Pilgrimage: Story of Salvation in Stained Glass Dec. 7

                One of the most interesting architectural features of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church is its collection of colorful stained glass windows, which illustrate the story of salvation. On Saturday, December 7 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., clergy and staff will host a “pilgrimage” through the church, with scriptural meditations on each prismatic work of art.

                Although there is no cost to attend the pilgrimage, participants must register in advance by December 3 on the church’s website: saintthomaslb.org. The mini-retreat, similar in format to stations of the cross prayer service, will be divided into three segments. A light lunch will be provided for those registered.

                Four magnificent round windows that were salvaged from the remains of the church building destroyed by hurricane Katrina adorn the upper four peaks of the cruciform church. These windows depict the birth, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, as well as Pentecost. Thirty-six smaller rectangular windows, which line the transepts, narthex and sacristy portions of the church, were donated by individuals and families post-Katrina. These smaller windows depict creation through the ministry of Pope John Paul II.

              All are invited and welcome to attend. For more information, or to register online click here or by phone, call 228-596-8835.  

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
PATRONESS OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERCA
Dec 9, 2019

 
     “Many people believe the Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Jesus Christ.  The Immaculate Conception is a doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church since 1854.  The doctrine states “The blessed Virgin Mary to have been, from the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ the Savior of Mankind, preserved free from all stain of original sin”.  

     This is a belief that Mary was born without an original sin. Being free of sin allowed Mary to be the “second Eve” and to give birth to the “second Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45).  Mary was pure and fit to carry the Author of the New Covenant, Jesus. 

     Mary and her Son said yes to God’s will, so we are called through our baptismal promise to do the same thing.  The life of Mary and her Son are examples of how to live our lives according to God’s word.  Therefore, we are called to say yes to God and live our lives in holiness.”

 
Contributing Editor
Pam Fallo
 
 

   “The attack on Pearl Harbor 78 years ago marks the first time since the War of 1812 that the United States was attacked by a foreign power. It’s also an occasion where we saw some incredible heroism. All we have to do is think about someone like Father Al Schmitt pushing people out of the USS Oklahoma before it sank, and while he lost his own life, he saved the lives of many others.

   In addition to our prayers for the eternal rest of those who died, I think we should also be praying for peace so that these situations of war, where one nation rises up against another—that one day soon, they might end. And I think perhaps the current friendship in the United States with both Japan and Germany is a good example that war isn’t something that lasts forever. There is reconciliation. There is peace.”

Archbishop Broglio
American Military Services

               “The soldier above all others prays for
peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear
the deepest wounds and scars of war.” 
                                                            Douglas MacArthur
 

A Pearl Harbor Prayer
December 7

   O God of our Fathers, we guard in our hearts today the sacred memory of those who gave their lives on that day which will live in infamy. Bless us, O Lord, as we humble ourselves in Thy presence to remember our shipmates and friends who served our country so valiantly. Let us not disgrace those who still lie in the quiet places through our indifference or forgetfulness. Rather, help us to always remember Pearl Harbor and help us to keep America alert.

   May we never forget that more than 2,000 of our sons, fathers, brothers, and friends were killed and more than 1,000 citizens of our land were wounded on December 7, 1941. Their sacrifices were not in vain. They defended America’s freedom and demonstrated America’s goodness.

   Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the brave men who embodied your love by making this ultimate sacrifice. You have declared “greater love hath no man than this than to lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). May we be willing to follow their example when duty calls.

   We also give thanks for those who survived the attack on our country and who went on with their lives in a way that portrayed honor to a watching world. They carried on with life even as they bore deep within them the haunting memories of what they witnessed, heard, and felt. Bless them with continued grace and mercy from your holy hand.

