SAINT THOMAS MORE

CHURCH & SCHOOL

636 W Ponce de Leon Ave Decatur, Georgia 30030 www.stmgaparish.org

PARISH OFFICE

404-378-4588 Fax 404-378-0506

Mon. - Fri. 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Sun. 9:00—12:00 Noon

Closed for Lunch 12:00-12:30 PM

SCHOOL

404-373-8456

EMERGENCY NUMBER

678-337-8910

SCHEDULE OF MASSES

SATURDAY 5:30 PM (Vigil)

SUNDAY

8:00 AM 9:30 AM

12:00 Noon 5:30 PM

MON—FRI

5:30 PM

RECONCILIATION

Saturday 4:00 to 5:00 PM or by appointment

Nursery Available during 9:30 AM and Noon Masses

December 24 & 31/Fourth Sunday of Advent/The Holy Family

SAVE THE DATES FOR 2018 A Faith of Encounter: The Value of Spiritual Direction and Retreats

January 4, 7 PM, Mulhern Hall Start the new year with spiritual renewal! What is spiritual direction and how can it help me? Free childcare availableFree childcare availableFree childcare availableFree childcare available: contact aotto@stmga.org for more information.

From Conflict to Communion: Catholic-Lutheran Dialogue and the Next 500

Years—January 28, 6:30 PM, Mulhern Hall The communities of St. Thomas More and St. John’s Lutheran Church will come together to break bread and discuss the ways the Catholic and Lutheran churches are finding agreement on the way to full communion. For more information on these events, see page 7For more information on these events, see page 7For more information on these events, see page 7For more information on these events, see page 7

At the weekday Masses this coming week, the people of St. Thomas More will remember the following persons along with all the living and dead. We encourage parishioners to say the names of deceased loved ones aloud during the “General Inter-cessions” if invited to do so by the presider. TUESDAY, Dec. 26 TUESDAY, Dec. 26 TUESDAY, Dec. 26 TUESDAY, Dec. 26 Johannes Darmawan † WEDNESDAY, Dec. 27WEDNESDAY, Dec. 27WEDNESDAY, Dec. 27WEDNESDAY, Dec. 27 Eileen Yhlen Lewis † THURSDAY, Dec. 28 THURSDAY, Dec. 28 THURSDAY, Dec. 28 THURSDAY, Dec. 28 Thomas Mathews † FRIDAY, Dec. 29FRIDAY, Dec. 29FRIDAY, Dec. 29FRIDAY, Dec. 29 Frances Moon † TUESDAY, Jan. 2 TUESDAY, Jan. 2 TUESDAY, Jan. 2 TUESDAY, Jan. 2 Bernice Trotochaud † WEDNESDAY, Jan. 3WEDNESDAY, Jan. 3WEDNESDAY, Jan. 3WEDNESDAY, Jan. 3 Katyl Trust THURSDAY, Jan 4 THURSDAY, Jan 4 THURSDAY, Jan 4 THURSDAY, Jan 4 Delores Cowart † FRIDAY, Jan 5FRIDAY, Jan 5FRIDAY, Jan 5FRIDAY, Jan 5 Mary Jo Schmidt † Pray for those who are sick:Pray for those who are sick:Pray for those who are sick:Pray for those who are sick: James Francis Gorman

To add a name to these prayer lists, contact Charlotte Collins at: ccollins@stmga.org, or 404-378-4588. In order to add a name to these lists, you must be either the per-son seeking prayers, an immediate relative of the one to be remembered, or have the express permission of the one to be remembered.

PRAYER REQUESTS STAFF

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

Tues. Jan. 2 RCIA—7:00 PM— St. Julie Room Catechist/Core Holy Hour—7:00 PM— Chapel Wed. Jan 3 Social Justice Committee—7:00 PM—Parish Library Thurs. Jan 4 Cancer Sewing Group—900 AM—St. Julie Room A Faith of Encounter—7:00 PM—Mulhern Hall Sat. Jan 6 Epiphany Pot Luck—6:30 PM—Mulhern Hall Sun. Jan 7 The Word with Jerry Pendrick—10:40 AM—Parish Library Life Groups Facilitator Training—1:00 PM—St. Julie Room

