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R E P E N T A N D B E S A V E D

F I R S T S U N D A Y O F L E N T

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Mission Statement : The Roman Catholic Saint Thomas More Parish Family welcomes and invites every person to join us on our journey in faith and celebration. With the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and through Sacred Scripture and Tradition, we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all, especially in loving service to those in need.

As part of the Universal Church, we affirm the dignity of every person. All this we do to give glory and honor to God.

Pastoral Staff Pastor ............................. Reverend Michael J. Yadron, KHS; Ext. 312 myadron@stm-church.com Associate Pastor .......................... Reverend Richard C. Holy; Ext. 314 rholy@stm-church.com Deacons ......................................................... Mr. David Kapala, KHS ..................................................................... Mr. Joseph Stodola, KHS ............................................................................ Dr. Napoleon Tabion ................................................................... Mr. Daniel Zurawski, KHS Stewardship Director ..................................... Noreen Bickel; Ext. 330 Pastoral Care Coordinator ............. Deacon Napoleon Tabion; Ext. 315 Director of Religious Formation ......... Mrs. Sandra Morgan; Ext. 332

Parish Office Staff Office Hours:

Monday-Friday ~ 8:00 am-8:00 pm • Saturday ~ 8:00 am-4:00 pm Web Site .......................................................... www.stm-church.com Email address .................................. parish.office@stm-church.com Email address for bulletin ...................... bulletin@stm-church.com Office Phone………. 836-8610 Office Fax .................... 836-9185 Bulletin Editor ............................................ Mrs. Pam Pasyk; Ext. 309 Daytime Receptionist ................................ Mrs. Susan Strain; Ext. 310 Evening Receptionist ............................. Ms. Veronica Brtos; Ext. 310

Pastoral Ministries Circle of Prayer ........................................ Mary Jo Humpfer 836-5002 Environment & Art ............................................. Jean Bados 836-8610 Eucharistic Ministers ................................... Carole Mackey 923-8816 Hospitality Ministry ....................................... Ann D’Orazio 838-9343 Lectors ...................................................... William McDunn 922-9459 Music Ministry ................... Miss Angie Lorandos 836-8610, Ext. 338 Nursery .................................................. Kaaren A. Mashura 836-5079 St. Vincent de Paul .......................... Mrs. Bernadine Barrett 836-8610 Vocations Committee .............................. Mrs. Mary Kochis 322-7262

2011-2012 Pastoral Council Members Tom Alexander, Chairperson .......................................... Daniel Buksa Timothy Etter .................................................................. Don Kopenec Jackie Kovach .................................................................. John Kovach Andrea Mazerik ............................................................. Phil McIntosh Krystal Quagliara ........................................................ Susan Rousseau Linda Stefanich ......................................................... Joann Wleklinski

St. Thomas More School Pre-School through 8th Grade

Office Hours: Monday– Friday ~ 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Web Site ........................................................... www.stm-school.com School Phone ......... 836-9151 School Fax .......................... 836-0982 Principal ......................................... Mr. Chet Nordyke, KHS; Ext. 328 Assistant Principal…………………….…...Mrs. Tina Boyle; Ext. 328 School Administrative Assistant….Mrs. Jennifer Gonzalez; Ext. 328 School Reception & Office Associate…..Mrs. Sandra Steele; Ext. 329 Home & School Association…….Mrs. Mary Beth Ginalski; 864-0941 Parish & School Offices Associate……Mrs. Mary Jo Biscan; Ext. 311 Parish & School Offices Associate ......... Mrs. Pam Wadycki; Ext. 339

Weis Center 8635 Calumet Avenue ~ Munster, IN 46321

Phone ..................................................................................... 836-2660 Fax ......................................................................................... 836-2655

St. Thomas More Religious Education Kindergarten through 8th Grade

Office Hours:M-F 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Religious Education Phone ............................................................ 836-8610 Director ........................................................ Mrs. Sandra Morgan; Ext. 332 Administrative Assistant ..................................... Carolyn McGill; Ext. 336 Grades K through 8 ~ Wednesday or Thursday from 4:30 ~ 6:00 p.m.

Pastoral Commissions Chairpersons Formation/Education ................................................... Mrs. Barbara Topete Parish Life ................................................................ Mrs. Elaine Herrmann Peace & Social Justice .......................................................Ms. Mary Silvasi Spirituality & Worship .............................................. Mrs. Kaaren Mashura Stewardship ................................................................... Mrs. Noreen Bickel

Parish Organizations Altar & Rosary Society ....................................... Cindy Keilman 923-9862 Elizabeth Ministry ................................................ Pam Domasica 838-7940 Holy Name Society .................................................... Joe Adams 865-3566 Senior Citizens ............................................................ Joan Klein 923-5993 Respect Life ............................................................ Alice Wohler 836-5337 Knights of Columbus ............................... Robert Gozdecki (219) 427-6919 Blue Army ................................................... Rose Marie Malburg 836-8779 Finance ................................................................ Barbara Shaver 838-9200 Planned Giving ..................................................................... Ken Krupinski Building Maintenance .................................................... Bob Ray 924-6472 Boy Scouts.............................................................. Roger Jachna 322-0769 Cub Scouts............................................................... Steve Hrinda 923-6438 Girl Scouts ................................................................. Julie Buksa 922-1182 Catering/Hall Rental ......................................... Kathleen Pagorek 972-0539 Moms’ Group ......................................................... Leticia Kotso 924-5732 Ushers Club .......................................................... Jim Marmalejo 836-1463 Gabriel Project ..................................................... Kathy Trotman 836-4329 The Travelers Club…………………………………..Lois Quinn 836-7902

St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church 8501 Calumet Avenue, Munster, IN 46321

Sacramental Information Confessions Saturdays ............................................................ 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. First Friday .............................. 1/2 hour before the 6:30 a.m. Mass Baptisms .............................. First and Third Sundays at 1:00 p.m.

