Next week’s theme: FOLLOWING JESUS/ DISCIPLESHIP

October 17, 2021: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Pastor: Rev. Steve Zabrocki Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturdays - 3:30 pm or by appt Weekend Mass Schedule: Saturday - 5:00 pm

Sunday - 8:30 am, 10:30 am Daily Mass Schedule:

Tuesday - Friday - 9:00 am

Church: 2055 Woody Dr. Billings, MT 59102 Office: 406-656-5800 Rectory: 406-656-5578 Online:

www.stthomasbillings.org Facebook.com: @SaintThomasBillings

You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized? Mark 10:38

Collection 10/10

Total Collection ........................... $28,111

Year-to-date Collection (start: July 1, 2021)

YTD Total Collection ................. $386,800

Prefer online giving? Go to GiveCentral.org and choose a “way to support” St. Thomas the Apostle Church - Billings.

Thank you for supporting your parish!

2 Welcome to St. Thomas the Apostle · Billings, MT 59102

Needing prayers Judy Clouse, Jamie Cross-Lake, Deacon Bill Daem, Dode Donnelly, Vernice Doughten, Reid Hagen, Mick Johnson, Ron Jones, Daryl Ann Jorgensen, Katie Lien, Jack Padon, Ed & Audrey Parks, Joe Robinson, Linda Rodgers, Janice Smith, Judy Smith, and Kathy Wilson.

40 Days for Life is a peaceful prayer vigil in front of Planned Parenthood. St. Thomas parishioners are filling one-hour time slots on Thursdays through October 29. You can still be a part of this public witness. Please contact parishioner Diane Zimdars at 307-299-4476 (cell) or email dianezimdars@gmail.com.

Contact our staff... Office Hours: Mon -Thurs: 8:00 am - noon; 1:00 - 5:00 pm Friday: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Pastor: Rev. Steve Zabrocki Deacon: Deacon Nate Haney Retired Deacon: Deacon Tim Birkle Liturgy Asst: Jina Arroyo Administrative Asst: Theresa Ball Custodian: Brian Etchart RCIA/Adult Education: Mary Gillespie Youth Ministry: Tiffany Glennon Religious Ed: Joyce Hollowell Outreach: Kathy Lombardozzi Finance Mgr: Paul Miron Liturgical Music: Carolyn Peters

Your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Helen Strekall of this parish. Please pray

for Helen, her family and friends, and all those who grieve her passing.

Our special diocesan collection

this month is for World Mission

Sunday.

Pope Francis invites the entire Church to support mission dioceses in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin America and Europe, where priests, religious and lay leaders serve the world’s most vulnerable communities. Please keep the Pope’s missions in your prayers and be generous in this collection for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. Envelopes can be found at church entrances.

Next Week’s Readings - October 24, 2021 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jeremiah 31:7-9 (149B) Hebrews 5:1-6 Mark 10:46-52

3

Tuesday, 10/19, 9:00 am Margie Foellmi by Jim & JoAnn Boyer Tuesday, 10/19, 9:00 am Ruben Day by Ziggy & Stella Ziegler Wednesday, 10/20, 9:00 am Delores Etchart by the Zimdars Family Wednesday, 10/20, 9:00 am Carol Gritten by Kim & Danny

Thursday, 10/21, 9:00 am Donna Kimmery by Darlene Dibble

Thursday, 10/21, 9:00 am Jack & Carol Oberweiser by Cathy Downey Friday, 10/22, 10:00 am Margie Foellmi by John & Patty Fekety Friday, 10/22, 10:00 am Kara Kitano by Robby & Mareth Gunstream Saturday, 10/23, 5:00 pm Delores Etchart by the Zimdars Family Saturday, 10/23, 5:00 pm Christian Ebsen by Alix & Tom Abel Sunday, 10/24, 8:30 am Intentions of the St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Family Sunday, 10/24, 8:30 am Carol Gritten by Kim & Danny Sunday, 10/24, 10:30 am Tom Astle by Otto & Jody Dringman Sunday, 10/24, 10:30 am Kathy McKinney by Cathy Downey

Liturgical Ministers October 23-24

Asst Collect

Collection Altar Serv Bk Altar Serv Cr Altar Serv Ch Plate 2

Plate 3 Plate 4

Greeter SG CC

Proclaimer 1 Proclaimer 2

Sacristan Usher Lead

Usher Altar Usher Ambo

Sat 5:00 pm C Eastlick NEEDED F Eastlick Fr Pat Zabrocki

Deacon Nate S King M Helfrich K/V Petermann P Lowthian D Weaver NEEDED B Goetz D Fishbaugh D Lambrecht

