PARISH NEWS

CELL PHONES

Remember to leave all cell phones in your car or turn off all audible alarms when entering the church. Thank you.

Dress Guidelines for Mass

Out of respect for Our Lord and your neighbor, it is requested that men and women, boys and girls, dress modestly. Please avoid short shorts, tank tops, halters, bare midriffs, tight-fitting clothes, etc. Your cooperation is very much appreciated.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK

Carmela Maimone, Ofelia Roma, Richard Nieto, Salvador Jesus Rivera Jr., Teodora Aoanan, Mary Elizabeth Kauffman, Maria Idalia Elizondo de Silva, Kremin Lee, Wilma Ababon, Inez Orduno, Pat Balou REST IN PEACE This list is updated on a weekly basis. To have someone’s name included here, please contact the rectory at: Stm_church@live.com or (626) 284-8333. If the status of a sick loved one changes, please inform us.

COMING EVENTS
NOTICE:
Email address change for Parish Secretary.
New email address is:
stm_secretary@live.com

Saturday, February 4, 2012 6:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball, Hall Confirmation I & II, Big Bear Retreat Sunday, February 5, 2012 Filipino Breakfast / Lunch after all the Masses, Hall Sponsored by Asian Ministry Monday, February 6, 2012 6:30 p.m. RCIA, Ministry Center 8:00 p.m. Spanish Prayer Group, Ministry Center Tuesday, February 7, 2012 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Parent Meeting (E1), Hall 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. English Choir, Church 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. Spanish Choir, Ministry Center Wednesday, February 8, 2012 7:30 p.m. Bible Study, Ministry Center Thursday, February 9, 2012 6:15 p.m. Youth Band Practice, Church 7:00 p.m. Youth Group, Ministry Center 8:00 p.m. Spanish Choir Practice, Church Friday, February 10, 2012 - - - Saturday, February 11, 2012 11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass - Elsie Hertzman-Gound 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. Hertzman-Gound Reception, Hall 5:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Padilla Reception, Hall 6:30 p.m. Confirmation I & II, School/Hall

Please join us on Sunday, February 26, 2012, for two very special Masses. We are very privileged to have His Eminence, Cardinal Roger Mahony Time: 9:00 a.m. English Mass 10:45 a.m. Spanish Mass We appreciate his presence here at St. Thomas More Church.

Carmelite Sisters Concert

On Sunday, February 19, 2012 . . .
the Carmelite Sisters, will perform in concert
Seasons of the Soul

A Musical Evening of Inspiration and Hope
from Gregorian Chant & Contemporary Christian to original
compositions by the Carmelite Sisters

in a variety of soul-stirring selections that will take you
through the changing seasons of the human soul as it
journeys through life.

Sunday, February 19, 2012, at 7:00 p.m.
San Gabriel Mission Playhouse
320 South Mission Drive,
San Gabriel, CA 91776

Tickets available beginning December 1, 2011.
Tickets (and a video of last year’s concert) are available on
line at www.carmelitesistersocd.com/events

or call 626-289-1353, ext. 246.
All proceeds to benefit the healthcare, education, and
retreat works of the Carmelite Sisters.

Attention Parishioners

When writing checks to the parish, please make them out to St. Thomas More Church. Any other abbreviations cause difficulty in processing and depositing these checks at the bank. Thank you!

Church Etiquette Suggested by
Our Own Parishioners

* Please remember to turn off your cell phones while you are in church * Be sure to dispose of your gum, dirty tissues, etc., in a responsible way—in the trash, not on or under the pews! * Please do not eat in the church. * Do not let children put their feet or walk on the chairs, pews or kneelers. * We have a cry room for small children to use during Mass—it is through the door behind the organ. * Please show respect for the Lord’s house and your fellow parishioners by coming modestly dressed and not talking during the Mass. MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU IN HIS GOODNESS, AND MAY OUR TIME OF WORSHIP BE A SOURCE OF JOY AND GRACE FOR US ALL

PLEASE HELP US
PARTNER AND SUPPLY
ST. STEPHEN MARTYRS
FOOD BANK FOR THE MONTH OF
FEBRUARY, 2012

Vienna Sausages Ham & Cheese Tuna & Cheese Chicken & Crackers Spaghetti Pasta Pasta Sauce Ketchup Peanut Butter Cooking Oil Large Paper Bags Plastic Bags Mustard Mayonnaise Hand Bar Soap Can Meats/Fish Bread Salt Sugar Cup of Noodles

Grief Support Group

We invite you to join our Parish Grief Support Group which meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm in the O’Neill Center. A Grief Support Group can help you recognize your feelings and put them in perspective. They can also help alleviate the feeling that you are alone. The experience of sharing with others who are in a similar situation can be comforting and reassuring. If you have lost a loved one and wish to give and receive support in the grieving process, please come and join us.

