“Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” (Jn 10:7-9)

Ireland, 2007

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Mission Statement : The Roman Catholic Saint Thomas More Parish Family welcomes and invites every person to join us on our journey in faith and celebration. With the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and through Sacred Scripture and Tradition, we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all, especially in loving service to those in need. As part of the Universal Church, we affirm the dignity of every person. All this we do to give glory and honor to God.

Pastoral Staff Pastor ........................................ Reverend Michael J. Yadron; Ext. 312

myadron@stm-church.com Associate Pastor .....................Reverend Michael J. Hoffman; Ext. 314

mhoffman@stm-church.com Deacons ................................................................... Mr. Joseph Stodola ..............................................................................Dr. Napoleon Tabion Director of Development ................................ Noreen Bickel; Ext. 330 Pastoral Care .................................Deacon Napoleon Tabion; Ext. 315 Dir. Religious Formation ... Sister Marilyn Hettinger, O.S.B.; Ext. 332

Parish Office Staff Office Hours:M-F 8:00 ~ 8:00 / Sat. 8:00 a.m. ~ 4:00 p.m. Web Site www.stm-church.com E-mail address is: parish.office@stm-church.com Office Phone………. 836-8610 Office Fax ........... 836-9185 Bulletin Editor ............................................. Mrs. Candy Ally; Ext. 311 E-mail address for bulletin is: bulletin@stm-church.com Bookkeeper .........................................Mrs. Barbara Gondeck Ext. 307 Daytime Receptionist .................................Mrs. Susan Strain; Ext. 310 Evening Receptionist ..............................Ms. Veronica Brtos; Ext. 310

Pastoral Ministries Circle of Prayer .........................................Mary Jo Humpfer 836-5002 Environment & Art ..............................................Jean Bados 836-8610 Eucharistic Ministers ...................................Mr. Jerry Reach 322-5754 Hospitality Ministry .........................................Jim D’Orazio 838-9343 Lectors ...............................................................Jo Ann Long 836-5678 Music Ministry .................... Miss Angie Lorandos 836-8610, Ext. 338 Nursery ................................................... Kaaren A. Mashura 836-5079 St. Vincent dePaul .............................. Mrs. Kathy Georgelas 836-8610 SVDP Youth Conference .................................. Janyne Little 838-0597 Vocations Committee .............................. Mrs. Mary Kochis 322-7262

Pastoral Council Margot Blocher .......................................................... Margaret Canady athy Delgado ..................................................................... Wendy Depa Patrick Feeney, Council Chair ....................................Elaine Herrmann Nancy Klawitter .....................................................................Lucy Perz Virgil Ramirez ............................................................Christine Spencer St. Thomas More School Pre-School through 8th Grade Office Hours: M-F 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. School web site ~ www.stm-school.com School Phone .......... 836-9151 School Fax .......................... 836-0982 Principal ....................................................Mr. Chet Nordyke; Ext. 328 Dir. of Religious Formation ....Sr. Marilyn Hettinger, O.S.B.; Ext. 332 School Administrative Assistant .......Mrs. Jennifer Gonzalez; Ext. 328 School Reception & Office Associate ..Mrs. Mary Jo Biscan; Ext. 329 Dir. of Student Special Services .................Mrs. Tina Boyle; Ext. 323 Home & School Association. ................ Mrs. Chris O’Brien 934-9284 Parish & School Offices Associate ......... Mrs. Pam Wadycki; Ext. 339

Cornerstone Center 8635 Calumet Avenue ~ Munster, IN 46321 Phone ....................................................................................... 836-2660 Fax ........................................................................................... 836-2655

Sacramental Information Confessions Saturdays ................................................................ 3:30-5:00 p.m. First Friday ..............................1/2 hour before the 6:30 a.m. Mass Baptisms .............................. First and Third Sundays at 1:00 p.m.

Parents must be registered parishioners and regularly attending at least six months before the baptism. At least one of the godparents must be a practicing Catholic.

Pre Baptism Class .....................................2nd Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Parents must call the Parish Office to schedule class and/or Baptism. Marriage .............. Must be a registered, practicing member of the parish at least six months before beginning the six month preparation program for marriage.

Communion calls and visits to Hospitals and Homebound: Call the Parish Office for Sacraments at hospital or at home.