Rev. Mark Horak, S. J., Rev. Mark Horak, S. J., Rev. Mark Horak, S. J., Rev. Mark Horak, S. J., Pastor mhorak@stmga.org

Rev. Pat Earl, S. J., Rev. Pat Earl, S. J., Rev. Pat Earl, S. J., Rev. Pat Earl, S. J., Parochial Vicar pearl@stmga.org

Rev. Rudy Casals, S.J., Rev. Rudy Casals, S.J., Rev. Rudy Casals, S.J., Rev. Rudy Casals, S.J., Parochial Vicar rcasals@stmga.org

Carol Palmer, Carol Palmer, Carol Palmer, Carol Palmer, Business Manager cpalmer@stmga.org

Andy and Sarah Otto, Andy and Sarah Otto, Andy and Sarah Otto, Andy and Sarah Otto, Adult Faith Formation aotto@stmga.org

Michele McHale Pickard, Michele McHale Pickard, Michele McHale Pickard, Michele McHale Pickard, Youth Faith Formation mcp@stmga.org EDGE and LIFETEEN youth@stmga.org

Rey Del Valle. Rey Del Valle. Rey Del Valle. Rey Del Valle. Religious Education Coordinator Rdelvalle@stmga.org

Joe Messina, Joe Messina, Joe Messina, Joe Messina, Director of Worship jmessina@stmga.org

Marie Diebold, Marie Diebold, Marie Diebold, Marie Diebold, Parish Secretary mdiebold@stmga.org

Todd Hines, Todd Hines, Todd Hines, Todd Hines, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds thines@stmga.org

Aaron Daniecki, Aaron Daniecki, Aaron Daniecki, Aaron Daniecki, Building Maintenance Technician adaniecki@stmga.org

Charlotte Collins, Charlotte Collins, Charlotte Collins, Charlotte Collins, Receptionist ccollins@stmga.org

Corky Pagoria, Corky Pagoria, Corky Pagoria, Corky Pagoria, Receptionist cpagoria@stmga.org

Jerry Raymond, Jerry Raymond, Jerry Raymond, Jerry Raymond, Principal, STM School jraymond@stmga.org

Karyl Davis, Karyl Davis, Karyl Davis, Karyl Davis, Financial Administrator, STM School kdavis@stmga.org

Carl and Fran McColman, Carl and Fran McColman, Carl and Fran McColman, Carl and Fran McColman, RCIA Coordinators rcia@stmga.org

Emails for STM Business OnlyEmails for STM Business OnlyEmails for STM Business OnlyEmails for STM Business Only

JOIN STM PARISH We invite you to join our parish community by registering as a parishioner.

The registration form is available online at stmgaparish.org and in the pamphlet racks in the narthex of the church. Complete the form and mail, fax, or scan and email it to ccollins@stmga.org, drop it in the Offertory basket during any Sunday Mass, or bring it to the parish offices during normal business hours.

From the Pastor…From the Pastor…From the Pastor…From the Pastor… At the beginning of the “second week” of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, after the one doing the Exercises has made a choice to seek a more intimate relationship with Jesus and to follow him more closely, the retreatant is directed to contemplate the birth of Jesus, using his/her imagina-tion and even applying his/her senses. The first step in this contemplation of Jesus’ birth is considering how God observes the human race as it suffers under the power of Evil in the world, and reflecting on God’s desire that all men and women be freed from that power and flourish as God desires. It is out of love for all men and women that God sends the Word to become a human person and, through him, to save us from this Evil, however and wherever we experience it. Ignatius then directs the retreatant to imagine him/herself present at Jesus’ birth, and, assuming the role of a servant, to look on Mary, Joseph, and the baby, and to serve them in their needs. The retreatant is to watch what they do and to hear what they say to one another. The retreatant is to note carefully how Jesus was born “in extreme poverty.” Then, Ignatius says, the retreatant should “reflect on him/herself and draw some spiritual fruit from what he/she has seen and heard.” Ignatius does not presume what “spiritual fruit” a retreatant might experience, but he does want the retreatant to know that God does all this for him/her out of love. In this Christmas season, even though commercial interests have largely hijacked the holiday, we can hardly avoid at least occasional thoughts of the birth of Jesus. What we might more deliberately and carefully do is to try to “draw some spiritual fruit” from our prayer. We might ask God questions like: God, why did you choose to become one of us and to live among us? Jesus, why did you live and die as you did? God, what are you saying to me in all this? What does it all mean?

