Saint Thomas More Church - St. Thomas More Catholic Church

Saint Thomas More ChurchPASTORAL STAFFFather Mark A. Eckman, Pastoreckmanm@stmpgh.orgFather Johannes M. Oravecz, Parochial Vicarfrjohannes@stmpgh.orgFather Shibi Kattikulakkatt, MCBSRev. Mr. William G. Batz, Deaconbatzb@stmpgh.orgRev. Mr. Charles J. Vukotich, Jr., Deaconvukotichc@stmpgh.orgMr. Nathan Bellas, Music Directorbellasn@stmpgh.orgMiss Mercedes Catanzaro, Pastoral Associatecede@stmpgh.orgMrs. Beth Jesserer, Catechetical Leadership Teamjessererb@stmpgh.orgMrs. Kerry Mindach, Catechetical Administratormindachk@stmpgh.orgMrs. Sheila Riley, School Principalrileys@stmcs.orgMrs. Kelly Spadoni, Youth Ministerspadonik@stmpgh.orgA Faith Community of Roman Catholics126 Fort Couch Road • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241ADMINISTRATIVE STAFFMrs. Nancy S. Burke, Finance Managerburken@stmpgh.orgMrs. Lorraine B. Smith, Administrative Assistantsmithl@stmpgh.orgMrs. Barbara Sopata, Parish Receptionistsopatab@stmpgh.orgMrs. Patricia Wattick, Facilities Managerwattickp@stmpgh.orgMrs. Mary Beth Pierson,Catering & Event Coordinatorevents@stmpgh.orgCONTACT INFORMATIONParish Office ........................................... 412-833-0031Parish Office Fax ................................... 412-833-5995Parish Office Email .............. parishoffice@stmpgh.orgWebpage ............................................www.stmpgh.orgReligious Education ................................ 412-835-6996School ..................................................... 412-833-1412Youth Ministry ....................................... 412-835-6996Catering & Event Coordinator ................ 412-283-0238Diocesan Victim Assistance Hotline... 1-888-808-1235St. Vincent de Paul Society .................... 412-283-0245Twelfth Sunday of the YearMISSION STATEMENTWe, the body of Christ, brought together as the parish community of Saint Thomas More inBethel Park, are committed to the source of our life, Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith.The Eucharist is the center of our faith and each member of our church is a unified gift from Godwith talents, treasures and needs.Our mission is to work together as disciples of Christ to meet the spiritual, physical, educationaland emotional needs of the parish family and evangelize those who God sends to us, using theresources He gives us.Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are committed to celebrating the Sacraments, continuing ourChristian formation, living our Christian values, building community and being attentive to theneeds of those we are called to serve.TO REGISTER, PLEASE CONTACT THE PARISH OFFICE.

ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH JUNE 23, 2013Twelfth Sunday of the Year — June 23, 2013“Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others,‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”Peter in reply, “The Christ of God.. (Lk 9:18b-20)Mark, My words….KNOWING GOD — When we die, each one of us is goingto have the crucial question put to us, as Jesus asks Petertoday: “Who do YOU say that I am?” It’s not enough to beable to tell Jesus what your wife or your mother say abouthim. Jesus wants to know who he is in YOUR heart.We sometimes forget that Catholicism sees our whole relationshipwith God and Jesus as a process—an eternal process,at that. It begins before birth, at conception, when God“knits us together in our mother’s womb.” After Baptism,God speaks to us in each Eucharist, and in many other sacredmoments.Sometimes it’s a special moment that takes your breathaway—or an unexpected experience that