Parents must be registered parishioners and regularly at-tending at least six months before the Baptism. At least one of the godparents must be a practicing Catholic.

Pre Baptism Class ..................................... 2nd Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Parents must call the Parish Office to schedule class and/or Baptism. Marriage .............. Must be a registered, practicing member of the parish at least six months before beginning the six month preparation program for marriage.

Communion calls and visits to Hospitals and Homebound: Call the Parish Office for Sacraments at hospital or at home.

New Parishioner Registration To make it as convenient as possible for you, new parishioners may

register at any time in the Parish Office.

Please remember St. Thomas More in your Will and Estate Planning

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First Sunday of Lent February 26, 2012

Saturday, March 3 5:30 p.m. Fr. Mike Yadron

Sunday, March 4 6:30 a.m. Fr. Mike Yadron 8:00 a.m. Fr. Mike Yadron 10:00 a.m. Fr. Rick Holy 12:00 Noon Fr. Rick Holy

SUNDAY, February 26 — First Sunday of Lent 6:30 am John Mateychuk by Loretta Krawczyk 8:00 am For Our Parish Family Living and Deceased 10:00 am Cathy Somenzi by Parents Janet & Ken Somenzi 12:00 pm John J. Rybicki (Ann.) by Wife & Family

MONDAY, February 27 6:30 am Rose Krizmanic by STM Seniors 8:30 am Intention of Virginia Holy by Family

TUESDAY, February 28 6:30 am William Simants by Dorothy & June Miller 8:30 am Intention of Bruce Case Family by Fred & Lillie Beckman 10:00 am Eugene C. Ogorek by STM Holy Name Society (MASS AT MED-INN CHAPEL, Group 4)

WEDNESDAY, February 29 6:30 am Robert Gregor by STM Holy Name Society 8:30 am Jerome Pickford by Etter Family 7:00 pm Harry & Margaret Kender by Jim & Arlene Kender

THURSDAY, March 1 6:30 am Rose Krizmanic by Phyllis Krizmanic 9:00 am Kelly A. Figueroa by Thomas & Nancy O’Rourke

FRIDAY, March 2 — First Friday 6:30 am Gerald Seifert by Helen Rich 8:30 am Norman Banas (Ann.) by Wife Ruth & Family

SATURDAY, March 3 — St. Katharine Drexel—First Sunday 8:30 am Assunta Ferrara by Sister Tina & Maria 5:30 pm John Albizati (Ann.) by Family

SUNDAY, March 4 — Second Sunday of Lent 6:30 am For Our Parish Family Living and Deceased 8:00 am Gene Barker by Family 10:00 am Eileen Puskedra by STM Senior Citizens 12:00 pm Geraldine Lesko by Joseph & Carol Krajnik

WEDNESDAY, February 29 — Lenten Mass 7:00 pm C., E. & F. Beckman MC ~ Lauren

FRIDAY, March 2 — Stations of the Cross 7:00 pm B. & R. Caraher, S. Donovan

SATURDAY, March 3 8:30 am A. Bilse, S. Lyons 5:30 pm A. & A. Chronowski, C. Erickson, L. Forszt, M. Garcia/ MC ~ Greg

SUNDAY, March 4 6:30 am A., S. & W. McDunn 8:00 am B., J. & M. Peters, K. & M. Yaeger MC ~ Evan 10:00 am E. & W. McComis, M. Osmulski, B. Sikora, J. Surd/ MC ~ Nick 12:00 pm K. Kennedy, E. Long, M. McDevitt MC ~ Alyssa

Monica R. Medina • Sarah Polito Clark Lembcke

Pastoral Care Ministry If a friend or family member would like to receive Communion at

home, call the Pastoral Care Office at 836-8610, #315.

Readings for the Week of February 26th Sunday: Gn 9:8-15/1 Pt 3:18-22/Mk 1:12-15 Monday: Lv 19:1-2, 11-18/Mt 25:31-46 Tuesday: Is 55:10-11/Mt 6:7-15 Wednesday: Jon 3:1-10/Lk 11:29-32 Thursday: Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25/Mt 7:7-12 Friday: Ez 18:21-28/Mt 5:20-26 Saturday: Dt 26:16-19/Mt 5:43-48 Next Sunday:Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18/Rom 8:31b-34 Mk 9:2-10

Sacrificial Offerings for February 19, 2012

TIME, TALENT & TREASURE Thank you for your generosity.

Adult $ 23,571.00 Loose $ 3,275.00 Children $ 192.93

TOTAL $ 27,038.93

Licensed Therapist Catholic Charities is seeking part-time, contract LCSW or LMHC

therapists for offices in Hammond, East Chicago (Spanish required), Crown Point & Portage. Fax resume to: Catholic Charities HR

Department at (219) 886-2428/ email:cgiltz@catholiccharities.org.

