Ministries and Organizations St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, a water’s edge Catholic Community, are enriched by the presence of a diverse resident population, as well as summer visitors. As a community based on the Word and the Eucharist, we are empowered by the words “to love one another” and embrace the opportunity to comfort and nurture those in need. Dedicated to ongoing evangelization, we value the individual’s call to Discipleship. We are a spiritual community committed to being a “Beacon on the Beach.” We invite all to join us. ADULT FAITH ENRICHMENT & RCIA… Deacon Leonard Long… 266-2123 ALTAR ANGELS Anne Grove… 266-2559 ALTAR SERVERS Fr. Alfred & Deacon Len Long… 266-2123 BAPTISMAL PREP TEAM Kira Amalfitano… 266-2123 CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS (MEETS 1ST WED. OF MONTH) Joanne Messick… 266-3829 CHILDRENS’ LITURGY OF THE WORD Monica Eafrati… 264-0992 CHOIR – ADULT & CHILDREN Mary Jane Kelso… 266-2123 EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Laurel Haeser… 266-3026 FUNERAL MINISTRY Gerry Kilroy… 266-8127 GREETERS Roseann DiMaggio… 266-3573 HEARTS THAT HEAL (A BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP) Marion Hak … 266-4649 Kathe Murray … 266-8603 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS (MEETS 1ST TUES. OF MONTH) Rich Calareso… 774-4809 LECTORS Betsy Nyman… 266-2442 LITTLE CATHOLIC SHOP Kathleen Zuber… 266-7949 LITURGICAL DECORATING COMMITTEE Mary Jane Kelso… 266-2123 MARTHA’S HELPERS (1ST & 3RD THURSDAY MORNINGS) Anne Grove… 266-4454 PHOTOGRAPHY Don… 266-2123 PRAYER GROUPS: BIBLE DISCOVERY, Barbara Ackerman… 266-2123 JOURNEY THRU THE BIBLE, Jeanne Stretch… 266-0894 SCRIPTURE STUDY, Mary Accordino… 266-4742 PRAYER NETWORK MINISTRY Barbara DuBois… 266-7088 PUBLICITY Lynne Flanagan… 266- 8402 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION – CCD Mondays 4:30 – 5:45PM Sheila Daily… 266-2123 SCRIBE MINISTRY Dolores Morello…. 266-8360 SOCIAL EVENTS Paula DiMaggio & Mike Brindisi… 266-9317 ST. DISMAS MINISTRY Damon & Trudy Galmin… 266-2123 ST. JOSEPH’S WORKERS Joseph Gross… 266-2651 STITCH IN TIME Delores Morello… 266-8360 USHERS JOE MAIORANO… 266-2123

YOUTH MINISTRY, JUNIOR & SENIOR HIGH: Fr. Alfred, Deacon Long, Bobbi DeLucry, Mike Brindisi... 266-2123

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Fr. William Vandegrift, Pastor Damon Galmin (Trustee) Rob Smith (Trustee) Anthony DiMaggio Edward Mong John Murray

PASTORAL COUNCIL

Fr. William Vandegrift Fr. Alfred Mungujakisa Deacon Lenny Long Rita Pagoulatos, Chairperson Frank Burbridge Anne Cwiklinski Rick DeLucry Monica Eafrati Jim Levins Patty Mohnack

The Little Catholic Shop… is located in the Parish Center next to the Church in Meeting Room A. Mass cards are available for purchase. Gifts for Baptism, Baby Showers, First Communion, Confirmation and special occasions are available. Hours are: Sunday, 8:30 AM to 12:30PM.

Altar Flowers – Can be purchased for $50. In the memory of your loved ones. We will publish your name and the name(s) of your loved ones in the bulletin the week the arrangement is on the altar. Please stop by the Parish Center to see what dates are available.

Hospitality Sunday is today, November 11th in

St. Philip Hall.

