St. Thomas Bulletin 04-01-12 - St. Thomas the Apostle Church

St. Thomas the Apostle Church 

24 Westminster Road, West Hempstead, New York 11552 

www.stthomasapostle.org 

St. Thomas the Apostle Church (Photo: Steve Orlando) 

Parish Clergy 

Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Maniscalco, Pastor 

Rev. Noel Effiong, Associate Pastor 

Rev. Msgr. Richard Bauhoff, Associate Pastor 

Rev. Ligori Philips, In Residence 

Rev. Charles Okonkwo, In Residence 

Rev. Msgr. John Alexandro, In Residence 

Deacon John Ford 

Deacon Edward Cunningham 

Deacon Jacques Philppeaux 

Deacon Anthony D’Auria 

Celebration of the Eucharist 

Weekend: Saturday Evening 5 pm 

Sunday 9 am, 10:30 am, 12 pm and 6 pm 

Weekday: 7:45 am daily, 9 am Tues., Wed., Thurs. 

Holy Day Eve: 7:30 pm, Holy Day: 7:45 am, 12:10 pm 

Sacrament of Penance 

Saturday: 3:30-4:30 pm, other times as requested 

Pastoral Team Parish Committees 

Ray Rockensies, Business Manager Pastoral Council (E-mail: stapastcouncil@optonline.net) 

Christina Teisch, School Principal www.stthomasschool.net Caren Batzer, Chair Richard Mullan 

Mary Ann Pellegrino, Director of Religious Education Melissa Connolly Francesca Staudinger 

Eileen Minutoli, Asst. Director of Religious Education Camille McCue George & Debbie Nieves 

Irene Peplinski, Director of Human Services Jean Baptiste Carelus Dr. Joseph Bacigalupo 

Mary Rockensies, Director of Youth Ministry Rob & Lori Lang 

Martha Pramnieks, Director of Music 

Cindy Sobiesiak, Director of Parish Growth Finance Council: John R. Kiley, Chair 

Development Committee: Brian Browne, Chair 

Rectory 

489-8585 

Rectory Fax 

292-2651 

School 

481-9310 

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion 

April 1, 2012 

St. Thomas the Apostle Chapel 

Hempstead Ave. & Nassau Blvd. 

Celebration of the Eucharist 

Sunday: 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 11 am and 12:30 pm 

Weekday: 9 am Mon., Wed., Fri. 

Holy Day: 9 am, 7:30 pm 

Religious Education 

538-7460 

Human Services 

538-7465 

St. Thomas the Apostle Chapel (Photo: Steve Orlando) 

THIS WEEK AT ST. THOMAS . . . . . SEE PAGE 3 

Youth Ministry 

538-7467

Page 2 ST. THOMAS the APOSTLE CHURCH 

PARISH MEMBERSHIP: 

All who worship regularly with the St. Thomas Parish Community are 

members of our faith community. We urge new members to register at the 

Parish Office so we may better know and respond to your needs. Those 

leaving St. Thomas Parish are asked to inform the Parish Office in order to 

keep our records accurate. 

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: 

The Sacrament of Baptism celebrates a person’s entrance into the life of 

the Church and the community of believers. The Baptismal Team assists 

parents and godparents in their preparations for the Sacrament of Baptism. Baptisms 

take place on the second and fourth Sundays of the month at 1:30 PM. Parents 

should contact the Rectory to set a date for the Baptismal Class which takes 

place on the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM, in the Parish Center. Parents 

of ALL children to be baptized must be registered members of the parish and 

attend a class before their child will be baptized. Godparents should be confirmed 

Catholics in good standing in the Church. The date of baptism will be confirmed 

at the class. 

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE: 

Celebrated every Saturday from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. Priests of the Parish are 

available any day (especially before Holy Days and First Fridays) to 

celebrate this Sacrament with you. Please call the Rectory for an 

appointment. 

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: 

Engaged couples are asked to arrange an appointment with one of the 

priests or deacons of the Parish at least SIX months prior to the desired 

wedding date. Reservations must be made by the couple ONLY. 

SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK: 

Celebrated at a Mass by the community twice a year, in the spring and the 

fall. If it is an emergency or if a person cannot attend the communal 

celebrations, please call the Rectory. Every Saturday morning at the 9:00 

AM Mass, after Communion, those who are entering the hospital in the 

coming week can be anointed. Inform the celebrant BEFORE Mass begins. 

VISITING THE SICK OR HOMEBOUND: 

Please contact the Rectory if you would like Eucharist brought to a member 

of your family who cannot come to Church for any reason. 

Unfortunately experience teaches that not even our church parking 

lot at Mass time is safe from those who have no respect for the 

commandment, "Thou shalt not steal!" Please do not leave 

valuables in your car when you come to Mass. Thank you. 

WEEKEND of March 24/25, 2012 

OFFERING ATTENDANCE 

Church 8,509.00 Wknd of 3/25/12 1,609 

Chapel 6,335.00 Wknd of 3/27/11 1,936 

Faith Direct 2,533.00 Difference -327 

TOTAL 17,377.00 

Wknd of 3/27/11 18,884.00 

Difference -1,507.00 

Monthly Total March 2012: 74,926.00 

Monthly Total March 2011: 76,388.00 

Difference -1,462.00 

Weekly Average March 2012: 18,732.00 

Weekly Average March 2011: 19,097.00 

Difference -365.00 

2nd Collection: STA Easter Flowers 

TOTAL 3,569.00 

Thank you, St. Thomas Parishioners, for your 

generosity! 

MASSES FOR THE WEEK 

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012 

5:00 PM Anthony Tippy Nocella 

SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012 

9:00 AM Timera Dunne 

10:30 AM Rose Renzi 

Members of Purgatorial Society 

10:30 AM Family Mass (Lower Church): 

12:00 Nn Robert Noeldechen, Shirley E. Nolan, 

Maryann Nicastro and Josephine Nicastro 

6:00 PM Armando Forte 

CHAPEL: 

7:30 AM Joseph & Josephine DiBartolo 

9:30 AM Albert Maggio 

11:00 AM John Kapinos 

12:30 PM Sonia Torres 

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012 

7:45 AM Ruth Terrasi 

9:00 AM Chapel: Bertha Rozak 

TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012 

7:45 AM Sebastian (Sonny) Pangallo 

9:00 AM Florence Donovan 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012 

7:45 AM Deceased Benefactors of St. Thomas Parish 

9:00 AM Chapel: Marian Oven 

HOLY THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012 

9:00 PM Morning Prayer 

7:30 PM Mass of the Last Supper 

10:30 PM Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament with Night Prayer 

FIRST FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2012 

9:00 PM Morning Prayer 

3:00 PM Lord’s Passion with Veneration of the Cross & Communion 

6:00 PM Walk to Calvary 

7:30 PM Evening Prayer & Veneration of the Cross (no Communion) 

HOLY SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012 

9:00 AM Morning Prayer (Blessing of Easter food) 

11:00 AM Confession 

12:00 Noon Confession 

5:00 PM No Mass 

8:00 PM Easter Vigil Mass 

EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2012 

9:00 AM Pat Brady 

10:30 AM Timera Dunne 


12:00 Nn Anthony Calia, Giovanna Buscaglia, Mauro Maietta and 

Frank Casatelli 

6:00 PM No Mass 

CHAPEL: 

7:30 AM Danette LoForte Fox and Concetta 

9:30 AM Raymond Hutter 

11:00 AM Vincent Marinelli 

12:30 PM Carol Zagorski Phillips and Peter Phillips 

BREAD AND WINE MEMORIAL 

The Bread and Wine consumed during the week 

of April 1 ~ April 7, 2012 

have been donated in memory of 

LUCIA and ROSE DeBERARDINIS 

With Love & Prayers from: 

The Natale, Caprio & Ross Families 


Fannie Tutoni

Dear friends, 

A MESSAGE FROM 

MSGR. FRANK MANISCALCO 

As I write, our church accessibility project has nearly been completed. A new 

elevator has been installed within the addition to the church constructed to house 

it. Architect Anthony DiProperzio designed the project which was carried out by 

the G. Fazio Construction Company. Besides the installation on the north side 

of the church, they also provided for the improvement of the stairway down to the 

lower church and parish center on the south side, making it more user friendly. 