   Guide us and direct us in all that we do. Let us live to bring glory and honor to Thee.  This we pray in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 Amen

CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF
THE AMERICAS

 The Catholic Daughters of the Americas is a service organization that  works under the Motto of “Unity & Charity.”  We are comprised of Catholic women age 18 years or older.  Our mission is to work for the whole church,  nationally and locally.  Members will be in the East Foyer before and after all Masses Dec 7 & 8.  We will be taking names of women who may be interested in joining the Catholic Daughters and forming a group for St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.  Please prayerfully consider taking this step and answering “yes” to God’s call. 
If you missed us or decide at a later date, and are interested, please contact Dawn Fortenberry, State Regent at 225-324-8610 or email her at dawiecda@yahoo.com
 

PRAY WITH US

 
     St. Thomas has a very active prayer chain coordinated by Martha Johnson.  If you have a prayer intention, you may send an email to prayer@saintthomaslb.org.  Everyone on the email prayer chain will receive your request and join you in prayer for your intention. 
     We would like to welcome you to become a part of the email prayer chain. Please send your name and email address to prayer@saintthomaslb.org and you will receive notices of prayer intentions to include in your daily prayer routine. 

Prayer is powerful.

Please sign up to pray with us.
 
 

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT RESOURCES

 Do you want to expand your spiritual journey/ prayer life or read the Bible more often? Would you like to learn more about the saints or the Catholic Church?  If so, it is easier than ever with smartphones, computers, or tablets.  Tailor your search to fit your specific needs or preferences.  If you do not already have favorite resources we encourage you to explore and add the ones listed below to your favorites!
 The Word Among Us 
This website has much information, including daily meditations and a monthly magazine (with daily readings, meditations, and articles).   This is available through the website or app, or small hard copy publication (reasonably priced for a year).
https://wau.org/
https://wau.org/meditations/
https://wau.org/subscribe/mass_edition/
 
Gus Lloyd - Catholic radio talk show host of “Seize The Day” (Sirius Radio 129)
Daily readings and a short reflection
https://guslloyd.com/blogs/gus-lloyds-reflections
(access these directly from his webpage or sign up at bottom of the above webpage to receive it daily by email)
 
Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) (Sirius Radio Channel 130)
https://www.ewtn.com
 
 Catholic Lighthouse Media (Augustine Institute)
(good information at the website, but also consider the CD or MP3 file of the month subscriptions;
CDs may also be available for purchase on the display stand inside the church)
https://www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org/
https://www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org/subscriptions
 

Click to download the St Thomas Children's Choir Registration form

SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

         If you have not already registered your PreK to 5th-grade child/ren for SRE, do so now by accessing the Faith Formation link on the church website or come by or call the church office—863-1610.

Dec 8……SRE Class Parent Meeting
Dec 15…..SRE Class “Mickey’s Christmas Carol”
Dec 22…..NO SRE Class/Christmas Holiday
Dec 29…  NO SRE Class/Christmas Holiday
Jan 2^nd  - Jan 4^th   Catholic Winter Kids Camp
Jan 5……SRE Class …..10:10 am-11:20 am
                 Children’s Festival of the Three Kings                                                          (Afternoon, more info coming soon)
 
 

ADORATION OF THE
BLESSED SACRAMENT
 

       Here at St. Thomas the Apostle, we have Adoration each Friday from 8 am until 4 pm.  If you can commit to spending an hour in the Chapel (upstairs in the Office Complex) in the quietness and peacefulness of Adoration, please contact Nellie Johnson, 864-6098 or Lydia Trisotto, 863-0127.  If you cannot commit to an hour time slot, please feel free to drop in at any time.

       “Look upon the hour of adoration as an hour in paradise…Jesus has invited you; He is waiting for you; He is longing for you.”

