Fall Edition of Quarterly Newsletter

More About Us

Advent begins a new church liturgical year. This new year also marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of our parish. We would like to publish a new Picture Directory of the parish. Right now, we are interviewing several directory companies so we can make an informed decision before we choose photographers. If you have any old photos of parish activities we would appreciate borrowing them so we can make copies and include a few of them in the directory. Our archives are somewhat disorganized. Actually the archives consist of several cardboard boxes where things have been tossed over the years without any kind of systematic arrangement.

When I look at the older directories I see many families present in the early years of the parish including some family names present from the very start of the parish in 1940 right up to the present. We started out as a rural parish when St. Rt. 125 was a two- lane highway all the way from Mt. Washington. There were farms but no shopping centers, some dirt roads but no expressways, “mom and pop” stores but no supermarkets. Our present church (I think the third church building) was dubbed the “Cathedral in the Cornfield” since it seemed very large at the time considering the population of the area. But someone had figured out that I-275 would bring dramatic changes to the area and it did just that. The school itself has undergone many changes, additions and new construction. Martyr Hall and even the Rectory were used as school buildings.

What is truly amazing about all of this is that the Catholic faith has seen many changes in those seventy five years as it constantly has for two thousand years. The Creed parishioners professed in 1940 is the same Creed we still profess today having been handed down for almost 1700 years. Think how awesome that is!! We recite the same Creed written in the fourth century and professed continually all that time. The Mass, the Eucharist, is the same as celebrated by the Apostles themselves. Although it has undergone many changes in form, like our parish, it is essentially and substantively the same Eucharist the universal church has celebrated for two thousand years.

Celebrating an anniversary surely calls our attention to the larger ongoing tradition we have carried forward as St. Thomas More Parish. It is good to realize that we are part of something much bigger and very much older than anything we see here today. It is good to realize that our mission of being Christ in our place and time is a witness of millions who have paved the way for us.

St. Thomas More to celebrate 75 year Anniversary!!

Article submitted by Fr. William Wagner, Pastor

“ARTS AND ENVIRONMENT”

Raise your hand if you know what "Arts and Environment” is at St. Thomas More. I didn’t either. The Arts and Environment Ministry, designated by the Holy See in 1978, is for the care and

beautification of our church in conjunction with liturgical guidelines. The decoration of the church supports and enhances the liturgy experience for all parishioners. Our responsibilities include decorating the entire sanctuary year round. Major liturgical events such as Easter, Christmas,

Pentecost, have special decorating efforts with particular attention to the altar, tabernacle, and general ambience of the church as it pertains to each season of the Church year.

Artists, architects, florists, designers and craftsmen are encouraged to offer their gifts so our parish will fully reflect the glory of God. We always welcome help, even if it is for an hour; your help is very much

needed and appreciated. Talents needed include volunteers who can assist in the sewing of new banners, plant placement, flower arranging, and bulletin board changing. If you are interested in

assisting, bring your talent, muscles, or simply a willingness to serve! Now, please raise your hand…. and ask for Alice Kortyka, akortyka@gmail.com, or Bob Brazier, bobbrazier1@twc.com.

~ Article submitted by Bob Brazier

Monday evening

December 22nd at

6:00 pm we will be decorating the Church for Christmas. All who

would like, are invited to come and help. If you have questions please

contact Deacon Michael at 513-753-2549 or mthomas@sttm.org.

Nicholas, was born during the

third century in the village

of Patara. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell

what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his

life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children,

and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was

exiled and imprisoned. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra

and was buried in his cathedral church. The anniversary of his

death became a day of celebration St. Nicholas Day,

December 6th.

FEAST OF ST.

NICHOLAS

Decorating the Church for Christmas

Submitted by Candace Hurley, Principal

The fall has proven to be a flurry of activity for St. Thomas More School. Students have settled in to their new classrooms and great learning is taking place! One of the goals for this year is to increase the students’ participation in weekly all

school Masses. One class period a week has been built into the schedule so that students can gather to practice the music for the week’s all school Mass. As St. Augustine said, “Singing is praying twice” and so our children are raising their voices in praise and thanksgiving as they learn to sing the responses and pray through their singing each week. Sean Connolly, parish music director, attends the practice and accompanies the children. Mr. Connolly also holds choir practice after school for those students who want to participate in the choir on the weekends.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, January 25, 2015 for the school’s Open House! Plan to attend this afternoon event to see all the wonderful things that are happening at STM. Classrooms will be open and teachers, students, and parents will be on hand to showcase our school.

Would you love to send your children to St. Thomas More School but are afraid that you just can’t afford it? The EdChoice Expansion Scholarship program may be for you. For the 2015-2016 school year, this program, offered through the Ohio Department of Education, allows kindergarten through second grade students who meet the low income eligibility requirements to attend St. Thomas More School with financial assistance from the Ohio Department of Education to help cover the cost of the tuition. Through the EdChoice Expansion Program, a student may be eligible for up to $4,250 per year. Application timeframe is February 1 – April 1 and another application period beginning July 1 – August 1. Please contact the school office at 513-753-2540 for additional information or email principal@sttm.org.

We invite everyone to see how St. Thomas More School makes a difference in our students’ faith, academics, and personal growth. Please feel free to call the school office any time (753-2540) for a personal tour.

As I See It By Deacon Michael Thomas

November is traditionally the month we honor the Faithful Departed. We read in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. ‘From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.” (CCC 1032).

This is not the only thing, which happens in November. November also marks the beginning of the Holiday Season. For those who have experienced the loss of a love one, this can be a time of pain, loneliness, frustration, depression; it becomes anything but a season of joy. Though some might disagree, this also could happen due to the loss of a pet.

I think that this is a good thing for all of us to be aware of, in our own families and in the many families that surround us. The greatest gift we can give those who are grieving is an open ear, and the reassurance that they are not all alone. We need to be there for them even if it means this year we celebrate in an altogether different way.

You may have noticed the Book of Life has been placed in the sanctuary. Feel free to write in it the members of your families, who have died, and whom you would like us all to pray for throughout the month of November. May the souls of all our beloved dead rest forever in the peace of our Lord.

Catholic Charities

DO YOU WANT SOMEONE TO TALK TO?

Catholic Charities has highly trained and licensed counselors/social workers who can help you manage your life issues. They have 8 convenient locations throughout Greater Cincinnati and

Springfield.

Catholic Charities of South West Ohio strives to help clients achieve improved mental health and family relationships.

Providing highly individualized care, they strive to strengthen our community one individual, couple or family at a time.

Call (513) 489-8898 for a confidential appointment.

Catholic Charities Workshops

Caregivers and the Holidays: Enjoying a Joyful Season” ~ Wednesday November 19th, 2014 at 7:00-8:30 pm at St Susanna Church. No fee.

Legal and Financial Planning for Long Term Care ~ Thursday November 20th, 2014 at 7:00-8:30 pm at St. Michael Church ( Ministry Room). No fee.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?

Volunteers with a valid driver’s license who can assist in driving our refugee clients to appointments are needed. Contact Jeanne Cairns, Catholic Charities Volunteer Coordinator at 513-241-7745.

Pet Blessing 2014Pet Blessing 2014Pet Blessing 2014Pet Blessing 2014

It is customary for Catholic and Anglican churches to hold

ceremonies blessing animals on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi

on October 4. St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals.

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