I suggest that we not settle for formulaic answers that sound like the Catechism or a theological treatise. Rather, I suggest that we stay out of our heads and move into our hearts where we can be confident that the Lord speaks most reliably and personally. My hope is that God’s words to us, which we will likely feel more than hear, will be more like a poem or a love letter than doctrine. Fr. Pat, Fr. Rudy, the other Jesuits in Atlanta, the staff of St. Thomas More, and I wish you and your families and other loved ones a heart-felt experience of the loving presence of God in your lives this Christmas. May you know deep in your hearts that God is for you. Fr. Mark

FROM THE PASTOR

RECONCILIATION Saturdays from 4 PM - 5 PM, or by appointment.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK Call the Parish to request the sacrament at home or in the hospital. The sacrament is not only for those close to death, but also for those who are seriously ill or infirm and in need of the community’s prayers and support. The anointing can be given multiple times.

BAPTISM To schedule a Baptism, contact Andy Otto at aotto@stmga.org or 404-378-4588. Note: Persons presenting a child for baptism may be required to participate in a short preparation program. Links to sign up for classes as well as the Sacramental Information form are available under Baptisms on the website.

FIRST RECONCILIATION, FIRST EUCHARIST, AND

CONFIRMATION If you or your child want to receive the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation for the first time, or to be confirmed, contact Michele McHale Pickard at mcp@stmga.org, or 404-378-4588.

MATRIMONY To schedule a wedding, contact Andy Otto at aotto@stmga.org, or 404-378-4588. Note: Persons desiring to be married at St. Thomas More will be required to participate in a marriage preparation program. For more information on the sacraments at STM please visit: www.stmga.org, and click on “Worship and Sacraments.”

FUNERALS In the event of the death of a loved one, call the parish and ask to speak with the priest on duty. He will attend to your needs and offer advice on how to proceed with funeral planning.

WORSHIP & SACRAMENTS LITURGY

PARISH FINANCES

SECOND COLLECTIONS The Second Collection on January 13-14 will be for the STM Chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION AT STM Persons are welcome to pray before the exposed Eucharist in the STM chapel Mon thru Sat from 9:00 AM till 5:30 PM.

Christmas Schedule During the Christmas season, the chapel is open for private prayer and adoration at the usual times (Monday through Saturday, 9 AM till 5:30 PM), except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day when it will be locked after the final morning Mass.

INSTRUCTION ON RECEIVING COMMUNION Parishioners might benefit from a short refresher on the proper way to receive Communion both in the hand and on the tongue. Check out the short video, Sacraments 101: Eucharist (How We Receive), produced by the Paulists, at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdGkTdv4Dt4 .

If you follow the instructions, you will not only show due reverence for the Eucharist; you will also make things much easier for the priest or minister who offers you Communion.

5TH SUNDAY ROSARY The St Thomas More Knights of Columbus invite everyone to attend the 5th Sunday Rosary on December 31st in the church following the 8:00 AM Mass.

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

Sunday, December 24thSunday, December 24thSunday, December 24thSunday, December 24th Fourth Sunday of Advent 5:30 PM Vigil Mass December 23rd 8:00 AM Mass 9:30 AM Mass

CHRISTMAS Sunday, December 24thSunday, December 24thSunday, December 24thSunday, December 24th Christmas Eve (Christmas Vigil Masses) 4:00 PM Children’s Mass Youth Christmas Pageant begins at 3:30 PM 4:15 PM Mass in Mulhern Hall 7:30 PM Mass in the Church 10:00 PM Mass in the Church Lessons and Carols at 9:15 PM

Monday, December 25thMonday, December 25thMonday, December 25thMonday, December 25th Christmas Day 9:30 AM Mass 11:00 AM Mass

Saturday, December 30thSaturday, December 30thSaturday, December 30thSaturday, December 30th No Confessions Saturday Vigil Mass 5:30 PM

Sunday, December 31stSunday, December 31stSunday, December 31stSunday, December 31st Feast of the Holy Family 8:00 AM Mass 9:30 AM Mass 12:00 PM Mass (Note: No 5:30 PM Mass Sun., Dec 31st)

For activities, info or questions about the STM Life Teen or EDGE visit: stmgaparish.org & click on the Youth Programs.

