April 5, 2020 • Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Pastoral Associate for

Elementary Catechetics

Tracey Hann

School Principal

Michael Petrillo

DIRECTOR OF LITURGICAL

MUSIC MINISTRIES

Dr. Patricio Molina

Assistant Liturgical

Music MinisterS

Kimberley Mesiti

Pastoral Associate for Family

& Adult Formation Ministries

Robert P. Miller

COORDINATOR OF YOUTH MINISTRYQuinn Furnald

TRUSTEESBernadette LipomaJames McKittrick

St. Thomas the ApostleSt. Thomas the ApostleRoman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

Rectory/Parish Center: (973) 338-9190 • Fax: (973) 338-4224 Religious Education: (973) 338-7400 • School: (973) 338-8505

Address: 60 Byrd Avenue, Bloomfi eld, NJ 07003 • Website: www.stachurchbloomfi eld.comFacebook: Saint Thomas the Apostle Church Twitter: @stachurchnj

Parish Center Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm. Friday 9am-1pm & 2pm-5pm, Saturday 9am-1pm

Eucharistic LiturgySaturday Eve: 5:00pm

Sundays: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30am & 12:00 Noon

Weekdays: 7:30, & 11:30am

Saturday Mornings: 8:30am

Holy Days:7:30, 11:30am & 7:00pm

Holidays: 8:30am

Sacrament of Reconciliation

(Penance/Confessions)Saturday: 11:00am

Marian Devotions

MondaysNovena Prayer 11:30am Mass

Liturgy of the Word

With ChildrenSundays: 10:30am Mass

September - June

Catholic Community

ServicesOffering Social

Service Assistance1(800) CCS-7413

Fax: 596-3735

Rev. Lawrence J. Fama, PastorRev. Charles J. Miller, Pastor Emeritus

Parochial Vicar: Rev. Antonio T. Sarento, M.Div. In Residence: Rev. John Gordon, V.F., Rev. Charles Pinyan

Weekend Assistant: Rev. Thomas CemborPERMANENT DEACONS

Deacon Thomas J. Coyle • Deacon Brian J. MurphyDeacon Dennis J. Besida, Retired • Deacon Albert H. Tizzano, Retired

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Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion April 5, 2020

Masses for the Week

Saturday, April 4

5:00 pm Brendan Boyle – Bequest

Sunday, April 5

7:30 am James O’Neill – Family 9:00 am Carolina S. Roc – Family

10:30 am Deceased Members of the Gallo & Carlton Fams.

12:00 pm For the People

Monday, April 6 Monday of Holy Week

7:30 am Tom Gonzales – Wife

11:30 am Mary Margaret Tizzano – Bequest

Tuesday, April 7 Tuesday of Holy Week

7:30 am Corrine Kylis – Friend 11:30 am Mr. Patrick H. McIlmurry

Wednesday, April 8 Wednesday of Holy Week

7:30 am Peter Rohan, Jr. – Family

11:30 am Andrew Triano – Family

Thursday, April 9 Holy Thursday

7:30 pm Barry Muller – Family Dylan A. DuBois – Family

Friday, April 10

Good Friday NO MASSES

Saturday, April 11 Holy Saturday

8:15 pm Dorothy Spera – Friends Alice Macina – Friend

Sunday, April 12

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord 7:30 am For the People

9:00 am Carolina S. Roc – Family 10:30 am Ernest & Philomena Cordasco & Joseph Bianchi,

Sr. – Wife 12:00 pm Barbara Russomanno – Friend

Due to the Coronavirus all public masses are

canceled. The priests will be fulfilling all

mass intention obligations.

PRAY FOR OUR SICK

Anyone requesting a prayer shawl or lap robe for a person in need is asked to call the parish center.