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First Sunday of Lent It was just two months ago that we celebrated Christmas. Remember

back to that holiday season? Festive lights, glorious decorations, glittering trees, colorful poinsettias, family meals, joyous celebrations, Christmas gifts. Somewhere in all of that mix, it was likely that there was also a Christmas Nativity scene. Maybe it was a family heirloom

carefully set up in a corner so that it wouldn't be disturbed. Or possibly your family Nativity scene last Christmas was hand-drawn artwork by

one of your school children that was proudly displayed on the refrigerator. (Maybe it's even still there!) Wait a minute! Isn't this the First Sunday of Lent? Why all the talk about Christmas? Because like

Christmas itself, the First Sunday of Lent always has a Gospel that reminds us that Jesus is truly human! With all the stories of the past

few weeks (healings of Peter's mother-in-law, a leper, a paralytic, and the casting out of a demon) we could begin to think of Jesus only as some kind of miracle-worker. To do that would remove him from a clear and concrete association with us. For centuries, the church has

clearly taught that Jesus is completely and thoroughly human just as he is completely and thoroughly divine. Today's Gospel reminds us that

Jesus was tempted, just like we are tempted. He had the opportunity to accede to the wiles of Satan. Instead, he emerged from the desert to

proclaim a Gospel of repentance. We hear this story of Jesus' humanity as we begin Lent to give us encouragement for the next forty days. We often begin Lent with a lot of enthusiasm. We are ready to change our

lives. But changing how we live is difficult, and temptations are rampant. The Gospel tells us that angels came and ministered to Jesus while he was being tempted. Start Lent by asking a friend or a family

member to be an angel for you in the next forty days, to ask you occasionally how your Lent is going.

lease pray for the sick of our parish... c Coleen Alexander Margaret Amatulli Doris Aurelio Maria Aurelio Irene Baker John Baker Cody Baldwin Antonio Belmonte Tom Bernacke Michael Berry Michael Blazevich Laverne Blumka Michael Boston Cheryl Bostrom Stephany Burney Dorothy Campbell James Campbell Barbara Cak Thomas Cak Al Carollo Carol Carollo Joseph Cwiok Jacqueline Morrow Christian Frank Coman Vincent Corsello John Costa Mike Curtain Margaret Demkovich Lucille Detterline Irene Dettmer Ann DeVoy MaryPat Devoy Irene Dickey Jeanine Doescher David Drewniak Charles Dybel Alex Eiland John L. Estrada Sherlon Evans Virginia Fitzgerald John Forde Phyllis Garber Andrea Garritano

Mary Gawlikowski Dorothy Gillespie Margaret Good Kyle Grady Howard Gralewski James Grunewald Eileen Hasse Amy Hayes Eleanore Heggi Marie Henke Evelyn Hennes Ray Humpfer Steve Izzo Dennis Jablonski Elizabeth Jacob Barbara Jamrose Stanley Jayjack Rosemary Jerzak-Staszel Debbie Kaczka Robert Kalka Margaret A. Kapala Carol Keilman Patricia Kerr Rev. Matthew Kish Josephine Knesek Janet Knight Alice Kolember Dorothy Kovach Miller Krizmanic Jerome Kula Debbie Le Monier Mary Leahy Jo Lisiniewicz Edward Liskiewicz Stanley Liskiewicz Maria Lovell Moira McShane Lukas Carole Mackey Gregory Mahoney Mary Manchak Brady Martin Alex Mau Joseph McShane Faye Meny Sandi Merlo

Stephanie Mueller Olga Mihalo Andrew Moll Elissa Moll David Moll Jean Narvid Donna Nichols Steven Nowaczyk Valerie O’Donnell Danny Ogren Irene Orzel Ruth Ospalski Audrey Ostroff Johanna Petruch Andrew Pieczyrak Elizabeth Pilones Sylvester Porras Timothy Ribble Kristen Rubin Anthony Saklaczynski Ann Sardella George Sauer Marie Schultz Marianne Schwartz William Schwartz Zachery Scriff James Secviar Renee Shehan Nick Skinner Lydia Skorupa Carolyn Smiley Deborah Stareck Charles Stevens Florence Stevens Georgianne Suto Rose Theis Gerardo Trevino Anthony Ubuane Julia Vrbanich Joyce Wadlow Pam Wadycki Adele Wall Sue Wass Cecilia Ziegler

SUNDAY, February 26 St. Vincent De Paul Food Collection at All Masses 4:00 pm Blue & Gold Banquet ~ Gym Parish Mission at 7:00 p.m. with Fr. Mick Kopil MONDAY, February 27 Parish Mission at 7:00 p.m. with Fr. Mick Kopil

TUESDAY, February 28 9:15 am Eucharistic Adoration (until 6:30 pm) ~ Chapel 1:00 pm Prayer/Vocations ~ Chapel 6:00 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet ~ Chapel Parish Mission— Closing Mass at 7:00 p.m. with Fr. Kopil

WEDNESDAY, February 29 9:30 am Bible Study ~ Conference Room 4:30 pm Religious Education Classes (until 6:00 p.m.) 7:00 pm Lenten Evening Mass

