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The Journey of Deepening Prayer
If you are beginning a journey upon which your whole future
depends, it is of paramount importance to understand precisely
where you are going. When you begin to
pray earnestly, St Teresa of Avila makes it clear that your
destination is what she called the Mystical or Spiritual Marriage.
The Greek Fathers named this same destination divinization or
theosis.
Why seek a deepening prayer life? God desires to be united with
you not only in Heaven but even now on earth. St. Teresa likens
this union to marriage
because the two become one. This union is the goal of your
dedicated prayer life. On a map of our life, this is the
destination. When you want to reach your destination, you plan out
the best and most efficient route. In prayer, this route begins
with vocal and mental prayer.
Daily dedicated prayer is the necessary means for preparing for
a life of infused contemplation. Contemplation is a type of prayer
that God gives to us when He chooses. It is a gift that we prepare
ourselves to receive by our dedicated prayer life and generous
living out of the Gospel. In infused contemplation, the Lord begins
to do more and more of the work of prayer.
We prepare for it by striving to eradicate mortal and even
willed
venial sin and grow in holiness. We become more generous with
God by loving Him above all things, and loving our neighbor as
Christ loves us.
The reason I am teaching you mental prayer is to help you on the
journey to union with God (mystical marriage). Mental prayer helps
us prepare for contemplation, which is God's gift and leads us
toward union with God. This experience is for everyone in any state
of life (married, single, consecrated, or priest). The journey with
God in this life is more fulfilling and beautiful than anything
else. Let's take the pilgrimage together and find out what these
Saints spoke of with such joy and excitement. In the Joy of the
Lord, Fr. Browning
FATHER BROWNING... THOUGHTS, SCRIPTURE, AND MORE.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 25TH SUNDAY IN ORDIN ARY T IME
St. Thomas More Catholic Church
www.stthomasmorechurch.org
Inside Job
Positions
p3 Prayer
Requests
p2 Soup
Kitchen
p4 Catholic
Curious
p5
https://www.stthomasmorechurch.org
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Sick & Homebound If you are unable to come to church and
would like to
receive Holy Communion, please call the parish office:
847.888.1682.
St. Vincent de Paul Are you in need?
In the name of Jesus, we strive to comfort, feed, clothe,
and assist those in need. We serve in person, keeping all
things confidential and preserving dignity.
Please call our answering machine
at 847.628.5170.
Do you feel called to serve?
We meet the second and fourth Tuesday
of each month at 7pm alternating
between St. Laurence and St. Thomas
respectively. For more information,
please contact conference president
Doug at [email protected].
To donate, visit
https://www.kindest.com/donate/society-of-saint-vincent-depaul
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SVDPSTM
Prayer Requests Join us in praying for members of our community
who are sick or
ailing. To add or remove a name on our prayer list, please
call
the parish office 847.888.1682. To keep our prayer list
current,
names will remain on the list for 3 months. After that time,
please
contact the parish office to renew names.
All Souls in Purgatory All affected by COVID-19 Brad Abell Marge
Banker Oscar S. Brillo Gracie Canning Patricia Chrome Arie Connell
Jay Connell Jessica Connell Juanita Cundiff Dianna Giardino
Dominick Girardi Lois Homyak Charles Joseph Joan Knott Maggie Knott
Amy Lara Annetta Lewis Dennis Lisiecki Jr Jennie Lisiecki Robert
Matejka Fran Meek
Belinda Mockler Helen Morrisey Gloria Neitzel Patty Niemaszyk Fe
Ocampo Delphine Ornelas Bruce Ostdick Deacon Bob Plazewski Charles
Pruter Lutie Regan Tim Rubert Mary Ellen Ruiz Diane Schumacher
James Shumaker John Schwartz Jo Ann Sperkowski Susan Stein Mary Ann
Vandervalk Isaiah Vergara Carol White David White Louise Wolff
With Sympathy JOSEPH ADAMICK
2 | FOLLOW US ON ACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM
Reconciliation: Confessions are heard every Tuesday 5:30pm until
all heard, and Saturday 1:00pm until all heard.
Baptism: Children of all ages and adults are welcome to the
sacrament of Baptism. Baptism for children is celebrated on the
first and third Sundays of each month at 1:00pm. Parents need to be
registered members and should be faithful in attending Mass.
Participation in a baptismal preparation class is required. Please
call Sharon Hall at the parish office to make arrangements. Adults
seeking Baptism should contact Linda McEwan at
[email protected].
Matrimony: Baptized Catholics are called to be married in the
Catholic Church. Arrangements should be made at least six months in
advance.
If you were married outside of the Catholic Church and would
like to have your marriage blessed, we would be happy to guide you
in that process.
Call the parish office to make an appointment with a priest to
begin all marriage preparation.
Anointing of the Sick: The anointing of the sick is administered
to bring spiritual and physical strength during an illness, for
those having surgery, and for those near death. Call the parish
office to make arrangements to receive this sacrament.