Sun 8:30 am R Hall L Pauley B Warn J Burmeister L Sadler Fr Pat Zabrocki

Deacon Nate T Kane G Burmeister S/B Long R Nau B Lynch M Fitzpatrick D Ehresman E O’Neill NEEDED

Sun 10:30 am A Massey K McMahon D Kunz Fr Pat Zabrocki

Deacon Nate W Waite T/M Hunt L Clawson J Westberg J Smith E Mellor F Dugas T Scott J Mellor

Billings Clinic ExpressCare

Quick & easy access to health care. Albertsons Rehberg/Central/Heights

billingsclinic.com/expresscare

Sacristy Linens October: Alicia McFarlin Sac/Holy Water October 22: Darlene Dibble

MA

SS INTEN

TION

S

4

Religious Education

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW. Please eat dinner and then come join us for our annual Parish Pumpkin Carving on Wednesday, Oct. 27th at 6:30 pm in our Community Center. Bring your family, a gutted pumpkin, and your creativity. We will provide PRIZES and fun!

Prizes will be given for the following seven categories: for Religious/Spiritual, Most Creative, Scariest, Animal, Character, Painted Jack-O-Lanterns and Biggest decorated Jack-O-Lanterns.

Joyce

Tuesday Morning Bible Study began Oct. 12th in the Parish Center after the 9:00 am daily Mass.

“The CREED” from Bishop Barron This new 6-part film series blends documentary footage and dynamic talks to guide viewers through the Nicene Creed - a 4th Century statement of faith professed by most Christians around the world even today. Please let Mary in the office know if you plan to attend so a study guide can be prepared for you: mary@stthomasbillings.org or 656-5800, ext 303.

The Diocese of Great Falls-Billings is holding the 2nd annual charity raffle from now until May 20, 2022. The first Early Bird cash drawing for

$1,000 will take place at the Diocese Chancery on November 17.

The five major prizes will be drawn live at the Moving Mountains Benefit the evening of May 20th at the Newbury in Great Falls. Raffle tickets are $20 each and may be purchased at the church office by cash or check. Debit card purchases (no credit cards) may be done online at www.diocesegfb.org.

Youth Ministry

Youth Group meets this Wednesday from 7:00 - 8:00 pm in the Parish Center. Join us as we start our small group discussions.

Tiffany

Wednesday Evening Bible Study began Oct. 6th at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center.

“Evangelization & the Acts of the Apostles”

In this 10-part video series, Dr. Mary Healy leads us in finding help and inspiration from the stories/firsthand accounts of the men and women in Acts. This series explores the power, challenges & joy of sharing the Gospel - in the early Church AND today. Please call Paul in the church office to still register.

Welcome to St. Thomas the Apostle · Billings, MT 59102

Evangelism IS: The investment of our lives in relationships that already exist outside of the church. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20a

5

Let’s stay connected and meet a volunteer in the Proclaimer ministry.

Let’s meet Dan Weaver.

Please tell us a bit about yourself. I grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska and met my wife, Kathy in the first week of medical school in Cleveland in 1977. We were fighting over the last scoop of Rocky Road ice cream in the dorm (she got it). After completing our medical training at the Mayo Clinic, we moved to Billings in 1992. Kathy “retired” from her work as a psychiatrist to care for our four children and I started my practice at the Billings Clinic as the first pediatric ophthalmologist in Montana. I perform eye surgery in children and adults. Kathy is a cradle-Catholic from a large Italian family in southern California; I was raised Episcopal and came into the church in 1993, sponsored by Father Charles Mears who was

filling-in at St. Thomas during Father Bourke’s sabbatical in Ireland. Please tell us which Mass you proclaim at and how long you’ve been a Proclaimer. What brought you to this ministry initially? I proclaim at both the 5:00 pm vigil and the 10:30 am Sunday service and have been a Proclaimer for about 20 years. This ministry is particularly enjoyable to me as it encourages me to study the Scriptures before Mass and share the Scriptures with the congregation. I consider this a privilege. I was drawn to this ministry to increase my level of participation in church activities as an example for my children. After we lost our oldest daughter, Melissa in a plane crash in 2010, I viewed this ministry as an opportunity to deepen my faith in God and help heal the wounds from this family tragedy.