THURSDAY, March 1 9:30 am Mary’s Way of the Cross ~ Church 4:30 pm Religious Education Classes (until 6:00 p.m.) 7:00 pm All Seasons Chorale ~ Church

FRIDAY, March 2 Holy Name Fish Fry from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. ~ Gym 2:15 pm School Stations of the Cross ~ Church 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross ~ Church

Rocco Adley Bacino Son of Jeffrey Bacino & Coleen Adley

Jordan Jeremiah Guidotti Son of Jenna Guidotti

Bella Marie Newman Daughter of Thomas & Kristina Newman

March Nursery Schedule

Sunday, March 4 Kaaren Mashura • Gina Sanders

Michelle Wendlinger

Sunday, March 11 Kaaren Mashura • Holly Harle

Courtney Weinberg

Sunday, March 18 Kaaren Mashura • Kathy Pela

Haley Bolanowski

Sunday, March 25 Ann Harkenrider

Jill Bochenek

The Nursery is located in the Bride’s Room in the

Church narthex during the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass.

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The Pastor’s Page

PLEASE REMEMBER THEM Please pray for the priests and deacons who have served the Diocese of Gary so faithfully and whose anniversaries of death are this week:

February 27: Rev. Ambrose T. McGinnity (2000) February 28: Deacon Rufus Harris (1991)

Bishops Renew Call To Legislative Action On Religious Liberty February 10, 2012 The Catholic bishops have long supported access to life-affirming healthcare for all, and the conscience rights of everyone involved in the complex process of providing that healthcare. That is why we raised two serious objections to the "preventive services" regulation issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in August 2011. First, we objected to the rule forcing private health plans — nationwide, by the stroke of a bureaucrat's pen—to cover sterilization and contraception, including drugs that may cause abortion. All the other mandated "preventive services" prevent disease, and pregnancy is not a disease. Moreover, forcing plans to cover abortifacients violates existing federal conscience laws. Therefore, we called for the rescission of the mandate altogether. Second, we explained that the mandate would impose a burden of unprecedented reach and severity on the consciences of those who consider such "services" immoral: insurers forced to write policies including this coverage; employers and schools forced to sponsor and subsidize the coverage; and individual employees and students forced to pay premiums for the coverage. We therefore urged HHS, if it insisted on keeping the mandate, to provide a conscience exemption for all of these stakeholders—not just the extremely small subset of "religious employers" that HHS proposed to exempt initially. Today, the President has done two things. First, he has decided to retain HHS's nationwide mandate of insurance coverage of sterilization and contraception, including some abortifacients. This is both unsupported in the law and remains a grave moral concern. We cannot fail to reiterate this, even as so many would focus exclusively on the question of religious liberty. Second, the President has announced some changes in how that mandate will be administered, which is still unclear in its details. As far as we can tell at this point, the change appears to have the following basic contours: ·It would still mandate that all insurers must include coverage for the objectionable services in all the policies they would write. At this point, it would appear that self-insuring religious employers, and religious insurance companies, are not exempt from this mandate. ·It would allow non-profit, religious employers to declare that they do not offer such coverage. But the employee and insurer may separately agree to add that coverage. The employee would not have to pay any additional amount to obtain this coverage, and the coverage would be provided as a part of the employer's policy, not as a separate rider. ·Finally, we are told that the one-year extension on the effective date (from August 1, 2012 to August 1, 2013) is available to any non-profit religious employer who desires it, without any government application or approval process. These changes require careful moral analysis, and moreover, appear subject to some measure of change. But we note at the outset that the lack of clear protection for key stakeholders—for self-insured religious employers; for religious and secular for-profit employers; for secular non-profit employers; for religious insurers; and for individuals—is unacceptable and must be corrected. And in the case where the employee and insurer agree to add the objectionable coverage, that coverage is still provided as a part of the objecting employer's plan, financed in the same way as the rest of the coverage offered by the objecting employer. This, too, raises serious moral concerns. We just received information about this proposal for the first time this morning; we were not consulted in advance. Some information we have is in writing and some is oral. We will, of course, continue to press for the greatest conscience protection we can secure from the Executive Branch. But stepping away from the particulars, we note that today's proposal continues to involve needless government intrusion in the internal governance of religious institutions, and to threaten government coercion of religious people and groups to violate their most deeply held convictions. In a nation dedicated to religious liberty as its first and founding principle, we should not be limited to negotiating within these parameters. The only complete solution to this religious liberty problem is for HHS to rescind the mandate of these objectionable services. We will therefore continue—with no less vigor, no less sense of urgency—our efforts to correct this problem through the other two branches of government. For example, we renew our call on Congress to pass, and the Administration to sign, the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act. And we renew our call to the Catholic faithful, and to all our fellow Americans, to join together in this effort to protect religious liberty and freedom of conscience for all.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE • Where will you be sitting in eternity? Smoking or Non-

Smoking? • Try Jesus. If you don’t like Him, the devil will always

take you back.

