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SAINT THOMAS MORE CHURCH & SCHOOL
636 W Ponce de Leon Ave Decatur, Georgia 30030-2951
www.stmgaparish.org
PARISH OFFICE
Phone: 404-378-4588 Fax: 404-378-0506
Email: [email protected] Mon. - Fri. 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Closed for Lunch 12-12:30 PM
SCHOOL
404-373-8456
EMERGENCY NUMBER 678-337-8910
SCHEDULE OF MASSES
SATURDAY 5:30 PM (Vigil)
SUNDAY 9:00 AM, 10:15 AM
(Outdoor; in the gym in the event of bad weather), 11:30 AM, & 5:30 PM
MON—FRI 12:15 PM
RECONCILIATION
Saturday 4:00 to 5:00 PM or by appointment
NURSERY AVAILABLE DURING
Due to COVID-19, the nursery will be closed until
further notice.
March 21st, 2021—5th Sunday of Lent
As disciples of Jesus, we look for God present in all things, that we might LOVE him and SERVE him in all things.
Report suspected abuse by Church employees and
volunteers to the Archdiocesan 24-hour Abuse
Reporting Hotline: 1-888-437-0764
STM’S WALKING STATIONS
OF THE CROSS Join the Social Justice Committee on Sat., March 27 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm as we re-trace the steps of Jesus with a Walking Stations of Cross around downtown Decatur. See page 7 for details.
FEAST DAY OF ST OSCAR ROMERO
"If some day they take the radio station away from us, if they close down our newspaper, if they don't let us speak, if they kill all the priests and the bishop too, and you are left, a people without priests, each one of you must be God's microphone, each one of you must be a messenger, a prophet. The church will always exist as long as there is one baptized person. And that one baptized person who is left in the world is responsible before the world for holding aloft the banner of the Lord's truth and of his divine justice."
St. Oscar Romero, martyred Archbishop of San Salvador, 1979. His feast day is March 24.
CARAVAGGIO’S JESUS
Wednesday, March 24 at 7pm Our conversation will explore several of Caravaggio’s depictions of Christ, and how they may invite us to evaluate our understanding of the Gospel and the person of Jesus. Presented by Stewart Voegtlin. See page 5 for details.
LENTEN PRAYER SERVICE
A GATHERING OF
DECATUR CHURCHES
Wednesday, March 24 7:30pm
See page 6 for details.
At the weekday Masses this coming week, the presider will remember the following persons in his personal, private prayer along with all the living and dead. We encourage parishioners to say the names of deceased loved ones aloud during the “General Intercessions” if invited to do so by the presider. Mon., March 22nd Donald and Ronald Moon † Fri., March 26th Jim Refi † Pray for those who have died: Danny Rockecharlie Pray for those who are sick: Corky Pagoria Charles Ewing Samuel Gollmar, son of Charles and Sandra Gollmar, brother of parishioner Beth Gollmar Pray for those who received their First Eucharist: Camden Reed Joseph Shaffer Alicia Forbes If you would like to have an intention mentioned in an intercession at Mass, please contact the parish office at 404-378-4588. We will not accept any gift in return for praying for someone by name during the intercessions at Mass. In order to add a name to these lists, you must be either the person seeking prayers, an immediate relative of the one to be remembered, or have the express permission of the one to be remembered. We encourage parishioners to send notes of condolence or encouragement to persons on the prayer list in care of the STM parish offices. We will forward your cards to the appropriate person.
