Saint Thomas the Apostle

Saint
Thomas
the
Apostle

Established 1903
Rev. Msgr. Steven P. Hurley, V.G., Pastor
Mr. Francis A. Quinlan, Deacon
Ms. Patrice Roman, Music & Choir Director
Mrs. Betsy Facciolo, Parish Secretary
Mrs. Mickey Cuiffetelli, Parish Bookkeeper
Rectory Office - 658-5131 • Fax - 652-6222
Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Email: [email protected]
Website - www.sainttom.org
Facebook - facebook.com/saintthomaswilmington
MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday Vigil 5:00 PM
Sunday 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM
Monday 6:00 PM
Tuesday through Thursday 8:00AM
THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday 4:00 - 4:45 PM
THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE
Call the Rectory at least 12 months in advance. Initial
meeting with couple & parish priest required before
setting wedding date.
THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Celebrated the 2nd and 4th Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
A Baptism Preparation Class is required for new
parents. Please call the Parish office to register.
NOVENA TO THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL
After the 6 PM Mass on Monday Nights
WILLS
In your Will you can remember your loved ones and
the institutions that have been important in your life.
We hope St. Thomas merits your consideration.
VISITS TO THE SICK & HOMEBOUND
We are eager to provide visits to both hospitals and
homes. Please inform the rectory upon entering the
hospital to ensure that the parish staff is aware of
one’s hospitalization. The Eucharist can be brought
to the homebound on a regular basis. Please advise
us of your needs by calling the rectory.
ACCESSIBLITY
Saint Thomas the Apostle Church has a ramp and is
fully handicap accessible.
PARISH REGISTRATION
We welcome new members to our Parish Family.
Please register at the rectory during office hours and
notify the rectory if you are moving from the Parish,
or if you have changed your address or telephone
number.
301 North Bancroft Parkway  Wilmington, Delaware 19805
September 4, 2016
TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN
ORDINARY TIME
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
What is the cost of being a disciple? Today’s
Gospel tells us just how much it costs to be a
true disciple of Christ. Jesus makes strong
demands of us so that we are prepared to
remain true to Him until the end. He asks us to
put Him above all things including family ties.
He expects each one of His disciples to carry
His daily cross and follow Him. Such demands
require total dedication. We read in Luke’s
Gospel that large crowds had been travelling
with Jesus. The time had now arrived for Jesus
to separate those who were truly committed
from those who were not. Now was the time to
see who was ready to deny himself for Jesus,
even to the point of death. To make the choice
and to discern, Jesus presents two parables. He
compared the Christian life to a building project
and to warfare.
In the first parable, Jesus related that before
someone builds a tower, he sits down and
calculates the cost. If he does not have enough
wealth to finish the tower he does not begin the
project. Otherwise, the project will come to an
end before it is completed and everyone will
laugh at the builder. So it is with His disciples.
In the second parable, Jesus said that a king
going to war against forces that are far superior,
must carefully calculate the cost. He must be
cautious and carefully consider his chances of
winning the battle. If he does not have any
chance of winning or if the risk is too high, he
must surrender unconditionally. So it is with
Christian discipleship. A disciple cannot serve
two masters. We must choose to either commit
ourselves or to withdraw. We cannot stand
halfway between both sides.
Therefore, a true disciple must forsake
everything to follow Jesus. A disciple must love
Jesus above all others. This point is realized
with some shocking and seemingly harsh words
from Jesus: “If anyone comes to me without
hating father, mother, wife, children, brothers,
sisters, yes, and his own life, that person cannot
be my follower or disciple.” It is quite obvious
from the overall context of Luke’s gospel that
Jesus does not mean for us to literally hate our
parents, brothers and sisters. Nor does Jesus
literally mean to tell us to hate our own lives. On
the contrary, we are called to have love and
compassion for every single person, regardless
of who they are or what their relationship may
be to us. What Jesus is saying is basically the
same lesson that we have read in other
passages, such as the story of the Good
Samaritan and the Lord’s Prayer. Namely, those
who are true disciples of Jesus recognize that
as children of God, we all belong to one family,
that we are all brothers and sisters to each
other. Luke clearly tells us that the following of
Jesus in the most radical terms would mean to
find Him in all persons. In following Jesus, we
have to go with Him the whole way and have to
accept totally His way of seeing life and then
putting that into practice in the way we live.
True discipleship is to commit oneself to a life of
self-renunciation. True discipleship cannot act
on impulse, but only on a carefully considered
plan of action. It means that we embrace
suffering, persecution, obedience, servitude
and humility, all for the love of Christ. To sum
up, as true followers of Jesus we enter a new
family where we recognize every person as a
brother or sister. There are times when the
needs of others precede family concerns. Often
we do not seem to realize that this commitment
is the foundation of a genuinely loving
relationship. While deep commitment may not
guarantee the success of a relationship, it helps
more than any other factor to assure it.