DAY BY DAY THROUGH LENT Sunday: Jesus was tempted in the desert for forty days. Make a list of the things that tempt you the most. Make another list on what can help you overcome each of those temptations. Ask God for help in remaining strong. Monday: Read the Gospel parable of the sheep and the goats (Mt 25:31-46). Resolve to do some positive good: feed the hungry, visit the sick, help the needy, et cetera. Tuesday: Jesus reminds us that we must forgive if we hope to be forgiven. Are you holding a grudge against anyone? Do all that you can to reconcile yourself to that person to whom you withhold forgiveness. Wednesday: Jonah ran from God before he ultimately went to Nineveh to proclaim the word of God. Ask yourself the question, “How have you been running from God?” Make a plan to say “yes” to God’s will. Thursday: Take your marching orders from today’s Gospel: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Friday: Do you feel that you are somehow better than others? Make an effort to help someone today. Saturday: “Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you.” Take a moment this day to pray for peace: peace in your heart, peace in the heart of your enemies, peace in the world. For complete meditations for each day throughout Lent, go to www.dailyreflection.org or send an email message to meditations@stm-church.com to be added to the daily email list.

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Religious Education

February Schedule 29 Class

March Schedule 1 Class 7/8 Class 14/15 Class 21/22 Class 28/29 No Classes Spring Break 30 Confirmation Practice 6:00-6:45 31 Sacrament of Confirmation Mass at 10:30 a.m.

Confirmation Mass with Bishop Melczek will be Saturday, March 31st

Students should arrive by 9:15 a.m. Mass is at 10:30 a.m. Mandatory Confirmation Practice for sponsors and

students is Friday, March 30, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.

Lectors for March 3 & 4, 2012

12:00 pm Mass Maryann Pancheri &

Michael Wadas

5:30 pm Mass Lou Chronowski & Rob Mangus

6:30 am Mass John Brooks & Linarae Mueller

8:00 am Mass Judy Buksa & Paul Liszewski

10:00 am Mass Julius Ballanco & Terri Tratar

Greeters for March 3 & 4, 2012

5:30 pm Mass Main: The Dato Family Chapel: Charles & Chris

Shearman Choir: JoAnn & Bill Karr

6:30 am Mass Chapel: Joni Zurad

Choir: Karen & Tim Rutz

8:00 am Mass Main: Karen & Dennis

McNeil Chapel: Art & Mary Halpin

Choir: Lois Quinn

10:00 am Mass Main: Mike & Ben Mellon Chapel: The Miller Family

Choir: Sam & Bev Maravilla

12:00 Noon Mass Main: Diane Gralewski My Two Cents

Thoughts on Living Stewardship

First Sunday of Lent Lent again! Lent is a time not for depriving ourselves but for

spiritual spring cleaning before Easter. The Church recommends three things: fasting, prayer and almsgiving.

The purpose of these practices is to help us simplify our lives, to convert our hearts more closely to God and to grow and

develop as disciples of Jesus.

Special Lenten Program Sponsored by the Diocesan

Peace & Social Justice Commission Tuesday, Feb. 28th - 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Our Lady of Consolation Hall at 8303 Taft in Merrillville Topic: “Global Hunger”

With Speakers: Fr. Tom Mcquaid & Fellican Randriamanantenasoa from Catholic Relief Services

The invitation to this Peace and Social Justice Program is extended to ALL parishioners. There is no fee.

Columbian Squires Circle 4101

Esto Dignus—Be Worthy The Squires Convention will be in

Indianapolis on April 27-29th. Mark your calendar now! Membership in the Squires is open to all Catholic boys between

the ages of 10 and 17. You do not have to be a son of a Knight of Columbus to be in the Squires. If you would like more

information about the Squires, please visit our website at http://www.stmsquires4101.org to find a full list of our

upcoming activities, meeting dates as well as information about the Squires.Questions about the Squires? Contact Chief

Counselor, Gregg Blocher at 219-902-1171 or dcidevils1@hotmail.com

Mary’s Way of the Cross Everyone is welcome! Bring your friends.

Come journey with Mary on her “Way of the Cross”. Relive that journey to Calvary with Mary’s assis-tance and let us walk Jesus’ last steps with his Mother; let our faith deepen and allow Jesus to rise once more in our life. We meet each Thursday of

March after the 9:00 a.m. Mass: March 1, 2012 March 8, 2012 March 15, 2012 March 22, 2012 March 29, 2012

Vocations Committee A Priest...

Oh, the joy of being Priest! To be able to lead souls to happi-ness, particularly in times of crisis. To lead souls to heaven, as

a good Pastor, who is the greatest treasure that the Lord can give to a parish. How beautiful it is to see a young man, 18 or 19, become a helper of our Lord! What a great world we can

once again have! Oh, how we rely on our Priests!

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St. Thomas More School February 26, 2012

Register Now Some classes are filling quickly, so don’t delay!

Registration Fees increase after February 28th. For more information or to schedule a personal

tour of our facilities, contact Pam Pasyk at (219) 836-9151, #309 or

ppasyk@stm-school.com.

Catholic Schools Week Living Our Catholic Faith Through

Service to Others Each year during Catholic Schools Week, our students dedicate the week to living their

Catholic faith through a variety of service projects. This year, the goal of the service projects was to help other children throughout our area. Projects were aimed at assisting fellow children, from the very young to young adult who are hospitalized, who may be

hungry and those who are new to the world.

On Thursday, February 3rd, students collected items for newborn babies. As usual, the families in the St. Thomas More School community exhibited vast generosity as

they donated all the necessities for expectant mothers to bring a newborn infant home from the hospital. Diapers, bottles, bathing products, clothing and more filled the hall between the school and parish hallway as baby items were compiled for the

St. Thomas More Gabriel Project, a ministry dedicated to assisting an expectant mother in need.

