sunday may 10, 2015 - mothers' day

A welcoming Catholic community devoted to living out and celebrating God’s Word and Sacraments by connecting people to Christ through faith, love, and ministry.

2506 Gulf Gate Dr. Sarasota, FL 34231 | 941-923-1691 | stthomasmoresrq.org

St. thomaS moreCatholiC ChurCh | SaraSota

May 10, 2015 | 7th Sunday of Easter

/stthomasmoresrq

“ To be a mo t her i s a gr ea t t r easure! ”

-Pope Francis

MASSES Saturday8:00 am & 4:00 pm Confession 3:00 pm in our Chapel

Sunday8:00 am9:45 am11:30 am (contemporary choir)

Weekdays8:00 am

WE CELEBRATE THE SACRAMENTS• Baptism

• 1st Reconciliation

• 1st Communion

• Confirmation

• R.C.I.A. - Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults

• Faith Formation (Religious Education for grades K-10)

For information, contact Sr. Judy Baldino at 941-923-1691 or [email protected]

For information about liturgy: www.stthomasmoresrq.org

Welcoming Our parishioners love meeting new people and sharing their lives with others. You’ll also be greeted by some of the most welcoming people you’ve ever met at a church - and we’re not just talking about the Hospitality Team.

Family-focused If you have children, they are ALWAYS welcome to celebrate Mass with the community! In fact, our church was intentionally built without a cry room because we want children at Mass. We also have a special family bathroom with child-sized “facilities.”

Dynamic Worship Throughout the Mass, you’ll be encouraged and invigorated by the community’s full, conscious, and active participation in the Liturgy.

Our community loves to SING! The Word of God is proclaimed in a dynamic fashion. The homilies are geared towards loving people where they are - and challenging them to become better Christians.

A church unlike any other! There’s so much more to talk about! Our parish is a wonderful, dynamic community and we welcome you to celebrate Liturgy with us this weekend. It doesn’t matter if this is your first time, 50th time, or first time in 50 years - know that you always have a place to worship, and a community to belong to at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.

Learn more at: www.stthomasmoresrq.org/welcomevideo

CONTACT USaddress:2506 Gulf Gate DriveSarasota, FL 34231

phone:941-923-1691

email:[email protected]

website:stthomasmoresrq.org

NEW TO US? HERE’S WHAT WE ARE ABOUT

New Member Church Tour & Parish History Saturday, May 30, 9:00 am Join parishioners Cheryl Stock and Sue Stofko in the Church as they lead an informational tour of our campus, beginning with the church. You will learn about: parish history, architecture, artwork, the chapel, where to park, our church ministries and more!. There will be a walk through Spirit and Chelsea Centers.

Been here a long time and want to know more about the parish? Join us and learn about our parish from another perspective!

NEW TO US? HERE’S WHAT WE ARE ABOUT

Stewardship Reflection May 10, 2015 – 6th Sunday of Easter and Mothers’ Day“This I command you: love one another.” Note that in this direct quote from today’s Gospel (John 15:9-17) that the Lord does not offer this as a suggestion nor as an option. It is a command. He reinforces this several times in Holy Scripture as He offers it as one of the two most important commandments. If we make an effort to genuinely love one another, we will have gone a long way to living out discipleship and stewardship.

It is appropriate on this Sixth Sunday of Easter, when we celebrate Mothers’ Day throughout the United States, that our readings are filled with the message of love. The love of a mother is one of the great blessings anyone can receive. We should have no difficulty on this day letting our mothers — in fact, all those women who have provided support and forgiveness to us — know that we love them.

If loving one another is one of the hallmarks of stewardship as a way of life, showing that love to our mothers, and for mothers, showing and expressing their love to their children is paramount on this day. As Christ said in today’s Gospel, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s love for one’s friends.” Mothers do that constantly, sacrificing so much for their children. We are blessed; let the “mothers” in our lives know that they are a blessing.