Deacon Al Tizzano, Daniel Chagnon,

Margaret Gentiles, Virginia Fallon

REST IN PEACE Susan DeSimone

Sue Cranga, Phyllis Nicastro

SANCTUARY CANDLE INTENTIONS

CHURCH: Danny Nacalaben

RECTORY: Paul Kossack

Gospel Reading - Matthew 26:14—27:66

Jesus acts in obedience to the Father even in death, so that sins may be forgiven. Matthew makes this clear in the story of the Lord’s Supper. As Jesus blesses the chalice, he says: “. . . for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28) While the Gospels of Matthew and Mark have many parallels in their narrative of the Passion, there are a few details worth noting that are unique to Matthew. Only Matthew indicates the price paid to Judas for betraying Jesus. The story of Judas’s death is also found only in Matthew, as is the detail that Pilate’s wife received a warning in a dream and that Pilate washed his hands of Jesus’ death. Finally, Matthew’s Gospel alone mentions the earthquakes and other phenomena that happened after Jesus’ death. Matthew places the responsibility for Jesus’ death on the Sanhedrin, the chief priests and elders who were responsible for the Temple. However, the animosity that those Jewish leaders and the Jewish people demonstrate toward Jesus is not to be interpreted in ways that blame the Jewish people for Jesus’ death. Throughout Matthew’s Gospel, the narrative reflects the tension that probably existed between the early Christian community and their Jewish contemporaries. At the Second Vatican Council, the Council Fathers made clear that all sinners share responsibility for the suffering and death of Jesus and that it is wrong to place blame for Jesus’ Passion on the Jewish contemporaries of Jesus or on Jewish people today. There are many vantage points from which to engage in Jesus’ Passion. In the characters of Matthew’s Gospel, we find reflections of ourselves and the many ways in which we sometimes respond to Jesus. Sometimes we are like Judas, who betrays Jesus and comes to regret it. We are sometimes like Peter, who denies him, or like the disciples, who fell asleep during Jesus’ darkest hour but then act rashly and violently at his arrest. Sometimes we are like Simon, who is pressed into service to help Jesus carry his cross. Sometimes we are like the leaders who fear Jesus or like Pontius Pilate, who washed his hands of the whole affair. Jesus dies so that our sins will be forgiven.

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PARISH CENTER PHONE HOURS ONLY M - F 9AM - 3PM SAT 9AM – 1PM

Leave a message for a return call back ALL MEETINGS & EVENTS

CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE

The Main source of operating funds for St. Thomas is our weekly / holyday offertory collections. The information below will show where the Parish is as of March 29th compared to the budget amount for the year. The break-even date is June 30, 2020. The amount needed each week is $17,496 and the amount collected last weekend was $10,030.

Budget Amount Year to Date Remaining Amount

$892,300 $620,469 $271,831

The year to date amount is negative by $61,875.

as of week number 39 in our current budget year.

______

May we who are merely inconvenienced Remember those whose lives are at stake.

May we who have no risk factors Remember those most vulnerable.

May we who have the luxury of working from home Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.

May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when schools close Remember those who have no options.

May we who have to cancel our trips Remember those that have no place to go.

May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market Remember those who have no margin at all.

May we who settle in for a quarantine at home Remember those who have no home.

During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.

AMEN

2020

Holy Thursday, April 9th

Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Good Friday, April 10th

Celebration of Our Lord’s Passion & Death

Living Stations of the Cross Presented by St. Thomas Youth Group & Choir

Easter Sunday, April 12th

Mass

All of the above can be seen on; Website: www.stachurchbloomfield.com Facebook: Saint Thomas the Apostle Church YouTube: Stabloomfieldnj

TITHING ONLINE AND ONLINE GIVING

Between demanding schedules, traveling, or just trying to get out the door on time for Mass, it can be challenging to tithe on a regular basis as God calls us to do. Plus, for many families, the parish is one of the last places where you still have to use a checkbook or cash. St. Thomas has online giving for families to easily give one-time as well as recurring gifts or tithe! Simply make a secure donation via electronic check or debit/credit card by visiting www.stachurchbloomfield.com to set up recurring gifts or tithe. It’s as easy as online shopping or banking! Learn more and consider the possibilities for sharing your gifts without the hassle of remembering checks and envelopes. Visit www.stachurchbloomfield.com.