St. Thomas More Religious Formation Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade Office Hours:M-F 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Formation Phone ............................................................................. 836-8610 Director .......................................Sister Marilyn Hettinger, O.S.B.; Ext. 332 Administrative Assistant ..................................Mrs. Audrey Frigo; Ext. 336 Grades K through 8 ~ Wed. & Thurs. 4:30 ~ 6:00 p.m.

Pastoral Commissions Chairpersons Formation/Education ...................Sister Marilyn Hettinger, O.S.B.; Ext 332 Parish Life ........................................................................Mrs. Marilyn Pajor Peace & Social Justice .......................................................Mr. David Kapala Spirituality & Worship ....................................................Mrs. Joyce Stodola Stewardship ...............................................................................Diane Houser

Parish Organizations Altar & Rosary Society .......................................Kaaren Mashura 836-5079 Elizabeth Ministry ............................................Kathy Dominguez 924-9212 Holy Name Society .......................................................Joe Adams 865-3566 Senior Citizens ..........................................................Mary Wilson 838-9481 Respect Life ..............................................................Alice Wohler 836-5337 Knights of Columbus .............................................David Trotman 836-4329 Blue Army ....................................................Rose Marie Malburg 836-8779 Finance .................................................................. Barbara Shaver 838-9200 Planned Giving .......................................................................Ken Krupinski Building Maintenance ..................................................... Bob Ray 924-6472 Boy Scouts ............................................................Patrick Gorman 923-5156 Cub Scouts ..................................................................Curt Anglin 844-2178 Girl Scouts ...............................................................Cheryl Meyer 922-9237 Catering/Hall Rental ..........................................Kathleen Pagorek 972-0539 Mom’s Group ...................................................... Jo Ann Froehlke 853-1417 Ushers Club ...........................................................Jim Marmalejo 836-8607

New Parishioner Registration To make it as convenient as possible for you, new parishioners may register at any time in the Parish Office. New Parishioner Orientation New parishioners are invited to attend a New Parishioner Orienta-tion at 9:00 a.m. in the Solar Room on the last Sunday of every month. If you have not yet registered and want more information about our parish, you are welcome to attend the orientation.

St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church 8501 Calumet Avenue, Munster, IN 46321

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Helen Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas & Victoria Sroka Ashlyn Elizabeth, daughter of David & Elizabeth

Grzelak Riley Kathleen, daughter of Wayne & Gloria DeGraaf Christopher McGurn, son of Kevin & Natalie Krembs

Jack Alexander, son of Grant & Nicole Morton Daniella Loren, daughter of Oscar & Marisa Munoz

If any of your family or your friends are sick at home or in the hospital and cannot come to Mass, please call our Pastoral Care Office at 836-8610 ext. 315 and we will be glad to bring them Communion.

Maureen Curtis Jean R. Frantz

Victor J. Fawbush, Jr.

Saturday, April 19 8:30 am M. Doherty, L. Grunewald 5:30 pm C. & Z. Kennedy, D. Kretz, A. Martin, G. Moya Sunday, April 20 6:30 am K. & N. Loughlin, M. McGrath 8:00 am C. & E. Beckman, J. Biscan, M. & M. Blocher 10:00 am C. & E. Lusk, C. Mateja, W. McDunn, S. O’Sullivan 12:00 noon T. Muta, Ka. & M. O’Brien

SUNDAY, April 13 ~ Fourth Sunday of Easter 6:30 am For Our Parish Family Living & Deceased 8:00 am William Quinn (Ann.) by Wife Lois & Family 10:00 am John Steinhauer by Family 12:00 noon Katherine Krakowiak by Daughter Phyllis MONDAY, April 14 6:30 am M. Phan by Oprinovich Family 8:30 am Richard Manchak (Ann.) by Mother, Mary Manchak TUESDAY, April 15 6:30 am All Souls Day Intentions 8:30 am Donna Jean Strange by Family 10:00 am Pearl Pazdur by STM Altar & Rosary Society (Mass at Med-Inn Cafeteria, Group 4) WEDNESDAY, April 16 6:30 am Alex Konopka (Ann.) by Louis & Marlene Chronowski 8:30 am Hannah Quinn (Ann.) by Quinn Family THURSDAY, April 17 6:30 am Joann Hicks by Kathy & Gust Georgelas 8:30 am Holda & O’Donnell Families by Mary & Shirley O’Donnell FRIDAY, April 18 6:30 am Mary Alice Mogle (Ann.) by Mogle Family 8:30 am Sydney & Helen Welsh by Daughter Marilyn SATURDAY, April 19 8:30 am Katherine Jurkash (Ann.) by John & Dorothy Jurkash 5:30 pm Elisa & Carlos Rodriguez by Virtilia Rodriguez