Please Pray for Those Who Have Gone to Their Eternal Rest: Melissa Christian Smith

First Time: Lynn Denesopolis and Timothy Marinakis

Altar Flowers this Week are in memory of:

Bill Skully by the Skully Family

Next Week’s Altar Flowers are in Memory of: James Harvey by Wife, Madeline

Parish Support Sunday, November 3-4 $7,774.00 Second Collection - $ 767.00 Thank you for your support. We appreciate your generosity.

Let us pray for all our sick, may they receive the healing touch of Our Lord: Jeffrey Geisler, Bill Haeser Sr, Iris Pizio, Sue Lenahan, John Siemietkowski, Tom Bordonaro, Walter Biedron, Michele Millar, Albert Snyder, Sally Davenport, Vincent Furlano, Marie Biscardi, Terry Szczepanski, Carmella Gentile, Rosalie B. Lieberman, Jennifer Fazio, Helen Scull, Annmarie Capone, John Caruso, Conrad & Rosemary Bryan, Michael Accetta, Linda Spadano, Thomas Holmes, Jr., Kristin Noble, Rose Milewski, Nicholas Crosson, Ellen Boyle, Rev. Fred Voltaggio, Teresa Ambron, Sabrina Remy, Jim Frugoli,Sr., Charles J. Holl, Jr., Madeline Ciabattoni, Mary Ann Burns, Anna Victoria Balaguera, Baby Leland Thomas, Tyler Daily, Jean Weis, Ginny Fink, Baby Jayden Trujillo, Brendan McCulligan, Bette McAnany-Whitman, Teria Chernak, George Kendrick, Marie Coates, Lucille Rinaldi Regarding the list of our sick….. Please call the Parish Center at 266-2123, with the name of the person in need of prayer. The names will be published in the bulletin each Sunday and will be updated every three months.

Please remember to keep the members of our Armed Forces in your prayers: Michael Gaydos, SPC. Tyler Witchley, Army,

SPC Richard Kauffmann Jr., Lance Cpl. Paul Thomas Garraty, Sr. Airman USA, John C. Presner, 1st Lt. Jg. Andrew G. Kerr USS. Georgia, SSG Teresa DeMuro, AF – Japan, PFC Michael Staunton Army – Ft. Leonard Wood, 1st Lt. Matt Valnoski, Ft. Riley, Kansas, Matthew Krimm, Army, Iraq, Michael Krimm Army, Medic Texas, Sgt. Kevin Cassano, Sgt. Michael Peterson US. Army, Washington State, PFC. Michael Spinogatti, Army, Afganistan, Lt. Colonel (Marines) Eric DiFrancesco – Afghanistan,St. Sgt. Lyle Voisey Army Infantry, Ft. Drum, NY, Capt. Scott Crosky, Air Force, Middle East Please Note: To include a person serving in the Armed Forces on the prayer list, please call the Parish Center at 266–2123. Provide the name of the person serving in the Armed Forces, their rank and place of service.

Mass Intentions 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Saturday, November 10 8:30AM 4:00PM

Parishioners of St. Thomas Louis Strag by Anthony & Gail Squiccimarri Anthony LeDonne by Wife, Angela

Sunday, November 11 8:00AM 9:30AM 11:00AM

Eric Van Sciver by Lange Family Raymond Thiel by LaMar Buffington James Maguire by Wife Harry Salamandra, Sr. by Mary Capagnucci Sue Wade by Joe & Joyce Corrigan Angela Mogano by Joanne & Tommy Rhile

Monday, November 12 8:30AM Pasquale DiLeo by Mark Massi Tuesday, November 13 6:45AM Parishioners of St. Thomas Wednesday, November 14 8:30AM Holy Souls in Purgatory Thursday, November 15 6:45AM Vincent Gallagher by Pat Kowaleski Friday, November 16 8:30AM Robert Gilligan by Jane & Paul Staunton

Dorothy Gilgore by Marie Shannon Saturday, November 17 8:30AM 4:00PM

John Nucci by Tom & Barbara Smaldore Manucci & Walker Families by Noreen Rev. Joseph Toscani by Campitelli Family