View this bulletin online at:

http://stachurchbloomfield.com/bulletin

CATHOLIC MEDIA For Catholic Radio, TV, Online Streaming Relevant Radio: 1430 AM or relevantradio.com EWTN: Optimum 135, FIOS 285, EWTN.com>television>Watch live Catholic Faith Network (CFN): Optimum 137, FIOS 296

PRAYER FOR A PANDEMIC

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From the Pastor’s Desk… Dear Parish Family,

Today is Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord and we have only a few days left on our Lenten journey. In so many ways we have been (and continue to be) in a desert environment. Our Eucharistic fast continues as public Masses are not celebrated due to the Corona virus pandemic. These past several weeks have been filled with much anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. Our hearts are heavy as we constantly hear the news that talks about the heavy human, emotional, and financial toll this crisis is having on all of us.

In many ways our way of the cross, our passion, our Good Friday began weeks ago. Mass and the public celebration of the Sacraments have not been publicly celebrated for weeks. Mass from our church has been aired online over the last several weeks. Each day my brother priests and I have celebrated Mass for the scheduled intentions and for the St. Thomas parish community. Since this crisis began each of us has prayed a Holy Hour each day for you and your families.

As I write this (on March 27th) no one knows what the news will be when you read this on April 5th. Yet, here we are at the beginning of Holy Week. I’m inviting you to be part of our celebrations this week, for these days must and will be celebrated. As I write this we are still working out the details and logistics but Holy Thursday’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be on our website ( www.stachurchbloomfield.com ) and YouTube channel (STABloomfieldNJ ) on Thursday at 7:30 pm. The Celebration of Our Lord’s Passion and Death will be at 3 pm on Good Friday.

The schedule for Easter is still being worked out. Our Website (www.stachurchbloomfield.com), Facebook (Saint Thomas the Apostle Church), and Twitter (@stachurchnj) will have the latest updates. I invite you to be part of the Holy Week and Easter celebrations from your home this year. These days are the heart of our calendar for they offer us hope and they show us how much God loves us:

Holy Thursday celebrates the institution of the Priesthood of Jesus Christ and the institution of the Eucharist.

Good Friday is the only day of the year when Mass is not celebrated anywhere in the world. We commemorate the day the Lord died on the Cross, where He was so vulnerable, yet where He accomplished so much.

On Easter we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The empty tomb shows us that Jesus broke the bonds of death. Without Good Friday there couldn’t be a celebration of the Easter Resurrection.

Participate in these beautiful liturgies this week. Again, please refer to our website and social media pages for the latest updates and I ask that you please take a moment to read my message from March 25th entitled ‘Financial Support’. Please remember that the Easter Collection accounts for a large percentage of our operating budget. I thank you in advance for your continued support and generosity in this unprecedented time.

My prayer continues to be for an end to this pandemic, for you and your family, those who are sick, those who care for them (especially our health care workers), and for those who succumbed to this virus. My prayer is also with the many who are struggling both emotionally and financially during these tough and challenging times. While we are physically separated, we are spiritually united. I pray that our desert and this Eucharistic fast will be over very soon.

Let’s continue to pray for one another.

Have a Blessed Holy Week!

Love,

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NEW TO OUR PARISH? WELCOME!!

PARISH MEMBERSHIP; New Parishioners are requested to register in the Parish as soon as possible. Please notify us of changes in address or phone number.

Name_________________________________________

Address_______________________________________

Town_________________________________________

Phone________________________________________

Email_________________________________________

____ I wish to receive a registration form

____ I have an address change

____ I am moving out of the Parish

Please send to Parish office or drop in collection basket.