Next Sunday, May 17

8:30 am - 1:30 pmThe Bloodmobile

will be in the South Parking Lot

JOIN OUR PARISH FAMILY!

stthomasmoresrq.org/register

Intentions, May 10-17Sunday Fr. Michal 8:00am STM Mothers: living & deceased Fr. Joe 9:45am STM Mothers: living & deceased Fr. Joe 11:30am STM Mothers: living & deceased

Monday Fr. Michal 8:00am Bob Haas Salvatore DiFranco & family

Tuesday Fr. Michal 8:00am Maria Picone Marian Rutha Wednesday Fr. Joe 8:00am Rose Lonsway Anne Markiewicz

Thursday Fr. Michal 8:00am James H. Reid John Cederborg

Friday Fr. Joe 8:00am Daniel Coyle and living and deceased members of the Coyle & Caron families John Koza - Happy Birthday!

Saturday Fr. Dave 8:00am Beverly DeVries Walter Burazer

Fr. Joe 4:00pm Bob Haas Mitchell Matusick

Sunday Fr. Joe 8:00am William Ross Antoinette LaBruno Julius Juron

Fr. Michal 9:45am Patricia Gitter Patricia Urgo

Fr. Michal 11:30am Yolanda & Giuseppe Penge Rocco Carbonara

STAFF

Fr. Michal Szyszka Parochial Vicar

Sr. Judy BaldinoPastoral Associate

Rev. Mr. Bob GaitensDeacon

Alex DilanOrganist and Music Director

Chuck LynchSacristan

Tom LelyoYouth Ministry

Mimi FitzgeraldHealth Ministry

Coordinator

Jim SelinskiDirector of Operations and Stewardship

CarolAnn Lovejoy-Jessup

Executive Assistant

David FelicianoParish Accountant

Mary MaxwellParish Secretary

Susan JacobsFront Office Coordinator

Joanne TararaChelsea Coordinator

Paul UrbanGrounds/Maintenance Supervisor

Ramon AlveroMaintenance/Set up

John DriscollMaintenance/Set up

Rev. Mr. Kevin MonahanDeacon

Fr. Joe CliffordPastor

Church Flowersin memory of Vera Tesla; given by her loving children: Ellie & Ted Cannelongo and Tom Tesla

Centering Contemplative PrayerThursdays @ 10:30 am in the Spirit Center;

Ed Savoy 941-923-5706

Prayer Chain Dale Eppig 941-923-4961

Spirit of Love Prayer Group 2nd Monday @ 2:00 pm in the chapel; Alice Lavitt 941-

927-2647

Rosary Weekdays @ 7:30 am in the Church

Women at the Well & Micah’s Men1st & 3rd Wednesdays @ 6:30 pm in the Chelsea Center; Roger Grenier 941-993-2908

Our prayer book of the sick is located in the chapel.

Write your intention; be assured that those entered are prayed for daily.

prayer & small groups

Jack & Lee Baker Jeannese Castro John & Ann Coombe Angela Ellingsworth, Canaan, Daphne, Caleb Matthew & Jennifer Ercolani Peter & Catherine Gorman Robert Hanna Jackie Long Stephanie Lapidus Matthew & Mariafe Leonardi, Stefon, Matthew Mary McBride John & Donna McKenzie, Jr Karen, Miles, John & Eammon Nowaldy

Donna-Marie O’Brien & Shirley Rich Philip & Elaine Quirin, Jr. Arthur & Audrey Schick David & Ginger Schirmer Rick & Joan Schwartz Ronald & Felicetta Scire, Tracy John Smith James Stariha Laurie Uebbing Deacon David & Bobbi Wagner Helen Weisbruch Christopher & Susan Yancy, Caroline, Juliet Eric & Mary Yuerl

Welcome to the Newest Members of our Parish family

Join the Spirit of Love Prayer Group This Monday, 2:00pm in the Chapel

Meet for a time of prayer for our parish, neighborhood, country and world. Experience uplifting music and Scripture. Listen to testimony of God’s goodness to us.

Mingle More SinglesMingles More of St. Thomas More is an ageless singles group dedicated to celebrating:

SPIRITUAL -- The Gift of Faith and shared prayerSERVICE -- The Gift of Giving by reaching out to othersSOCIAL -- The Gift of Friendship and sharing fun events

At our April meeting, held at St. Thomas More Church, Charlie (Mingle More member), challenged us to a trivia competition.