PRAYER REQUESTS STAFF
Wed., March 24 Caravaggio's Jesus—7:00pm to 8:00pm—Zoom Decatur Ecumenical Prayer Service—7:30pm to 8:30pm—Church Thurs., March 25 Signs of Life Lenten Series—7:30pm to 8:30pm—Zoom Fri., March 26 Stations of the Cross (led by the Women’s Bible Study Group)—6:00pm—Church Sat., March 27 Tai Chi—7:30am to 10:30am—Mulhern Hall Outdoor Stations of the Cross—3:00pm to 5:00pm
Fr. Mark Horak, S.J., Pastor [email protected] Fr. Tim Stephens, S.J., Parochial Vicar [email protected] Carol Palmer, Business Manager [email protected] Andy Otto, Adult Faith Formation [email protected] Sarah Otto, Pastor's Liaison to the STM Social Justice Committee, [email protected] Stewart Voegtlin, Youth Faith Formation [email protected] Joe Messina, Director of Worship [email protected] Todd Hines, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds [email protected] Mitu Assefa and Darija Pichanick, Administrative Assistants, [email protected] Shelly Stafford, Communications [email protected] Brian McMichael, Director of Parish Athletics [email protected] Carl and Fran McColman, RCIA Coordinators [email protected] Shaun Bland, Principal, STM School [email protected]
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
The STM Parish Council is a group of active parishioners who advise Fr. Mark regarding significant parish matters pertaining to parish identity, mission, and ministries. Present members are: Cass Catroppa, Paul Blackstone , Juliette Johnson, Chris Marquardt, Mesrak Nadew, Steve Siler, Sujad Quinn, Terresa Ford, and Elizabeth Small. Parishioners who wish to communicate directly with Council members can do so at: [email protected].
STM PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM THE PASTOR
We are fast approaching the April 3rd Easter Vigil when the Church traditionally baptizes adults and receives them into the Church. In recent years, these interested adults have prepared for baptism by participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). After Vatican II, RCIA replaced what for centuries had largely been individualized preparation for Baptism by the local parish priest of the adult who wished to become Catholic. Parishioners who read Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh (or watched the marvelous television production of the novel) will recall the comical depiction of this pre-Vatican II one-on-one formation of Rex Mottram by Fr. Mowbry. Rex Mottram was the insincere Protestant who had to be baptized before he could marry the Catholic Julia Flyte:
“So you understand the dogma of papal infallibility?” “Oh yes, Father.” “Suppose the pope says that it’s going to rain tomorrow. Does that mean it will rain?” “Oh yes, Father.” “But supposing it doesn’t rain, what then?” “Well … Uh … I guess it would be, ah, spiritually raining. Only … We were too sinful to see it!”
The earlier preparation largely, if not exclusively, involved the communication of large amounts of information about Catholicism, much of it non-essential. When one had mastered the material, one was ready for Baptism. RCIA, on the other hand, aims at incorporating the individual into the community of the Church. To be sure, this incorporation involves some instruction, but much more important is the development of the individual’s relationship with the person of Jesus in the Scriptures and in the ordinary life of the Church. In other words, RCIA is not so much learning about what Catholics believe, but encountering and coming to love the One in whom Catholics believe. Those persons to be baptized are called “elect.” This year, Taylor Bruner and Michael Watts will be baptized at the Easter Vigil. RCIA also forms persons who have already been baptized in another Christian tradition, but who now wish to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church. These men and women are called “candidates.” The candidates are not baptized again; Catholics regard their earlier baptism as authentic. Rather, these candidates are formally received into the Church after a public profession of faith and then are confirmed. The Confirmations normally do not happen at the Easter Vigil; that is a time when the focus is on Baptism. The Confirmations occur as the candidates gain confidence in their call to the Catholic community and manifest their readiness to be received. This year, we will receive several of these “candidates” into the Church and confirm them at Sunday Masses after Easter.