From the diocese, Thomas DeFrancisci oversaw the project and for the parish 

Ray Rockensies was involved in following it closely. Everyone involved has my 

great thanks for a job so well done and on time. And thanks be to God as well for 

such a benign winter. 

In the past few weeks, many parishioners have commented how well 

the new addition matches the original church building. The credit for this goes first 

of all to Mr. DiProperzio who created his design to match existing elements in the 

church building. Then Mr. Fazio proved tireless in tracking down brick to match 

the original church. I thank them both for going about this project in a way that 

has been so respectful of the original church. 

Kone was the company chosen to supply the elevator. This particular 

elevator requires a smaller machine room because it is non-hydraulic. As such it 

is also environmentally better. Having ridden it myself, I find the ride quiet and 

smooth. 

The elevator has three stops. "G," of course, is ground level, "2" is 

the upper church and "B" is the lower church/parish center. For security reasons, 

either "2" or "B" or both can be "locked out" if an event is taking place on only one 

of those levels or on neither. Someone on level "2" or "B" can call the elevator to 

return to "G" even if that level is "locked out" but then will have to exit at "G." The 

elevator car can carry up to 2500 lbs. While we were checking it out, five is us 

rode in it quite comfortably with room for probably another five. 

In case of an emergency, toward the bottom of the control panel is a 

“Help” button indicated by a “phone receiver” symbol. Below it is a speaker over 

which a person can hear and respond to a Kone representative answering the 

call. 

Another aspect of the church accessibility project is the enclosure of the 

north side stairway to the lower church/parish center on which the wheel chair lift 

was previously located. That stairway is now accessible through a doorway in the 

new lobby just beyond the elevator on ground level. 

Lastly, a new beautiful stairway to the church level has been created. It 

reverses the direction of the stairway it replaces which descended toward Westminster 

Road. The new stairway descends toward the parking lot. At top, it opens 

into the church at the point where the elevator arrives at church level. On this 

level is a new stained glass window in honor of Bishop McGann who said his 

first Mass as a priest in our church on June 4, 1950. 

As of now, some finishing touches are needed. The two stained glass 

windows removed from the baptistery are being re-fashioned to fit the windows in 

the elevator lobby. Also, while we have an automatic door opener in operation on 

the ground level, we will be adding one at the church level and putting back in 

operation one already in existence on the lower level. 

Another finishing touch is the creation of a memorial walkway and 

plaza. The walkway will connect the path from the parking lot to the entrance to 

the elevator lobby. The stones of the pathway and the plaza will be used to commemorate 

those who have contributed to the support of recent church projects 

and their loved ones. It will also be available to other parishioners to memorialize 

their loved ones. 

I hope that our church accessibility project will indeed create a most 

welcoming atmosphere for all our parishioners, especially those mobility impairments, 

and provide for greater use of our lower church and parish center. 

### Continued ... 

Page 3 

I want to congratulate the young women and men who 

were confirmed last Thursday. As I wrote last week, the young 

people were not the only ones making a commitment on their Confirmation 

Day. As members of the St. Thomas Christian community, 

we too are now committed to them to be examples of Christian living to 

inspire them and support them in their faith. 

### 

I hope all our parishioners will do their best this Holy Week to attend 

the most momentous and beautiful of our Church’s liturgies on Holy 

Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, both Morning Prayer and 

the afternoon or evening ceremonies. Please in particular consider 

attending the Easter Vigil. Even though we won’t be baptizing or confirming 

any new Catholics this year, it still remains a wonderfully beautiful 

and spiritual experience. 

In His peace, 

Monsignor Frank Maniscalco 

Pastor 

80 th ANNIVERSARY PRAYER 

As St. Thomas the Apostle Parish concludes its 80 th anniversary year, 

families are requested to say the following prayer at home: 

Father in Heaven, 

we thank you for the gifts, both spiritual and material, which you have 

bestowed on St. Thomas the Apostle Parish for the last eighty years. 

Through our celebration of Word and Sacrament and through our parish 

ministries, we have sought to carry on the mission given to us by your Son, 

our Lord Jesus Christ, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

As we conclude this anniversary year, we continue to rely upon your 

abundant blessings. Help us in building on the firm foundation established 

by those who have gone before us in creating this joyful community of 

faith. Assist us in assuring a future in which those who come after us will 

continue to enjoy the gifts we have been given. 

We ask this, as we ask all things, through Jesus our Lord. Amen. 

St. Thomas the Apostle, pray for us. 

Office of Worship 

“This spring, couples that have been married fifty years or more 

will be honored at liturgies on Sunday, April 22 at the Church of Saint 

Lawrence the Martyr in Sayville and on Sunday, May 20 at the Church 

of Maria Regina in Seaford. Both liturgies will begin at 2:30 pm. 

Couples may register for ONE liturgy. Registration forms and 

complete instructions can be obtained at the rectory. Registration 

must be received by the Office of Worship by April 5th for the April 

liturgy and by May 3rd for the May liturgy. There will be additional 

celebrations in the fall for those who may find that more convenient. If 

you have any questions you may call 516-678-5800, ext. 207.”

Celebrating 

SOCIAL SUNDAY 

at Saint Thomas the Apostle! 

Please join us 

in the Parish Center 

(downstairs from the main Church) 

Sunday, April 15 th 

after the 10:30 am Mass 

at the Church 

for bagels, coffee, seasonal pastries 

and friendly hospitality! 

See you there! 

Our next Social Sunday will be 

in the Chapel Center on 

April 22nd 

after the 11:00 Mass. 

BAPTISM: We welcome the following little Christians into the St. Thomas 

the Apostle Parish Community: 

Louis John Minutoli * Ella Ray Harding 

Valentina Rosaria Vitaliano 

Please Pray for the 

Deceased of the Parish 

PATRICIA F. KERRIGAN 

Page 4 

Please Pray For The Sick, Especially: 

Cecelia Lisante • Joseph Matthews ▪ Genevieve Pellegrino ▪ Lou 

Pellegrino ▪ Michael Nuzzi ▪ Lisa Schulman ▪ Joann Cleary Harkin ▪ 

Joseph Giaccone ▪ Peter Vizzi ▪ Frances Saccone ▪ Frank Torre ▪ Al 

Menendez ▪ Deacon Anthony D’Auria ▪ Josephine Justic ▪ Rita 

Parente ▪ Joe Saccone ▪ Tom Kammerer ▪ Audrey Thompson ▪ Anna 

Maslankowski ▪ Philip John Califano ▪ James Lasko ▪ Angelica Maria ▪ Joanne 

Pati Leibling ▪ James Trader ▪ Christine Blackstone ▪ Robert Bolivar ▪ Diane 

Keating ▪ Dr. William T. Robinson ▪ Bob Miller ▪ Anne Marie Friedman ▪ Toni & 

Nicole Vanella ▪ Anthony Victor ▪ Adrian Bess ▪ Baby Rory Nolan ▪ Bonnie Winter 

▪ Patsy Iovine ▪ Loretta Kaessinger ▪ Linda Furnari ▪ Nick Gavilann ▪ Dr. William 

Johnson ▪ Czeslawa Kosar ▪ Baby Charles Trinder Melchiorre ▪ Michael DeDomenico 

▪ Donna Marie ▪ Virginia & Basil Briguglio ▪ Toni & Elvira Bogatic ▪ Christopher 

Michael ▪ Catherine Dalto ▪ Josephine Cawley ▪ Linda Flynn ▪ Amelia Bottoni ▪ 

Keith D’Ornellas ▪ Anthony Iovine, Jr. ▪ Elsie Buckley ▪ Michael Tirino ▪ Rosemary 