SUNDAY, April 20 ~ Fifth Sunday of Easter 6:30 am For Our Parish Family Living & Deceased 8:00 am George Moran by Gerald Moran 10:00 am In Honor of Frederick Ozanam by St. Vincent de Paul Society 12:00 noon Leon Siorek (Ann.) by Wife & Family

CELEBRANTS Saturday, April 19 5:30 pm Father Michael Hoffman Sunday, April 20 6:30 am Father Michael Hoffman 8:00 am Father Michael Hoffman 10:00 am Father Mike Yadron 12:00 noon Father Mike Yadron

Fourth Sunday of Easter April 13, 2008

Today, Good Shepherd Sunday, is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. We pray that all young men and women grow closer to God’s Will for their lives and think seriously about the power in the world of just one priest or nun. The world needs them!

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Readings for the Week of April 13, 2008 Sunday: Acts 2:14a, 36-41/1 Pt 2:20b-25/Jn 10:1-10 Monday: Acts 11:1-18/Jn 10:11-18 Tuesday: Acts 11:19-26/Jn 10:22-30 Wednesday: Acts 12:24-13:5a/Jn 12:44-50 Thursday: Acts 13:13-25/Jn 13:16-20 Friday: Acts 13:26-33/Jn 14:1-6 Saturday: Acts 13:44-52/Jn 14:7-14 Next Sunday: Acts 6:1-7/1 Pt 2:4-9/Jn 14:1-12

SUNDAY, April 13 8:00 am Mass ~ Altar & Rosary Communion Breakfast 1:00 pm SVDP Youth Council ~ Teachers’ Lounge 2:30 pm Padre Pio Cenacle ~ Chapel MONDAY, April 14 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm ~ Market Day ~ Gym 7:00 pm Blue Army ~ Chapel 7:30 pm K of C ~ Solar Room TUESDAY, April 15 9:15 am - 6:30 pm ~ Eucharistic Adoration ~ Chapel 1:00 pm Prayer/Vocations ~ Chapel 6:00 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet ~ Chapel 7:00 pm RCIA ~ Solar Room 7:00 pm Video Bible ~ Conference Room WEDNESDAY, April 16 9:30 am Bible Study ~ Conference Room 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm ~ Religious Formation Classes THURSDAY, April 17 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm ~ Religious Formation Classes 7:00 pm All Seasons Chorale ~ Church FRIDAY, April 18 6:30 pm Father/Daughter Dance ~ Gym SATURDAY, April 19 7:30 am 5K Run ~ Community Park New Beginnings after 5:30 pm Mass SUNDAY, April 20 New Beginnings after 8:00 & 10:00 am Masses 8:00 am Mass ~ Holy Name Corporate Communion Breakfast 2:00 pm Queen of Peace Cenacle ~ Chapel

P lease pray for the sick of our parish....

Howard Gralewski James Grunewald Virginia Hale Amy Hayes Eleanore Heggi Marie Henke Evelyn Hennes Ray Humpfer Steve Izzo Elizabeth Jacob Jo Jusko Debbie Kaczka Robert Kalka Margaret A. Kapala Carol Keilman Rev. Matthew Kish Josephine Knesek Janet Knight Ken Kors Helen Krull Julia Kukta Jerome Kula Stefan Kwiecien Karen Leary-McNamarra Debbie Le Monier Stanley Liskiewicz Maria Lovell Moira Mc Shane Lukas Julia Lyle Gregory Mahoney Brady Martin Kathryn McBride Faye Meny Sandi Merlo Olga Mihalo