SACRAMENTS For a more in-depth look at the sacraments,
please visit our parish website
www.stthomasmorechurch.org.
Pastor Reverend Ryan Browning [email protected]
www.fatherbrowning.com
Deacons Jack Roder
Parish Office - 847.888.1682
Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm
School Office - 847.742.3959 www.stmcentral.org
Religious Ed. Office - 847.888.4887
Parish Staff Visit our website for a staff listing
www.stthomasmorechurch.org/staff
https://www.facebook.com/St-Thomas-More-Catholic-Church-455672644479070https://www.instagram.com/stmcelgin/https://www.stthomasmorechurch.org/liturgy-sacramentshttps://stmelgin.org/https://www.stthomasmorechurch.org/staffhttps://www.kindest.com/donate/society-of-saint-vincent-depaulhttps://www.facebook.com/SVDPSTMhttps://www.fatherbrowning.com/about-fr-browning.html
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VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.STTHOMASMORECHURCH.ORG | 3
Bereavement Ministry Trained volunteers are available to provide
spiritual support and comfort to all parishioners mourning a death
loss. Please call the parish office at 847.888.1682.
Life Matters Any woman who is pregnant and in need can turn
for
help to the pro-life movement. Never feel alone, call
Project Rachel at 800.593.2273 The Life Center at
847.622.1235 or Corbella Clinic at 847.697.0200.
Sunday Is 55:6-9/Ps 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 [18a]/Phil 1:20c-24,
27a/Mt 20:1-16a Monday Eph 4:1-7, 11-13/Ps 19:2-3, 4-5 [5]/Mt
9:9-13 Tuesday Prv 21:1-6, 10-13/Ps 119:1, 27, 30, 34. 35, 44 [35]
/Lk 8:19-21 Wednesday Prv 30:5-9/Ps 119:29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163
[105] /Lk 9:1-6 Thursday Eccl 1:2-11/Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and
17bc [1] /Lk 9:7-9 Friday Eccl 3:1-11/Ps 144:1b and 2abc, 3-4
[1]/Lk 9:18-22 Saturday Eccl 11:9—12:8/Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14
and 17 [1] /Lk 9:43b-45 Next Sunday Ez 18:25-28/Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
[6a]/Phil 2:1-11 or 2:1-5/Mt 21:28-32
The problem of evil is perplexing. If God is
all-powerful and all-good, why doesn’t He stop
bad things from happening? He must either not
be all-powerful, or perhaps He’s not very good
after all. Human beings have faced the possibility
of evil since the very beginning of our existence.
In granting us free will, God gives us the ability to make free
choices.
God does not force us into moral perfection. We are not forced
to love Him or to love
our neighbor. We must make the decision ourselves. This means,
of course, that we
have the ability to choose against love.
One small decision of selfishness, jealously, or pride may not
seem so bad. But every
decision — good or bad — is like a stone dropped into a still
pond. The ripples extend much farther than the
original stone. When decisions against love begin to compound,
they affect families, neighborhoods, and
nations. This is all the more reason for Christians to be
faithful to our baptismal call to love one another as Christ
has loved us! ©LPi
Q A: IF GOD IS GOOD, WHY IS THERE
EVIL IN THE WORLD?
Job Opportunities
STM SCHOOL Part-time Aftercare Supervisor
Part-time Art Teacher Position
If interested or for more details, contact Sonja Keane at
847.742-3959 ext. 151 or e-mail [email protected].
ST. EDWARD H.S. St. Edward Central Catholic High School is
actively
seeking substitute teachers for the 2020-21 school
year. If interested, please contact Mr. Brian Tekampe,
Superintendent/Principal of St. Edward High School,
[email protected] or 847.741.7535 ext. 100 or
check the St. Edward website at https://stedhs.org/
employment-opportunities.
htttps://stedhs.org/employment-opportunitieshttps://www.stthomasmorechurch.org
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4 | VISIT WWW.FLOCKNOTE.COM/STTHOMASMORE37 OR TEXT “STMELGIN” TO
84576
First Reading: As high as the heavens are above the earth, so
high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your
thoughts. (Is 55:9)
Psalm: The Lord is near to all who call upon him. (Ps 145)
Second Reading: Brothers and sisters: Christ will be magnified
in my body, whether by life or by death. (Phil 1:20c)
Gospel: “‘Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this
last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my
own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last
will be first, and the first will be last.” (Mt 20:14-16a) Excerpts
from the Lectionary for Mass ©2001, 1998, 1970 CCD. The English
translation of Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969,
1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy
Corporation. All rights reserved.©LPi
A PRAYER FOR CATECHISTS
Loving Father, we pray today
for our catechists. We thank
you for their gift of ministry in
your Church.
Grant them your wisdom that
they may grow in the understanding and teaching of your
Word.
Grant them also your love that they may be fruitful heralds
of your Word and lead others to love you.