Terryn ▪ Linda Gallucci ▪ Thomas Quigley ▪ Mary Allen ▪ Suzanne Mistretta ▪ 

Teddy Dalmazio ▪ Ann McGowan ▪ Angela Coates ▪ Justin Gentile ▪ Jean Tilman 

▪ Fr. Harold Noviello ▪ Louise Taliana ▪ Josephine Dastelli ▪ Sal Ferrara ▪ Theresa 

Janousek ▪ Marge Conroy ▪ Martha Polemeni ▪ James Quinn ▪ Baby Thomas 

Ostermann ▪ Thomas Piotrowski ▪ Conchita Rodriguez ▪ Willie Ness ▪ Eugene 

Bonacci ▪ Joann Russo ▪ Anna Nocella ▪ Joseph Kantor ▪ Santa Annunziato ▪ 

Joan McComb ▪ Jane De Valle ▪ Stephanie Bruno ▪ Lorraine Campbell ▪ Anthony 

Victor ▪ Christopher Michael ▪ Robert Flaherty ▪ Salome Jean ▪ Jennifer Schaeffer- 

Schiavone ▪ Irene Peplinski ▪ Fred Matalevich ▪ Nadira Martin ▪ Regina Mascia ▪ 

Terri Keating ▪ Lisa Reisch ▪ Liz Carter ▪ Chip ▪ Rosa Sgaramella ▪ Ann Sullivan 

▪ Dot McCartney ▪ Angela Fitzgerald ▪ Jack Kanakaris ▪ Diane DiMaggio ▪ 

Dorothy Krumenaker ▪ William Hill ▪ Daniel Garry ▪ Joseph Nielsen ▪ William 

Cloghessy ▪ Nancy Foley ▪ Timothy Anderson ▪ Lucy Sceusa ▪ Nanette Michaud 

▪ Susan Trinder ▪ Tina Christiansen ▪ Frank Montaniz ▪ Irving Helfenbein ▪ Erkan 

Sahin ▪ Baby Branko Vrdoljak ▪ Nikola Raketic ▪ Slavica Vrbatovic ▪ Stacey Mica 

Poehler ▪ Joseph Nielsen ▪ Louis Cabasino ▪ Lydia Nazzarri ▪ Baby Olivia 

Ferretti ▪ Dorothy Smith ▪ Elizabeth Efthimiou ▪ Jeanette Gigantiello ▪ Theresa Elias 

▪ Dominick Consolazio ▪ Joann Tirino-Bloom ▪ Anthony Thomas Coniglio ▪ Janet 

Cardona ▪ Kathleen Hanley-Connolly ▪ Vincent Mellace * Diana Noeldechen * Eric 

Friedman * Jerome Ceravolo * Mary Seery * Lisa Watson * Liz Carter * Barbara 

Schroeter 

PLEASE NOTE: Names for the sick list will appear for three 

consecutive weeks. If you would like to have someone placed on the sick 

list, please call the Rectory at 489-8585. 

If you are homebound and would like to receive Holy Communion, please 

call Human Services at 538-7465. 

Please pray for the safe return of 

Miguel A. Flaquer ▪ Mark E. Satira ▪ Major Christian M. Capece, USMC 

PFC James Morrison ▪ Justina Medina ▪ Capt. Emily Ladd 

Members of St. Thomas the Apostle Church stationed in Iraq & Afghanistan 

Lt. Col. Thomas Brennan ▪ Lt. Peter J. Eberhardt ▪ Major John Lehane, USMC 

Staff Sgt. Joseph D. Marciano ▪ Capt. Timothy Miller USMC 

Spec. Kenneth Albarran ▪ Sgt. Erich McCartney ▪ Kris Kleffman 

Major Patrick Sweeney ▪ Lt. Col. Paul Sweeney ▪ Keith Ilenda 

Sgt. Matthew R. Schmidt ▪ Sgt. Christopher McKay ▪ 

Joseph Della Ratta PFC ▪ Capt. John Lauten ▪ Capt. Anthony Caruso 

1 Lt. Dennis Valdez ▪ Cpt. Joseph Munger ▪ 1 Lt. Andrew Byer 

have returned home safely from Iraq. 

The families wish to thank you for your prayers, 

and ask that you please continue to pray. God Bless You All. 

BANNS OF MARRIAGE: 

Second Time: Patrick Beirne and Stacy A. Kushay 

First Time: Christopher Erikson, Jr. of St. Rose and Sarah Ann 

Elizabeth Rennie of St. Thomas the Apostle * John Kowalsky and 

Kristen Hill both of St. Catherine’s 

We welcome you to St. Thomas the Apostle. If you are visiting for the first time, you 

are our honored guest. We are glad that you are here and hope that you will come 

back again. If you are new to the area or have been away from Mass for a while, we 

invite you to consider making St. Thomas your church home. For more information 

on joining our parish and getting involved, or to talk about anything that may be 

holding you back, please contact Cindy at 516-489-8585 or 

Cindy.StThomas@yahoo.com.

Page 5 

VISIT THE ST. PATRICK'S ALTAR 

& PRAY FOR VOCATIONS 

MISSION STATEMENT: 

We, the joy-filled Catholic community of St. Thomas the Apostle, are united 

in faith and drawn to the life-giving sacrifice of the Eucharist. Through worship, ministry 

and education we foster spiritual growth and Christian values. As a parish family, we share 

with and encourage each other through the many times of our lives. With open hearts 

and helping hands we respond to the needs of our community and the world. 

HUMAN SERVICES 

humanservicesta@optonline.net 

EASTER BAGS: Thank you to all our parish family for 

your support of our Easter food drive to help our families in 

need! The wonderful volunteers of Human Services packed 

over 258 bags of food which were then put into very large 

recyclable bags from Marshall's, which were donated by 

Donna Martin. Easter buckets were beautifully filled, 

decorated and donated for our families with small children 

by parishioner, Cindi Krystal. Also, given out were $820.00 

in donated gift cards to Stop and Shop, CVS, and Target. I 

offer tremendous gratitude to our very generous parish 

family for helping to make Easter for our families in need a 

Blessed and Happy One! 

God bless you all! 

Have a blessed Holy Week, 

Irene Peplinski 

Volunteers are needed to help 

decorate the Church altars for 

Easter on Holy Saturday morning 

(April 7 th ). 

We start at 9:30AM and are usually 

done by 11:00AM. The more help 

we have, the faster it goes. Many hands make 

light work! 

No experience is necessary! The parish staff will 

provide any guidance and direction. 

If you are able to give a little bit of your time, 

please come to the Church by 9:30AM on Holy 

Saturday. 

Thanks in advance! 

2012 Catholic Ministries Appeal 

One Faith, One Hope, Many Gifts 

The Catholic Ministries Appeal helps our Church support many ministries, 

services, and programs in the 133 parishes across Long Island. 

Because of the tremendous generosity of the people of this parish and 

others throughout the Diocese, the Appeal touches more than 600,000 

people each year. 

The Catholic Ministries Appeal supports our efforts to: 

LIVE and SHARE OUR FAITH by providing support for religious 

education programs for public school children, faith formation for 

those receiving the Sacraments, and vocations for the formation 

of our Priests, Deacons and Lay Leaders. 

CARE FOR GOD’S PEOPLE through support for the great works 

of our Parish Outreach programs and Catholic Charities. The 

Appeal also supports other programs that help us care for God’s 

people, including: our hospital and prison ministries that reach 

out to people at the most vulnerable times of their lives, Respect 

Life initiatives, and our Mission in the Dominican Republic. 

BUILD GOD’S KINGDOM by supporting programs that reach out 

to Catholics of all races and backgrounds because we are one 

family united in Christ. We celebrate special needs Masses for 

children and adults, and we have vibrant college campus ministry 

and dynamic youth ministry programs that encourage our young 

people to live their faith each day. 