Andrew Moll Gerald Moran Jean Narvid Steven Nowaczyk Valerie O’Donnell Audrey Ostroff Marciala Perez Gertrude Peters Johanna Petruch Elizabeth Pilones Ted Rutkowski Ann Sardella Mary Sarnowski George Sauer Jean Schultz Marie Schultz Zachery Scriff James Secviar Grace Sheridan Ed Sidor Carolyn Smiley Deborah Stareck Carolyn Sutley Georgianne Suto Rose Theis Gerardo Trevino Anthony Ubuane Madeleine Vranken Adele Wall Sally Walters Margaret Wegrzyn Annette Wilson Tammy Wollersheim Lucille Wonnell Bill Wyherek Cecilia Ziegler

Coleen Alexander Margaret Amatulli Doris Aurelio Maria Aurelio Irene Baker Antonio Belmonte Tom Bernacki Michael Blazevich Michael Boston Cheryl Bostrom Stephany Burney Dorothy Campbell James Campbell Al Carollo Carol Carollo Kathleen Cecil Jacqueline Morrow Christian Vincent Corsello Mike Curtain Irene Dettmer Irene Dickey Eugene Dobkowski David Drewniak Margaret Dubczak Marian Dzurovsak Paul Dzurovsak John Fetzko Sr. Beatrice Flahaven Elizabeth Follmer John Forde Phyllis Garber Andrea Garritano Joseph Gasiorek James Gaskey Dorothy Gillespie

Fourth Sunday of Easter

A kindergarten class is truly a wonderful thing to observe. This is often the first opportunity for the little ones to experience life away from their parents. After some time, their teacher becomes their trusted friend and they will do whatever he or she asks them to do. They sit in close circles while listening to stories; at recess or lunch, they will fall in line at the sound of their teacher's voice. Today's Gospel reading from John is the parable of the good shepherd. Jesus relates to his followers that believing in him is in essence the same as the shepherd whose sheep recognize only his voice; there may be others who try to summon the sheep but they will run away in fear. With their shepherd, the sheep feel safe and secure. So, too, will we feel safe and secure with Jesus as our only shepherd. On this Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that Jesus entrusted a very special responsibility to Peter, in that he gave him "the keys to the kingdom of heaven" (CCC 553). And in doing so, he instructed Peter to go about his apostolic duties and "feed my flock." We are the flock of the Good Shepherd; we recognize his voice and follow his command.

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The Pastor’s Page

Priests and deacons have served the Diocese of Gary more than fifty years. Others have served in the territory that is now the Diocese of Gary. Please pray for those men who have been called to God and whose anniversaries of death are this week: April 14: Rev. Walter S. Mastey (1997) April 17: Rev. Frank A. Seimetz (1965) April 19: Rev. Hilary S. Halter, OFM (1983)

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE A man stormed into the postmaster's office in a fury. "I've been getting threatening letters in the mail for months and I want them stopped." "Of course," said the postmaster. "Sending threatening letters through the mail is a federal offense. Do you know who's sending them?" "Yes," shouted the man. "It's those idiots down at the Internal Revenue Service."

HERE IS YOUR PERSONAL INVITATION “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.”

It seems that some people will not do anything until they have a “personal invitation” given to them. Well, we could certainly consider the words of the First Reading at Mass this weekend to be a personal invitation to seek the mercy and love of God. After all, we certainly qualify as those people “far off.” Two thousand years or so is definitely far! There seems to be something in our human nature that seeks reconciliation. While there are times in all our lives that we do not act as good as we ought — perhaps even being downright brutal at times — nonetheless, people do not seek to remain in that kind of life. Being mean, nasty, negative, brutal, and the like is detrimental to our health. People who are constantly negative tend to have more health problems than others. Blood pressure skyrockets. The propensity for ulcers increases. Heart disease is an unwelcome guest. None of us wants that for ourselves. We want peace. We want reconciliation. We want acceptance and love. Where do we find it? In the mercy and love of our God. How do we get it? Repentance. When we turn our lives around, when we ask God to forgive us, to lead us, to show us how we need to change, we are well on our way to healing. That is what this season is all about. The Easter Season is a time when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and all the ramifications of that resurrection: the destruction of death and the restoration of life for God’s people. Do we want a part of that? You better believe we do. How do we get it? Repentance (and our baptism) gives us the opportunity to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and the abundance of grace that awaits the people of God. He has showered his blessings upon the people of history. He will bless us today. His blessing will come to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.