Except for parishioners who serve as “sponsors” for these adult men and women, most parishioners see these elect and candidates when they participate in one of the several rituals at Sunday Mass that mark the mileposts in their formation. For example, the individuals who are preparing for Baptism are undergoing “scrutinies” at the 9am Sunday Mass on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent. Through these scrutinies, the individuals are called to be more closely united with Jesus through a deeper awareness of sin and a firm commitment to repentance. Unfortunately, because of the restrictions on our public gatherings due to the coronavirus, parishioners have seen even less of the candidates and elect this year. Furthermore, because the RCIA sessions have been done mostly through ZOOM, they have not even been able to spend much time with one another. It is remarkable that one would be attentive to the Spirit within even in the best of times, but our elect and candidates are discerning a lifetime commitment to Jesus and to us, the Church, in these most trying of times. All the more reason for us to take steps to welcome them and show them our love and support. Please take a moment to send one or more of them a note in care of the STM parish offices. We will forward your notes to them. Their names are: Debbie Bachman, William Bowen, Taylor Bruner, Jon Gloudeman, Jason Graham, Farid Hernandez, Brandon Ivory, Chulyu Kim, Erin and Ian Maclay, Sarah Mansour, Kait and Ryan Proctor, Jana Rainbolt, Robin Robboy, Lisa Simpson, Lori Snaith, and Michael Watts. Fr. Mark
RECONCILIATION Saturdays from 4pm - 5pm, or by appointment.
RCIA If you would like to explore the spirituality and teachings of our Catholic faith contact [email protected].
ANOINTING OF THE SICK Call the Parish to request the sacrament at home or in the hospital. The sacrament is not only for those close to death, but also for those who are seriously ill or infirm and in need of the community’s prayers and support. The anointing can be given multiple times.
BAPTISM To schedule a Baptism, contact [email protected], 404-378-4588 or visit stmgaparish.org/baptism. Note: Baptism classes are suspended for now. Links to the registration form and the safety protocols are available under Baptisms on the website.
FIRST RECONCILIATION, FIRST EUCHARIST,
AND CONFIRMATION If you or your child want to receive the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation for the first time, or to be confirmed, contact the Parish Office at 404-378-4588.
MATRIMONY To schedule a wedding, contact [email protected], or 404-378-4588. Note: Persons desiring to be married at St. Thomas More will be required to participate in a marriage preparation program. For more information on the sacraments at STM please visit: www.stmga.org, and click on “Worship and Sacraments.”
FUNERALS In the event of the death of a loved one, call the parish and ask to speak with the priest on duty. He will attend to your needs and offer advice on how to proceed with funeral planning.
HOME MASSES If you would like to have one of the priests celebrate Eucharist in your home for your family and friends, call one of the STM priests.
LIVESTREAM MASSES We will livestream weekday and weekend Masses for persons unable to participate in person, if persons are available to operate the video equipment. stmgaparish.org/livestream
WORSHIP & SACRAMENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 PARISH FINANCES
SECOND COLLECTIONS
March 21—STM - St. Vincent de Paul March 28—Palm Sunday - Holy Land April 2—Good Friday - Missionaries of the Poor April 4—Easter - Archdiocesan Seminarians
WAYS TO GIVE TO STM
We encourage you to contribute to the support of our ministry. There are several ways to contribute.
Come to Mass and place your offering in the basket.
Send your offering in the mail to the parish office at: St. Thomas More Church 636 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Decatur GA 30030-2951
Sign up to make recurring contributions or make “one time” payments here: https://www.stmgaparish.org/giving/
ARCHBISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL 2021 5th Sunday of Lent “I will be their God and they shall be my people.”- Jeremiah 31:33 What does it mean to be God’s people? It means we recognize that everything we have and everything we are belongs to God. We aren’t “owners” of anything, we are merely “stewards” of the gifts God has given us. It means we are willing to use our gifts and our lives to care for our family, our neighbors and for people we don’t know, just as God cares for each of us.
We are happy to report that we exceeded our parish goal for the 2020 Archbishop's Annual Appeal. With the help of 491 donors, over $230,000 was contributed. Since we exceeded our goal of $151,000, more than $75,000 will be coming back to STM. So far, for the 2021 Appeal, 179 donors have pledged $77,297 which is just over half of our goal of $154,400. Please consider making a pledge if you have not done so already!