THE SUNDAY MASS
PASSIONIST COMMUNICATIONS

A televised Sunday Mass is now airing on ABC Family from 6:30am to 7:30am each Sunday morning. THE SUNDAY MASS is produced by the Passionist Fathers and Brothers and is available nationally on local affiliates. Additional information on www.TheSundayMass.org

COME TO ST. THOMAS MORE
RECTORY FOR INFORMATION ON

Weddings Anniversaries Birthdays Quinceañeras Baptisms Catechism Adult Religious Education Grief Support Funerals Special Events Rental of Hall

With our deepest sympathy we like to announce the death of Fr. James Michael Ford, who died on May 22, 2011. Fr. Ford provided support and assistance in our parish. Please keep him in your prayers.

VOCATION CORNER
FORMATION FOR PRIESTS
AT ST. JOHN’S SEMINARY

The professors and seminarians at St. John’s Seminary sent their Christmas greetings to all of us at All Souls, and they asked for our support, especially in prayer. St. John’s Seminary is the official institute providing quality formation for future priests in our Archdiocese. If you wish to make a donation for St. John’s, you can send it directly to their address, or leave your check in the collection, or bring it to the parish office. We will collect and send them together. Make it payable to St. John’s Seminary. Their address is: 5012 Seminary Rd., Camarillo, Ca. 93012-2500 Vocations for Priesthood, please contact: Father Alex Aclan (909) 629-9495. FrADAclan@la-archdiocese.org

Ensuring Your Child’s School Is Safe

Every teacher, coach, and volunteer who works with children in the archdiocese’s parishes and schools must have a background check before he or she is permitted to work in any school- or parish-related job or activity that involves contact with children. But what about the children who attend non-Catholic private or public schools? Talk with school administrators and find out what steps they take to protect children from harm. Suggest that they review other abuse prevention programs to ensure that their policies and practices are up to date. And demand that all employees and volunteers who work in the school be properly screened, including background checks, before they are allowed to be near your children. For more information, please call the Archdiocesan Safeguard the Children office: (213) 637-7227. For particular help, you may call Assistance Ministry at (213) 637-7650.

Asegúrese Que La Escuela de Sus Hijos Sea Segura

Todo maestro, entrenador, y voluntario que trabaje con niños en parroquias y escuelas de la Arquidiócesis de Los Angeles tendrá que pasar por una investigación de huellas digitales antes de que se les permita trabajar en cualquier trabajo que involucre contacto con niños. Pero muchos de nuestros niños asisten escuelas públicas. Qué pasos toman estas escuelas? Hable con los administradores de la escuela y averigüe que medidas toman para proteger a los niños contra cualquier peligro. Sugiérales que se informen sobre otros programas de prevención para garantizar que sus propias reglas y prácticas estén actualizadas. Y exija que todos los empleados y voluntarios que trabajan en la escuela hayan pasado por una investigación de huellas digitales antes de que se les permita estar cerca de sus hijos. Para más información comuníquese con la Oficina Protegiendo a Los Niños al (213) 637-7227.

SAVE A LIFE
Be an Organ Donor

Pope Benedict XVI Supports Organ Donation as “An Act of Love.” --- Find out more about organ donation and donor registration at donatelifecalifornia.org or by calling 866 - 797 - 2366

ARE YOU A REGISTERED PARISHIONER?

It has come to our attention that a number of our Parishioners who registered in our Parish more than 10 years ago may not be in our present Computer System, and so are not considered registered Parishioners. If you do not receive a monthly envelope packet, you are not registered. If you have doubts about your current status please do not hesitate to call the rectory office or simply fill out a (yellow) Census Update Form.

Heart of the Nation
SUNDAY TV MASS
for the Homebound

Catholic TV Mass 9:00 AM every Sunday on KDOC Ch. 56 Also available on cable and satellite For Cable-TV channel number, check cable listings for “KDOC” Or call: 1-(800) 430-0930

Would You like to Join the Catholic Church?