FINAL CALL! This is the last weekend of our annual CSA Fund Drive. If you have already made your pledge, please accept my heartfelt thanks. If you have not yet made a pledge, please consider doing so this weekend. If you do not make a pledge this weekend and if you have not indicated a “no pledge” on your card, please expect a phone call from one of our volunteers. As you know, every dollar raised over and above our parish goal will be returned to the parish 100%. We plan to use our CSA rebate to fix the blacktop on our parking lot.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

God, Our Father, Thank you for your Son, Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who leads us to fullness of life.

By our baptism, we are called by name to continue the mission of Jesus.

Give us the grace to listen with an open heart to the voice of Jesus and to respond generously with a joyful spirit. Strengthen the men and women you called to serve through marriage, the single life, the diaconate, priesthood, and consecrated life. Guide all who are discerning their Christian vocation. In gratitude we offer this prayer through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, united with you forever. Amen

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Were you inspired by John's Mission message? Do you want to meet his challenge to "experience

a conversion of attitude and behavior"? Put your excitement and inspiration into action -

attend "New Beginnings" in April!!

Sacrificial Offering for April 6, 2008

Adults $30,277.60 Loose $1,164.50 TOTAL $31,442.10 Thank you for your generosity!

Continuing the Journey

This past week the star of many epic-hero movies died. Charlton Heston portrayed “super heroes”. Even the movies were super in size of cast and in their length. Are there still heroes like Moses, Ben Hur and characters like Michelangelo? Many times I passed by a story of a modern hero as I went in and out of Borders Bookstore, until someone pointed it out to me. THREE CUPS OF TEA, a book about “one man’s (Greg Mortenson) mission to promote peace ... one school at a time” is the story of a modern hero. The book is both a top rate adventure and an education in geography, history, sociology and religion, but more importantly an urgent story about how we need to believe in our ability to do good.

Mortenson was a mountain climber. Well, more correctly, he is a mountain climber who just changed his sights and is climbing a different type of mountain today. I take a perverse delight in seeing the few pictures in the book as Mortenson makes the change from a slim athletic climber of K2 in the Himalayas to the ”mature” builder of schools in the Himalayas. Heroes do come in all sizes. It helps us relate. Right?

Well now you see why this book fascinates me. Yes, Mortenson is an extraordinary person, but he is also like you and me. He put on weight, he aged, he worried, he doubted, he made mistakes, he was told he was wrong and he was wrong, but he was also right. He believed so much in what he was doing he was driving even those he was helping crazy, until a village elder walked him up the mountain and told him just that. He took away Mortenson’s tools, made him have three cups of tea and relax and (my interpretation) let God do his work. The story takes you into Pakistan and Afghanistan. You will travel over rock strewn mountain roads in rain and sleet. Peer down crevices into roaring rivers covered in fresh skinned goat. Chill as you perform ablution in freezing altitudes before morning prayer at the local mosque. Spend quiet time alone with Mother Theresa just hours after her death. You will build a school one rock at a time, but what a school. It is rock and cement and wood beams hidden beneath vibrant paint brightly decorated unlike any school you have seen. The hope that is in that building is the hope of the world. One man’s failure to climb K2 turned into one man’s promise to build a school. It changed his life. Read this book, it may change your life and if not it will take you on a wonderful adventure and give you an education without the pains of going to school. Mortenson is a modern day hero and saint. His story is about doing good. A decision not to do for self, but to do for others. Dying to self. Mortenson does not profess a particular religious zeal, it is innate in him, like in all of us. We are all created in the image and likeness of God, only a few of us believe it and live it.

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St. Thomas More School April 13, 2008

It’s Not Too Late!

Same-Day Registration

Available 8th Annual

Run For

Tomorrow 5K Run/Walk

Saturday April 19, 2008

8:30 a.m.

Race Day Registration/Packet Pick-up

7:00—8:15 a.m.

On-line Registration: www.signmeupsports.com

Pre-registration due date:

April 3, 2008

Race Course—5K USTAF Certified

Computerized timing by

DRKomputing

Start and finish at Munster Community Pool

Student-designed t-shirt

for all pre-registered

Awards Ceremony and Post-race refreshments

Questions:

Contact St. Thomas More School (219) 836-9151 or

naellis@sbcglobal.net

Inquiring Minds Want to Know...