You can make a difference in your parish and in the lives of 

those around us by making a gift to this year’s appeal. Visit 

the CMA Web Site at www.CatholicMinistriesAppeal.org for 

more information, or to view the video. 

Our Lady of Fatima Pilgrim Statue 

Through The Legion of Mary 

Why not have the statue of 

Our Lady of Fatima in your home? 

She gives you comfort and encourages the family rosary ~ and the family 

is in need of prayers. She is our mother who gives us to Jesus. Please 

call Grace Martello (516) 489-6886, leave your name and phone number 

and I will get back to you. Thank You! 

Spring Open House 

Sunday, April 29, 2012 * 1:00 PM 

Molloy College 

Rockville Centre, NY 

(516) 678-5000 ext. 6230

Welcoming Home 

Walking around my neighborhood one evening, I heard loud 

sobs. As I continued up the block, I saw a distraught young girl bent 

over so her hair covered her face, her two hands reaching up onto the 

handles of a pogo stick. Her father was facing her, standing at the 

ready to catch her if she should lose her balance. Suddenly her crying 

stopped, she raised her head, and jumped on. From my position 

across the street, it looked like a perfect hit – right in the center of the 

footrests and perfectly balanced. But almost as soon as she’d gotten 

both feet under her, she jumped back onto the pavement and cried 

even louder than before. And I heard her father saying exactly what I 

was thinking. In an optimistic, encouraging voice, he told the youngster, 

“You're doing it. Just don't jump off. Jump on and stay on.” 

As I turned the corner, this child’s struggle with her pogo 

stick struck a chord. I reflected on my own relationship with God over 

the years. How many times did I jump on and then right back off, 

feeling terrible that nothing seemed to work? It sometimes seemed 

like I’d never get the hang of it. Yet I’ve always continued to come to 

Sunday Mass. During times of doubt or difficulty or frustration or 

boredom or indifference, there’s been a message in the readings, the 

prayers, the music, the rituals, and the gathered community. They 

have all tried to tell me, “You're doing it. Just don't jump off. Jump on 

and stay on.” This message hasn’t always sunk in right away. But 

eventually, I’d take a deep breath and jump back on – and maybe 

even manage to stay on. After a while, I’ve even become a part of the 

enthusiastic chorus encouraging others to do the same (until my next 

bobble, anyway). 

As we begin this Holy Week together, I pray that the liturgies 

we share draw us all closer to Jesus and to one another so that we 

may continue to encourage and be encouraged to “jump on and stay 

on” the way of faith. 

In Christ, 

Cindy Sobiesiak 

(489-8585/Cindy.StThomas@yahoo.com) 

PADRE PIO 

The Padre Pio Prayer Group, meets on the first Wednesday 

of each month. Our next meeting is Wednesday, April 4th at 

7:30 p.m. in the lower church. If you are interested in becoming 

a member, please call Julia Nasso (516) 764-3478. 

FIRST FRIDAY, APRIL 4 

EXPOSITION OF THE 

BLESSED SACRAMENT 

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every First 

Friday continuously from 8:15 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the 

Lower Church. Many graces are obtained during an hour 

before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. We invite you to 

attend for a part of the day and pray and spend some time 

with the Lord. 

NOCTURNAL 

ADORATION SOCIETY 

St. Thomas teaches that the whole world and all it contains 

is of less value before God than the grace of a single soul. 

Let us make a little return by giving Our Lord one hour of 

our time in adoration during the night. Our Lord is never 

outdone in generosity. 

Nocturnal Adoration will meet First Friday, April 4, 2012. 

Our hour of adoration is between 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

We encourage you to join us earlier for recitation of the rosary 

at 7:15 p.m. We need your stewardship effort of love 

and sacrifice of time. 

“COULD YOU NOT WATCH 

ONE HOUR WITH ME” 

Families with children in Grades Five and younger 

are specially invited to our next 

Monthly Family Mass, 

Sunday, May 6 at 10:30AM 

in the Lower Church! 

These monthly celebrations include age-appropriate readings & music, a 

family-friendly atmosphere, and a fun-filled reception after each Mass. 

If you’d like to help plan this Mass, 

come to the Parish Center at 7:00 PM on Monday, April 23!

Monday of Holy Week has been designated as a 

Day of Reconciliation in the Diocese of Rockville Centre 

We invite you to join us for our 

LENTEN 

DAY OF 

RECONCILIATION 

Monday, April 2, 2012 

3:00PM – 8:00PM 

Main Church 

Priests of the parish will be available for 

individual confession during this time.

Youth Group News: 

Thank-you to Youth Group members Liam Von Elm, Erin Von Elm, 

Kerry DeLay, Robert Keller, Matthew Agoursalides, Todd Rockensies, 

Alexandria Kvapil and Peter Schulze for serving as ushers at last week’s 

6:00pm Sunday mass. 

Thank-you, also, to Debbie Nieves, George Nieves and Dawn Wyrick 

for teaching our Junior High members about Saint Faustina and the 

celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday, and for the wonderful goody bags. 

This year, Youth Group will be offering parishioners the opportunity to 

purchase bouquets of Easter lillies to decorate the altar at our Easter 

celebrations on April 8th, with the bouquets being dedicated to loved 

ones, friends and heroes whose spirit you would like to commemorate on 

the day of resurrection. Please see our advertisement elsewhere in this 

bulletin for details. 

For this summer only, there will not be a production by the St. Thomas 

Youth Group Summer Theatre, due to the scheduled renovation of the 

rehearsal and presentation areas of the Msgr. Smith Auditorium and the 

St. Thomas School cafeteria and gymnasium. Looking forward to seeing 

you next summer! 

Calendar for April 

April 1, 2012 - 6th & 7th Grade Meeting, 7-8:30 PM in Youth Center 

April 2, 2012 - High School meeting, 7-9 PM in the Youth Center 

April 8, 2012 - No Meeting Easter Sunday 

April 9, 2012 - No Meeting Easter Break 

April 15, 2012- 8th Grade Meeting, 7-8:30pm in the Youth Center 


April 22, 2012 - 6 th Grade Bowling at Sandee Lanes 3-4:30 PM. 

Youth Center is closed this evening 

April 23, 2012 - High School Members going to the INN, 7-9 PM. 

The Youth Center is closed this evening. 

April 29, 2012- 8th Grade Meeting, 7-8:30 PM in the Youth Center 


If you have any questions, please call the Youth Center at 538-7467 or 

visit www.stthomasapostle.org or 

e-mail us at stthomasyouth08@gmail.com 

Have a Blessed Week! Mrs. Rockensies 

Share your lifetime of experience - 

Get the experience of a lifetime 

The LI Chapter of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps 

is recruiting for 2012-2013 

JOIN US EITHER 

WED., APRIL 4 TH or WED., APRIL 18 TH 

10:45-11:45 am at Saint Ignatius Loyola Retreat House 

251 Searingtown Road, Manhasset, NY 11030 

The Ignatian Volunteer Corps is an organization of adult men and women 

who are retired from full-time work and want to use their talents to help 

others. IVC volunteers commit 2 days per week to work directly with 

people who are economically poor and marginalized or with organizations 

that address the issues that affect the poor. IVC volunteers gather monthly 

to prayerfully reflect on their apostolic work, to discover the deeper 

meaning of the service they do and to find Jesus in their midst. Consider 

IVC – the benefits are priceless! www.ivcusa.org 

RSVP Nick O’Neill 516-435-0065 or nickpat@aol.com 

to confirm attendance or for info. 

COMMUNITY NEWS . . . 

To the Friends of St. Thérèse. 

If you wish to reverence the first class relic of St. Therese it will be available 

after the 9 AM Mass on the 2nd & 4th Saturday of each month at the shrine. 

