VOLUME 47, NUMBER 49 DECEMBER 9, 2018

Second Sunday of Advent

Jesus Christ Jesus Christ

is the faithful witness, is the faithful witness,

the firstborn of the dead the firstborn of the dead

and ruler of the kings and ruler of the kings

of the earth. of the earth.

To him be glory To him be glory

and power and power

forever forever

and ever.and ever.

AmenAmen Revelation 1:5, 6Revelation 1:5, 6

Be vigilant at all times and pray Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength that you have the strength to escape the tribulations to escape the tribulations

that are imminent and to stand that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.before the Son of Man.

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC CHURCHTHE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Rise up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from east to west at the word of the Holy

One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God. Baruch 5:5

December 9, 2018 Page 2 Second Sunday of Advent

SACRAMENTAL LIFE

Weekend Mass

Saturday: 4:30 p.m. Sunday: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 5 p.m.

Weekday Mass

Wednesday and Friday: 7 a.m.

Tuesday: 6 p.m. (Preceded by Novena: 5:30 p.m.)

Thursday: 8:45 a.m.

Communion Service First Saturday: 8:45 a.m.

Reconciliation Thursday: 8 a.m.

Saturday: 3:15 p.m. and by appointment

Baptism

Call the parish office in the early stages of pregnancy.

Marriage

Call the parish office at least six months before the wedding.

CHURCH STAFF

Pastor

Fr. Michael Alello

Permanent Deacon

Rev. Mr. Joe Scimeca

Pastoral Associate

Sr. Janelle Sevier

Administration

Ms. Sheila Juneau

Music & Liturgy

Mr. Bret Jackson

Religious Education

Ms. Sarah Neau

Secretary/The Tower

Ms. Ellen Guidry

Secretary/Receptionist

Ms. Elise Moran

Sacristan

Ms. Kay Fetterman

Maintenance

Mr. Alex Ho

Activity Center Custodian

Mr. Roosevelt Hamilton

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT In a caring environment dedicated to celebrating the Catholic faith and modeling the life of Jesus Christ, St. Thomas More Church provides worship, education, ministerial and social opportunities for the spiritual growth of the parish family.

Liturgical Minister Schedule

4:30 PM 8 AM 10 AM 5 PM

Extraordinary Ministers

D. Vutera, I. Martin, S. Grimes, P. Wilson, S. Bordelon, C. Babin,

W. Wilson, B. Broussard, R. Vutera

J. Fresina, E. Champion, B. Champion, D. Hollier,

N. Tollett, F. Fresina, M. Nola, C. Garcia,

L. Musso

G. Daigre, M. Giardina, D. Giardina, P. Berumen, J|M Graugnard, P. Ross,

B. Hayes, A. Selleck, C. Daigre

C. Taylor, J. Broussard, S. Robillard, T. Henderson,

A. Sides, S. Kleinpeter, D. Burson, L. Carlino,

S. Shyamala

Lectors L. Bennett, R. Stanek

M. Goff, E. Terrio

S. Horton, D. LeBouef

R. Harsch, B. Watts

Altar Servers C. Adams, S. Broussard,

C. Lucas, L. Taylor, E. Uffman, W. Uffman

D. Chukwuemeka, S. Clark, T. Denny, R. Le,

A. Mire, I. Spano

A. Horton, P. Horton, A. Howell, C. Mashon,

S. McNicol, L. Mury

C. Day, P. Day, G. Kleinpeter, A. Mathis,

H.A. Miller, T. Miller

DECEMBER 15/16

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Mon.: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9-14; Lk 5: 17-26 Tues.: Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Wed.: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12: 1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1: 26-38 or Lk 1:39-47 Thurs.: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Fri.: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11: 16-19 Sat.: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80: 2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sun.: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-6; Phil 4: 4-7; Lk 3:10-18

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Sun.: Second Sunday of Advent Mon.: International Human Rights Day Tues.: St. Damasus I Wed.: Our Lady of Guadalupe Thurs.: St. Lucy Fri.: St. John of the Cross

December 9, 2018 Page 3 Second Sunday of Advent

Parish Forum Summary Available By Dr. Greg Brandao

All St. Thomas More employees, school parents, parishioners, and 7th and 8th grade students at STM School were invited to participate in feedback sessions and forums designed to provide insights into the important elements of our community that must be maintained, areas that can be improved, and ways that each member of our parish family can participate in improvement efforts. More than 280 persons participated in this process.

A summary of the input that was provided in those sessions and forums is available on our website (www.stmchurch.org). If you do not have Internet access, you may secure a copy of the report from the parish office.

Because the forums were generally designed for parishioners or school parents, the report has sections entitled “STM Parishioners” and “STM Schools.” Input from school faculty and staff members and our 7th and 8th Graders was incorporated into the STM Schools Report. Although that may seem a bit counter to the idea of “one STM,” we recognized that there are school parents, faculty and staff members, and students who are not parishioners and that there are parishioners who do not have family members currently directly associated with any of the STM schools. We will work diligently to ensure that all our efforts are coordinated and that we continue to encourage active collaboration among all members of the STM community to advance the notion of “one STM.”

