As we move to the end of the first month of 2022, there's still time to set a Caring For Creation Goal.

Thank you St. Thomas parishioners for filling Bruce McShane’s ‘”Bethlehem’s Little Helper” truck in a HUGE way! Your kindness will help the Capital City Rescue Mission provide much needed meals for our neighbors! Next Tuesday Jan. 25 from 3pm-4pm in the church parking lot we will be collecting Diapers size 5 & 6 and baby wipes for St. John/St. Ann’s Outreach Center! Thank you for your continue support and compassion!

Pope Francis urges us to make "courageous choices" toward creation of "the future we want: a more inclusive, fraternal, peaceful and sustainable world."

Parishioners of all ages are invited to participate in the Tied with Love blanket-making event on January 15. Extend your care for creation with easy sustainability tips.

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” St. Mother Teresa Thank you, St. Thomas, for sharing so much LOVE with our neighbors served at the Sr. Maureen Joyce Center! Thank you for the wonderful re-gifted items, toiletries and food! YOU MAKE a DIFFERENCE! Next Tuesday Jan. 11 from 3pm-4pm in the church parking lot we will be collecting personal care items, cleaning/ laundry supplies, juice and jelly for our neighbors served at St. James/St. Frances Food Pantry. God Bless you!

Join young adults (ages 21-40) from across the diocese at our next Good News & Cold Brews Happy Hour/ Presentation! Share your faith journey with peers. The next social is Monday, January 10 at 7 PM (snow date: Jan. 17th), at St. Ambrose Church Parish Center, 347 Old Loudon Road, Latham, NY. Our guest is Sr. Teresa Grace Baillargeon, Sisters of the Resurrection Topic: “Living a Joyful Life.” All attendees MUST register. Use the above link Good News & Cold Brews. COVID-19 precautions will be followed. For more information, please contact Tom Cronin at thomas.cronin@rcda.org. Join us! Bring a Friend!

Parishioners of all ages are invited to participate in the Tied with Love blanket-making event January 15, 10:00 AM–12:15 PM in the gathering space, St. Thomas Church, sponsored by Youth Ministry and Creation Care Team.

Re-GIFT a NEW Christmas gift (hat, gloves, sweater, handbag, lotion and so on) that you appreciate but are unable to use with a neighbor served at the Sister Maureen Joyce Center this this Tuesday Jan. 4 from 3pm-4pm in the Church Parking Lot. We are also collecting new packs of men’s briefs, unisex socks and personal care items. God Bless you for your generosity! Wishing you a Healthy & Blessed New Year!

After enjoying the beauty of our Christmas trees, return them to nature with these tips.

Donations from St. Thomas the Apostle parishioners last year continue to help provide safe, life-sustaining water for more than 450 people.

Our Last Advent Drive is this Tuesday Dec. 14 3pm-4pm in the Church Parking Lot. Our Goal is 80 Prepackaged Christmas cookies with a Christmas Card attached or any personal care products soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, hand sanitizer for Street Soldiers, a grassroots organization that serves the homeless in Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Albany. Items will be shared at the Rensselaer Christmas Gathering Saturday Dec. 18, at River Front Park. Thank you for spreading JOY this Advent Season!

GOD BLESS YOU ST. THOMAS FOR YOUR GENEROSITY shown at our Giving Tree Gift Card Drive! Your kindness will assist our neighbors who are struggling this Christmas! It’s not too late for Santa’s elves to drop off cards to the Gathering Hall by 5pm Sunday Dec. 12th! Special shout out to “Saint” Nick for being our greeter! Tis the Season to share HOPE! LOVE! JOY! PEACE!

Book Club Discussion - The Seven Storey Mountain Feb. 10 at 7PM Gathering Space The Seven Storey Mountain tells of the growing restlessness of a brilliant and passionate Thomas Mertens, who at the age of twenty-six, takes vows in one of the most demanding Catholic orders—the Trappist monks. Book is available at most book sellers in paperback form. This book will take some time to read, but is worth the journey! Hope to see you in February!

Show your solidarity with our Sister Parish in Yucatan Mexico as we honor and celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Friday Dec. 10 in the church! Together join us as we pray the Sorrowful Rosary at 6pm followed by our annual bilingual Mass at 6:30pm. All are welcome! Sponsored by our Pueblo to People Committee.

As the new Church year begins, consider a new habit to protect Creation.

We continue our long-standing tradition of The Parish Giving Tree supporting local charities. Unfortunately due to continuing Covid-19 precautions we cannot celebrate in the same manner. In order to minimize contact we are requesting only gift cards this year.  We scaled back on the number of requests and agencies. We will support requests from: Albany Catholic Workers for Target or Price Chopper gift cards, Catholic Charities Housing, Hilltown Community Center, and St. John’s/St. Ann’s Outreach Center for Walmart gift cards, Interfaith Shelter for the Homeless for Walmart or Price Chopper gift cards, Lwanga House, Mercy House, Mary's Corner and Sr. Maureen Joyce Center for Walmart or Target gift cards, Bethlehem Seniors and Reilly House for VISA, MasterCard or Walmart gift cards, and Capital City Rescue Mission for $10, $15, or $20 (only) Target or Walmart gift cards. These gift cards will then be used by agencies to provide food, clothing, strollers, formula, children's toys, clothing or add to gift bags/food baskets for their most needy clients.  Please return the gift card on or before Mass on Sunday, December 12. The Advent season is a time for preparation for the coming of the Christ Child and is a perfect time to perform works of charity. All these charities are very grateful for whatever assistance we can provide.  As in the past no gift card should cost more than $25 (please include activation completed slip). Gift cards could be left in the basket in the Gathering Hall or mailed to the parish office such that they are received  on or before 5 p.m. Mass on Sunday, December 12. Gift cards will be delivered to the agencies the next day. Thank you for your generosity!

High School Students: Dec. 5 following the 5pm Mass 6pm-7:15pm in Large Conference Room “CAFÉ”, Christmas Agape Latte! Join host Ryan and Sarah for an evening of conversation and faith with Storyteller Laura Kline! More info at : https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4EA8AD22A6F94-christmas

Middle School Students: Dec. 4 following the 5pm Mass 6pm-7:15pm in the Gathering Hall! SERVICE + PIZZA + FUN! Wear your ugly sweater or favorite Christmas Hat! Sign up https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4EA8AD22A6F94-middle1

Next Tuesday Dec. 7th 3pm-4pm in the church parking lot we are collecting gift cards for our Giving Tree! Agencies are requesting gift cards from: Price Chopper, Target, Walmart or Visa/Master card for $10 to $25 PLEASE INCLUDE ACTIVATION RECEIPT. These gifts will be shared with various agencies in our area who bring HOPE to our neighbors who are struggling this Christmas Season! God bless you St. Thomas for shining HIS light in the darkness