PAINTER ~ MAINTENANCE MAN: Specializing in wall repair, water leak 

repairs, painting, moldings, general household maintenance. Also servicing 

offices and office buildings with cleaning services and general 

maintenance. Odd jobs welcome. Licensed & Insured. Free Estimates. 

Call Chris Abatemarco (516) 220-6251. 

ADOPTION: Baby girls in China need homes. Infants and toddlers available. 

Older parents welcome. For more information call Barbara 

Salvesen at 845-623-5277. 

Would you like to receive occasional emails with parish news, reflection 

questions, Catholic trivia, and other information? Then sign up today for 

St. Thomas eNews! Just send an email to STAeNews@yahoo.com with 

your last name and the word “subscribe” in the subject line, and you’ll be 

added to our mailing list. 

FOR SALE: West Hempstead Cape (Mint Condition) parishioner, hoping 

to sell to parishioner. No Brokers Please. Call 516-353-7344 

HOUSE FOR SALE: Cathedral Gardens/Hempstead. Beautiful Colonial 

on Cathedral Avenue. Great for entertaining, possible professional use 

with proper permits. 4 bedrooms, 3 full and 2 half baths. Owner flexible. 

Asking Price: $539,000. By appointment only. For more information, 

Tom Rosamilia, Kin Realty (516) 483-5250 or cell (516) 982-0080. 

RENTAL: Hilton Head S.C. (55 & over) unfurnished $1,350. per month, 

gated community, large 2 bedroom ranch on cul-de-sac on golf course. 

Contact: Island Accommodations, Mrs. Delighla Brehm (843) 815-7368 

or (843) 540-4884. 

Are you in your 20s, 30s or 40s? Would you like to meet other Catholics 

your age while you enrich your own spiritual life? Find out about meetings, 

holy hours, service opportunities and special events for young 

Catholics in the Diocese of Rockville Centre at: http:// 

www.meetup.com/Catholic-Young-Adults-of-the-Diocese-of- 

Rockville-Centre 

St. Thomas 

Knights of Columbus 

Please join 

the friends and families of the 

St. Thomas 

Knights of Columbus 

for our annual 

Good Friday Procession 

on April 6th. 

We are meeting at 5:30 

in the Msgr. Smith Auditorium 

and the procession is from 6 to 7 p.m.

St. Thomas the Apostle 

“Building on Our Past…Assuring Our Future” 

“We Work as the Hands of Jesus Christ 

Vol. 14 March 11, 2012 

$762,000 !!! 

Thank you to the following parishioners who have made their pledge of sacrifice to our Capital Campaign. Our campaign is off to a great start; however we can only 

meet our goal through the participation of the entire parish. Over the course of the next few months you will be hearing more about our capital campaign. This listing 

is updated as of Tuesday, February 14 in the morning. Should there be any discrepancies or questions about this listing please contact the campaign office at 

(516) 489-8585. If you do not wish to have your name listed please indicate it on your pledge card or call the parish office. 

Anonymous (28) 

Richard J. Aalbue 

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Abatemarco 

Benjamin & Liberty Abelido 

Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Augustine 

Kathleen Alexander 

Joseph & Mary Alvino 

Mary Anne Angst 

John & Janet Aquaro 

Mr. & Mrs. John Ardito 

Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Armstrong 

Mr. & Mrs. John Ascher 

Dr. & Mrs. Joseph G Bacigalupo & Family 

Mr. Joseph Bacigalupo 

Anita Barba 

Herbert & Victoria Barnes 

Giuseppe & Maria Battista 

Brian & Caren Batzer 

Dorothy Bausch 

Susan Bayer 

Scott & Ann Beloten 

Sal & Vinnie Bellomo 

Anita Blake 

Diane Bochicchio 

Mrs. F. Bochicchio 

Evelyn Bodnar 

Deb & Dan Boehm 

Fred Boehrer 

Anthony & Jean Bonfiglio 

C. Bonnettat 

In Memory of Dr. Joseph Bonventre 

William & Karen Bowe 

Donald J. Boyce 

Veronica Bracken 

George Breen 

Patrick & Bridget 

Genevieve Broschardt 

Brian & Alice Browne 

Elsie Buckley 

Michael & Thanh Burke 

Rosa & Vincent Buquicchio 

Joan Burke 

Mrs. & Mrs. Louis Cabasino 

Joan Caldwell 

Mr. Peter Callahan 

John & Nora Camarda 

James A. Campbell 

Mary Jane Cappell 

Ralph Caravello 

Jean-Baptiste & Wendy Carelus 

Jerome P. & Vilma Carney 

Margaret Cartolano 

Charles & Rosa Cascio 

Francis & Lucille Cazzetto Jr. 