We attended the 10:30 am Mass on Sunday when our children were growing up. We sat in the front row so that they would pay attention during Mass. One stern look from Father Bourke was usually enough to keep them in line! We have begun attending the vigil Mass since the start of the pandemic as it seems to work better with our work schedule. What changes have you seen in your ministry over the years, particularly since the pandemic restrictions? Why have you chosen to continue serving? Have you volunteered in other capacities? I continue to observe the reverence with which the Proclaimers view their role and find this inspiring. The pandemic did not change my desire to participate, and I have found myself proclaiming more often since last year. The bishop’s support of pandemic restrictions helped many proclaimers feel safe; being vaccinated and wearing a mask makes sense to me as a health care provider. I have also served in the St. Thomas Men’s group and look forward to returning to this after pandemic restrictions are relaxed. As hope rises for an end to the pandemic, what message do you have to share with your parish family? Every day is a new beginning. Be thankful for the opportunity. Speaking as a golfer, a “mulligan” is another chance to hit a better shot. Remember that God gives us another “mulligan” every morning. Relish this opportunity and always give it your best shot. As for the pandemic: this too shall pass!

Dr. Dan Weaver

6 Welcome to St. Thomas the Apostle · Billings, MT 59102

Community Needs During Lent, many of us will focus on our prayer life, our fasting and our alms-giving to the poor. These three actions are central to our Lenten journey, ultimately leading us to Easter. In the remaining days of Lent, St. Vincent de Paul asks you to remember them in prayer. If you fast, think of the many people who are truly hungry that come through their doors in search of a meal. If you plan to give alms, please consider giving to their many programs, which keeps them operating. A continued Blessed Lent to everyone.

Around the region—

ELEVATE our schools! Donate now to the 2021 BCS Foundation Mayfair Special Project, an elevator for Billings Central Catholic High School! The 2021 Special Project has three phases: the installation of an elevator, the demolition of the aging Sacred Heart facility behind the school, and beautification and safety upgrades including new lighting for the BCCHS parking area. BCCHS is in dire need of these improvements that will improve the safety and well-being of every student and staff member at Central. For more information on the Mayfair 2021 Special Project, visit billingscatholicschoolsfoundation.org, click the Mayfair tab, and scroll to Mayfair 2021 Special Projects at the bottom of the page, or call 406-252-0252. The Pan Atlantic Foundation, a non-profit organization which works with international high school student exchange, is looking for families to host their incoming students - and they would love to place them with families who share the same faith. Students arrive in August from Germany, Denmark, Italy, Spain, etc., and are here for the entire school year. They have a variety of hobbies and interests, including soccer, cooking, ice-skating, golf, fashion, movies, mathematics and more. They are proficient in English and come with their own health insurance and spending money for all personal, academic and social expenses. Many of them have dreamed of studying in America since they were children. Host families can be retired, empty nesters, single, or families of any size from zero children to a tribe! All they need is a seat at your table and a place in your heart. Visit www.meetourstudents.org to get to know the students, or visit www.iwanttohost.org for more information.

KC Council 1259 hosts their annual Fish Fry during Lent. Dinner is served from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Columbia Club, 2216 Grand Ave. The cost for this all-you-can-eat dinner is Adults - $12; children - $6. Limited seating with social distancing and masks are required when entering. Meals to go can be pre-ordered at 406-656-7010. Bingo will follow dinner, upstairs, at 7:00 pm.

“[The Gospel of Life] is therefore meant to be a precise and vigorous reaffirmation of the value of human life and its inviolability, and at the same time a pressing ap-peal addressed to each and every person, in the name of God: respect, protect, love and serve life, every human life! Only in this direction will you find justice, development, true freedom, peace and happiness!”

The Gospel of Life, 5

Community Needs The seasonal cold and snow have returned and St. Vincent de Paul has greater need for socks, winter coats, hats and gloves for all sizes. Gently used items for their Clothing & Essential Program may be dropped off at the parish, at 3005 1st Ave S, or call 406-831-5221. Thanks for your continued support.

