EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Reading I: Isaiah 49:14-15 Reading II: 1 Corinthians 4: 1-5 Gospel: Ma�hew 6:24-34 Today’s Gospel provides us with Jesus’ approach to stress management: stop worrying about what you are to eat, or wear, or any of the countless concerns that plague you. Instead seek first the kingdom of God. In other words, trust that God who knows what you really need will provide that for you. How o.en are we so preoccupied that we forget to look at the birds in the sky or the flowers in the field? How o.en are we so busy acquiring things that we forget to give thanks to the one who provides? The choice Jesus offers between serving God or money is really a choice between the true God and a false god.

St Thomas the Apostle Church Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Peoria Heights, Illinois February 26, 2017

SIGN UP FOR EUCHARISTIC ADORATION is in the gathering space this weekend CENTERING PRAYER Monday, February 27 at 7:00 pm in the old church basement ROSARY FOR PEACE Tuesday, February 28 at 10:00 am in the chapel EDUCATION COMMISSION Tuesday, February 28 at 6:30 pm in the school library ASH WEDNESDAY MASSES 7:00, 8:00, 9:05 am and 12:15 and 7:00 pm. BIBLE STUDY Wednesday, March 1 at 8:45 am CCD Wednesday, March 1 at 6:15pm in the school RCIA Wednesday, March 1 at 7:00 pm. Meet in the church. CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP Thursday, March 2 at 7:00 pm in the old church basement EUCHARIST PARENT MEETING Thursday, March 2 at 7:00 pm in the school library THAT MAN IS YOU Friday, March 3 at 5:30 am in the church basement. Topic: Receiving the Gi� of Mary

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION/PEACE VIGIL Friday, March 3 beginning a.er 8:00 am Mass and closing with Benedic9on at 8:00 pm ST VINCENT DE PAUL, FOOD PANTRY AND CHRIST CHILD COLLECTIONS will be at Masses next weekend

WEEKLY COLLECTION

2/12/2017 Fiscal YTD

Collec9ons needed $ 24,000 $ 792,000 Sunday Collec9ons $ 18,899 $ 601,947 Electronic Collec9ons $ 4,461 $ 151,872 Total Collected $ 23,360 $ 753,819 Over/(Short) $ (640) $ (38,181)

We appreciate your generosity.

Monday, February 27, 2017

7:00am Pete and Mary Lou Spitzer 8:00am Teresa Hines/Rose Sullivan Tuesday, February 28, 2017

7:00am Helen Farraher/Lora Valen9ne

8:00am Linda Schachtrup/Jay & Be�y Vonachen Wednesday, March 1, 2017-Ash Wednesday

7:00am Tony Ferris/Chan Li Lin & Dennis Ferris 8:00am Krystle Camp/Mark & Marlynn Kelsch 9:05am Teresa Varkey/The Joseph Family 12:15am Jerry Wainman/Mr & Mrs Bob Hadank 7:00pm Theresa Hendricks/The CCD Family Thursday, March 2, 2017

7:00am Tony Gay/Frank Eaton

8:00am John Ryan/Blanch Laffey 5:30pm Larry Winkler/Jan Nelson & Tom Willkie Friday, March 3, 2017-First Friday

7:00am Bishop Daniel R Jenky/Franciscan Sisters of St John the Bap9st 8:00am World Peace & Special Prayer Inten9ons 5:30pm Nancy Hoover/Michael Staab Saturday, March 4, 2017

8:00am Purgatorial Society 5:00pm Frank DeLuca Sunday, March 5, 2017

6:30am Tom & Dorothy Lavin/Rich & Colleen Lavin 8:00am For the People 9:30am Edward & Mary Parry/Jeanne Parry Smith 11:00am Rita Dixon 15th Anniv/Billy & Diane Dixon 5:00pm Galeen Driscoll/Dale & Brenda Noel

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. While this is not a Holy Day of Obliga9on, par9cipa9ng in this Mass and receiving ashes is an excellent way to begin this season of penance. Those 14 and older are reminded of the obliga9on of abs9nence from meat, and those between 18 and 59 are reminded of the obliga9on to fast on this day. With the beginning of Lent, our evening daily Mass will return at 5:30 pm. Whether a�ending in the morning, or the evening, daily Mass is another excellent way to draw fruit from the season of Lent. On the Fridays of Lent, we will also offer an addi9onal hour of confession, beginning at 6:00 pm, a.er which we will have Sta9ons of the Cross at 7;00 pm. Since the Fridays of Lent are days of penance, including abs9nence from meat, I encourage you to make 9me on these Friday evenings to walk the Sta9ons with Our Lord. -Msgr. Gray

SERVER SCHEDULES Please check in the sacristy when you arrive

to see if servers are needed. FEBRUARY 25/26

Sat 5:00 pm M Bell, J Lewallen, C Pag-ong Sun 8:00 am A Rusk, L Byrkit Sun 9:30 am C Kube, K Kube, R Kube Sun 11:00 am E Geers, J Geers, G Jockisch Sun 5:00 pm L Fricke, L Piper, A Wong Feb 27-March 4 8:00 B Messmer, C Messmer MARCH 4/5