May God bless you,
Monsignor Hurley
LET’S HELP LOUISIANA
All parishes in Delaware and Maryland’s
Eastern Shore will be conducting an emergency
second collection this weekend to benefit
victims of the flooding in Louisiana. Donations
will go to assist Catholic Charities USA in its
humanitarian efforts and to provide pastoral and
rebuilding support to impacted diocese and
Catholic parishes. Please be generous.
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR PEACE
You are invited to join Bishop Malooly for an
ecumenical prayer service to mark the National
Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities on
Friday, September 9, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the
historic Cathedral of Saint Peter, Sixth and West
Streets in Wilmington, Delaware.
OKTOBERFEST- SEPTEMBER 17, 2016 at
6PM- Come join in the fun as we celebrate the
fall with German food and cheer. We will also
be opening the time capsule that was
discovered in the cornerstone of the old gym. If
you would like to bring a dish contact Janine Iorri
at 658-4792 for suggestions.
ST. THOMAS MEMORIAL WALKWAY
If you wish to purchase a Memorial Brick
honoring a loved one or special occasion please
call the Rectory or visit the St. Thomas the
Apostle web-site at www.sainttom.org. To place
an order in time for the next installation, in
November, please do so between now and
Labor Day. Thank you.
LABOR DAY
The first Monday in September, is a creation of
the labor movement and is dedicated to the
social and economic achievements of American
workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to
the contributions workers have made to the
strength, prosperity, and well-being of our
country.
LAST WEEKEND’S OFFERTORY
$3,639.00
Thank you for your generosity!
MASS INTENTIONS
Monday, September 5
6:00pm – No Mass
Tuesday, September 6
8:00am – Francis J. McCaffery
Wednesday, September 7
8 :00am – Catherine and
David J. Coll, Sr.
Thursday, September 8
8:00am – Marlin and
Genevieve Adams
Mary and Joseph Iorii
Saturday, September 10
5:00pm – Mass for the People
Sunday, September 11
8:00am – Naomi C. O’Connor
10:00am – Timothy Crowley
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Marriage Moments: If you want to build a tower
or plant a garden you need to plan ahead. So
too, if you want to build a strong marriage, plan
ahead. Plan a date for next weekend.
Parenting Pointers: Are you an employer? Are
your personnel policies family friendly? Are you
an employee? Are there any changes you can
make in your work schedule that would make
your parenting easier.
ST. VINCENT dePAUL SOCIETY
The St. Thomas the Apostle Conference of St.
Vincent dePaul Society formed to provide
spiritual support and economic assistance to
parishioners and our neighbors in distress. For
assistance, to volunteer your time and talents to
help your neighbors, or for further information,
please call the parish office at (302) 658-5131
and leave a detailed
message at Extension 6. You are also invited to
attend our meeting in the parish workshop at
7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 6.
BAPTISM
For parents who wish to
have their babies baptized
the next class will take
place
on
Tuesday,
September 13, at 7:00pm in
St. Thomas the Apostle
Church. Deacon Frank
Quinlan
will
be
the
instructor.
For further information and to
register, please call the rectory office at
658-5131.
VOCATION REFLECTION
In today’s gospel, Jesus asks the crowd “Which
of you wishing to construct a tower does not first
sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is
enough for its completion?” Another way of
asking the question might be “Which of you
trying to make it to the Kingdom of my Father
would not first try to figure out how He wants you
to get there?” Yet so many times we make our
life-choices based on what we want, rather than
on what God wants. If you have not yet made a
life-commitment, what are you doing to ensure
that God’s plan becomes part of your
calculations? What is God’s plan for you as you
move along the road to eternal life? Want to talk
about it? Call or write Father Norm Carroll,
Diocesan Director of Priestly and Religious
Vocations
(302-573-3113,
[email protected]). Be sure to visit our
website: www.cdow.org/vocations!
BIBLE STUDY: “JAMES:
PEARLS FOR WISE LIVING”
Bible Study at St. Ann’s Parish, Wilmington:
James: Pearls for Wise Living, beginning
September 19 at 6:30 pm and continuing every
Monday in the school. Cost for the text is
$25.50. To register for the study, call Connie
Varone
at
302-765-9864
or
email:
[email protected].
GOD IS ON THE AIR
Listen to Catholic Forum every Sunday morning
at 10:05 a.m. on WDEL 101.7 FM, 1150 AM and
www.wdel.com.
Next Sunday, September
th
11 ,
Joseph
Zwilling,
Director
of
Communications for the Archdiocese of New
York and General Manager of The Catholic
Channel on Sirius XM Satellite Radio, will look
back on the terrorist attack on New York that
happened 15 years ago, and what the Church
has done to bring healing. For photos,
information regarding upcoming guests,
podcasts and more, “Like” Catholic Forum on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/catholicforum.
Listen to past episodes of Catholic Forum online
at catholicforumradio.libsyn.com or search
“Catholic Forum Radio” on iTunes podcasts.