The annual fundraiser for LaVie will take place 3-17-22, with special guest Tim Tebow. Ticket sales will reopen on November 1st, 2021, but if you already purchased tickets, they are still reserved. They are also announcing a new program in the community that has evolved from the needs of the families seeking LaVie’s support: Fiona’s Hope. Contact parishioner, Evan Lebsock at 406-672-9905 or evan.n.jones@gmail.com for more information about this new sponsorship program.

Around the region—

Online Natural Family Planning Class begins soon. Natural Family Planning (NFP) is fertility awareness. Couples will learn how to observe, record, and interpret a woman’s natural signs of fertility. The class also teaches about God’s beautiful plan for married love. The first class in a 3-part series will be taught ONLINE this Sunday, October 17 at 3:00 pm by Ben & Rita Pehl from Sacred Heart Parish in Terry, MT. Ben and Rita are a Certified Volunteer NFP Teaching Couple through the Couple to Couple League. Contact Ben & Rita for more information at 406-600-3987 (Ben) or 402-640-9494 (Rita), or visit ccli.org.

On Tuesday, October 19, Dahl Funeral Chapel will begin a 12-week grief support program meeting Tuesdays from 7:00 - 9:00 pm at 10 Yellowstone Ave. Anyone interested should call 406-591-3219.

A Catholic Estate Planning Workshop takes place here Wednesday, October 20 from 9:45 am to 1:30 pm. Co-hosted by the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Montana and Billings, Catholic Schools Foundation, all are welcome to learn the essentials of planning your legacy, including charitable giving techniques and tax credits/savings for Catholics. With great speakers, breakout sessions and a catered lunch, you are sure to enjoy - and learn from - this morning of spiritual and practical wisdom. No charge. Refreshments and lunch are included, but space is limited. Please RSVP today by phone, email or online: 406-317-1765, hello@catholicfoundationmt.org, www.catholicfoundationmt.org. Come to the Double Tree by Hilton Ballroom at 27 N 27th St Friday, October 22nd for a special anniversary event for Billings Catholic radio, KJCR, featuring Dr. David Anders of EWTN’s “Called to Communion.” Dr. Anders is a former Presbyterian minister who pursued the truth about Christ to the Catholic Church. Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar at 6:00 pm. Guest Speaker at 7:30 pm. Admission is FREE, but an RSVP is required at www.billingscatholicradio.com. If you need assistance, call 406-294-5250.

Word of Life Dearest St. Joseph, at the word of an angel, you lovingly took Mary into your home. As God’s humble servant, you guided the Holy Family on the road to Bethlehem, welcomed Jesus as your own son in the shelter of a manger, and fled far from your homeland for the safety of both Mother and Child… Help us to faithfully commit ourselves to the service and defense of human life — especially where it is vulnerable or threatened. Obtain for us the grace to do the will of God in all things. Amen.

USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities “A Prayer to St. Joseph, Defender of Life”

In preparation for Oct. 24:

FOLLOWING JESUS/ DISCIPLESHIP

“Master, I want to see.” (vs 51b) Mark 10:46-52

1. What helps you to see as Jesus wants us to see? What is one of the great “eye-opening experiences” that you have ever had?

2. Are you living out a vision of faith? Bartimaeus found the way. Can You? 3. What is the one thing Jesus is saying to us in this Sunday’s Gospel about how a disciple should speak or

act? And what do you need to do or change to be a better disciple? Obstacles of living out the Gospel: Ex: apathy, priorities, time — not taking the time to recognize God at work in your life, to stop and pray, read the Bible, go to Mass, try Adoration, etc.

1. Can you think of any other ways in which people might be blind? Blind to the faith? Blind to love?

2. Have you ever been blind to something? What helped you see?

Obstacles of living out the Gospel: Too wrapped up in the things of this world; too wrapped up in ourselves.

Bartimaeus was often overlooked because he was a blind beggar. When he called out to Jesus, the crowd told him to be quiet — but he just called out louder. When Jesus acknowledged Bartimaeus and cured him, the crowd also accepted Bartimaeus. 1. Why do you think Jesus cured Bartimaeus? 2. How do you treat a person who is blind or

has a handicap? 3. Giving Bartimaeus his sight back also gave

everyone else new eyes of faith. What lesson do you think Jesus is trying to teach us?

4. Do you look at life through your faith? How can you do this better?

Obstacles of living out the Gospel: If we only have eyes for what the world or society thinks is important (like popularity or possessions); if we look down on others who are not like us (physically, racially or think differently than us); if we don’t look through eyes of faith and think only of ourselves.

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