During another day of Catholic Schools Week,

students collected items for other children to help pass

the time while in the hospital. More than eight huge plastic tubs filled with games, toys,

coloring books, crayons, puzzles, dolls, cars and action figures were delivered to area

pediatric wards for their young patients. In addition, a PlayStation gaming system

with accessories and over 60 games were donated. Thank

you STMS families for helping to make other

children’s stay in the hospital more comfortable.

• Roman Catholic Values Stressed in a Safe Christian Environment

• Regular Attendance & Participation in Mass with Sacramental Preparation

• Grade “A” from the IN Department of Education/ Superior ISTEP Scores

• Fully Accredited by the State of Indiana with State-Licensed Faculty &

Dedicated Staff • Full-Day & Half-Day Preschool, Pre-K &

Kindergarten Classes • Honors Programs in Grades 6 to 8 • Excellent Student/Teacher Ratio with Small Class Sizes • Departmentalized Learning in Grades 5-8 • Special Services Department Providing Educational Services & Aid to Students • Spanish Taught in Grades 1 through 8 • Before & After School Care • Tuition Reduction Incentive Program and

Family Tuition Rates • Full-Time Art, Music, Computer, Phys Ed,

Library/Study Skills Teachers & Counselor • State-of-the-Art Technology (updated within the last 18 months) Computer Lab, Two Mobile Laptop Labs • Athletics for Boys & Girls Beginning in

5th Grade: Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Track & Volleyball

• Award-Winning Band, Choir and Acclaimed Annual Musical

• National Junior Honor Society/ Peer Tutoring/ Service Projects

• Extra-Curricular Activities, Clubs & More: Art Club, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Chess Club, Math Club, “Rowdies” Spirit Squad, Middle School Dances, Education Fair, Walk-A-Thon , Student Council, etc.

• Indiana School Choice Program (School Vouchers)

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Career

Networking Group

* 80% of Jobs are Unadvertised *75% of Jobs are Found through Networking

Next Meeting: Thursday, March 16, 2012

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Speaker: Julie Pietrzak Administrative Services Supervisor

Baker & McKenzie, LLP

How Resilient Are You? • Been there, done that...

• Dealing with challenges... • How Are You Proactive?

• Shaky Confidence? This, too, shall pass...

Where: St. Thomas More Weis Center 8635 Calumet Avenue, Munster, IN When: 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m.� E-Mail: STMCareerGroup@gmail.com

Free. Open to All. For those who are unemployed (in transition), new to the job

market, employed or who can offer employment opportunities through their current professional connections.

Have your Cover Letter, Resume or Thank You Note critiqued by a professional.

Fr. Mick Kopil Associate Pastor at St. Michael

Parish in Schererville &

Director of Diocesan

Vocations, will be the presenter

for the St. Thomas More

Parish Mission. Please join us at 7:00 p.m. each evening in

the church. The topics are:

Sunday, February 26 The Universal Call to Holiness

Monday, February 27 A Call to Marriage

Tuesday, February 28 To Celebrate Life for People Who are Single, Religious &

Priests Mass at 7:00 p.m. Fr. Kopil will give his talk during the Homily.

St. Thomas More Parish Mission

St. Vincent De Paul Your help is needed to fill our pantry! Certain items are still needed to fill our pantry shelves.

Items we are currently out of are: rice• jelly

pancake mix • pancake syrup tomato paste

dish soap• detergent If you have any extras at home or spot a

sale, please keep the pantry in mind. And just as important, if not more so,

your prayers for our clients are needed, too. Thank you.

Traveling Club News We’ll be “on the move” again soon!

The STM Traveling Club leaders are now making plans for the coming year and you are in for some real surprises.

We have survived winter and are now looking forward to some beautiful spring weather.

Our first trip of the year will be on April 19th to enjoy a dinner and funny Theatre Production called

“Church Basement Ladies”. Doesn’t this sound intriguing? Cost is $63 per person and the

deadline is March 26th. We expect this trip to fill quickly, so

don’t delay in getting your payment in to the Parish Office to secure your

spot. Watch for more information in upcoming bulletins.

Daily Lenten Reflections If you would like to receive daily

Lenten Reflections, please email your name to the following address:

meditations@stm-church.com.

Prepare during the Lenten season with thoughtful reflections and readings online.

Emmaus Program 2012 The Emmaus Program is a four week adult formation for

parishioners, teachers and catechists. Stages of Faith— The Journey

Dan Lowery, Ph. D., Presenter Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on March 1, 8, 15 & 22 Calumet College at 2400 New York Avenue in Whiting

The cost the 4 Week Session is $20. Registration forms are located in the lobby of the Parish Office.

For more info or to register, contact Anne Verbeke at (219) 7659-9292, ext. 280 or email: averbeke@dcgary.org

Page 10

Altar & Rosary Society Chili Bingo

Wednesday, March 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria Chili Bingo tickets are now on sale for $5.00 in the Parish Office. We will begin with the recitation of the Rosary promptly at 6:45 p.m. & then let

the games begin! Bingo that is! Chef Kathleen Pagorek will be making her

fabulous Chili for us to enjoy while we play Bingo. All ladies attending are asked to bring a NEW DOOR PRIZE that evening, valued at $10.00 or less (please give to

Therese Sons when you arrive). Call Cindy at (219) 923-9862.