We share Sunday brunches, beach picnics, game nights, chili cook-offs, do-wops and more!Join us for a picnic at Turtle Beach on Monday, May 11 at 4:00 pm You’ll meet new friends and enjoy the beautiful sunset. Wow, all in one night!

Questions and information: Rob Hand at 941-355-2159 or Peg Nadel at 941-927-3830. Call to add your name to our roster and you’ll get Mingle More News.

Scouts at St. Thomas MoreCub Scouts Pack 100: Mondays - 6:00 pm in the Spirit Center. Boys ages 7-11 welcome! Pack Leader: Michelle Dunn 941-806-8133 or [email protected]

Boy Scouts Troop 100: Mondays - 6:00 pm in the Spirit Center. Boys ages 11-18 welcome! Troop Leader: Javier Aristimuño 941-232-8073 [email protected]

Girl Scouts Troop 780: Thursdays - 6:00 pm in the Chelsea Center. Girls ages 5-18 welcome! Troop Leader: Virginia Lawlor [email protected])

Will someone be graduating in your family? Let us know! In June, we will publish the names of STM members’ children or grandchildren graduating from high school or college. We’ll list where they are graduating from and what school they will attend to continue their education. Let us know if they will be entering military service.

Contact Susan in the Parish Office: 941-923-1691 or [email protected].

Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors & Altar Servers

Contact Joanne Tarara: [email protected]. Written notice is required by the FIRST of each month of away dates for the next month. If unable to serve, you must secure a replacement. Email Joanne for a substitute call list.

Hospitality Ministers

Contact Charles Ballschmieder: [email protected]. Written notice is required by the FIRST of each month of away dates for the next month. If unable to serve, you must secure a replacement.

New Member Reception: Sunday, April 26The reaction to our recent New Member Reception was shared in the following statements:

“I was surprised at the friendly welcome I received at the New Member reception.”“Thanks to everyone for caring enough to reach out to me—a newcomer.”“The friendly greetings began in the driveway and continued throughout the event.” “Being welcomed in such a warm and friendly way is a wonderful experience for me.”

We thank you --our new parishioners for joining us on April 26 and giving us the opportunity to personally meet you at our fifth event to welcome new members in the parish family.

To carry on our state tradition, new members were greeted and signed in, noting the state from which they moved from to Florida and a friendly state competition continues. “Are there more people here from New York or New Jersey?” New York and Pennsylvania tied for first place with Illinois, Tennessee and Massachusetts following in a close second. Meeting someone from our home state brings instant conversation and a few guests were excited to meet people not only from their state but from the same city!

A special thanks to Father Joe, Father Michal, our A-team greeters, photographer John Koitsch, Ken Perry heading up the creative Chelsea Cooks who provided food and refreshments for us all. We are blessed with an awesome welcoming team! - Dar Sery, welcome committee chair (Stewardship)

Looking forSOFTBALLPLAYERS

Sarasota County co-ed recreational league

begins May 28th

Games are on Thursday evenings between 6:30 & 9:30PM.

Sign up by Tuesday May 12th!Must be 18 years old to play.

Contact Tom Lelyo 941-374-6884

Children’s Ministry Needs Help!

One of the best things about our community is how welcoming we are to families and children.

You may be aware that each Sunday during the school year, at 9:45AM and 11:30AM, we have a Children’s Liturgy of the Word for grades K and up. Children are dismissed during Mass and return during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

You may also know that during the 11:30AM Mass, we have our Mini Disciples program for children ages 2-6.Parents can drop off children at Mini Disciples for the

entirety of the liturgy and the children will learn about the Gospel reading for the day and typically make a craft.

What you may not know is that for the past year we did not have enough help in order to allow our volunteers time to rest!

If you love to work with children, pray about joining this great ministry that means so much to the children and their families!

Get Involved!If you would like to assist, please contact Tom Lelyo (941-374-6884).