Paul Charles 

Mr. & Mrs. Chiulli 

Ms. Mary Lou Chiauzzi 

Mr. & Mrs. Manoon Chuaprasert 

Diane & Lou Cina 

Angie Cinnella 

Joseph F. Cinquemani 

Ralph J. Cipriani 

Frances Colette 

James & Melissa Connolly 

In Memory of Louise M. Coskie 

Mr. & Mrs. Philip Crowley 

Mr. & Mrs. Cullen 

Gerri & Dennis Curry 

Mr. & Mrs. Martin Curtin 

Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas D’Alessandro 

Ann Danko 

Deacon Anthony & Rosemary D'Auria 

Joe & Barbara Dean 

Mr. & Mrs. Richard De Marco 

Mr. & Mrs. Anthony De Luca 

Mrs. Claude DeLucia 

The Delay Family 

Diane DeSantis 

Mr. & Mrs. James V. Denon 

Angelo DeVito 

Patricia Dickey 

Kenneth DiGiuseppe 

Domincik & Augusta DiMango 

Marcia Dimsoy-Franic 

James P. Dollard 

Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Doody 

Mr. & Mrs. Edward Doran 

Anna Dougan 

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Draghi 

Mr. & Mrs. George Dreher 

Mr. & Mrs. Matthew C. Drexler 

Joe & Iona D’Sa 

Peter Dunn 

Mary Eide 

Robert & Philomena Eifler 

Dr. & Mrs. Bertrand Emmett 

Dr. & Mrs. Manuel Esguerra & Family 

Mrs. Josephine Esposito 

Mr. & Mrs. Roderick T. Ewart 

Victoria Ezra 

Mrs. Agnes M. Farrell 

Anthony Farella 

Jean-Marc Favelus 

Alfonso Feis 

David & Mary Fenton 

Angela J. Ferrara 

Lawrence & Patricia Festa 

Ralph & Rosemarie Fiero 

Michael & Eileen Finnegan 

Madeline M. Finney 

Mr. & Mrs. Ed Fitzgerald 

Christopher Fitzroy 

The Flach Family 

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Flood 

Deacon John & Pat Ford 

Bob & Eileen Fox 

Dominic & Josephine Frandina 

Donald & Paula Franklin 

William & Laura Franceschini 

Carol & Tim Frawley 

Ms. Patricia Frey 

Patrick & Joan Gallagher 

Sebastian Gambino 

Gary Gelorum 

Vinny & Deanna Girani 

Margaret Glennon 

Florence E. Goetz 

Almando Gonzalez & Betty Sarmiento 

James & Pauline Gooch 

Mr. & Mrs. James Gregg 

Joseph Greil 

Mark Gress 

Mr. & Mrs. Henry Greve 

Werner Haering 

Matthew Haffon 

Patricia & Bruce Haley 

Greg & Cathy Hammill 

Kay Myles Harley 

Jim & Joanna Harrington 

Anya Carmen Harry 

In loving memory or JeanneAnn 

and Jack Hasselbring 

Ellen Hayden 

Joseph & Marcella Herceg 

John & Jayne Herchenroder 

Jesica Hernandez 

Irene Herrmann 

Mary M. Hishmeh 

Jilliane Hoffman 

Jean M. Hollis 

Mike & Catherine Holloway 

Theresa Holohan 

Ross & Kathleen Holt 

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Homer 

Mr. & Mrs. William Horan 

Mark & Joann Huber 

Constantine Iannacone 

Betty Iervolino 

Mr. & Mrs. Sal Indovino 

Peter & Leila Isaia 

Mr. & Mrs. R.J. Janek 

Mary D. Johnson 

Susan Johnson 

John & Mary Joyce 

Jerry & Josephine Justic 

Charles & Margaret Kaczorowski 

Mark, Cathy and Jessica Kaminsky 

Helen Kammerer 

Joseph & Betty Kane 

Mary B. Kapinos 

Joseph & Allison Kasson 

Eileen Kastner 

Helen & Mary Keating 

John R. Kiley 

Frank & Susan Kilgannon 

Richard & Theresa Killian 

Ed & Eileen Kline 

Linda A. Klymyshyn 

Knights of Columbus, St. Thomas Council 

Joseph Koller 

John & Diane Konow 

Labo Family 

Sal & Melissa LaMagna 

Mr. & Mrs. Lamothe 

Mr. & Mrs. R. Lang 

Sean & AnneMarie Lapham 

Lauro Family 

Frances LaVista 

The Laws Family 

Frank & Megan Lawless 

Mr. & Mrs. J.W. Lazar 

Gary & Liz Lee 

Dave & Terri Leno 

John & Barbara Leonardi 

Robert & Betty Levey 

Gregg & Lisa Liguori 

Tim & Laura Linehan 

Anthony & Geraldine LoFaso 

Daniel & Cecilia Lo Forte 

Nicole Lopez 

Jose & Anna Loveje 

Anne & Ernest Lupo 

Cecilia Maceda 

Mr. & Mrs. Claude Madrazo 

Victoria M. Makar 

Mr. Nicholas Mangiapanello 

Msgr. Francis J. Maniscalco 

Maniscalco Family 

Frank & Maria Marsala 

Edward & Lisa Marshall 

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Martin 

Sharon Mastromauro / Flynn 

Mrs. Alfred G. Matalevich 

Vincent & Mary Ann Maus 

Michael Maxwell 

Mr. & Mrs. Walter Mayott 

Margaret A. McAleer 

Margaret Mary McAleer 

James McCartney 

Tim & Camille McCue 

Cornelius McDonough 

Anne C. McGann 

Mrs. William A. McGill 

Mr. & Mrs. Richard McGowan 

Mr. & Mrs. John McGrory 

William McMahon 

Joe & Joan McManus 

Mr. & Mrs. Ramon Medina 

Mr. & Mrs. Philip Megali 

John & Marion Messineo 

Kenny & Maria Metz 

John Migliaccio 

Lisa Miller 

Mary M. Miller 

Mr. & Mrs. Vincent E. Mistretta 

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Molinari 

Anne Molloy 

Mary Molloy 

James & Mary Moran 

Marie Moran 

Mr. & Mrs George Motschmann 

Mario & Carol Motta 

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Mullan 

Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Mullane 

Richard Mulvihill 

Rosemary L. Mulvihill


“Building on Our Past… 

Assuring Our Future” 

$762,000 !!! 

Thank you to the following parishioners who have made their pledge of 

sacrifice to our Capital Campaign. Our campaign is off to a great start; however 

we can only meet our goal through the participation of the entire parish. Over the 

course of the next few months you will be hearing more about our capital campaign. 

This listing is updated as of Tuesday, February 14 in the morning. 

Should there be any discrepancies or questions about this listing please contact 

the campaign office at (516) 489-8585. If you do not wish to have your name 

listed please indicate it on your pledge card or call the parish office. 

Mr. & Mrs. Felice Murale 

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Muscarella 

Kathleen Musgrave 

Len & Jean Nardo 

Mrs. Mary Nelson 

Mary E. Newhook 

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Nielsen 

Mr & Mrs. George Nieves 

Mr. & Mrs. Giovanni Nocita 

Theresa Nola 

Mr. & Mrs. Gerard Nolan 

Rosalie Norton 

Mr. & Mrs. Norman P. Tuttle 

Anna Nuzzi 

Karen & John O’Brien 

Oliver & Maureen O’Connell 

Mary E. O'Farrell 

Douglas & Marie O'Neill 

Jean M. Gilroy-Ovadia 

Alecc Ortiz & Veronica Campuzano 

Jennie Palmieri 

Michael Palumbo 

Anita and Alfred Panico 

Dr. Louis & Mrs. Genevieve Pellegrino 

John & Thea Pellman 

Anthony Pennino 

Jack & Victoria Pepitone 

Peter & Coleen Petersen 

Diane Piemonte 

Polay Family 

Josh & Bonnie Porzio 

Ellen Powell 

Mr. & Mrs. David W. Pulis 

Raymond Quartararo 

Dick Quigley 

Peter R. Rapanaro 

Mr. & Mrs. James Rattoballi 

Gary E. Regnell 

Deacon Tom Reilly 

Mr. & Mrs. Reyna 

Frank & Angelina Rizzo 

Frank & Marylene Rizzo 

Mr. & Mrs. Ray Rockensies 

Kenneth & Magdalen Roldan 

Robert Rossetti 

Guido Rossi 

Charlie & Bemadette Russell 

Richard & Jean Russell 

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Russiello 

Joseph & Antonia Russo 

Ellen & Charles Sabatino 

Mr. & Mrs. Erkan Sahin 

Mr. & Mrs. George Salamon 

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Salmon 

Louise Salvatore 

Mr. & Mrs. Sammon 

John & Kathleen Sandrowicz 

Frances Savoie 

Anthony & Mary Ann Scatamacchia 

Larry Schloth 

Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Schulz 

Gregory & Eileen Schulze 

Dick & Mary Seery 

Richard & Irmina Seery 

Nancy Senti 

Mrs. Rose Senti 

Jeffrey Schamberry 

Joan & Gerard Shannon 

Jack & Susan Sheehy 

Charles Siegel & Family 

Marlene Silien 

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Slattery 

Mrs. Theresa Slavinsky 

Bruce and Barbara Smith 

Mrs. Margaret Smith 

Mr. & Mrs. Sommers 

Mr. Fred Sorrentino 

Ann Marie Sprotte 

Mr. & Mrs. Patrick J. Stack 

Mr. James Steeg 

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Steidel 

Geraldine Steiner 

Mr. & Mrs. D. Stootkoski 

Michel & Ginette St. Vil 

Marie H. Sucic 

Maureen & Arthur Sullivan 

Robert & Yolanda Sutherland 

Frank & Joann Taliercio 

William J. Taratko 

Joseph & Roberta Tarulli 

Jack & Pat Taylor 

The Tedeschi Family 

Magdalena Tenia 

Rita Tepe 

Mr. & Mrs. John Tims 

Mr. & Mrs. August J. Tirino 

Pat Tomasello 

Michael & Christine Tomitz 

Manuel & Haydee Torres 

Margaret Trinder & Teresa Brown 

Mr. & Mrs. Norman P. Tuttle 

Dr. & Mrs. Ulicny 

Van Blenis Family 

Luann Viglione 

Donald & Frances Vilardi 

Mary Jane Vitale 

Filomena Viti 

Thomas Wallace 

Bernadette Walsh 

Ms. Washington 

Robert Waters 

Bernard & Laura Whalen 

Robert W. White 

Mary Wilkinson 

Gerard & Kathy Williamsen 

Mr. & Mrs. William H. Williamson 

Mr. & Mrs. Robert York 

Flavio Zenuti 

Deirdre McCartney Zeppie 

What should I do if I suspect 

a child is being abused? 

If you or someone you know has experienced an incident of sexual 

abuse by clergy, employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Rockville 

Centre, please contact law enforcement and the Office for the 

Protection of Children and Young People. The office maintains a 

special phone for these situations: 516-594-9063. Information on 

Diocesan Sexual Abuse Policies can be found at www.drvc.org. 