Subscribe Now! Rich in history with a tradition that goes back over 2,000

years, learning about the Catholic faith is the work of a lifetime. One way to stay current on

the work of the Church and more fully explore the many fascinating and sacred

beliefs of Catholics is through the Northwest Indiana Catholic newspaper, coming into

your home 44 times each year. Enjoy photgraphs from around the world, as well as locally, that tell the many stories of our faith in action. Subscribe now, through

March 12th for only $26 through your parish. Credit or debit card users go to nwicatholic.com. Senior Citizens

Monthly Luncheon We will meet on

Monday, February 27th at 11:30 a.m. at the Top Notch Restaurant on Indianapolis Boulevard

in Highland. All are welcome to join us.

Upcoming Meetings:

Regular Meeting Wednesday, March 7th at 1:00 p.m. Community Room at Kish Funeral Home

Mass for Our Deceased Members Sunday, March 18th at the 10:00 a.m. Mass

Breakfast to follow. Reservations are required.

Pot Luck Lunch Saturday, March 24th from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m.

Weis Center

Tickets Available At Door!

North Atlantic Cod • Shrimp French Fries • Cole Slaw • Beets • Bread & Butter

Coffee • Milk • Soft Drinks • Refreshments Beer & Wine Available

Friday, March 2nd STM Social Center

4:30- 8:00 p.m. Adults—$8.00 • Children (13 & under)—$4.00

Food • Fun • Raffle

Carry Outs

Available

Living Stations The 8th Grade Students of St. Thomas More School

will once again be presenting Living Stations of the Cross

Friday, March 16th at 1:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Everyone is invited to join us for one, or both, of

these moving devotions.

The Church in Central Europe “Christ is the light which illumines the way” Blessed John Paul II The Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe illuminates the way for the people of the region by helping

Catholic organizations provide food, shelter, medical care, and compassion for the depressed and lonely, in addition to pastoral care and catechesis. Your donation today helps to reinforce the

Christian ideals of charity, family values, and kindness in a place struggling in the aftermath of 70 years of atheistic Soviet rule.

Please be generous to the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. Visit wwwusccb.org/nationalcollections to learn

more about the important projects funded by the Collection.

Catholic Relief Services In today’s first reading, we hear about God’s covenant with

Noah, with his descendants and with all living creatures. During Lent, we are called to deepen and strengthen our

Baptismal relationship with God which includes our responsibility to care for God’s creation. This week through Operation Rice Bowl, we learn about those who struggle to

feed their families on depleted lands, and we fast in solidarity with those who hunger. Help improve growing methods and act as good stewards of God’s creation. Visit: www.crs.org.

Attention Teens The upcoming Youth Lock-In “Igniting the Fire: Welcome to

Hollywood” is on March 3/4 at the Holy Spirit Parish in Winfield for Catholic youth in middle & high school.

Strengthen your faith through sharing, music, dancing & prayer. For more info or to register, email:

ignitingthefire@gmail.com or call Dorothy at (219) 775-0689.

Page 11

ftvÜ|y|v|tÄ GIVING CARD 

2012 

Thankful for God’s gi s, I gladly share them as a partner in the

mission of Jesus at ST. THOMAS MORE PARISH.

Name_______________________________________  

Envelope Number_____________________________  

Address______________________________________  

City___________________ State_____  Zip_________  

Phone Number _______________________________  

E‐mail Address_______________________________  

My 2012 Sacrificial Gi  Will Be $_________________  _____ Weekly       _____ Monthly       ____Annually  

If you are interested in automated giving,  please complete the next form.  

If you are not interested in automated giving, please con nue to use your weekly contribu on envelopes. 

Please Return Your Sacrificial Giving Card Today! Filling out this card will put things in perspective. Have a plan for your giving!

O en we are tempted to put our Church offering at the bo om of the pile of bills to be paid. Our contribu ons come from what is remaining, rather than what is first. How much do we spend monthly on coffee, cable, dining out, cell phones, etc.?  

If all of these items come first, we give to God from our le overs.  By pu ng our dona on to the church first, we acknowledge that everything we have is a gi  from God and we are returning a por on to Him with 

gra tude.  

• All informa on is confiden al (no one other than parish staff will see your card). • Your pledged Sacrificial Gi is non‐binding (if your personal situa on changes, you can adjust your

giving). • Return your card to the parish office, place it in the collec on basket, or mail it to the parish office.

ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH

TâàÉÅtàxw VÉÇàÜ|uâà|ÉÇá Complete only if interested in this service or if you already make your contribu ons automa cally and would like to change the

amount or your banking informa on. To have your Sunday contribu ons withdrawn directly from your financial ins tu on , please complete the form below. 

Withdrawals will be made on either the 5th or the 20th of each month (please check the appropriate box below). You will 

con nue to receive your offering envelopes in the mail. At this me, only your Sunday contribu on will be withdrawn 

automa cally. Contribu ons for special collec ons such as CSA, Monthly Green Envelopes & Holy Days will not be withdrawn automa cally.  Please con nue to use your regular envelopes 

for these collec ons.  

AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT I hereby authorize St. Thomas More Church to ini ate debit entries to my/our checking account indicated on my a ached voided check.  I/we authorize such banking ins tu on to honor such debit entries on my/our account.  I/we understand this authoriza on is to remain in full force and effect un l St. 