YG NEWS:

THANK YOU!To the Women’s Club of STM and various

parishioners who have sponsored students to attend the Steubenville HS Youth Conference

in July. Your donations help us continue our

mission to encourage students to live life

abundantly!

Vacation Bible SchoolJuly 6-11

9AM-12PMAll K-5th graders

invited. We also need student and adult volunteers!

YG Night on “Identity in God”

Next Wednesday @ 6PM in Spirit Center.

All students welcome!

For more ym news visit:

stthomasmoresrq.org/youth

Tom Lelyo941-374-6884

[email protected]

May 3, 2015 $22,778.72St. Vincent dePaul $ 388.63Parish Pay Weekly $ 815.00Mothers’ Day $ 170.00Catholic Home Missions $ 40.00

May 4, 2014 $20,120.00

Online gifts can be made using the website: www.stthomasmoresrq.org/ways-to-give/

2015 Catholic Faith Appeal Goal: $345,000

Pledged: $202,869.40Received: $144,687.17To make a gift: www.stthomasmoresrq.org/cfa

Checks should be made to “Catholic Faith Appeal” and placed in the collection basket or brought to the Parish Office.

Let your server know you’re from St. Thomas More and 15% of your bill will be donated towards our CFA goal!

Sunday: Beckham’s on the Trail 941-706-1654Any evening: Mattison’s 41 941-921-3400Any evening: The Italian Grill 941-966-6565

Support Groups: AA, Al Anon, Nar Anon & NA • Alcoholics Anonymous: 5:30 pm Mondays, Chelsea Center, Garden Room A sober living group with an open-meeting format consisting of a reading and discussion of the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book.• Al-Anon: 7:00 pm Mondays, Chelsea Center, Garden Room Al-Anon family groups are made up of relatives and friends of alcoholics who meet for fellowship and share experiences with strength and hope in order to solve common problems.• Alcoholics Anonymous: 6:00 pm Wednesdays, Chelsea Center, Lancaster Room Focus is prayer and meditation, as proposed in the eleventh step of Alcoholics Anonymous. • Alcoholics Anonymous: 6:00 pm Fridays, Spirit Center A sober living group with an open-meeting format consisting of a brief reading followed by discussion.• Narcotics Anonymous: 8:00 pm Sundays, Spirit Center, Gathering Room A Twelve-Step program of recovery from drug addiction for men and women for whom drugs have become a major problem. The program is group-oriented and is based on the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions adapted from AA.• Nar-Anon: 8:00 pm Sundays, Spirit Center, Faith Room A Twelve-Step program designed to help relatives and friends of addicts recover from the effects of living with an addicted relative or friend. Nar-Anon’s program of recovery uses Nar-Anon’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.

Offertory CFAPartner Restaurants

Parish PayHave you established online giving in the parish through ParishPay? If so, remember to stay current with your information. We have 12 families who credit cards have expired. Perhaps it’s you! Visit www.parsihpay.com and review your account.

Donate to the parish, using your envelopeUsing your envelope, and especially the envelope number, helps the Parish Office and our accountant keep an accurate record of your donations. If you forget to bring your envelope, still put your envelope number on your check.

Also, if you are not registered in the parish, register online, at the information desk in the Gathering Area or in the Parish Office. We’ll establish you as a registered parishioner, and then you can receive your very own envelopes!

Sunday, May 10 - Happy Mothers’ Day 8:00am, 9:45am, 11:30 am Masses - Church8:00pm N.A. Meeting - Spirit Center8:00pm Nar-Anon Meeting - Spirit Center

Monday, May 117:30am Pray the Rosary - Church (Gracia Garrido 941-922-3656)8:00am Mass - Chapel10:00am Quilters of St. Thomas More - Spirit Center (Bonnie Lagner 941-921-1261)1:00pm St. Vincent de Paul Society2:00pm Spirit of Love Prayer Group - Chapel (Alice Lavitt 941-927-2647)2:30pm G.O.D.D. Squad Practice - Spirit Center5:30pm AA - Chelsea Garden Room6:00pm Cub/Boy Scouts - Spirit Center (Michelle Dunn 941-806-8133; Javier Aristimuño 941-232-8073)6:00pm Mingle More Singles - Chelsea Center (Westminster Rm.)6:00pm Social Justice Ministry - Chelsea Center (Lancaster Rm.)7:00pm Al-Anon - Chelsea Garden Room