Sat 5:00 pm Jennifer Rutschke, Max Rutschke, Jenna Horst Sun 8:00 am Abby Stevenson, Caleb Stevenson Sun 9:30 am Makenzie Buckardt, Elizabeth Sherman, Zach Sherman Sun 11:00 am Anna Meister,Chris9na Tockes, Keira Tockes Sun 5:00 pm Benson Russell,Aimee Perez,Andrew Perez March 6-11 8:00 Elly Bare, Dillon Bare

GoodNewsPeople, a dynamic parish-wide faith for-ma9on program by JustFaith Ministries, offers a way to engage Catholics seeking to deepen their under-standing and prac9ce of their faith. GoodNewsPeople includes 7 2-hour sessions, a break and another 7 weeks if there is interest by the group. Each session includes prayer, reflec9on on the Scrip-tures (lec9o divina), and discussion. It is a great op-portunity to meet people in the parish as well as a chance to have a specific commitment to Lent. There will be a focus on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

St. Thomas Parish is offering this program during Lent and following. • We will have small groups, facilitated by two peo-

ple. • Mee9ng will be weekly for 2 hours. • Time/place decided by group. • Materials are provided (small fee for each par9ci-

pant). Great opportunity to know other people and learn more about Scripture and stories of faith in our Church teachings and their impact in our daily lives.

Sign up a=er Masses February 19 weekend in lower level of church.

ST. THOMAS FOOD PANTRY FOLLOWING IS A SUGGESTED LIST FOOD ITEMS:

Dry Pasta Rice Box Potatoes Pancake Mix Syrup Can Tomatoes Can Fruit Tuna Beef Stew Crackers Jelly Peanut Bu�er Can Veggies Cereal Meal Helpers Mac & Cheese Soup Tomato Sauce

Thank you for your generosity

PARISH REGISTRATION

NAME _________________________________________ ADDRESS ________________________________________ CITY _____________________________ZIP____________ PHONE _________________________________________ CHANGE OF ADDRESS____ EMAIL __________________________________________

Please remember St. Thomas Church in your will.

Sponsor of the Week

St. Thomas Website: s�homaspeoria.org St. Thomas e-mail: parishoffice@s�homas-church.net

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED THIS WEEK: John Grow, father of Leanne Immesoete and grandfather of Jack and Molly; Harriet O�enweller

Spring Semester That Man is You

The TMIY program will end just before the 7:00 am Mass. The Spring program will run for 12 weeks. All men of the parish are welcome to a�end. If you did not register in the Fall, please pick up an enrollment card in the Gathering Space or from the Parish Office. You can complete the card and bring it with you on Friday morning or register at the door.

Friday, March 3 Topic: Receiving the Gi� of Mary

My involvement with the St. Vincent de Paul Society began rather benignly with a no9on to work in the St. Thomas Food Pantry on a once per month basis. This volunteer opportunity has developed into a much larger role in the monthly opera9on of the Food Pan-try. One of the responsibili9es of the Food Pantry re-quires a monthly report given at SVdP mee9ngs. At these mee9ngs, many topics and tasks of the local conference are discussed. Through these discussions I have learned of the great work that our humble vol-unteers perform. A brief list of these tasks includes: Coming Together to Get ahead workshops, Voice of the Poor advocacy, Food Pantry opera9ons, and, most importantly, Client visits made to Help Line callers. Client visits make up the bulk of the workload. Many families have been helped through these visits. Assis-tance may be in the form of a paid bill, food/furniture procurement or prayer and counseling; many needs are served by the volunteers of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Needs that would go unmet without your contribu9ons. Thank you so much for your generosity in all that you do to serve the poor in our area and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Our collec9ons are a.er all Masses on the first weekend of every month. Looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity? Come see us at one of our monthly mee9ngs: 2nd Tuesday of the month.

HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS

212 North Davenport • Metamora 309-367-2378

Evening Hours Available • Office Hours by Appointmentwww.baldikrall.com

GENERAL DENTISTRY & INvISALIGN ORThODONTIcSSteven T. Baldi, D.D.S.

You can a>end a Catholic School Financial Assistance Available

Tui9on assistance scholarship grants from the endowment fund established as a result of the dio-cese of Peoria Rooted In Faith Campaign and named in honor of Archbishop Spalding, the first Bishop of Peoria, will be available for the 2017-18 school year for students enrolled in or intending to enroll in grades Kindergarten through 12 in any Catholic school located in the diocese of Peoria whose families are ac9ve members of a Catholic parish in the diocese. All grants will be based on financial need objec9vely as-sessed. Informa9on about the grants and applica9on material may be obtained from any Catholic elemen-tary or secondary school in the diocese of Peoria or on the diocesan website www@cdop.org under Catholic Educa?on and then under Financial Assistance.. Con-sult the detailed protocols and procedures and check-list for all requirements necessary to be eligible for an award. Parents are encouraged to apply online at online.factmgt.com/aid. Families of students current-ly receiving grants are reminded that all grants are for one year only, and anyone seeking to renew a grant for the 2017-18 year must reapply. Deadline date for the completed applica9on is March 15, 2017. No9fica9on of grant awards will be made by the end of April.