Living the 3 T’s sharing your Time, Talent, & Treasure What shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness to me? (Psalm 116: 12) Easter is a good time to rejoice in what the Lord has done for each of us, and to look back at what we have done and given back to Him and His / Our Church. It is also a very good time to recommit to being more generous by sharing our Time, Talent and Treasure for the Lord and others

The Baptismal Font - Back in the 1999 the Parish had a capital campaign called ‘Remembering, Believing, Growing, The St. Thomas Way’. The monies raised were for various projects in our school, rectory, convent, and for the renovation of our church. There was also money donated only to be used for the renovation of the Baptismal Font, part of the architectural plans. However, it was not enough to complete the project at that time and the money was set aside. We have just received a generous donation for the completion of the project. This gift was made in memory of Frank and Rose Rennie. Therefore, we will begin the project the week of March 2nd. The water will flow continuously from our font into an octagon pool located directly behind it. The marble being used for the project is from the original pulpit and altar rails that were dismantled and stored during the renovation. It should take approximately two weeks to complete. Many thanks to our generous parishioners!

SEPTEMBER CLUB NEWS September Club Mtgs are suspended until further notice.

The April 23rd Trip to the Paper Mill Playhouse has been cancelled.

We will give you updates on the status of our other 2020 Trips as the Virus plays out. In the meantime, let’s pray the virus will be contained and we can resume our normal activities. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call Fran Gardella at 848-448-4335.

O Mary, you always brighten our path

as a sign of salvation and of hope, We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who,

at the Cross, took part in Jesus’ pain while remaining steadfast in faith.

O Loving Mother, you know what we need,

and we are confident you will provide for us as at Cana in Galilee.

Intercede for us with your Son Jesus, the Divine Physician,

for those who have fallen ill, for those who are vulnerable, and for those who have died.

Intercede also for those charged with protecting the health and safety of others and for those who are

tending to the sick and seeking a cure.

Help us O Mother of Divine Love, to conform to the will of the Father and to do as we

are told by Jesus, who took upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows, so as to lead us, through the

Cross, to the glory of the Resurrection, Amen.

Under thy protection, we seek refuge, O Holy Mother of God.

In our needs, despise not our petitions, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen

NEW MEMORIALS In order to accommodate more requests to memorialize loved ones sooner rather than later, we opened up memorials of Bread and Wine on March 1st. Your loved one can now be memorialized for an entire week with a donation of $20 for the bread and wine that is used at all Masses that week. The names will appear in the bulletin on the Sunday beginning the week of the memorialization.

Calendar Raffle Winners! Week Seven 500 York Tom Clifton 2875 100 Jean & John Barbetta Bloomfield 3022 250 Barbara Krawiec Clifton 1233 125 Jo Ann Murray Nutley 1233 150 Tyesha Lee 2688 Week Eight 100 Robert Cece Nutley 1286 125 Sabino Pannullo West Caldwell 2243 150 Oneela Parillon Belleville 3269 100 Stanley Rogacki Bloomfield 3170 125 Andrew Gilfillan Bloomfield 1547

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ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE 300 CLUB St. Thomas the Apostle and your Finance Committee invite you and your friends to participate in our “300 Club”. You will find that this Club is better than State Lotteries, Casino Slots, or Bingo. Here is how it works...

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By completing the form below, you will not only help your parish repair and maintain your parish buildings but you will also have the opportunity to win a tremendous amount of money. With only 300 possible tickets, the odds of winning are much better than any other lottery or raffle. You can purchase a ticket for yourself or in partnership with someone else. If you decide to purchase in a partnership, please include all names in the partnership on this form.

The Raffle will be held on Thursday May 28, 2020

--------------------------------------------------------- Application Form Reserve your tickets now!!

_______ Ticket(s) for 300 Club @ $ 100.00 each Name or Names (please print):

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Telephone ( ) .......................................................................................................... Make checks payable to St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Winner need not be present to win. Send this form along with your check to: St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 60 Byrd Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 Attention: 300 Club Church ID # 41-1-16464 Raffle License # RA: 3555

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