Make a gift to the annual appeal here: archatl.com/appeal. Find us under Saint Thomas More. Thank you for your support!
CATHOLIC FOUNDATION
Gifts of IRAs to our Parish: Designating a percentage of an IRA to the parish endowment fund in your will is simple and will help the parish for years to come. For details, contact Juliet Greco at the Catholic Foundation at [email protected] or 404-497-9440. More estate planning guidance is also available at cfngalegacy.org.
Lent—As we examine our lives during Lent, it is also a good time to examine all we own. Do I own something I no longer need but could help the parish? You can give an unneeded insurance policy to the parish endowment fund. If the policy has a cash value, you may also get a tax deduction. To learn more, contact Juliet Greco at the Catholic Foundation at [email protected] or 404-497-9440.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
CARAVAGGIO’S JESUS Wednesday, March 24 at 7pm Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio became one of the Catholic Church’s most effective evangelists by decontextualizing iconography and subverting her carefully approved ways of seeing the sacred. Caravaggio ’s Jesus is fleshy, worldly—given and available to any onlooker. This was not the dust-veiled Christ kept in icons, or whispered through Scripture’s cracked lips. Caravaggio’s Christ is taken from the tavern, stolen from the street. His is the face of the cobbler, the cardsharp, the curbside peddler. This was painter as evangelist, making Gospel truth available to the eyes rather than the ears, and encouraging, above all, encounter.
Our conversation will explore several of Caravaggio’s depictions of Christ, and how they may invite us to evaluate our understanding of the Gospel and the person of Jesus. Presented by Stewart Voegtlin. stmgaparish.org/adultfaith
3-NIGHT TRIDUUM RETREAT April 1 @ 6:00pm - April 4 @ 12:00pm Directed by the spiritual directors of Ignatius House Rest and renew heart, mind, and soul on a Triduum retreat at Ignatius House during Holy Week. Your retreat will draw from a nearly 500-year-old tradition called “Ignatian spirituality,” developed from the life and prayer of Spanish soldier-turned-saint Ignatius of Loyola. Ignatian spirituality invites us into a life-giving relationship with God and neighbor through prayer and contemplation. Ignatiushouse.org FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD: AN EXPLORATION OF IGNATIAN PRAYER Tuesdays, April 13, 20, and 27 at 7:30pm Take a deep dive into the three primary forms of Ignatian prayer: meditation, contemplation, and the Examen. Each week you will take a deep dive into the roots of these prayer methods, hear Ignatius ’ guidance from the Spiritual Exercises, and have a guided prayer experience. Facilitated by Andy Otto. Register via Ignatius House at bit.ly/3abqEBj
ONLINE SPIRITUAL DIRECTION INQUIRY NIGHT April 14 @ 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm Are you interested in finding a spiritual director? Join us Wednesday, April 14 at 7:30pm for a Virtual Spiritual Direction Inquiry Night. You’ll get a chance to learn more about the ministry of spiritual direction and meet several of our Ignatian-trained spiritual directors. This is a great opportunity to get connected with a companion for your spiritual journey! There is no charge, but registrations in advance are requested so that the Zoom call login details can be sent to all registrants ahead of time. Limited to the first 35 registrations for discussion purposes.
IGNATIAN FOUNDATIONS Tuesdays, Apr. 28 - Jun. 2, 7:30pm Ignatian Foundations will give participants a deeper understanding of the Ignatian worldview by studying Ignatius ’ life, the Spiritual Exercises, discernment, Ignatian prayer, and Jesuit history. Classes will be led by Jesuits and lay Ignatian ministers, addressing the Ignatian themes of prayer, discernment, and freedom. $60 for the course. Register through Ignatius House at bit.ly/ignatianfoundations421. $60 fee for the 6-week class.