Weekly Calendar

Mon, Dec 9        9:30 am-12:15 pm, SVdP Soc, SRE Bldg
                          7 pm, RCIA, 222
Wed, Dec 11      9:30 am-1 pm, Quilters, 222
                          LUNCHKINS DEC 18 (see notice)
Thur, Dec 12     9 am-10 am, Birthday B’fast, CC
                          9 am, Centering Prayer, Cry Room
                          9:30 am-12:15 pm, SVdP Soc, SRE Bldg
                          6:30 pm, No New Wine
                          7 pm, KC Christmas Party, CC
Fri, Dec 13        8 am-4 pm, Adoration, Chapel
Sat, Dec 14      11 am-3 pm, Windows Pilgrimage, Church
 

RECURRING AROUND THE PARISH…

Adoration              8 am-4 pm, Fri, 2nd Floor Chapel

Baptism Classes  9:30 am, Last Sat of every month, Rm 222; contact person is Sue Hoffman at 228-864-5868

Choir    All interested singers and skilled instrumentalists are welcome.
  Children          1st & 3rd Sun evenings, 6:45-7:45pm
  Ensemble        10:30am, Sun, Church/Mass
  Life Teen          4pm, Sun, Church/Mass
  Liturgical          8am, Sun, Rehearsal Rm
                            6:30pm, Wed, Church/Rehearsal Rm
  Testify               4:15pm, Sun, Rehearsal Rm/Mass

Edge/Life Teen   6:30-8pm, Sun, 222

Knights of Columbus, Council #4898….7 pm, every 1st & 3rd Thurs of the month (4th Degree mtg follows the 1st mtg of the month)

Ladies Aux of the KofC #4898….7 pm, every 3rd Thurs of the month, Rm 115 (Office conference room)

Lunchkins….11:30 am, every 2nd Wed, CC

St. Joseph’s Helping Hands….On Winter Break Dec & Jan
 
St. Vincent de Paul Society….9:30 am-12:30 pm, Mon & Thurs, open to help

Youth Gift Cards (SCRIP) sales…After all Masses & during office hours, 9 am-4:30 pm weekdays
 

Notice!!! 
Lunchkins for the month of December has been moved to DEC 18.  It will follow the Healing Mass scheduled for 11am. 
 

To the Saint Thomas Parish Family!!!

Greetings and Salutations to our newest members:
William & Melanie Allen
 
 

PETITIONS OF PRAYER

Fr Walt Bracken
Fr John Isral
Sr Consillio Buckley
Carol Armbrester
Lois Barcelona
Jeanell Barnes
Rudolph Bijou
Tina Louise Brown Clayton
Jerry E Dubuisson
Dave Duggins
Pam Fallo
Betty Flurry
John Simon Franceski
Susie Franklin
John French
Solan Garner
Hartley Garriga
Lee Morris Greer
Leo Hamel
Blakeley Quinn Hammons
Baby Henry
Jimmy Hillman
Louise Hoselle
Lorre James
Bette Johnson
Conrad Johnson
Diane Johnson
Mary Anna Loftus
Karla D Melancon
Gene Marie Mount
Elmer Mullins
Kathleen O’Connell
Jerry Olsen
Krissi Pavolini
Richard Pique Sr
Bonita Randazzo
Liz Ruth
Charley Rose Seal
Ski Selenski
Anita Sipler
Charles Stallings
Gail Stopson
Jewel Tate
Joe Weems
Sullivan Wilson
Charles Wise
David Earl Young
Lora Lee Youngblood
Clare Jung
  
 …..and all others in our parish and community who are in need of healing, physical or spiritual.
 
Names appearing on the Prayer list come from hospital visitation lists; also, from telephone calls made to the Parish Office.  We are aware that there are many others in the parish and community who are suffering and, therefore, we ask those who are praying to include “and all in our parish and community who are in need of healing, physical or spiritual”.  We regret that space does not allow us to list the names of each and everyone in the bulletin each week.
 
All of the requests for prayers remain on our list for four weeks.  If notified, we will extend the time frame.
 
Anyone needing to add someone to the electronic prayer group e-mail, send the information electronically to prayer@saintthomaslb.org  or call the parish office at 863-1610.

HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS

   When you are admitted to the hospital please be sure that you are listed as a Catholic and a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.  If possible please have someone call the Parish office 863-1610 to let us know you have been admitted.  

ALIVE IN THE LIGHT OF GOD’S FACE

†Boe Collins
 

STLongBeach
Life Teen
Knights of Columbus
Society of St. Vincent de Paul