Pour forth your Holy Spirit upon them to grant them wisdom
about what is important; knowledge of the truths of faith;
understanding of their meaning; right judgement about how
to apply them in life; courage to persevere even in the face
of
adversity; reverence before all that is sacred and holy; and
that
loving zeal which leads others to a transforming encounter
with
your Son.
We pray this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
SEPTEMBER 20TH
Soup Kitchen Many thanks to the generous
people that sent in gift cards
and money to benefit our work
at the local Soup/Meal Kitchen.
St. Thomas is one of the churches
that help prepare meals to
feed those in need on Tuesday
nights at Zion Lutheran Church in Elgin. Your aid allowed
us to shop at local grocery stores to supplement the meals
we prepare. Thank you!!
We are currently looking for volunteers on the 2nd Tuesday of
the
month, 4:30-6:30PM (or as much time as you can spare) to
help
prepare food and box up meals to be handed out at the doors
of Zion Lutheran. All work is done while at a safe distance
and
with masks. If you have some time to help, please contact
Sharon
Hall in the parish office at [email protected]
and
let her know. Thanks!!
Pledge dignity
beyond the debate
this election year.
Join #CivilizeIt2020 and
commit to civility, clarity,
and compassion this
election year:
CivilizeIt.org.
#CivilizeIt
www.flocknote.com/stthomasmore37www.CivilizeIt.org
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CALL OUR PARISH OFFICE ANYTIME AT 847.888.1682 | 5
40 Days For Life From September 23 through November 1,
you’re
invited to join other Christians for 40 Days for Life
- 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion.
You’re also invited to stand and peacefully pray during
a 40-day vigil in the public right-of-way outside at 3055
E. New York Ave., Aurora, IL 60504, across the street
from Planned Parenthood, and also spread the word
about this important community outreach.
St. Thomas More will participate again in this year's
campaign on Saturday, October 3rd from 7AM-7PM.
Will you please join us for one hour to pray for the unborn?
Sign up at our website
www.stthomasmorechurch.org/40-days-for-life. If you’d like more
information, please
contact Sharon Hall at 847.888.1682 ext. 216 or
[email protected].
Student
Backpack
Blessing To celebrate the start of
a great school year, every
St. Thomas More School student
received a tag for their
backpacks that had a prayer
for the school year on it. Students
were not able to bring their
backpacks with the tags
on them to Mass, so this year
Fr. Browning blessed all the
tags and then the tags were
distributed to all students, in
person and remote, blessing
them for a successful school
year.
https://www.stthomasmorechruch.org/40-days-for-lifehttps://www.stthomasmorechurch.org/adult-programshttps://stmelgin.org/
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6 | CALENDARS & SCHEDULES
Mass Intentions for the Week If you would like to have a Mass
said for someone, call the parish office
to schedule. The contribution for reserving the intention of a
Mass is $10.00.
monday SEPT
8:30 am James Rakowski, Sr., Diane Nierzwicki
tuesday SEPT
8:30 am Hugh Caulfield
wednesday SEPT
8:30 am Angela Rodriguez
thursday SEPT
8:30 am John Henn, Francisco Flojo
friday SEPT
8:30 am Carol Nowdomski, Jim Aydt
saturday SEPT
5:00 pm Kevin Milnamow, Wilma Zamorski
sunday SEPT
8:00 am People of STM, Billy Zumbek
10:00 am Gerald Dostal, Martha Elmer
12:00 pm Judith Fowler, Isaiah Vergara (sp.int.)
Weekend for Sept. 26th & 27th.
PRESIDERS 5:00 pm Fr. Browning 8:00 am Msgr. Linster
10:00 am Fr. Twenty 12:00 pm Fr. Browning
Presiders
SEP 20 - SEP 26 EDVIN CRESPO
SEP 27 - Oct 03 JUDY FOWLER
SEPT 27TH BULLETIN OCT 4TH BULLETIN
Materials Due:
September 14, 2020
Materials Due:
September 21, 2020
Bulletin Deadlines
The parish office and all parish gatherings/events are
cancelled
until further notice. Masses are limited to 120 people.
Confessions are Tuesday at 5:30 pm
and Saturday at 1:00 pm in the church.
FLOCKNOTE
Let’s keep in touch!
Text “stmelgin” to 84576 or visit
flocknote.com/stthomasmore37
FACEBOOK
Like our Facebook page to stay
connected to our community! facebook.com/St Thomas More
Catholic Church
INSTAGRAM
Follow us on Instagram to
share your faith...through pictures! instagram.com/stmcelgin
Join our Social Media Community FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE
INFORMATION
YOUTUBE
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel youtube.com
Search for St Thomas More Church
HELP US REACH 1000 SUBSCRIBERS!!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwwm_-MluJkjuKJOgLpXVUQwww.flocknote.com/stthomasmore37https://www.facebook.com/St-Thomas-More-Catholic-Church-455672644479070https://www.instagram.com/stmcelgin/
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