These thoughts do not represent final decisions reached in any of these areas nor do they necessarily represent a parish-wide consensus or mandate on any topic presented, but they will provide direction as the strategic planning process continues.

As the input from those sessions and forums is processed and the strategic plan is developed, all STM family members will receive updates and calls for assistance in achieving its objectives. We have already begun several initiatives based on ideas presented, including:

Entering into an agreement with MESH to develop an STM branding/marketing campaign;

Requesting interested firms to submit qualifications to conduct a campus master plan;

Developing an enrollment management plan to improve retention and increase applications to STM schools; and

Beginning an effort to devise a campus-wide advancement plan to maximize financial support for STM activities.

If you have any questions about the content of the summary provided or the direction that we are heading, please contact me (greg@stmchurch.org). I would be happy to follow up with you in a personal meeting.

Thanks to all for your collaboration as we become “one STM” community!

Return Angel Tree Gifts

Wow! STM, your generous hearts have supported the Angel Tree project in this parish greatly! Thank you for taking angel ornaments to fill the Christmas wishes of those who are less fortunate. Members of STM Women’s Ministry will be in the back of church after all Masses this weekend, Dec. 8th & 9th, to collect your angel gifts/gift cards. Please return them wrapped with the angel ornament affixed with the code facing out. The gifts will be delivered to the participating organiza-tions by volunteers.

Though this project is organized by members of STM Women’s Ministry, all members of the STM family are encouraged and welcomed to help! If you have any questions about the STM Angel Tree Project or want to find how you can help, please contact Crystal Hebert at 225-400-5326 or crystalhebert12@gmail.com.

AWAITING THE SALVATION OF GOD The world does not seem big enough to contain the jubilation of the first reading. In the Gospel reading, the Roman empire isn’t big enough, either. The great powers of Rome are named and made to stand waiting for the arrival of God’s salvation. And we find Paul meditating joyfully on what really matters. According to Baruch, the city of Jerusalem is like a person standing on tiptoe looking for God’s salvation, which is coming from the east. Those who were led away on foot, heads down, now come back, a proud people. Why, the very way is smoothed out. The path is lined with fragrant, lush trees. It can’t get any better than this, can it? Well, yes, it can. For a voice calls out in the desert. Here is the beginning of the salvation of God.

Monday, December 24th 4 pm, 4:15 pm (gym) & 6 pm

Tuesday, December 25th 9 am

ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC CHURCH 11441 Goodwood Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70815

www.stmchurch.org Office Phone: 225.275.3940 Office Fax: 225.275.1407

Offertory $ 14,624.00

Maintenance $ 494.00

Building Fund $ 345.00

Faith Direct Online Giving

December 9, 2018 Page 4 Second Sunday of Advent

MASS INTENTIONS

THE WEEK AHEAD AT ST. THOMAS MORE

PRAYER LIST

Please remember in your prayers these seriously ill persons: Patricia Bailey, Rosa Bannister, Charles Barbre, Thomas J. Bevans, Merlyn Bourgeois, Johnnie Broussard, Danny Bruce, Greg Buchanan, Susan Campbell, Mary Coco, Essie Culotta, Colt David, Leland Denison, Annie Diehl, Charles DiPalma, Richard Dillon, Cooper Doucet, Andre Dugas, Richard Empson, Liz Ferguson, Lima Fola, Helen Fox, Avril Garcia, Rose Garrett, Ruth Gauthier, Denise Gautreau, Ricky George, Deacon Ray Gibson, Clifford George, Melissa Godso, Mary Guarino, June Guidry, Evelyn Heisler, Mark E. Hill, Art Landry, Phillip Lanier, Rayne Lorio, Martha McDougall, Genevieve Mayeux, Charlotte Mathes, Jimmy Mathes, Curtis & Eleanor Mitchel, Baby Jack Morris, Sandra Navarre, Marie Noto, Bootsie Pecoraro, Johnette Plauche, Lydia Pourciau, Jimmy Prevot, Roselyn Richard, Theresa Riffino, Mike Ross, Barry Sanders, Caleb Searle, Frank Searle, Gloria Serio, Terri Smart, Richard Smith, Wyatt Somrek, Warren Thomasson, Grace Thompson, Dianne Tollett, Hoa Tran, Gerald Valure, Jamie Watts, Loressa Watts, D.J. Webre, Thomas Webre, Aiden

Welsh, Lynell Whipple.

PRAYER CHAIN: For serious or urgent prayer requests, call Sharon Hebert at 978-1246. If no answer, please leave your name and phone number for a callback.

SANCTUARY LIGHT The sanctuary light in the church will burn in memory of Isabel Lasseigne the week of Dec. 9 as requested by Stephanie Riegel.