THURSDAY GOSPEL CONTEMPLATION Thursdays, 12pm (Live on Facebook) Each week we invite you to pray with the upcoming Sunday gospel reading. Every Thursday at 12pm, Andy Otto will lead you through a live guided prayer using the Ignatian tradition of contemplation, engaging your imagination. You can access past recordings in the videos section of our Facebook page www.facebook.com/StThomasMoreDecaturGa
ARE YOU SEEKING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF THE CHILDREN IN OUR PARISH?
Consider being trained as a catechist for our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) program, a Montessori-based model that emphasizes encounter with Jesus. CGS is a non-traditional catechesis method, where children lead and our faith’s principles are shared through Scripture and multimodal activities. The program’s approach enable both catechist and catechumen to interact imaginatively with a shared goal of cultivating their relationship with Jesus. We are looking for those who would like to be trained as catechists for Level I of the program (serving children ages 3-6). Initial training occurs over the course of a long weekend with follow-up trainings, totalling 90 hours. You will grow in your faith in this journey! If you’re a creative person that wants to share your gifts and talents with this parish’s children in a big way, please contact Andy Otto at [email protected].
YOUTH FAITH FORMATION
PARISH NEWS
SCHOOL NEWS ARCHBISHOP HARTMAYER VISIT
It was our pleasure to have Archbishop Hartmayer celebrate a school mass with us. His message “every new day is a gift to make our world better” encourages us to help others and remember the poor, especially during this Lenten season. At the end of his visit, a couple of first graders presented him with a gift and shyly asked if the school could have a day off. After his initial surprise, he said YES! Our students are so excit- ed and
thankful!
STEM CHALLENGE FOR 2ND GRADERS
Brainstorming, prototyping, and testing design solutions using only two straws, four mints, and 1 piece of paper for their cars was a fun STEM challenge for our 2nd graders. After they built their cars, they simulated a road test and measured to see how far they could go!
For more School News, please visit www.stmga.org/news/.
MASS, CONFESSION & STATIONS DURING LENT
Weekend Masses during Lent will be held as usual. Reservations required for all except the outdoor Mass.
Weekday Masses during Lent: Mon. - Fri. at 12:15pm and 5:30pm No reservations required.
Confessions during Lent: Saturdays from 4pm-5pm Wednesdays from 7pm-8pm—Family Room
Stations of the Cross: Begin after the 5:30pm mass on Fridays. A livestream will also be available at stmgaparish.org/livestreams/
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS EASTER EGG HUNT
The Easter Egg Hunt is back this year! Please join the Knights of Columbus on Holy Saturday at 11:30am on the STM field and lower rectory parking area. Age groups: 2-4 year olds around breezeway between the two school buildings, 5-6 in rectory courtyard, and 7-13 at the sports field. Covid protocols
such as mandatory masks and social distancing will be enforced. Meet in the cul-de-sac area next to the rectory to receive instructions.
LENTEN PRAYER SERVICE: A GATHERING OF
DECATUR CHURCHES
Wednesday, March 24 7:30pm Join the Decatur-area Christian churches for a livestreamed ecumenical Lenten prayer service of scripture, music, and reflection on repentance and reconciliation, including a welcome by Fr. Mark and music by Elias Benn (our Sunday evening cantor). Watch online bit.ly/decaturprayer.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 1ST EUCHARIST!
Joseph Shaffer, front row right, shown with his family, made First Eucharist on Saturday, March 6.
Camden Reed, front row center, shown with his family, made First Eucharist on Saturday, March 6.
SERVIAM IS HERE TO HELP Do you or someone you know need support? New baby, loss of a loved one, sickness?
You are not alone and STM wants to be there! Please contact [email protected]. We are all in this together.
