2009 DIOCESAN STEWARDSHIP APPEAL

This year our parish has been asked to contribute more than $235,000 to the 2009 Diocesan Stewardship Appeal. We ask you to please make a sacrificial gift of 1% of your income to this Appeal. This target goal amount is achievable and much more can be raised for our Parish needs (any amount above our target goal will help pay for our new Oak Street Church roof). The suggested gift level is $350 or $35 for the next 10 months (May-April). If you are able to give more, please do so to help those who are able to do less. Everyone's participation is what is important.

If you were not able to make a commitment to Diocesan Stewardship 2009 at the Sunday Masses this weekend, please do not hesitate to send in your pledge this week. You may also donate online at www.stewardshiprockford.org/osddonate.html.

Email Addresses Wanted

We want to be good stewards of your donations and of our time by saving first-class mail costs as much as possible. To help us out with that, we would appreciate your email addresses and permission to contact you that way. Please email us your address at: mpopp@saintthomascatholicchurch.org.

St. Thomas Pre-School

Preschool registration for the 2009-10 year has already begun!  We will be offering morning and afternoon sessions for 3, 4, and 5 year olds. Little Saints Catholic Preschool is an extension of St. Thomas Catholic School and is located at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 1023 McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake. Call 815-459-0496 for more information.

Pierson Street Church Remodeling Begins

We will begin remodeling the Pierson Street Church on Monday, June 8. This work will last approximately 3 weeks until June 26. We will have the 8:30 a.m. Mass at the Oak Street Church beginning June 8.

Saturday Morning Men's Group

We have a small community group of men in our Parish who currently meet on Saturday mornings from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. in Loras Hall (lower level of our Oak Street Church). This group meeting includes time for prayer and praise, sharing, learning more about our faith, and for prayers and petitions for our needs and the needs of our world. Come join us beginning Saturday, March 21, or any subsequent Saturday. For questions, call Mike Gregus at 815-356-8907.

First Communion Banners Available for Pick-Up

Families with a child who recently made First Communion may pick up their banners in the Oak Street Church library on Sunday mornings during the summer months.

10 Great Dates

Now you can reclaim that same spark, connection and creativity through "10 Great Dates" with 10 marriage enriching themes to revitalize your relationship with fun, romance and intimacy. This is for newlyweds, empty nesters, and especially parents! St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Thomas are sponsoring this program. You will come to the Parish at 6:30 pm for a 30-minute session and then go out on your private date. You don't have to participate in all 10 dates to join in, but you won't want to miss any! Future sessions will be held on June 13 and July 25 at St. Elizabeth. There is a $15 fee which includes the "10 Great Dates Book." To register, contact Lee & Jan Kremer, 847-458-7000 or kremer@citrisurf@com.

Year of the Priest

Pope Benedict XVI will open the "Year of the Priest" with a vespers service at the Vatican on June 19, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the day for sanctification of priests. Pope Benedict will also proclaim St. John Vianney to be Patron Saint of all the world's priests.

"Feed My Sheep" Dinner

The Pathways to Christ ministry will be offering a "Feed My Sheep" dinner on Monday, June 22 from 6-7:30 p.m. In awareness of the current economic situation, St. Thomas will be hosting a free meal for those individuals or families in need within McHenry County. Please feel free to come or invite anyone you know that is facing difficult financial  times. This weekend (June 13-14), after the masses in the Narthex of the Oak Street Church, we will be taking names of those who would like to help with the donations of items for the dinner.

Save the Date -- Farewell Reception

After all the weekend masses of June 27 and 28, we will have a Farewell Reception for Fr. Dennis Morrissy and Fr. John Lovell, in the Community Center at the Oak Street Church. All are invited!

St. Thomas The Apostle School "Brainstorming" Meeting

St. Thomas school is conducting a second special "Brainstorming Meeting" to generate new ideas for increasing school enrollment. This meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 30 from 7-8 pm, in the Community Center at the Oak Street Church. We invite all school families and parishioners who might have suggestions to attend. For further information, please call the school office at 815-459-0496 between 8 a.m. - noon.

Totus Tuus (Totally Yours)

St. Thomas hosts Totus Tuus, a family program put on by a team of college students and seminarians who spread the good news of our Lord to our youth. It balances teaching the faith with lots of FUN! The program will be  held July 19th-24th. Grades 1-6 meet Monday-Friday 9-2:30 p.m., and Jr. High/HS meets Sunday-Thursday 7:30-9:30 p.m. Questions? Call JoEllen Gregus at 815-455-5400 x404 or jgregus@saintthomascatholicchurch.org.

St. Thomas School Summer Office Hours

The summer schedule for the St. Thomas the Apostle School office is as follows:

June 8-26 -- office is open from 8 a.m. - noon.

June 17 & 18 - SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED DUE TO ELECTRICAL WORK BEING DONE

June 29-Aug. 7 -- Office is closed; please call for an appointment if needed.

Aug. 10-19 -- Mondays through Thursdays office is open from 8 a.m.-noon. Office is closed on Fridays.

Aug. 20-21 -- office is closed for staff inservice.

Week of Aug. 24 -- office is open from 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

For more information, please consult this week's bulletin.