...more about the scientific world. For the St. Thomas More School sixth and eighth grade students, many of their questions were answered, while others were raised as they hypothesized, investigated, docu-mented and presented their science projects as part of our ongoing science curriculum and annual Science Fair.

129 STMS students filled our gymnasium as they each presented and explained their individual scien-tific process to three different judges.

Thank you to all of the students who participated in the Science Fair for your hard work and in-depth knowledge of your project. A very special thank you to each of our guest judges who help make our Science Fair a success each year. Congratulations to the following students who participated at the next level during the Regional Science Fair held on the campus of IUN in March:

Sixth Grade Nicholas Anglin—4thPlace Steven Caraher—Bronze Medal/ Army Excellent Achievement in Science award Ryan Hamill—1st Place & Silver Medal/Scholarship to “Kids College at IUN” Vinay Kakkera—1st Place & Gold Medal/ Science Book /3 Certificates of Merit Matt Szala—Distinguished Participant Award Mia Torres—2nd Place

Eighth Grade Becky Andrews—Regional Science Fair Pin & Science Fair Finalist Certificate Monica Lee—Regional Science Fair Pin & Science Fair Finalist Certificate/ The Science Education of IN Certificate/ A Gute Scholarship/ Scientific American Certificate/ Discovery Education’s Young Scientist Challenge/ Naval Science Award & Medal/ 3rd Place Recipient in the Junior Division/ Advancing to the Next Level Patrick O’Shea—Regional Science Fair Pin & Science Fair Finalist Certificate/Bronze Medal/IUN 2008 Kids College Scholarship Everett Senetar—Regional Science Fair Pin & Science Fair Finalist Certificate/Gold Medal/ Nomination for Middle School Program

Distinguished Teacher Ms. Moira McGinley—Regional Science Fair& Associated Art Exhibit/ Scientific American

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ST. THOMAS MORE PASTORAL COUNCIL NOMINATION BALLOT Have you considered being a member of the St. Thomas More Pastoral Council? The Discernment process consists of 3 evenings of prayer, education and faith sharing. These meeting are on Tuesdays - April 22, April 29, and May 6th at 7:00 pm. These Discernment Sessions will give the candidates an opportunity to learn more about the Pastoral Council. On Pentecost Sunday, May 11th, 5 new Council members will be chosen at the 10 am Mass. The Pastoral Council members include parishioners who are willing to participate in prayer and spiritual formation, are willing to listen to others and new ideas, understand and accept the mission of our parish, are willing to work as team members, and are willing to make a commitment of time and talent to the Council, the Parish, and the Church. Nominees must be a practicing Roman Catholic, a registered member of the St. Thomas More Parish, and at least 18 years of age. The nominees cannot be a full time employee of the parish or school. All nominees will be contacted to verify their acceptance of the nomination. Members of our parish can nominate themselves or others by completing the Nomination Form below: Name of Nominee Phone Number (if known) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please deposit the Nomination Forms in the RED BALLOT BOXES which are at each entrance of the church. The Nomination period will end on Sunday, April 13, 2008 after the 12 noon Mass.

Diocesan Council of Catholic Women D. C. C. W.

All ladies of STM parish are invited to the quarterly meeting of the DCCW. Wednesday April 16, 2008 at 10:00 am – St. John the Baptist Church in the Panel Room – 119th Street, Whiting, Indiana – Lunch will be served. – monetary donation of $5.00 per person. Ladies, come meet and visit with ladies from all the parishes in the diocese. Contact Barbara Shaver or Ruth Banas at 836-5387. We can car pool. Call me.

Holy Name News

Attention all members! Our next meeting will take place on Monday, April 21st in the Cafeteria. The meeting starts at 7:30 pm, come early at 7:00 pm for the praying of the rosary. A new video from Fr. John Corapi will be shown followed with pizza and refreshments. New members welcome!

Mass & Corporate Communion

Our annual Mass and breakfast will take place on Sunday, April 20th at the 8:00 am Mass. All members and their spouse/guest are invited. A reservation is a must! Please contact us with your RSVP by noon Monday, April 14th to any of the following: Chairman ~ John Jurkash 836-4074, Treasurer ~ Al Carollo 836-8268, Secretary ~ Dr. Bob Moll 865-0940. Thank You!