feels otherworldly.But the Holy Spirit is also breathing over us as weeat dessert, drink a beer, talk, suffer with others, make decisions,live our life. The Holy Trinity weaves the fabric weare living. From our first steps, to our first car, to watchingthe birth of our first child… we wonder, we try to believe,we rejoice, we cry out, we worship God, we pray.Have you ever faced a surgery? A divorce? The death ofone you love? We come very close to God when we arewalking in the deep valleys of fear or loneliness, questioningGod.Those times prompt us to hope, just as we try to faithfullyseek and find Jesus, that all of Jesus’ promises to us will befulfilled. Finally, as we are dying, Jesus is there; we prepareto hand over our lifetime’s efforts, hopes, and works. Thenin life’s last minutes, we get ready to enter more deeply intothe most awe-inspiring discovery of our lives—a new stageof life with God!THANK YOU — As you read this, if todayis Sunday, MoreFest 2013 should be ahappy memory! Special thanks to all whoworked so hard to make the week so successful.A special note of thanks to our co-chairs: MarySwindal, Matt Hill and Chad Karoleski who put in manyhours into this most needed fundraiser. Mark your calendarsfor next year: MoreFest 2014: June 18th –21st.SEND OFF MASS — Saturday, July 13th, during the 5:00p.m. mass, we will send off our Mission Team to Appalachia.This will also be my send off mass as I leave to assumethe duties as Vicar for Clergy Personnel. Please comeand join us as we pray for the grace of the Holy Spirit in ourlives.WEEK AT A GLANCESunday1:30 p.m. ........................Praise Band Rehearsal (Church)3:30 p.m. ................................ Appalachia Meeting (FLC)Monday3:00 p.m. ......... Legion of Mary Meeting (Rooney Room)7:30 p.m. ..... Little Rock Scripture Study (Rooney Room)Tuesday6:30 a.m. ............................. More’s Men (Rooney Room)7:00 p.m. Centering Prayer Group (Former Mary Chapel)Wednesday12:00 noon ............. Eucharistic Adoration Begins (Church)7:00 p.m. ..........Patriotic Rosary & Benediction (Church)7:00 p.m. ............. Parish Mission Meeting (Parish Office)7:00 p.m. .......................... Golf Outing Meeting (Chelsea)Saturday8:00 a.m. ........................... Men’s Prayer Group (Chelsea)8:00 a.m. ......... Private Event (FLC/Chelsea/Utopia/Café)10:00 a.m. ............... Sacrament of Reconciliation (Church)HEARING AIDS — When the new soundsystem was installed, hearing assist deviceswere added for the benefit of those who havedifficulty hearing. Every microphone in thechurch transmits to these receivers. You willhear every whisper that is said from the altar!The devices are about the size of a deck of cards and arelocated in the Usher’s Room. Please ask an Usher forassistance.YOUNG ADULT HAPPENINGS IN THE SOUTHHILLS—Dinner, Drinks, Discussion for those 21 andover meets the second Thursday of each month (July11th and August 8th) - stop by anytime from 6:30 to 9:00p.m. at Sharp Edge Brasserie (102 Gallery Drive,McMurray, PA). Contact Matt Milinovich at mjmilinovich@gmail.com(724) 249-4264. Go to Facebook to“Catholic Young Adults of Pittsburgh” for more informationon what’s happening in the area or their websitediopitt.org/young adults.EUCHARISTIC FESTIVAL OF PRAISE—Thursday,June 27th from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., St. Paul Seminary,Bishop Zubik will lead us as we praise the Lord for DeaconLarry Adams who is to be ordained a Priest on June29th, and as we pray for an increase in Priestly Vocationsin our Diocese. Eucharistic Adoration throughout withConfessions available.

12TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR JUNE 23, 2013LITURGY AND WORSHIPMASS INTENTIONSSATURDAY, JUNE 22ND5:00 ............................ John B. and Helen Billigen (Family)SUNDAY, JUNE 23RD8:00 ........................ Andrew and Helen Novotnak (Family)9:30 ....................................................... Mass for the Parish11:30 ...... Catherine and Howard Counihan (Dunlap Family)12:45 ....................... Baptisms of Emma Catherine Syme andColten Paul and James Charles Tencer5:00 ................................................... Bob Fornear (Family)MONDAY, JUNE 24TH (Nativity of St. John the Baptist)8:00 ........................................... Phyllis Aliano (K. Ruppel)11:30 ...................................................... Dick Lescott (Wife)TUESDAY, JUNE 25TH8:00 ........................................... Matthew Wittman (Father)11:30 ........................................ Earl Malley (Ciro and Mary)WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26TH8:00 .................................. S&TW Tokar Family (J. Ondra)11:30 ......................................... Joan Diggin (Holan Family)THURSDAY, JUNE 27TH (St. Cyril of Alexandria)8:00 .................................... Fr. Denis R. Sweeney (Family)11:30 ........................................ Dennis McIntyre II (Family)FRIDAY, JUNE 28TH (St. Irenaeus)8:00 ....................................... Margaret Picarillo (H. Flood)11:30 ....................................... Roger Richards (Wife, Betty)SATURDAY, JUNE 29TH (SS. Peter & Paul)10:00 .................... Ann Martin (Karoleski and Pidich Fams.)11:30 ........................................... John Halpin (M/M Totten)2:30 ......................................... Senton-Hess Wedding Mass5:00 ............................Frank & Margaret Calabria (Family)SUNDAY, JUNE 30TH8:00 .............................................. Nellie Kullman (Family)9:30 ............................. Nicholas Bracco (Wife & Children)11:30 ............................. Saverio & Rosaria Caruso (Family)5:00 ....................................................... Mass for the ParishBAPTISMSWe welcome into our faith community:Lucas Anthony, son of Anthony and Amanda Filekwho was baptized on Sunday, June 16th!DEATHSOur sympathy do Deacon Chuck Vukotich on the death ofhis uncle, Jack Onorad, and to the family of Mary AnnGross. May they rest in peace.WEEKLY READINGSReadings for the Week of June 23, 2013Sunday: Zec 12:10-11; 13:1/Gal 3:26-29/Lk 9:18-24Monday: Is 49:1-6/Acts 13:22-26/Lk 1:57-66, 80Tuesday: Gn 13:2, 5-18/Mt 7:6, 12-14Wednesday: Gn 15:1-12, 17-18/Mt 7:15-20Thursday: Gn 16:1-12, 15-16 or 16:6b-12, 15-16/Mt 7:21-29Friday: Gn 17:1, 9-10, 15-22/Mt 8:1-4Saturday: Acts 12:1-11/2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18/Mt 16:13-19Next Sunday: 1 Kgs 19:16b, 19-21/Gal 5:1, 13-18/Lk 9:51-62SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM—Any Sunday of the monthat 12:45 p.m. or during one of the Sunday Masses. Pleasecontact the Parish Office to make arrangements. An instructionclass for the parents is required.SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE—Contact a parish priestat least six months in advance. Masses are scheduled onSaturdays at 2:30 p.m.SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING—Please contact the ParishOffice to arrange a time and date.PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK– Those unable to attendMass who would like to receive Holy Communion,please contact Cede Catanzaro at the Parish Office.LITURGY AND PRAYERSaturday Vigil Mass ............................................... 5:00 p.m.Sunday Masses .......... 8:00, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. & 5:00 p.m.Daily Masses (Mon.—Fri.) .....................8:00 and 11:30 a.m.Saturday Morning ......................................... 11:30 a.m. onlyFuneral Masses ..................................................... 10:00 a.m.Holy Day Vigil Mass .............................................. 5:00 p.m.Holy Day Masses ............... 8:00 and 11:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.Wednesday Adoration....................... 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.mConfessions ........................................ Saturday at 10:00 a.m.Rosary ................................ Weekdays after 11:30 a.m. MassADULT CONFIRMATION — If you havereceived the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist,but have never been Confirmed, please considerreceiving some instructions about the Sacrament ofConfirmation to complete your three Sacraments ofInitiation.Often adults are asked to be a Godparent or sponsor for afamily member or friend, but are not able to because they werenever Confirmed. Deacon Bill Batz will provide instruction forthe Sacrament of Confirmation for interested adults. Please callthe parish office for more information.PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN CLASS—If you are avolunteer within the school, religious education program,MoreFest, VBS or have any volunteer involvement in the parish,including Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion,etc. you must complete this one time workshop, Protecting God’sChildren. If you missed the recent class held at St. Thomas More,please call the Religious Education Office (412) 835-6996 fordates of other classes in the area.TRAVELING CHALICEParishioners are invited to take home the travellingchalice for the week in order to pray for priestlyvocations. A sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletinboard outside the sacristy in the hallway leadingto the parish office. If you have already hadthe chalice and wish to take it again, you are welcometo do so. Call the Parish Office for details.