Contact Mrs. McP 404-378-4588 x 119 or youth@stmga.org Sunday AM Religious Education contact Rey Delvalle— 404-378-4588 x121 or rdelvalle@stmga.org

YOUTH FAITH FORMATION

Hello Confirmandi:

You are required to perform 2 service projects that are solely used for Confirmation requirements. These need to

be completed and the reflection written (form on the parish website) , by turn-in date of Sunday Jan. 21st.

NO EXCEPTIONS.

Confirmandi serves St. Francis table (limited to 20) Saturday January 6 (for information visit www.stmgaparish.org) (www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0D4AA8AC2CA46-confirmandi

MORE YOUTH HELP OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

TOTAL COUNT:

SCHOOL: 490

RELIGIOUS EDUCTION: 187

SCHOOL NEWS

The STM School offices will be closed Friday, December 22, 2017 – Tuesday, January 2, 2018.

We wish everyone a blessed holiday season.

Students in 3rd-8th grades performed at the annual Christmas Concert sponsored by the STM PTO

PARISH LIFE

SUNDAY NURSERY Every week, , , , , twelve months a year, our Sunday Nursery is open for ages 3 months – preschool. Questions? Contact our Nursery Coordinator: Mary Ann Brock 404-520-9915 dmabrock@bellsouth.net

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE EPHIPANY POT LUCK Saturday, January 6th 6:30 PM in Mulhern Hall

WELCOME TO ST. THOMAS MORE

MEMBERS OF STM’S S FACTOR MINISTRY ASSEMBLE GIFT

PACKAGES FOR HOSPITALIZED VETS AT

THE DECATUR

VA HOSPITAL.

S FACTOR MAKES CHRISTMAS VISITS TO STM’S HOMEBOUND

PARISHIONERS.

COMMUNITY NEWS

2018 MLK JR. CELEBRATION JANUARY 14, 20 & 21 Our theme for this year is “Live in Peace, and the God of Love and Peace Will Be With You” (2 Corinthians 13:11)“Live in Peace, and the God of Love and Peace Will Be With You” (2 Corinthians 13:11)“Live in Peace, and the God of Love and Peace Will Be With You” (2 Corinthians 13:11)“Live in Peace, and the God of Love and Peace Will Be With You” (2 Corinthians 13:11). Our events will honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, as well as commemorate the 50th anniversary of his assassination.

The events will begin on Sunday, Jan.14Sunday, Jan.14Sunday, Jan.14Sunday, Jan.14 with the Young Adult “Service and Sips” Brunch and Service OpportunityYoung Adult “Service and Sips” Brunch and Service OpportunityYoung Adult “Service and Sips” Brunch and Service OpportunityYoung Adult “Service and Sips” Brunch and Service Opportunity taking place at 2:30 PM2:30 PM2:30 PM2:30 PM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

On Saturday, Jan. 20 at 1:00 PMSaturday, Jan. 20 at 1:00 PMSaturday, Jan. 20 at 1:00 PMSaturday, Jan. 20 at 1:00 PM, the Eucharistic CelebrationEucharistic CelebrationEucharistic CelebrationEucharistic Celebration will take place at the Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Church. Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory will be the principal celebrant for this annual Mass honoring Dr. King.

Our archdiocesan events will conclude with the Youth CelebrationYouth CelebrationYouth CelebrationYouth Celebration at 3:00 PM3:00 PM3:00 PM3:00 PM on Sunday, Jan. 21Sunday, Jan. 21Sunday, Jan. 21Sunday, Jan. 21at St. Peter Claver Regional Catholic School.

Guests to all events are invited to bring canned goods, clothing or cleaning products for donation to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia.

For more information, please contact Mr. Ashley Morris, Associate Director of the Office of Intercultural and Ethnic Diversity, at amorris@archatl.com or 404-920-7586.