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a process involving various steps (rites) and stages that lead adults into full communion with the Catholic Church. This process is available for: 1) Adult, unbaptized, who wants to become a Catholic, 2) Adult, baptized non-Catholic, who wants to become a Catholic, 3) Adult, baptized Catholic, who wants to receive First Communion and Confirmation. For more information please Call Sandra Elizondo, Parish Life Director, at 626/284-8333

HAVE YOU REMEMBERED
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH
IN YOUR WILL OR TRUST?

For further information, please contact the rectory or H. Richard Closson, Director, Trust and Estate Programs at (213) 637-7472 / HRClosson@la-archdiocese.org http://www.estateplanning.com/trustsacc Our correct legal title is: The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles, A Corporation Sole for the benefit of ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH

MESSAGES FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE

Did You Know?
Text Messaging: Know the Warning Signs

Monitoring your child’s Internet browsing and cell phone use are important and challenging aspects of being a parent. In keeping track of your child’s text messaging, with its dizzying array of coded abbreviations and symbols, there are some codes that every parent should keep his/her eyes open for. These are codes that kids use to warn others that their parents are around or that they use to talk about sex, drugs, or to arrange a meeting. For example: “KPC” means “keeping parents clueless,” and “LMIRL” means “Let’s meet in real life.” A helpful tutorial for parents is located at: www.mahalo.com. Type: “How to understand your kids’ text messages” in the search box. For particular help, you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

Interested in the Catholic Faith!
Missing a Sacrament?

If you know any non-Catholics who may be interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith, please let them know that they are welcome to join us. . . Catholics who have not received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist or Confirmation are encouraged to attend and prepare for the Sacrament or Sacraments they wish to receive. . . We are in the process of preparing for fall programming. For more information please call and leave your name, number, or e-mail address at the rectory (626) 284-8333.

Scriptural Rosary We remind you that the recitation of the Scriptural Rosary takes place regularly at St. Thomas More Church on the first Sunday of the month at 6:30 pm, in the church. We pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, family values, and world peace. Come join in praying for this need in our Archdiocese.

Everyone Is Invited

If, for whatever reason, you are not receiving Communion we invite you to come forward to share from the abundance of the Lord’s table by asking for a blessing. The sign for a blessing is to have both arms crossed over your chest.

“Bella” The Movie
If you have not yet seen the award-winning film, “BELLA,”
please treat yourself.
It is a wonderful story, telling of life-giving friendship,
family and sacrificial love.

“A true love story about a man who wants to live a life of integrity and sacrifice everything for family and others.” Please check out the website for this extraordinary film Go to: www.bellathemovie.com (it is important to go see it in the theaters this weekend, if possible!

WELCOME NEW FACES!

We welcome all who celebrate with us at St. Thomas More, whether visitors, long time residents, or newly arrived in our parish. If you are not yet a REGISTERED member of our parish, or have a new address or telephone number, please come to the rectory or fill out a census update form from the church. After completing the form you may drop it into the collection basket, or into the mail slot at the rectory, or come in and let us know who you are. Thanks!

60th ANNIVERSAY...

June 29, 2011, marked the 60th Anniversary of the Priestly Ordination of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI. The Faithful of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will be encouraged to pray for an increase in the number and sanctity of priests. This act will be in gratitude for the example and service of Pope Benedict XVI. the Faithful may pray for this intention.

BEATIFICATION OF
POPE JOHN PAUL II
MAY 1, 2011

CLICK =>

Pope beatifies John Paul II before 1.5M faithful. Pope Benedict XVI praised John Paul for turning back the seemingly "irreversible" tide of communism with faith, courage and "the strength of a titan, a strength which came to him from God."

FIRST FRIDAY &
FIRST SATURDAY

First Friday devotions will be held on JANUARY 6, 2012 The 8:30 Mass will be preceded by the Rosary in the Crying Room . EXPOSITION OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT will begin after Mass and continue until Benediction at 9:45 am. The Litany of the Sacred Heart and Act of Consecration will be recited. STM parish has been designated by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for the intention of vocations. First Saturday devotions will be held on JANUARY 7, 2012 The 8:30 Communion Service will be preceded by the Rosary. The Act of Consecration and Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary will be recited after the Communion Service. All are invited to take part in these devotions.

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