Christmas 2018 Thank You ~ As we recall God’s gift of the birth of Jesus on that first silent, holy night, we cannot help but be filled with wonder, gratitude and praise. We are once again reminded of the potential and possibilities of our lives. It is also a time to be grateful for the many ways God’s presence is made known within our faith community. A perfect example of this was our giving tree project. This year close to 1,000 gifts were collected and distributed to people in need to help make Christmas a little brighter for their families (Thank-you Carol Rhoads, Sandie Flynn and Barbara Leonard for your excellent coordination of the project this year). And there are so many other examples of where the Lord’s presence is made known: by a dedicated staff that always go above and beyond their job descriptions; by our musicians and choir who raise their voices to join the choir of angels in heaven; by our faithful liturgical ministers who are always ready to pitch in when needed; by Ginny Acquario and her elves for using their creative gifts to create a prayerful environment; by those who with little fanfare care for the “holy wash” and help keep the church building fit for worship; by our school community for helping make Advent a time of prayer and service to those in need and by lifting our hearts and spirits with their Christmas concert; by our catechists and aides in our Faith Formation programs who so generously share their faith with our children and teach so much more by their example and by all those who in their quiet and unassuming way help to make St. Thomas a place where we can truly enter into the mystery of God’s love for us. Through shared faith, common prayer and works of service Jesus is born again and again in our midst.
 
And while we’re expressing gratitude – THANK YOU to Applebee Funeral Home for once again this year donating the beautiful 2019 calendars.  
 
NEW YEAR’S HOLIDAY ~ The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, December 31 and Tuesday January 1, in observance of the Diocesan holiday schedule for New Year’s Day. There are NO services scheduled in church on Monday. There will be Mass on Tuesday, January 1 for the Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God at 10 a.m. in the church.