Sunday, November 18 8:00AM 9:30AM 11:00AM

Irene Collins by Irene Collins Dolores Cacioppo by Angela Darnell Henry Rubino by Catherine Zin Angelo Grosso by Gaeton Cassello & Family Vincenza & Tammaro Gervasio by Anne & Frank Grove Jim Harvey by Madeline

This Week… Sun. Nov. 11 Hospitality Sunday Mon. Nov. 12 Veterans Day

No CCD Classes Wed. Nov. 14 Baptismal Prep Class, 7:30 PM,Rm A Thurs. Nov. 15 CCD Parent Mtg for Confirmation,

Hall, 7:00 PM Journey thru the Bible Mtg. 7:00 PM, Rm A

Sat. Nov. 17 Confessions, 2:45 PM Sun. Nov. 18 KOC Pancake Breakfast, 8:00 AM

Baptisms, 12:00 PM

Sunday, November 18 KoC Pancake Breakfast Tuesday, November 20 Interfaith Prayer Service

Community Presbyterian Church Sunday, Dec. 2 “Sundae with Santa” Monday, Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve Party

Food Donation – It is that time of the year once again. With the cost of heat, gas prices and necessities rising, many people cannot afford food. Parishioners can help by donating cans and non-perishable food items for the Food Bank of South Jersey. Leave items in the vestibule (back) of the Church. Tom and Manny will transport it to the Food Bank for those in need. For more information, call Tom at 609-703-2505

The Mass Intention Book is located in the vestibule of the Church and is available for you to write your intentions. The book will be carried up to the sanctuary during the Offertory Procession of the Mass every Sunday.

From the Pastor’s Desk Our hearts and our prayers go out to those who have lost their homes and to those who have lost important possessions. We are all hurting, even several members of our staff have suffered losses from the storm. We have received phone calls this week, from people in need as well as from people that want to volunteer their services. It is heartwarming to see a great outpouring of friends and neighbors.

Due to the storm, many scheduled activities and events around the Island were cancelled including two activities at St. Thomas. (the Haunted House and the Bonfire on the beach) We did, however, have the 4:00PM Mass on Sunday, November 4th. It was attended by many individuals and families, a Mass of Thanksgiving for all of the lives that have been preserved through the the grace of God.

It is important to remember that St. Thomas Parish is a member of the True Spirit Coalition. They, along with Emergency Management, have been fielding phone calls and tending to people’s needs.

The following is an email which we received this week.

“Hello, this is Fr. Louis Lohan from St. Thomas the Apostle in Long Beach, MS, just checking in with y’all since Hurricane Sandy struck your coast. Not sure if you will get this email or not. We are praying for y’all and all the people in the path of the storm. Your parish (and its former pastor) was very good to us following Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast in 2005. If you get this email, let us know how you are doing and if we can help in any way. God bless all of you.”

Additionally, we are printing a list of items the City of Brigantine has requested to be distributed to those in need.

- Fr. Bill

St. Dismas Ministry is now accepting financial donations that will be used specifically and only to help “our” parishioners that have been hurt by Hurricane Sandy. If you wish to make a donation, or have questions, please call the Parish Center at 266-2123, ext. 3. Also, if you are aware of a parishioner that needs assistance, please contact Fr. Bill or Fr. Al.

Assumption School Letter The following is an excerpt from a letter by School Principal

Mary Ellen Schurtz.

I would like to share with you that our school was not damaged during the Hurricane. We have several of our school families, along with members of our support Parish of Saint Thomas in Brigantine, which have had their homes devastated. Our Student Council has begun a collection to aid these friends. Donations can be made to ARCS and gift cards will be disbursed throughout our community.