SERVIAM is a STM ministry that provides prayer, comfort and a meal to STM parishioners in need.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
STM WALKING STATIONS OF THE CROSS Join the Social Justice Committee on Saturday, March 27 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm as we re-trace the steps of Jesus with a Walking Stations of Cross around downtown Decatur. We will start at STM in the courtyard outside Mulhern Hall, process towards the Decatur Square and Courthouse, and return to STM making 14 stops along the route. As we reflect on Jesus’ last steps we will also reflect on current peace and justice issues that are represented at
each of our stops, such as the Black Lives Matter mural, the site of the removed Confederate memorial, health care fa-cilities, the site of the COVID memorial at First Christian Church, and the pro-life statue on the STM campus. This will be a family-friendly event; all ages are welcome. Begin your journey into Holy Week by “praying with your feet”, connecting your prayers with our Decatur neighbors past and present, and helping to spread the Gospel message of peace and justice. In case of bad weather we will hold the Walking Stations on Good Friday at 4:30 pm. Parishioners are encouraged to bring along a “care kit” and/or a MARTA card for donation to organizations that support the homeless in Decatur. The “care kits” can include a pair of new socks, travel-size toiletries, face cloth or wash cloth, lip balm, travel-size wipes and hand sanitizer, feminine hygiene products, reusable utensils, and snacks such as granola bars, dried fruit, or crackers. Donations can be left at the Church, or outside Mulhern Hall prior to the walk, and will be distributed in conjunction with the Walking Stations.
THE MISSIONARIES OF THE POOR The Missionaries of the Poor need our help! These devout and humble Brothers, continue to feed over 500 of the poorest of the poor in Kingston, Jamaica, every day! Due to the pandemic, the food donation process has become quite a challenge. Our donations are needed to help purchase food for their community. Please consider making a donation to this important mission. Thank you STM, for your continued support of The Missionaries of the Poor. God Bless You!
ST. VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY: TEE OFF FOR HOPE Come join us on Monday, June 7th at the Standard Club in Johns Creek for a day of golf and festivities for the benefit of SVdP of GA. All level of golfers are welcome! The day includes breakfast and a Bloody Mary bar, contests and awards, BBQ, whiskey tasting and more! All proceeds will provide help and hope to our neighbors in need. Registration for individual players is $300 (or $275 for early registration by 3/31/21). A team of 4 can register for $1,250 (or $1,000 for early birds) www.svdpgeorgia.org/tofh/ Sponsorship Opportunities are also available!
COMMUNITY NEWS TRAUMA RECOVERY GROUP
Wednesdays, April 7- June 9; 6-8 pm; Archdiocese of Atlanta Chancery, 2401 Lake Park Drive, SE, Smyrna. For survivors of childhood trauma. Registration deadline is March 22. Group is limited to 10 participants. Contact: Sue Stubbs at 404-920-7554 or [email protected] for more information.
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND Married Couples, as we journey during this Lenten Season, let us take time to reflect on our marriage. What can we do to make our marriage even better? Learn how on an upcoming virtual Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend on Apr 23-25. You can get more information or apply online at wwme.org or by calling 678-242-WWME.
MCDONALD LECTURE WITH DR. M. SHAWN COPELAND
Wednesday, April 7, 2021, 4 – 6pm Candler School of Theology welcomes Dr. M. Shawn Copeland as this year's Alonzo L. McDonald Family Chair on the Life and Teachings of Jesus and Their Impact on Culture. Copeland will give the Spring 2021 McDonald Lecture, "Beyond Imagining to Resurrection" as a webinar. The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session moderated by Dr. Jonathan Strom, Professor of Church History; Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs; Director of International Initiatives, Candler School of Theology. This event is free. Registration Link: http://bit.ly/mcdonald-april-7
WHO TO OBEY: THE LAW OR THE PROPHETS?
Thursday, April 22, 2021, 7 – 8:30pm This webinar event is our annual Catherine of Siena lecture and a part of our "What's Next?" lecture series and is in partnership with the Atlanta Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women and Commonweal magazine. We will explore questions related to lay participation in governance and the ordination of women as deacons. For more info, visit aquinas.emory.edu/