Tuesday, May 12 7:30am Pray the Rosary - Church (Gracia Garrido 941-922-3656)8:00am Mass - Chapel3:00pm Handbell Choir - Church (Alex Dilan 941-923-1691; [email protected])6:00pm Faith Formation - Chelsea & Spirit Centers (Sr. Judy Baldino 941-923-1691; [email protected])

Wednesday, May 137:30am Pray the Rosary - Church (Gracia Garrido 941-922-3656)8:00am Mass - Chapel9:30am Mothers’ Circle - Spirit Center (Natalie Lelyo 215-620-1184)6:00pm AA - Lancaster Room, Chelsea Center6:00pm Youth Group - Spirit Center (Tom Lelyo 941-374-6884; [email protected])

Thursday, May 147:30am Pray the Rosary - Church (Gracia Garrido 941-922-3656)8:00am Mass - Chapel9:30am Crafty Ladies (Mary Hautanen 941-922-8892)10:00am Quilters of St. Thomas More - Spirit Center (Bonnie Lagner 941-921-1261)10:30am Contemplative Prayer - Chelsea Garden Room (Ed Savoy 941-923-5706) 6:00pm Girl Scouts (Virginia Lawlor [email protected]) 6:30pm Scouts Pack Committee - Spirit Center (Hope Rm.) (Michelle Dunn 941-806-8133; Javier Aristimuño 941-232-8073)7:00pm Contemporary Choir - Church (Alex Dilan 941-923-1691; [email protected])7:00pm Knights of Columbus Officers - Spirit Center (Dan Bulinski 941-556-9673; [email protected])

Friday, May 157:30am Pray the Rosary - Church (Gracia Garrido 941-922-3656)8:00am Mass - Chapel12:00pm Outside Group Event - Spirit Center1:00pm Mah Jongg/Card Ladies - Chelsea Center6:00pm AA Meeting - Spirit Center

Saturday, May 16 7:30am Pray the Rosary - Church (Gracia Garrido 941-922-3656)8:00am Mass - Chapel12:00pm Outside Group Event - Chelsea Center12:00pm Chapel Reserved for Vows Renewal

Sunday, May 17 8:00am, 9:45am, 11:30 am Masses - Church8:00pm N.A. Meeting - Spirit Center8:00pm Nar-Anon Meeting - Spirit Center

This Week

Regional Safe Environment TrainingAs Christian adults, we have a moral and legal responsibility and are entrusted by God with the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of minors and vulnerable adults. As they participate in activities within or sponsored by our diocese, it is our commitment to provide an environment which is safe and nurturing. In accordance with the Diocese of Venice policy to offer continued Safe Environment Awareness, the following parishes will hold Regional Safe Environment Awareness training sessions.

May 28, 6:00-8:00pm Our Lady of the Angels, Lakewood Ranch, 941-752-6770 St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Port Charlotte, 941-625-4754 St. Ann Parish, Naples, 239-262-4256

May 30, 9:30-11:30am St. Francis Xavier Parish, Fort Myers, 239-334-2161 Epiphany Cathedral Parish, Venice, 941-484-3505

All volunteers who have routine contact with children or vulnerable adults, MUST BE TRAINED in safe environment awareness issues. No one should attend Safe Environment Training until their fingerprints have cleared. Continued volunteer status requires that you attend one of these sessions.

Contact the parish secretary at the location you wish to attend with your name and telephone number at least two weeks prior to the training. Due to the sensitive nature of this training, no children are permitted to attend.

