Your annual contribution statements for 2016 will be sent to you in the mail soon. Please call Cathy at the Pastoral Center (650) 494-2496 ext. 24, if you do not receive one, or if there is some inaccuracy.
Your parish’s Building & Equipment Maintenance Committee has committed to provide periodic updates to the parishioners on significant repairs, improvements and other major facilities-related expenses. This report covers the first two quarters of fiscal year 2017 (i.e., July – Dec 2016). In the future we plan to provide a report quarterly.
Mission: St. Thomas Aquinas Pastoral Home Ministry offers spiritual and social support for the sick and the home bound parishioners of all ages by visiting, bringing communion, praying, listening and helping them connect with the parish and other available services.
Whether you’re a parent who is raising a teen in the Catholic faith or an adult who cares immensely about the future of the young Church, we can all agree that getting teens to stay active during and after the high school years is quite challenging. Yet in my past ten years of experience in youth ministry, there are a few things adults can do that effectively help us retain our young people.
The first stage of the project was to renew the St. Albert The Great sanctuary. Much of the original marble flooring was obscured by a carpeted two-tier platform installed 30 years ago. The objective was to expose all the marble, but it was unknown if the original marble had been damaged during the platform construction.
As some of you might know, some time ago, I established a commission to study and recommend to me which seminary would best serve our local Church in the preparation of our seminarians for ordination to the priesthood. The commission has recently completed its work.
It is not an overstatement to say that the majority of Americans are descendants of immigrants or refugees. Indeed, many of our fellow citizens were once immigrants. The story of the United States is a tale of welcome and of new hope. Whether for those from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, or the Americas, this nation has been a bright-burning beacon and an invitation to a better life in which the gifts of God can be widely shared. Today is no different.
With your donations this month we have been able to help 6 Palo Alto families with rent, to pay partial utilities for 5 families, purchase food for the daily food bags we hand out at the parish door, and to help people with basic transportation necessities, including one-time registration for known people living in their vehicles.
If you shop at Amazon you can support St.Elizabeth Seton School too! Simply log onto Smile.Amazon.com first Select,"St. Elizabeth Seton School, Palo Alto " and then shop as usual. A percentage of every dollar spent goes back to Seton School. Thank you for supporting us!
Despite the problems, risks and difficulties to be faced, great numbers of migrants and refugees continue to be inspired by confidence and hope; in their hearts they long for a better future, not only for themselves but for their families and those closest to them.” Pope Francis
This year, I am asking you and every parish family to prayerfully consider making a 10-month pledge or a one-time gift in support of the ADA. Last year, six out of 10 of our identified donors to the Sunday Offertory particpated in the ADA. We are at our best as the Church when each one of us uses his or her gifts and talents to bring God’s love into our world. When everyone gives, everyone benefits.
As of January, the solar panels installed at the OLR and SAG sites have saved your parish a total of $16,962 in electric bills. A big THANK YOU to all who contributed to this important parish project.
Ever wish you could get our weekly church bulletin delivered to your email inbox or right to your phone or tablet? Well now you can -- for free -- if your parish publishes its bulletin with the J.S. Palace Company (and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish does!).
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