Thomas More has received wri en no fica on from me/us. I agree to give 14 days wri en no ce of any changes to, or 

discon nua on of, this program.  

I/We hereby authorize St. Thomas More to debit my/our account in the amount of $___________/month from my/our checking account (a ach a voided check) 

 

on the     5th of each month   &/or       20th of each month  Name______________________________________________  Address_____________________________________________  Cell # (____)___________  E‐mail________________________  Signed______________________________________________  Signed______________________________________________  

Return this form, along with a voided check to: St. Thomas More Church 

A n: Susan Strain 8501 Calumet Avenue • Munster, IN 46321 

Contact Noreen Bickel at (219) 836‐8610, #330 or  

Our Goal: 100% of All Sacrificial Giving Cards Returned

Page 12

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 9:30 am Mary’s Way of the Cross-Church

4:30-6:00 pm Religious Ed Classes

7:00 pm All Seasons Chorale Church

2 2:15 pm School Stations Church

7:00 pm Stations of the Cross Church

HOLY NAME FISH FRY

Gym 4:30-8:00 p.m.

3

4 5 MARKET DAY

PICK-UP Gym–5:00-6:00 pm

7:00 pm Parish Life Conference Room

7:00 pm Vocations Sacristy

7:00 pm Blue Army-Chapel

6 9:15 am-6:30 pm Eucharistic Adoration Chapel

1:00 pm Prayer/Vocations Chapel

6:00 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet—Chapel

7:00 pm RCIA-Conf Room

7 9:30 am Bible Study Conference Room

1:00 pm Senior Citizen Kish Comm. Room

4:30-6:00 pm Religious Education Classes

7:00 pm Lenten Evening Mass

8 9:30 am Mary’s Way of the Cross Church

4:30-6:00 pm Religious Education Classes

7:00 pm All Seasons Chorale Church

9 2:15 pm School Stations Church

7:00 pm Stations of the Cross Church

8TH GRADE FISH FRY

Gym 4:30-8:00 p.m.

10 9:30 am Gabriel Project Solar Room

9:30 am Oblates Conference Room There will be NO Confessions this

afternoon.

11 12

7:00 pm Peace/Social Justice Conference Room

7:00 pm Blue Army Chapel

7:30 pm Knights of Columbus Solar Room

13

9:15 am-6:30 pm Eucharistic Adoration Chapel

1:00 pm Prayer/Vocations-Chapel

6:00 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet-Chapel

7:00 pm RCIA-Conference Rm 7:00 pm Baptism Prep Class Teachers’ Lounge

7:00 pm Festival-Solar Room

14

9:30 am Bible Study-Conf Rm

4:30-6:00 pm Religious Ed Classes

6:30 pm SVDP-Conference Rm

6:45 pm Altar & Rosary Chili Bingo-Cafeteria

7:00 pm SpringFest Committee Solar Room

7:00 pm Lenten Evening Mass

15

9:30 am Mary’s Way of the Cross-Church

4:30-6:00 pm Religious Ed Classes

6:30 pm Home & School Cafeteria

7:00 pm Career Networking Weis Center

7:00 pm All Seasons Chorale Church

16 1:30 & 7:00 pm Living Stations

of the Cross Church

(note time change)

8TH GRADE FISH FRY

Gym 4:30-8:00 p.m.

17

18

10:00 am Senior Citizens

Mass & Breakfast

19 5:00 pm Spirituality/Worship Conference Room

7:00 pm Religious Formation Conference Room

7:00 pm Holy Name Society Solar Room

7:00 pm Blue Army-Chapel

20 9:15 am-6:30 pm Eucharistic Adoration Chapel

1:00 pm Prayer/Vocations Chapel

6:00 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet Chapel

7:00 pm RCIA Conference Room

21 9:30 am Bible Study Conference Room

4:30-6:00 pm Religious Education Classes 7:00 pm SpringFest Committee Solar Room

7:00 pm Lenten Evening Mass

22 9:30 am Mary’s Way of the Cross Church

4:30-6:00 pm Religious Education Classes

7:00 pm K of C Squires Solar Room

7:00 pm All Seasons Chorale Church

23 2:15 pm School Stations Church

6:30 pm 4-H Solar Room

7:00 pm Stations of the Cross Church

24 9:00 am Pastoral Council Conference Room

12:00 Noon Senior Citizens Potluck Weis Center

25

St. Vincent De Paul

Food Collection All Masses

26 7:00 pm Blue Army Chapel

7:30 pm Knights of Columbus Solar Room

27 9:15 am-6:30 pm Eucharistic Adoration Chapel

1:00 pm Prayer/Vocations Chapel

6:00 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet—Chapel

28 9:30 am Bible Study Conference Room

6:30 pm SVDP Conference Room

7:00 pm Lenten Evening Mass

29 9:30 am Mary’s Way of the Cross Church

7:00 pm All Seasons Chorale Church

30 NO SCHOOL

STATIONS-SPRING BREAK

6:00 pm Confirmation Practice in the Church

7:00 pm Stations of the Cross Church

31

10:30 a.m. 8th GRADE

CONFIRMATION St. Thomas More

School & Religious Education

Spring Break — No School/No Religious Education Classes

March 2012