carry it with you. I have overcome

death and I have come to give you hope, to give

you life' (John 3:16). --Pope Francis World Youth Day, Rio 2013

Ministry of the Week

Each week as ministry coordinator, I would like

to introduce you to one of our 37 ministries we

have here at St. Thomas More.

This week I would like to

introduce you to one of the

Parish Associated Groups

Ministries. The Ladies Guild

Ministry assists the pastor

and stimulates the work of Catholic women in

parish ministries and other Catholic women

organizations. This group meets one a month

and conducts the annual Christmas Boutique and

furnishes and cares for the altar linens.

For more information please contact

Pat Wallila at 876-9185.

Greg DeCristofaro, Ministry Coordinator

uest ions of the Week

Excerpts from the U.S. Bishops’

Pastoral Letter Marriage:

Love and Life In The Divine Plan:

Between a Man and a Woman

“Jesus teaches that marriage is between a man and a

woman. ‘Have you not read that from the beginning

the Creator made them male and female…For this

reason a man shall leave his father and mother and

be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one

flesh’ (Mt 19:4-6).”

To read the document go to

http://www.usccb.org/loveandlife/.

Guild Ladies

OFFICE HELP NEEDED

The office is looking for someone to work

on Tuesdays 11am to 4pm. Answering

phones, helping staff when needed and

generally helping anyone stopping by. If you

are interested contact the office at 877-4501

or Pat Wallila at 876-9185 for an interview

Table of Plenty Thanksgiving Food Baskets

All 100 Thanksgiving Baskets were reserved in one day.

Many of our Table of Plenty families and lunch families were

able to reserve a basket for distribution on Nov. 26th.

Last weekend there was a

second collection to fund this

project. Table of Plenty

would like to thank you

everyone who donated to this

wonderful outreach ministry.

Thanksgiving food baskets will

be distributed on Nov. 26th

from 1-3pm from the large hall. Thanks to your generous

donations 100 baskets feeding 283 people, including 86

children, will be able to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving

meal. Special thanks to Greg Kidder and his team (set-up),

the Knights of Columbus (transporting food and helping

everywhere), Ridge Presbyterian Church (50 more baskets

and volunteers), Grocery Outlet (food), ACE Hardware

(bags) and Bell Carter Olives (donating 150 cans of

olives). As always, Table of Plenty is very appreciative of

the hard work and generosity from our Parish.

Christmas Baskets

Please note applications for Christmas Baskets will be

available in the office lobby, Monday-Friday from 9 to 4,

Dec. 2-6 or when 100 applications are received and they will

go fast. The Gift Tree for children under 18 years old will be

in the Vestibule beginning Thanksgiving weekend through

Dec. 15th, more information to come on this.

Annual Boutique and Bake Sale

The Ladies Guild will hold

its annual Holiday

Boutique and Bake Sale

on Saturday, November 23

from 9AM until 6:30 PM

and on Sunday, November

24 from 8AM until 1 PM in

the church hall.

There will be an assortment of homemade crafts, all

kinds of baked goodies, candies and jams offered for

sale. There will also be a raffle of five great gift

cards. Tickets are $1 or 6 for $5. Coffee and donuts

will be served on Sunday after Masses.

Questions? Call Pat @ 876-9185.

Department of Evangelization

Keeping up to Date!

There are several ways to keep up with the events

in the Diocese of Sacramento.

First, we invite you to follow us by "Liking" our

Facebook page at

www.facebook.com/DioceseSacramento.

Secondly, you can follow us on Twitter

@SacCatholic. Last but not least, you can visit

www.saccatholic.com to learn about events from

all over the diocese.

If you have any questions, please send an email to

aignacio@scd.org or call 916-733-0154.

Next Baptismal Retreat

Next Baptismal Retreat

December 14, 12 -6 PM!

Parents/godparents are

required to complete our parish retreat OR

equivalent classes at another parish before baptism

occurs.

The next opportunity for infant baptism is January

12, 2014 @ 10:30 am Mass.

Parents expecting to have their child baptized

please conact Coordinating Team Member Elaine

Helmick at 872-7341 to R.S.V.P. for the retreat

and begin the process as soon as possible!

Matthew 25:35, 40 “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink...I assure you, as

often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me.”

Parish Ministry Support Lay Retreats 2013 - 2014

The Diocese of Sacramento Office of Lay Formation

is sponsoring a Day of Spiritual Renewal at the

Diocesan Retreat Center in Colfax on Saturday,

December 7, 2013. This one-day retreat will be a

time of reflection, prayer, and renewal. The day

begins with Morning Prayer at 9AM and concludes at

5PM, following Mass. The theme for this retreat is

"Waiting for God's Promise." Retreat cost is $20/

person.

For more information or to register, visit

http://www.formstack.com/forms/catholic-retreat or

call 916-733-0153.

Please call Joe Di Duca @ 877-6842 if you want information about ads in our bulletin.

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