Are you or someone you know having family 

or interpersonal problems due to drinking 

ALCOHOL and/or using DRUGS? 

CATHOLIC CHARITIES / Talbot House, a voluntary 

Chemical Dependence Crisis Center, located in Bohemia 

provides withdrawal and stabilization services for males 

and females over the age of 18, who are seeking to stop 

and/or withdraw from alcohol and/or other drug use. The 

medical and clinical staff at Talbot House will assess 

the kind of care the person needs, to begin his/her 

journey in recovery. For more information, please call: 

631-589-4144. Talbot House staff is available 24/7. Each 

call is confidential. Talbot House is a NO fee for service 

program. 

CASH CALENDAR 2012 

Congratulations 

TO THE 

MARCH WINNERS 

1. 50.00 Joseph Slattery 

2. 25.00 Catherine Crowley 

3. 25.00 Joanne Ayers 

4. 75.00 Barbara and Bob McTighe 

5. 25.00 M. McQuade 

6. 25.00 Nicole Maddie 

7. 25.00 E. Torre 

8. 25.00 Mary and Bill Williamson 

9. 25.00 Greg Cook 

10. 25.00 Raymond Kuck 

11. 75.00 Ray Williams 

12. 25.00 RC Zeigler 

13. 25.00 Jeffrey Schamberg 

14. 25.00 James P. Rattoballi 

15. 25.00 Stephen C. Isaia 

16. 25.00 Donna Martin 

17. 100.00 Edward Mack 

18. 75.00 Frances Chamos 

19. 25.00 RC Zeigler 

20. 25.00 Charles Firmbach 

21. 25.00 Mary Mongelluzzo 

22. 25.00 Mary Ann Orlich 

23. 25.00 Thomas and Linda Regan 

24. 25.00 Tyler Cook 

25. 75.00 Nicholas Araujo 

26. 25.00 Fred Boehrer 

27. 25.00 Danielle Cook 

28. 25.00 Diane Kuehn 

29. 25.00 Marcella Herceg 

30. 50.00 Angelo Pruto 

31. 25.00 Linda Klymshyn 

* You can win more than once. 

THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OF ST. THOMAS

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish 

“Building on Our Past…Assuring Our Future” 

Capital Campaign 

ALREADY PLEDGED: OVER $762,000 

To assist our parish to maintain our buildings and services, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish is 

conducting a capital campaign with a goal of $1,000,000. 

Among the campaigns goals are 

��Greater Church Accessibility 

��Greater Security for Church and Chapel 

��Modernizing and making more cost effective the lighting in the Auditorium/School building 

��Refurbishing the auditorium and its foyer 

��Refurbishing the cafeteria and gym 

A successful campaign will help us to do all this and more. 

Parishioners are asked to consider one of these pledge amounts over three years (36 months): 

Total Pledge Down Payment Monthly Sacrifice 

$2,500 $250 $62.50 

$2,000 $200 $50 

$1,500 $150 $37.50 

For more information about how to make donations from IRAs or stock transfers, please call the rectory. 

The pledge card appears below. If you can make one of the above pledges or any amount, please fill 

out the form and return it to the rectory. 

God bless you for your support of St. Thomas Parish

Are you interested in the Catholic faith? 

Do you know someone who has been 

coming to Mass but is not Catholic? 

Would you like to find out what’s 

involved in following Jesus as a 

Catholic? 

Are you searching for something 

more in life? 

A deeper relationship with 

God? 

A sense of belonging in a 

faith community? 

A warm accepting 

setting to share your 

questions, your insights, 

and your faith story? 

If you or someone you know would like to gather 

with others who were never baptized or 

were baptized but have not received 

Eucharist in the Catholic Church, 

you are invited you to learn more 

about sacramental preparation for adults 

at St. Thomas the Apostle. 

Contact Cindy at 489-8585 

or Cindy.StThomas@yahoo.com. 

What Catholics 

Believe 

(A Refresher Course for Adults) 

* Were you old enough to drive yourself to 

the last “religious class” you attended? 

* Do you feel confident answering questions 

about our Catholic faith? 

* Have you ever looked at the basic teachings 

of Catholicism with the eyes of an adult? 

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, 

you are invited to take another look 

at what Catholics believe. 

Come to the Rectory Meeting Room at 7:30pm 

on Mondays to discuss these topics: 

April 2 The Death & Resurrection of Jesus 

April 16 Faith and Prayer 

April 23 The Eucharist 

April 30 Three Persons, One God 

May 7 The Church of Christ 

May 14 The Holy Spirit 

ALL ARE WELCOME!!! 

Class Acts 

Grade 5 * Mrs. Cammarota 

Grade Five has been very busy this month. We have practiced our 

algebra skills, solving expressions and equations. Learning the steps 

for order of operation was a snap for our fifth grade mathematicians. 

We look forward to our geometry unit. Increasing our Math vocabulary 

and learning to measure, label and draw angles will be fun math 

lessons. 

Our Science unit was filled with explorations and activities. Our 

students created food chains for the biomes around the world, 

explaining how energy is transferred from one organism to another. 

Planning nutritious meals to receive our body’s energy and discovering 

which level consumer we are developed many enthusiastic discussions. 

We culminated our food web unit with a video conference to the 

Science Institute in Lansing, Michigan. “Owls From The Inside Out” 

introduced our students to the study of owls and their adaptations for 

survival in their natural habitat. The students completed their science 

lab activity by dissecting owl pellets. Learning how owl pellets are 

formed and finding various bone structures from the owl’s prey created 

a very exciting and informative lesson for our fifth grade scientists. 

Lent is our season to renew our friendship with Jesus. Our fifth graders 

are making their journey through Lent to Easter by including simple 

acts of kindness into their daily lives. We color our Lenten Rainbow 

Activity Calendars to mark our forty day journey. Fifth graders at 

St. Thomas are preparing for our Easter Play to share with our 

school family in April. Our students remember Jesus’ life, passion, and 

resurrection at Easter through prayers and songs. We will renew our 

Baptismal Promises and prepare ourselves to live our faith each day. 

Grade Five wishes you a blessed Easter Season and the peace of 

Jesus’ love to fill your heart.

The Youth Program invites all our Parish & Youth 

Group Families to purchase an Easter Lily plant in 

“Celebration of Life” as part of the Easter floral 

display. A special dedication label will be placed on 

each Easter Lily before it is placed in the Church/ 

Chapel altar. A “Celebration of Life” may represent 

a birth in the family; the celebration of a loving 

event; Christ is Risen. The plants remain displayed 

on the altar for up to two weeks after Easter. 

Please check off your choice, make check payable to 

“ST. THOMAS YOUTH GROUP” and return the 

bottom portion to the Youth Center or Rectory (in an 

envelope addressed to the Youth Group) no later than 

Monday, April 2nd. If you have any questions, please 

call Mary Rockensies at 538-7467. 

PLEASE PRINT ALL INFORMATION 

CHURCH: _______________ CHAPEL: _______________ 

$30.00 each $30.00 each 

Name: ____________________________________________ 

Phone: ____________________________________________ 

Dedication Inscription: 

__________________________________________________ 

Thank You for Supporting the Youth Program. 

_______ Please check here if you would like to be notified when you may 

pick up the plant(s). A telephone number must be provided.

SPONSORED BY 

St. Thomas the Apostle School’s Parents Club 

“Bullying, Cyberbullying, 

and Youth Depression” 

A presentation for 

adults by 

John Halligan 

Friday, April 20 th 

7-8:30PM 


School Auditorium 

Any questions? Call St. Thomas School Office 481-9310 

Parents will be empowered with 

strategies to take preventive 

actions with their own children. 

John Halligan’s son, Ryan, 

died by suicide on Oct. 7, 2003 

after being bullied by classmates 

at school and online. He was 13 

years old. 