ASSUMPTION ST. 15TH FOURTH 12TH THOMAS SUNDAY SUNDAY MORE OF THE OF CHURCH EASTER BLESSED YEAR VIRGIN MARY NOVEMBER AUGUST MARCH APRIL JULY JUNE 14, 10, 15, 21, 20, 7, 201020112013On behalf of all of us in Religious Education and Youth Ministry…We are going to miss Fr. Mark as heventures onward to his newposition with diocese!Your 4 years of faithful service has been a generous gift to thepeople of STM. The Lord bless you as you have blessed somany and give you peace and joy in your priestly service.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so thatyou may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13“I Spy a Catechist” Workshop was a huge success!!Thank you to the following people who stepped up and will be our new teachers this year:Joe Wattick Christine Kiely Nancy DownsDavid Vietmeier Michael & Kristie Shanahan Margie RatayTerry MartinAs our program continues to grow, we keep adding new classes, therefore, we are still in need of moreteachers!!Here is where we are @ this point and still need these following teachers in place:Sunday Session (10:45am–12:15pm) Wednesday Session (5:30pm—7:00Kindergarten & 6th Grade & 8th GradeKindergarten/3rd Grade (2 teachers)No Experience Necessary! Do you want to share your love for God with our children?Once you have taken the time in prayer, please don’t hesitate to contact Kerry.Contact Kerry @ (412)835-6996 or mindachk@stmpgh.orgFather, Creator of all, thank You for summer!Thank you for the warmth of the sunand the increased daylight.Thank You for the beauty I see all around meand for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation.Thank You for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family,and for the more casual pace of the summer season.Draw me closer to You this summer.Teach me how I can prayno matter where I am or what I am doing.Warm my soul with the awareness of Your presenceand light my path with Your Word and Counsel.As I enjoy Your creation, create in mea pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for You.Amen.

12TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR JUNE 23, 2013Youth MinistryFrom Kelly……Get on Kelly’s weekly email blasts so you can be up to date on allYOUth Happenings in High School and Middle School! Kelly’s contactinformation is (412)835-6996 & spadonik@stmpgh.org. Here are some photos ofour Appalachia fundraising events throughout the year! Along with raising a lot ofmoney, we also had fun doing it!! A special THANK YOU to everyone that hasand continues to support our mission!! Thanks to your support we will be helping8 families this Summer in West Virginia. Please continue to keep ourAppalachia Team and our West Virginia families in your prayers!Christmas and Valentine’s Day Cookie SalesCar WashesThank You for all yoursupport throughout theyear!!2012 AnnualTheme Party!!Final Appalachia MeetingOur final AppalachiaMANDATORY meeting before ourtrip will be Sunday, June 23rd from3:30-5:00 pm. All kids must attendwith one parent. You should havereceived your paperwork thisweek. You must bring a copy ofyour insurance card, a signed permissionform, and the money thatyou still owe!!

ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH JUNE 23, 20122012-2013 Terra Nova resultsSt. Thomas More School recently received the scoring results fromthe Terra Nova Standardized Tests administered in April 2013. We arepleased to share our wonderful results. The chart below reflects theGrade Equivalency total score by grade in each subject area. As youcan see we achieved well beyond grade level in every grade and inevery subject.The amazing results are a credit to our wonderful staff, hardworkingstudents, and dedicated parents.Reading Math Science Social StudiesKindergarten 1.4 1.51st Grade 4.7 2.6 2.9 3.72nd Grade 4.5 3.3 4.1 4.13rd Grade 5.7 5.0 5.9 6.64th Grade 9.0 6.6 6.9 9.25th Grade 9.6 6.7 8.0 7.86th Grade 11.1 9.4 9.7 10.67th Grade 11.1 10.4 11.4 10.08th Grade 13.0 12.6 13.0 11.9

12TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR JUNE 23, 2013OTHER NEWS AROUND CAMPUSWEEKLY EUCHARISTIC ADORATIONand Patriotic Rosary during the Fortnight for FreedomWednesday, June 26th*****Religious liberty is our first freedom. Withoutreligious liberty, all other freedoms fall apart.Because a person with religious liberty is a personwho knows human dignity, the sacredness ofhuman life and all the human rights that flowfrom that knowledge. And will act on those beliefs.(Bishop David Zubik, June 7, 2013) BishopZubik is asking the faithful of our diocese topray for religious liberty, to learn about this issue, and to act topromote the protection of religious freedom. This Wednesdayevening we will be praying the Patriotic Rosary at 7:00PM inplace of Evening Prayer, including a prayer for religious libertyand the litany to St. Thomas More, the patron saint of religiousliberty and our parish.Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament takes place immediatelyfollowing the 11:30AM Mass every Wednesday. The Rosary isrecited a few minutes after Mass, and the Chaplet of DivineMercy is recited at 3:00PM. Silent adoration continues throughoutthe afternoon, and this week the Patriotic Rosary will be recited at7:00PM, followed by the Litany to St. Thomas More and Benediction.Please come and pray for religious liberty and vocations.CATHOLIC FORTNIGHT FOR FREEDOM—BishopZubik will celebrate Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July4th at St. Mary of Mercy, Downtown, to close this year’sFortnight for Freedom. Light refreshments will be servedafterward in Lawless Hall. All are welcome.ELECTRONIC GIVING—With summer just around thecorner, now might be a good time to sign up for electronicgiving for your Sunday offering, Parish Share, or any of theother parish or diocesan collections that take place. Sign up iseasy, just go to our parish website: www.stmpgh.org and clickthe link for “Online Giving.” This is a wonderful way to supportyour parish while away on a much deserved vacation!STM ARTS AND CRAFT FAIR—Applications arebeing accepted for the 24th annual St. Thomas MoreArts and Craft Show on Saturday, October 5th, 2013,from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. To receive an application,please contact Karen Sturgeon at stmcraftfair@gmail.comor call (412) 254-3595.CONGRATULATIONS to the following students who haveachieved Honor Roll status at Central Catholic for the SecondSemester. High Honors: Matthew Stoessel and Honors:Grant Regan.WEEKLY OFFERTORY COLLECTION*****Sunday, June 16, 2013—$20,413.19Oklahoma Disaster Collection—$7,342.00Electronic giving is included in the above amount.SOCIAL JUSTICE FROM TODAY’S READINGS“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave norfree person, there is not male and female, for you are allone in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:26-28)****“God, in Christ, redeems not only the individual person butalso the social relations existing between men.”(Compendium of the Social Teaching of the Church;2004; #52)“TO PROMOTE SOCIAL JUSTICE”(BISHOP ZUBIK, THE CHURCH SHARING, 2008)STM BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP—The KitchenHouse by Kathleen Grissom will be the July 8th topic forthe STM Book Discussion Group. The novel tells the storyof Lavinia, an Irish orphaned girl, who comes under thecare of an illegitimate daughter of a tobacco plantationowner. Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the big houseyet choices of love and loyalties must be faced. Meetingsare held from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Please note: the Julymeeting will be held in the Rooney Room because of VacationBible School.BIRTHRIGHT OF PITTSBURGH needs volunteers toshare the pro-life message with expectant mothers. We tryto protect the most vulnerable in society that have novoice—the unborn. Please help us to reach out in the cityand be there for that one important phone call. There aremany ways you can help Birthright. Please call to registerfor training at (412) 621-1988 right now! Give the gift ofyourself.READY FOR A GREAT SUMMER?Camp R is a sleepover camp for kids 7-14years old. It is good old fashioned outdoorfun with swimming, fishing, sports, archery,kayaking, cookouts, campfires,games, hiking, an end of the week danceand more! Camp R is located in Somerset County and hasbeen run by the Catholic Youth Association for over 75years. Kids will have the time of their lives while meetingmany good friends! Visit www.cyacampr.com or call(412) 621-3342.ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS—Help parents sendtheir children to St. Thomas More School. You can divertyour state taxes to needy families for tuition assistance. Goto newpa.com and register with the Department of Communityand Economic Development (DCED). Click on singleapplication, upper right corner. Once you create a username and password you are permanently registered. Applyas a for profit entity. Once you submit, a new applicationwill come up for EITC or OSTC. You can apply for either.The critical date coming up for new applications is July 1,2013. This is the date you apply for your tax credit. Pleasecall Dr. Bowes at (412) 456-3090 or emailrbowes@diopitt.org for more information.

ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH JUNE 23, 2013STEWARDSHIPSPOTLIGHT ONEXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNIONAn extraordinary minister of Holy Communion in the Catholic Church is, under the Codeof Canon Law, "an acolyte, or another of Christ's faithful deputed", in certain circumstances,to distribute Holy Communion. The term "extraordinary" distinguishes such a personfrom the ordinary (normal, regular) minister of Holy Communion, namely a bishop,priest or deacon.Canon law permits that "where the needs of the Church require and ministers are not available,lay people, even though they are not lectors or acolytes, can supply certain of theirfunctions, that is, exercise the ministry of the word, preside over liturgical prayers, conferbaptism and distribute Holy Communion, in accordance with the provisions of the law."The term "lay people" does not distinguish between men and women. The extraordinaryminister's function is to distribute Holy Communion, either within Mass or by taking it to asick person.The extraordinary minister of Holy Communion may administer Communion only whenthe priest and deacon are lacking, when the priest is prevented by weakness or advancedage or some other genuine reason, or when the number of faithful coming to Communionis so great that the very celebration of Mass would be unduly prolonged.You may notice at the end of the distribution of Holy Communion some ministers willstand behind the altar and after the vessels are purified will receive a pyx (small containerfor hosts) filled with the Eucharist. The priest will give the Minister(s) a blessing and sendthem to the sick and shut-ins of the parish.Like all other ministries of the Church, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion havecompleted the requirements requested for the Safe Environment for Children and have receivedinstruction on how to fulfill the ministry itself. If you are interested in becoming anExtraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, please contact Noreen Christiano at 412-833-4247.

12TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR JUNE 23, 2013MoreFest 2013As this is written, the ground crew is outside setting up for the festival. These arefun times as we anticipate the festivities, and see all of our planning come to reality.The Flea Market Pre-Sale was a huge success, surpassing last year’s totals in attendanceand revenue. Of course, we must give thanks to so many donors and volunteers—andwe will do that more formally in the weeks ahead. For now, please beaware that we are grateful to everyone who has been involved in MoreFest in anyway. It is a parish effort, and reflects so much of the best of St. Thomas More as acommunity which comes together in generosity, dedication, and caring to be witnessto God’s presence. Thanks again to everyone!Just A Reminder . . .If you placed a sign in your front yard announcing MoreFest, please return itto the Parish Office as soon as possible. The signs can be reused next yearsimply by changing the dates. Your cooperation is very much appreciated.THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO VOLUNTEERED,DONATED ITEMS, AND ATTENDED MOREFEST!!HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT YEAR -JUNE 18—21, 2014!!!