David and Morgan Bray Matthew and Mary Busbee Michael Doherty Marcela Durante Fr. James L. Harrison

Nicholas Traub Ronald and Diane Traub Nicolas Velasquez Jaime and Elizabeth Vengoechea

Margaret Link Emily Prickett Warren and Elizabeth Small Julie Stewart

Pictures of Myrna’s dancers and information from Dr. Cyndy

LIFE GROUPS FACILITATOR TRAINING If you wanted to commit to facilitating a Life Group starting in February (10-week commitment) you must attend a two-hour facilitator training on January 7 at 1:15 PMJanuary 7 at 1:15 PMJanuary 7 at 1:15 PMJanuary 7 at 1:15 PM in the Julie Room. Attending confirms your commitment to be a Life Group facilitator. Contact aotto@stmga.org with any questions.

A FAITH OF ENCOUNTER:

THE VALUE OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION AND RETREATS January 4, 7 PM, Mulhern Hall Start the new year with spiritual renewal! What is spiritual direction and how can it help me? What happens on a retreat? Igna-tian spiritual director and author Becky Eldredge will share the value of these spiritual practices, even as a busy parent, as a way to encounter God in your everyday life. You will have the chance to meet Ignatius House spiritual directors to enquire about initiating a spiritual direction relationship. Free childcare available: contact aotto@stmga.org for more information.

FROM CONFLICT TO COMMUNION:

CATHOLIC-LUTHERAN DIALOGUE AND THE NEXT 500 YEARS January 28, 6:30 PM, Mulhern Hall The communities of St. Thomas More and St. John’s Lutheran Church will come together to break bread and discuss the ways the Catholic and Lutheran churches are finding agreement on the way to full communion. 500 years after the start of the Protestant Reformation we look ahead in hope at the next 500 years. Panelists include Rev. Dr. Steffen Lösel and Dr. Jonathan Strom of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Bring your favorite appetizer, side, or Bring your favorite appetizer, side, or Bring your favorite appetizer, side, or Bring your favorite appetizer, side, or dessert. A main entrée will be provided.dessert. A main entrée will be provided.dessert. A main entrée will be provided.dessert. A main entrée will be provided.

ENCOUNTERING JESUS - A 4-WEEK IGNATIAN PRAYER SERIES, STARTING JANUARY 7 Inspired by the Second Week of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, Encountering Jesus is a four-week (five gathering) series that invites you to meet the person of Jesus as you pray with gospel passages throughout the week. Each week you will share about your experiences in a small group and be led through a major meditation from the Spiritual Exercises. Register atRegister atRegister atRegister at is.gd/is.gd/is.gd/is.gd/

EncounteringJesusEncounteringJesusEncounteringJesusEncounteringJesus Since each week builds on the last, you will not be able to join after January 7.

AN INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLICISM - A 12-WEEK STUDY OF CHRISTIANITY THROUGH A CONTEMPORARY

CATHOLIC LENS, STARTING FEBRUARY 21 Join Fr Mark Wednesdays at 7pm to explore our rich Catholic tradition using Lawrence S. Cunningham’s book, An Introduction to Catholicism. Space is limited. To learn more and sign up go toTo learn more and sign up go toTo learn more and sign up go toTo learn more and sign up go to is.gd/stmbook2018is.gd/stmbook2018is.gd/stmbook2018is.gd/stmbook2018

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

SOCIAL JUSTICE/OUTREACH

STM GRANT SUPPORTS CRISTO REY STUDENTS Through the generosity of STM parishioners, STM is supporting four local students at Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School. One of these students is Nala, a member of the Class of 2019. Commenting on her experience at Cristo Rey, Nala says, “ One of my favorite experiences at Christo Rey was definitely Concrete Day in May 2017- our version of field day since we didn't have a field. It was memorable because of how close the Christo Rey community was. Everyone was extremely happy and having so much fun this day; it was definitely a memory I will never forget."

Thank you, STM parishioners, for making Nala's education at Cristo Rey possible.

YAM (YOUNG ADULTS MINISTRY)

Join young adults in their 20s and 30s in the parish for our monthly brunch meet-up. We look forward to meeting you! Questions? Email Andy, aotto@stmga.org.