Halligan’s presentation will cover 

the lessons learned too late for 

his family regarding how to deal 

with bullying, cyberbullying, and 

teen depression. 

RyanPatrickHalligan.org

HOLY WEEK at 

ST. THOMAS 

Palm (Passion) Sunday 

Today is the sixth and last of the Sundays of Lent. We know it also by other names. It 

is called Palm Sunday because the first thing that we do when we gather this day is to take 

up palms and tell the story of how Jesus once came into the holy city, Jerusalem, riding over 

a carpet of branches, cheered by people waving branches. Today is also known as Passion 

Sunday because the gospel story read today is always the account of Jesus’ passion as told 

by Matthew, by Mark, or by Luke. Today also marks the beginning of the days we call Holy 

Week. 

Blessing of Palms at all Masses: 

Saturday at Church -- 5:00 PM 

Sunday at Church – 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM (Solemn Blessing of Palms + Procession), 

12:00 PM, & 6:00 PM 

Chapel - 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, & 12:30 PM 

Monday - Masses: 7:45 AM (Church), 9:00 AM (Chapel) 

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) 

from 3:00 to 8:00 PM (Church) 

Tuesday - Masses: 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM (both in Church) 

Morning Prayer: 8:40 AM (Church) 

Wednesday - Masses: 7:45 AM (Church), 9:00 AM (Chapel) 

The Easter Triduum 

The three days -- Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday -- are more like one 

long day commemorating the paschal mystery of Christ's dying and rising. The Evening 

Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday begins the Easter Triduum, the most sacred 

moment in the church's life. The Rubrics (the rules of conduct for liturgies) in the Sacramentary 

tell us that only one Mass may be celebrated in a parish on Holy Thursday. This 

Mass is to be in the evening. On Good Friday, the Celebration of the Lord's Passion should 

only be done once. The sacrifice of the Mass is not celebrated on Holy Saturday; a Mass is 

celebrated as part of the Solemn Vigil at night. As there are many people at St. Thomas who 

wish to gather to pray together during the mornings of the last three days of Holy Week, we 

will have Morning Prayer on each of these days. Holy Communion may not be distributed at 

Morning Prayer. It may be distributed only at the main liturgy of the day. Morning Prayer 

usually lasts 25-30 minutes. Please plan to join us in Morning Prayer for any and all of these 

three days.

HOLY THURSDAY 

Morning Prayer 9:00 AM in the Church 

Holy Thursday brings the end to Lent. On this night we begin the Three Days that are 

the center of our year. These Three Days we call the Easter Triduum. We should try to 

make these Three Days different from all the days of the year. Although we are only required 

by the Church to fast on Good Friday, we are invited to fast from Holy Thursday night 

until after the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. Try to make Good Friday and Holy Saturday 

free for prayer and reflection and preparation and silence. The Church is getting ready. 

Make plans to take part in the various liturgies and other gatherings from now until after the 

Vigil on Saturday night. 

The Mass of the Lord's Supper 7:30 PM in the Church 

Members of St. Thomas Parish carry in the sacred oils that 

were blessed at St. Agnes Cathedral by Bishop Murphy that 

morning. Bells are rung throughout the entire singing of the 

"Gloria," including bells brought by people attending this liturgy. 

After the homily, the priest who is presiding washes the feet of 

twelve parishioners. Following communion, the Blessed 

Sacrament is carried through the church in procession. It is 

then brought to the altar of reservation (the Holy Family Altar). 

Following a period of prayerful silence, the congregation may 

depart in silence. But since adoration takes place at this time, 

parishioners are invited to "watch" in front of the Blessed 

Sacrament until the conclusion at 10:30 PM with Night Prayer 

(Compline). You may attend at your own convenience. The 

altar in the main church is stripped immediately after mass. 

NOTE: The singing of the "Gloria," at the liturgies on Holy Thursday and the 

Easter Vigil, is probably the most joyful sound at any liturgy in the church year. 

At St. Thomas, the full choir sings and the assembly joins in the refrain. The 

church bells ring throughout, and the altar bells are also rung during the refrain. 

Again this year, we would like to invite you to ring bells too, during these 

times. If you have small bells at home, please bring them to the Liturgy on Holy 

Thursday night and to the Easter Vigil. You would then ring them during the refrains 

of the "Gloria," during these liturgies. The bells should have soft sounds 

(not of the cowbell type) and should have a muffler such as a cloth, so that they 

are not heard at other times during these liturgies.

GOOD FRIDAY 

Morning Prayer 9:00 AM in the Church 

Celebration of the Lord's Passion 3:00 PM in the Church 

After the reading of the Passion and a short homily, ten 

general intercessions are offered. Then there is the Veneration of 

the Cross, where all are invited to venerate by kissing, touching, or 

genuflecting before the cross. Communion is distributed with hosts 

consecrated at the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday. 

After the liturgy, all leave in silence. 

Walk to Calvary on the Way to the Cross 6:00 PM at the Church 

The Knights of Columbus will again sponsor a processional march called "A Walk to 

Calvary on the Way to the Cross." This will take place beginning at the church with the 

gathering at 5:45. It will go through the streets close to the church, while participants will 

say prayers and sing hymns. All are invited to join. It is expected to end at 7:00 at the 

Church, in time for participants to gather for – 

Evening Prayer with Reading of the Passion & Veneration of the Cross 

7:30 PM in the Church 

Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, “The Prayer of the Church” will quietly 

take place and include the Reading of the Passion. It will be followed by Veneration of the 

Cross. Communion will not be distributed in the evening. You are asked to remember that 

this is a very sacred time. It is important that we show respect by our complete silence 

throughout. 

HOLY SATURDAY 

Morning Prayer and Blessing of Easter Food 9:00 AM in the Church 

Bring any food and/or drink that you will be consuming on Easter Sunday. 

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon in the Church 

THE EASTER VIGIL 8:00 PM in the Church

At the Easter Vigil – We gather in the church in darkness, but a new fire is lit and the light 

from that fire is passed from one to another of the whole assembly as we light the whole 

church with our candles. (Candles are distributed as you enter.) We recount salvation 

history in the readings from the Old Testament. Again, as on Holy Thursday, bells are rung 

(including yours, if you have brought any) during the entire singing of the "Gloria." 

After the homily, the Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation takes place. This is where 

the catechumens renounce evil, profess the faith of the Church, are baptized and anointed. 

All of us renew our baptism. Easter begins and we are ready for 50 days of rejoicing. The 

liturgy continues with the Liturgy of the Eucharist and concludes with the choir singing the 

"Hallelujah Chorus" from The Messiah by Handel. 

EASTER SUNDAY 

Mass on Easter Day is the most splendid and exuberant 

celebration of the Church year. For this is the Sunday of 

Sundays, the center and foundation of our faith. As Saint 

Paul said, "If Christ be not risen, your faith is vain" [I Cor. 

15:14, 17]. And families who attend Mass on Easter Day join 

millions of Christians all over the world in joyous affirmation 

of our redemption through the love of Christ. At Easter 

Mass, we traditionally renew our baptismal vows and accept 

the challenge to integrate the meaning of Jesus’ death and 

resurrection into our own lives; to live without judgment, with 

forgiveness and with complete faith in eternal life. Although 

the Easter Vigil and Mass fulfills the obligation for Easter 

Mass, the Easter Day celebration is a highlight that many will 

not want to miss, and it is permissible to attend both and to 

receive communion at each. 

EASTER SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE: 

Church: 9:00, 10:30, and 12:00 NOON - (NO 6:00 PM 

MASS) 

Chapel: 7:30, 9:30, 11:00, and 12:30 PM 

The Easter Triduum ends with Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday 

May the blessings and grace of this Holy Season 

be with you and your loved ones. 

HAPPY and JOYOUS EASTER!

St. Thomas Bulletin 04-01-12 - St. Thomas the Apostle Church

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