Liturgical Ministry Schedule Sat. / Sun. November 17-18

Lector EM 4:00PM- C. Mogano, M. Harvey, D. Szwak,

F. Streeper, L. Haeser, W. Curtis

8:00AM- V. Campbell T. Combo, P. DiMaggio, A. Solari, A. Grove, D. Phillips

9:30AM- J. Levins J. D’Adamo, J. Rifice, J. Zappas, T. Ciullo, T. Bibbikos

11:00AM- M. Harvey R. & M. Pagoulatos, J. Stretch L. Luisi

Altar Servers 4:00PM- S. & J. Mogano

8:00AM- N. Mecca, N. Stinson, J. Holl 9:30AM M. & P. Faherty, H. Klaiss 11:00AM J. & S. O’Neill, S. DeLucry Please do not call the Parish Center

when in need of a replacement.

Donations for Storm Damage Cleanup The City of Brigantine has compiled a list of items that will assist in the cleanup storm damaged homes. Items should be dropped off at the Community Center, 42nd St. South. Any food donations are to be dropped off at the True Spirit Coalition, located at Brigantine Community Presbyterian Church. Thank You!

Items Needed

1. Trash Bags – Contractors Lawn Bags

2. Toiletries – Toothpaste and brushes, deodorant, soap, mouthwash

3. Cleaning Products – Bleach, brooms, rakes, brushes, dishwashing detergent

4. Baby Supplies – Diapers, formula

5. Pet Food

6. Blankets & towels

7. Paper plates, cups, napkins

8. Flashlights

Clothing Donations are NOT needed. Please, no clothing.

Thanksgiving Dinner will be served in St. Philip’s Hall by the Knights of Columbus on Thanksgiving Day for all parishioners and their families who have been displaced. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to the Parish Center @ 266-2123, so they can have a count. Plans are to have a turkey at each table (8-10 people per table).

Pancake Breakfast – The KOC will host a delicious Pancake Breakfast, next week, November 18, after all of the Sunday Masses. Tickets are $6.00 for adults and $3.00 per child. Come and enjoy piping hot pancakes with maple syrup, sausage, juice and coffee.

Daily Prayer This is a good week to ask Jesus what his messages are for us. What is he warning us about? What is he asking us to change? How is he encouraging us to place our trust in him? The answer will be different for each of us, but we have to pay attention and listen, in order to hear it. All of us need to hear him say, “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.” But each one of us needs to ask “In what ways do I seek to 'preserve my life' and in what ways do I need to 'lose' my life?” The trouble with this kind of reflection is that we too often let ourselves off the hook by saying, “I just don't have time.” And, on some days, our day is really “booked” from morning to night. Finding intimacy with God in the midst of our everyday life and becoming a contemplative in action provides a very real way to stay in focus and to reflect, even when we are very busy. This practice is meant to make use of the “free” time we have in the background of our consciousness each day. The key to this kind of prayer is to begin each day with a moment of consciousness of what we desire, need, are asking for. Dear Lord, thank you for this day. Let me begin this day thinking of you and your love for me. Let me simply do whatever we ask me to do as your servant today. This only takes 20 seconds. We all have 20 seconds. However, we all find that it isn't easy to do this because our Lord is not very present in our day to day awareness, and we may never have simply talked with the Lord as the first thing we do when we awake. With practice, it works. As we prepare for Sunday, we can spend a few more moments each day, simply talking with our Lord at brief in between times during the day. Hopefully, we'll be seeing in all the things around us, that we are being invited by the Lord to accept him, to let him call us and open our hearts to respond generously. To what is he calling us? A great question to ask right up to the time we go into church on Sunday. When there, we can give God thanks and praise for opening our awareness and our readiness for him.

CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS NOVEMBER CASINO TRIP Wednesday, November 28th, the Catholic Daughters of Brigantine will host

another enjoyable trip to Resorts Casino. Don, who is featured in the show, “CHRISTMAS FROM THE WHITE MOUNTAIN”, is a singer, comedian and impersonator. Don is the show! Once again, an open invitation is extended to all. Come out and celebrate the Christmas Holidays with an enjoyable show. Showtime is 3:30PM and the $20. ticket price includes $10. for slot credit. A bus will leave the St. Thomas Parking Lot, 8th St. & Brigantine Ave. at 12:15Pm and will leave Resorts at 7:00PM. For particulars, please call Marie at 266-8345.