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR ABORTED
CHILDREN
On Saturday, September 10, Americans
throughout the country will gather at the
gravesites of the unborn and other memorial
sites dedicated in their honor for the fourth
annual National Day of Remembrance for
Aborted Children. Prayer services will be held at
these sites to remember the loss of more than
55 million children to legal abortion since 1973,
and to remind our society of the humanity of the
unborn child. Please join us for the memorial
service in our community. Saturday, September
10, at 10am at Cathedral Cemetery, 2400
Lancaster Avenue, Wilmington DE 19805. We
will gather in the parking lot at Queen of
Apostles Chapel for a procession to the grave of
the unborn.
RESPECT LIFE DAY – ST. HELENA’S
The program for the diocesan Respect Life Day
on Saturday, Saturday, September 17, at St.
Helena’s Church is complete. The speakers will
Fr. Paul Schenck, Director of Pro-Life Activities,
Diocese of Harrisburg, and we Fr. John
McFadden of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Registration will begin at 2:30. At 3:00 p.m., At
5:00 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at St.
Helena’s with Fr. Schenck as homilist. At 6:00
p.m. in Masci Hall there will be an Italian Dinner,
a fundraiser for Rachel’s Vineyard and 40 Days
for Life. $20 for adults, $10 children over 12 -maximum $60 for families with children. To
register,
contact
Pat
Radell
at
[email protected], or 302-723-9254.
Notes from the Loft
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish Adult Choir
2016 - 2017 season begins
with rehearsal on Wednesday, September 14, 2016
from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., in the church choir loft.
We joyfully welcome back our returning members and enthusiastically
recruit new members to share your gifts of talent and time with this faith
and spirit-filled Community.
For more information about the Adult Choir and the other Parish Music
Ministries, please consult the Bulletin in the weeks ahead or see Patrice
Roman, Parish Music Director, Adult Choir Director, and Organist.
MEALEY
FUNERAL HOMES
"OUR SUCCESS IS A RESULT OF OUR SERVICE"
654-3005
“Celebrating 40 Years
of Neighborhood
Italian Done Right”
• Tuesday •
AND
RAFTED
SPRESSO
~ Catering Available ~
10% OFF TOTAL ORDER
CALL FOR PICK UP 302-654-9131
Charles P. Arcaro
Funeral Home
Charles P. Arcaro
Funeral Director
(302) 658-9095
2309 Lancaster Avenue · Wilmington
302-654-9661
Convenient
neighborhood
bar and
package store
Now Serving
Sunday Brunch!
10:00am-2:00pm
PINJI'S
CAFE
H
C
E
SPECIALTY SANDWICH & BREAKFAST
SANDWICH AND MUCH MORE!
7th & Broom Streets · Limestone & Milltown Roads
652-5913
HEALTH
TO GO
Convenient
place for
your party
celebrations
DO YOU WANT COMFORT AND CARE ALMOST LIKE HOME?
Adult Day Program - Provides A Safe, Dependable,
Stimulating, And Enjoyable Environment.
Kids Eat Free
off Kids Menu
Assisted Care · Nursing Care · Medicaid/Medicare Certified
4:00pm-9:00pm
Building on the Past to Create
A Better Future
• Wednesday •
1/2 Price Pizza Night
5:00pm-10:00pm
~ PRIVATE NON-PROFIT FACILITY ~
~ PROVIDING QUALITY CARE SINCE 1824 ~
EXTENDED HOURS: 7:00AM-6:00PM
302-654-4486
1101 GILPIN AVENUE · WILMINGTON, DE
• New Kitchen •
• Best Hot Sandwiches in Town •
BAR OPEN 11 AM UNTIL 1AM
1701 Delaware Ave.
652-9493
• Thursday •
1/2 Price Burger Night
5:00pm-10:00pm
302-655-3689
1709 Lovering Avenue
Wilmington DE
gallucios-de.com
In this memoir, set as deeply in
his mind as in the Southeast Asian
jungle, a young American soldier
embarks on a journey to a war that,
for him, will never be over.
Our passion is turning
your dream into a reality!
Ask about our
Tuition Assistance Program!
Visit our Showroom
Premier Kitchen and Bath Design
2900 Concord Pike • Wilmington • 302-502-3600
[email protected]
The world was a playground for Mickey,
a naive Irish American kid bored with
his life. His father served in World War
II, his brother was a Marine in Vietnam;
now it was his turn. His 365 days in
Vietnam builds in torment until an
attack on a bunker complex in Cambodia.
Wounded, his friend captured, he
becomes a tormented
survivor knowing he is
always just a heartbeat
from death.
AVAILABLE NOW!
Scan Here:
or visit: http://goo.gl/ZGdeFF
D86938 (CK) - St. Thomas, Wilmington
FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CALL: (800) 883-4343 • BON VENTURE SERVICES, LLC • P.O. Box 850, Flanders, N.J. 07836