Women’s Club News “Striving to create a caring community of Christian

women within our Church”

The Women’s Club will meet Thursday, May 7th beginning at 6 PM in the Spirit Center. The meeting will begin with refreshments and a social time. Our guest speaker for the evening will be Pamela Picozzi, Interior Designer and Decorator who has been featured in Sarasota Magazine. We will also be welcoming our newly elected bo ard members for the upcoming year. Please join us for the last meeting of this year. Watch the Bulletin for announcements of upcoming events during the summer and registration forms for fall.

Join Us For Lunch

Thursday May 21, 11:30 AM The Olive Garden

Landings Shopping Center 4900 S. Tamiami Trail

Hosted by Shirley Berardinelli

Separate Checks Given

RSVP by Monday, May 18 Phone: 941-‐922-‐1035

Email: [email protected]

Knights of Columbus Patriotic Salute with Dinner & DancingMembers of the Monsignor Charles L. Elslander Assembly #0167, 4880 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, invite you to their 32nd Annual Patriotic Salute. At that time, a distinguished member of our armed forces will be honored.It will be held Saturday, May 16; Cocktails at 5:30 pm and dinner at 6:20 pm. Call Sam Perri at 941-927-2803 to purchase tickets at $30 each,



This year the Women’s Club raised $9000 to be donated to local charities. Thank you to all our members and parishioners who contributed to our fund raising events which enabled us to make these donations. Suggestions of charities from our members were accepted and the final recipients are as follows: Village Walk Back Pack Program For Kids: $2000, St. Vincent de Paul : $3000, Resurrection House: $2000, and Youth Group of St. Thomas More: $2000.

Join Us For Lunch

Thursday May 21, 11:30 AM AT The Olive Garden






Our next luncheon will be held on Thursday, June 18th at Fins Restaurant at Sharkey’s on the Pier, 1600 Harbor Dr. South Venice. More information will follow in the Bulletin.

Adopt-A-Student at Cardinal Mooney High School

Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School is second to none in providing a high-quality and values-based education, where students learn to respect themselves and others. However, many families want a brighter, faith-filled future for their child and can’t afford the benefit of a Catholic school education.

More than 30% of our students receive financial assistance through our Adopt-A-Student Program. These students come from families whose financial situations are tenuous and would not have the opportunity to attend. The annual tuition cost for a Catholic student is $9,800. Your support of this program directly impacts the lives and futures of these students. Please help give a deserving student an opportunity through an education in the tradition and environment of a Catholic school. Become an Adopt-A-Student benefactor today! Donate today at http://www.cmhs-sarasota.org/support-cmhs or call Rene Hebda, Director of Advancement, at 941-371-4917.



The Women’s Club will meet Thursday, May 7th beginning at 6 PM in the Spirit Center. The meeting will begin with refreshments and a social time. Our guest speaker for the evening will be Pamela Picozzi, Interior Designer and Decorator who has been featured in Sarasota Magazine. We will also be welcoming our newly elected bo ard members for the upcoming year. Please join us for the last meeting of this year. Watch the Bulletin for announcements of upcoming events during the summer and registration forms for fall.

Join Us For Lunch

Thursday May 21, 11:30 AM The Olive Garden








This year the Women’s Club raised $9000 to be donated to local charities. Thank you to all our members and parishioners who contributed to our fund raising events which enabled us to make these donations. Suggestions of charities from our members were accepted and the final recipients are as follows: Village Walk Back Pack Program For Kids: $2000, St. Vincent de Paul : $3000, Resurrection House: $2000, and Youth Group of St. Thomas More: $2000.

Join Us For Lunch

Thursday May 21, 11:30 AM AT The Olive Garden






Our next luncheon will be held on Thursday, June 18th at Fins Restaurant at Sharkey’s on the Pier, 1600 Harbor Dr. South Venice. More information will follow in the Bulletin.

This year the Women’s Club raised $9,000 to be donated to local charities. Thank you to all our members and parishioners who contributed to our fund raising events which enabled us to make these donations. Suggestions of charities from our members were accepted and thefinal recipients are: Village Walk Back Pack Program For Kids: $2,000; St. Vincent de Paul: $3,000; Resurrection House: $2,000 and Youth Group of St. Thomas More: $2,000.

sunday may 10, 2015 - mothers' day

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