Altar Servers Training If a parent or older sibling wishes to become an Altar Server as a part of our Family Altar Servers Program, we will be pleased to have them train with their child every Tuesday, at 6PM in the Church. If interested, call Fr. Al at 266-2123, or just come to the training. Martha’s Helpers meet every other Thursday mornings following the daily rosary in the Church. Volunteers are needed to clean and keep our Church beautiful. To join the group, call 266-2123. Announcements for the Bulletin need to be sent to our new email address no later than Monday at 10 AM. stthomasbulletin@comcast.net

Electronic Giving is Available!! Sign up online from the St. Thomas Web Site

www.stthomasbrigantine.org To strengthen stewardship at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, we ask that you prayerfully consider utilizing a new and easier way to support our parish... eGiving. .RCIA PROCESS: God’s Plan of Salvation - (GPS) Just as the Global Positioning System (GPS), provides our travels with reliable direction to reach earthly destinations, God has also prepared a GPS (God’s Plan of Salvation) for each of us, with reliable and “recalculate route” directions, to lead us to our eternal destination – Heaven. Have you activated God’s GPS for you? God has stationed His celestial satellites (sacraments and divine Grace) in the heavens to place you on the spiritual journey to: Destination: Heaven. The RCIA Process is the spiritual journey GPS for those who would like to be members of the Catholic Church. We welcome those who are unbaptized, as well as anyone baptized in another denomination, and/or who may be attending church with his/her spouse. Now is the ideal time to ask the Holy Spirit to activate your personal GPS. To become acquainted with God’s plan for you, please call Deacon Leonard Long or Fr. Al at 266-2123.

Assumption School 23rd Annual PTA Christmas Craft Fair

Assumption Regional Catholic School presents its 23rd Annual PTA Christmas Craft Fair, today, on November 10th &11th, 9:00AM to 4:00PM. With over 100 well-known crafters onsite, guests will have an opportunity to view, select and purchase from a wide selection of items. Bring the family and enjoy children’s crafts, food, drinks and baked goods. Looking to get an early photo with Santa? Join us November 13th for Sunday Photos with Santa from 10:00am to 2:00pm. To learn more about the event, please e-mail ARCSCraftFair@gmail.com or log onto www.arcsgalloway.org. Assumption School provides quality education for students in grades PK3 through 8th grade.

“A Celtic Christmas at the Kimmel” Join Msgr. Louis A. Marucci, Executive Director, the Jubilate Deo Chorale & Orchestra, Eastern University Ensembles and Church of the Saviour Festival Choir for a Special Christmas Concert, “A Celtic Christmas at the Kimmel” on Sunday, December 2, 2012, 3:00p.m., Kimmel Center, Verizon Hall, Philadelphia, PA. Tickets $25-$100, group rates for 20 or more. Buses available from Gibbsboro and Haddon Twp., NJ, $20/seat. Enjoy the spirited Celtic culture and heritage through traditional dances and Irish instruments. A combined 200 member chorus, 65 piece professional orchestra, soloists, narrators and cast will present Celtic and Christmas classics, and musical debuts. Live Nativity Presentation. Tickets/information contact JDCO Office at (856) 783-5326 or visit www.jdco.org

Just Got Engaged?

Holy Trinity Parish, Epiphany Campus, 2801 Ventnor Avenue Longport, NJ 08403,

will offer a Pre Cana experience for couples preparing for marriage.

April 26, 2013 April 27, 2013

Both parties must attend! To register and for more information, please call Kathy at 609-822-7105.

-------------------------------------------------- Additional Dates Available around the Diocese:

March 15-17, 2013 June 7-9, 2013

August 9-11, 2013 November 8-10, 2013

More information may be found on the Diocese of Camden website at:

www.camdendiocese.org. Choose the Family/Youth/Education section and the sub

menu item for Marriage Preparation.