MASS INTENTIONS Tuesday, Dec. 11 - 6 p.m.: Jackj Yousseophghli, Catherine Gueho, Lupita de Ovalle, Theresa Nguyen, Joseph Nguyen, Robert Krogseng, June Guidry Wednesday, Dec. 12 - 7 a.m.: Charles Bongiovanni Thursday, Dec. 13 - 8:45 a.m.: Camille Monjure Friday, Dec. 14 - 7 a.m.: Antonio P. Montealegre Sr. Saturday, Dec. 15 - 4:30 p.m.: Lanclos Family, Susan and Joseph Monjure, Floyd Stadeker, Charles Bongiovanni, Julie Fresina, Isabel and Cliff Lasseigne, Ray Smith, Paul Lovell, Randy Nguyen, Gordon Bordelon, Louis Vutera, Special Intention: Curtis Mitchel Sunday, Dec. 16 - 8 a.m.: Joan Butt; 10 a.m.: Adam Dows, James Smith, Leroy Empson, Richard Ashby, Lois Hymel; 5 p.m.: For the People

Tuesday, Dec. 11 - CDA Rosary Makers, 10 a.m.; RCIA, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12 - Come Lord Jesus, 1:30 p.m.; Small Group Bible Study, 4 p.m.; Usher Mtg., 6 p.m.; Forever Young Cards, 6:30 p.m.; Parish Choir, 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 – Confession, 8 a.m.; KC Auxiliary, 6 p.m.; Men’s Club, 6 p.m.; Men’s Ultreya, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14 - Men’s Club Christmas Party, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 –Confession, 3:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 - Holy Name Society, 7 a.m.; RCIA, 10:30 a.m.

Offertory $ 20,737.00

Maintenance $ 100.00

Building Fund $ 731.00

Parish Stewardship Summary Fiscal Year 07/01/17 — 06/30/18

Collections for the week of Nov. 18, 2018

To subscribe to Fr. Michael’s weekly

homilies, visit: www.padrehooch.com.

SINGLE SENIORS: December 12, 11 a.m., Christmas Party at the Oak Lodge, 2834 S Sher-wood Forest Blvd.

FOREVER YOUNG: December 12, 6:30 pm, Cards in the coffee shop. Call Joyce at 272-2348 to participate.

OUTDOOR MASS & PARISH PICNIC

PHOTOS BY BOBBIE STIGLETS - SEE MORE PARISH PICNIC PHOTOS ON THE PARISH WEBSITE - STMCHURCH.ORG

December 9, 2018 Page 6 Second Sunday of Advent

Attention High School Seniors EachyeartheSTMKnightsofColumbusCouncil5530selectsoneCatholichigh

school senior boy and one Catholic high school senior girl to represent theCouncilintheCatholicYouthLeadershipAwardprogram(CYLA).TobeeligibleyoudonotneedtoattendaCatholichighschool.Eachcandidateisjudgedin ivecategories, Spiritual, Academic, Civic, Athletic, and Social. The Councilwinnersreceiveeacha$100cashawardandplaqueandadvancetothenextlevel. Statewinnersreceivea$5,000scholarship.Applicationsmaybeobtainedonlineathttp://louisianakc.org/programs/cyla/

orattheparishof ice.Ifyouareinterestedintheawardprogramandintendtoilloutanapplication,pleasecontactRustyHamiltonat225.270.1229orbyemailatrmh115@cox.netsothathecanensurethatallapplicationsarereceivedbythedeadline. Applications must be received by the parish of ice or email byJanuary25,2019,tobeeligible.Goodluck!

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION

Look around most Catholic church-es, and you will discover an image of John the Baptist, often in the old baptistery, or in a window near where the font is or was located. He has two feast days in the calendar: one commemorating his birth, and the other his death. There are only three nativities in our calendar: for Jesus, for Mary, and for the Baptist. John’s birthday is reckoned according to the schedule given in Luke’s Gospel of the angel’s announcement to Mary. The angel tells her that her cousin Elizabeth is in the sixth month of pregnancy, and so Mary hastens to help her. Reckoning Christmas as December 25, we count backwards nine months to March 25 for the Feast of the Annunciation. Then we count forward three months to June 24 for John the Baptist’s birth. Halfway to Christmas, his nativity gives ample reason for rejoicing in the summer, and his symbols of fire and water are used playfully in bonfires and dives into the sea. Even at the polar oppo-site of Christmas in the calendar, the energy of Christ’s birth in the Incarna-tion provides cause for rejoicing.

--James Field, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co.

When John proclaimed a baptism of repentance, as today’s Gospel relates, he called people to a deep change of heart. For John the Baptist, repentance was not simply regret for past failings, but a commitment to orient life around God’s desires and purposes. What might living in alignment with God’s desires look like? Our readings offer some clues. Baruch indicates that when mercy and justice are embraced like a royal garment, we may see the fruits of repentance. Paul notes how the Holy Spirit has been active within the church in Philippi, forming them to live in a loving and united community of faith, so they may witness to the love of God. And John himself suggests that a repentant heart clears a path for God to enter, level-ing the mountains and valleys of our resistance, so that God might dwell within.

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