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WHY DO I HAVE TO BE A REGISTERED PARISHIONER?

People need to be registered, contributing and regularly attending parishioners at a church so that they might receive the sacraments. Many times a person will contact a church because he or she wishes to be married, have a child baptized, or any other number of reasons. Without being registered — and attending Mass regularly — permission is often denied. If anyone wishes to be married or have a child baptized at St. Thomas More, that person would have to be a parishioner for at least six months before beginning the process of preparation for marriage or before a child could be baptized. Why? Parishes regularly require registration and contribution to ensure that a person is fulfilling some of the most basic obligations of the faith. Attendance at Mass and contributing to the work of the church are basic requirements for Catholics. If you are an adult and are not yet registered on your own, we highly encourage you to register as an adult member of the parish so that you will be ready to receive sacraments as you need.

Religious Formation Lord Jesus, you always lead me in the way of peace and safety. May I never doubt your care

nor stray from your ways. Keep me safe in the shelter of your presence.

Registration Forms for 2008/09 are available in the Religious Formation Office, the Parish Office and at www.stm-church.com. Please return the registration form with a deposit of $25 (which will be applied to your family’s tuition) as soon as possible. Checks should be made payable to St. Thomas More. There will be a $10 late fee for registrations received after July 1. Communion: All First Communicants (both Wednesday and Thursday) are expected to come to class on all four of the following dates: May 7, May 8, May 14 and May 15. First Communion is on Saturday, May 17, at 12:00. Mark your calendar: April 16/17 Class—(Last Class for 8th Grade) April 23/24 Class April 30/May 1 Last Class (Except for 3rd Grade) May 7/8 Class — Third Grade Only May 14/15 Class — Third Grade Only May 17 First Communion—12:00 Mass

Miss Kordeck’s Kindergarten Class got a jewel on their crown

for each good deed they did over Spring Break.

Jus Vitae, Valparaiso University School of

Law’s Pro-Life student group, welcomes former

U.S. Congressman Robert K. Dornan to the University on April 19, 2008. Bob Dornan served as a California

Representative for twenty years, during which time he passed more Pro-Life legislation than any single

member of Congress, by, among other things, halting both the use of appropriated defense funds for abortions in the military and federal funds for

abortions in the District of Columbia. The event will take place in the Christopher Center

Library Community Room at 1 pm on April 19, 2008. The library is located at 1410 Chapel Dr., Valparaiso,

Indiana. For more information, please contact

jusvitae2007@gmail.com.

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"All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly." - Jn 10:8-10

ST. THOMAS MORE PARISH 2008 CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL

ST. THOMAS MORE PARISH

2008 CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL

FINAL PLEDGE WEEKEND

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, APRIL 12th & 13th

This year, our Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) goal is $103,937. Please be as generous as possible and consider the following:

• Excess funds, over our goal, will be returned to the parish and used to blacktop our parking lot.

• There are several pledge options available:

1) Entire pledge amounts can be paid by check or cash using the contribution envelope provided in your packet.

2) A portion of the pledge can be paid now and remaining monthly payments can be processed

by the Diocese.

3) Visa or Mastercard pledges will be accepted during pledge weekends. In addition to the CSA envelope provided in your contribution packet, a gold envelope has been provided in a letter from Fr. Mike. Gold envelopes will also be available on pledge weekends at each entrance of the church. Pledges can also be processed in the parish office or by mail. If you are unable to contribute this year, please submit a pledge card. Parishioners, who have not submitted pledge cards, will be contacted by phone. Your contribution and response is greatly appreciated. The CSA qualifies for many corporate matching programs. Please send in your forms if your company has a matching program. God bless your for your continued generosity!!!

Remembering the Children

To acknowledge the lives of children who have died because of miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death or an early childhood death, Elizabeth Ministry will sponsor an ecumenical prayer service near the Providence Section of the St. John-St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, 1547-167th St., in Hammond, on Sunday, April 27, at 2:00pm. To participate in the Rose Remembrance Ceremony or for more information about the program, please call Jill McNamara at 844-9475, Sue Kresich at 838-5755 or Kathy Dominguez at 924-9212.

Mothers Day cards are again available in the Parish Office this year.