Catholic Post

Did you know that you can place a message atop a page of our excellent diocesan newspaper, The Catho-lic Post? Your special message will be seen in 16,000 Catholic households! Memorialize a deceased loved one, give thanks for a new grandchild or a marriage anniversary, or just share the joy of your faith. A page sponsorship of $100 is one suggested level of giving in The Catholic Post’s Delivering Unity Campaign now under way. Every gi. is also a subscrip9on. Contribute instantly via credit or debit card any9me online at the-catholicpost.com or by calling 1-800-340-5630 during business hours. You may also send a check to The Catholic Post, PO Box 1722, Peoria, IL> 61656. The regular subscrip9on rate remains at $29.

Monday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m.

(�ower �eve� of the Church) A�� are invited to attend!

will host a Lenten Speaker

St. Thomas

Women’s Guild

(No food will be served this evening)

Refreshments will be provided.

Lenten Series

St. Thomas the Apostle Church 2017

Care of the Whole Person

As We Journey in Faith

March 7 Spirituality and the American Mental Health Crisis—Dr. Ted Wolgamot March 14 The Role of Silence as We Care for our Spirit—Msgr. Jason Gray March 21 Wellness—Care for our Bodies on the Journey of Faith—Dr. Tim Vega March 28 Decisions As we Approach the End of

7:00 pm Lower level of church

New this year, Notre Dame Youth Baseball will offer a house league for girls ages 6-16 interested in learning and playing fast pitch softball. House league provides an opportunity for girls to play, regardless of competitive abil-ity. Every child who registers is guaranteed a spot on a team roster. Online registration will be open from Febru-ary 8-March 15, 2017 at www.ndyouthbaseball.com

ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE PARISH 309-688-3446 904 EAST LAKE AVENUE PEORIA HEIGHTS, IL. 61616 parishoffice@stthomas-church.net

Msgr. Jason A. Gray, Pastor, ext 3 msgrgray@stthomas-church.net Rev. Paul Stark S.J., Parochial Vicar, ext 4 pstarksj@stthomas-church.net Sr. Rachel Bergschneider, Pastoral Associate, ext 5 rbergsch@juno.com Maureen Bentley, St. Thomas School Principal Deacon Frank Eaton Deacon Mark Kelsch Deacon John Nelson Terri Moon, Parish Secretary, ext 0 Valerie Wallenfang, Parish Secretary Angie Robenstein, CCD Coordinator Ann Horst, Liturgical Music Coordinator Julie Streid, Parish Accountant Pat Wombacher, Tuition Coordinator Jan Smith, Director of Development & Alumni Jan Alt, Parish Nurse Linda Hernandez, Pastoral Care/Caring Presence Ministry Annulment Consultations: Colleen Caldwell, 256-0730 John Mackoway, 699-5213 Linn Perkins 231-0261

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Baptism class is held for all parents before the baptism of their child. Please contact Sr. Rachel to schedule the class. Next Baptisms: February 26 at 11:00 am Mass.

PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS Beth Salmon, Trustee 243-2257 Matt Vonachen, Trustee 360-0578 George Burek, President 446-3623 Carolyn Kinskey, Vice President 966-3252 Anne Gray, Secretary 691-1479 Brian Barkley 692-4165 Dave Donnelly 693-7315 Gerry Pfeiffer 589-1854 Mary Jo Pinto 692-6107 Mike Shekleton 258-2326 Dr Ted Wolgamot 691-0618

Scott Elger, CFP®, CPWA®

Director

(309) 680-4431selger@rwbaird.com

Alex ElgerFinancial Advisor

(309) 680-4434aelger@rwbaird.com

Private Wealth Management • 110 SW Jefferson • www.scottelger.com

Mon-Sat10-5

688-PEAR

4544 N Prospect Rd.Peoria Heights

aperfectpearboutique.comLibby Fritsch-Koszuta, cLass oF ‘94

KELLY GLASS, INC. Bob Kelly www 2400 S.W. Adams (309) 676-3573

GLAZING CONTRACTORSPeoria Notre Dame High School

5105 N Sheridan RoadPeoria, IL 61614 • 309-691-8741

Celebrating over 150 Years of Catholic Education

4208 PARTRIDGE WAY • P.O. BOX 3858 • PEORIA, IL 61612— Parishioners —

www.hedigerandmeyers.com Steve Malpede 309.691.5001 WilliaM voorheeS

309-671-4543

e’ve Got You Covered Since 1910”1025 N Sheridan Road

www.sharrisuniforms.com

Your New Home for School Uniforms!

Dr. Laurie DonlanPh. 309.692.0175

www.kidsfirstdentalgroup.com

Dentures Par excellence“Excellence in Removable Prosthodontics”

richardjunedds.comRichard P. June, DDS

Parishioner 309-693-7200 Trumpeter

Law Office of Peter J. LynchFamily Law ▪ Criminal Defense ▪ Civil Litigation

FREE Consultation ▪ 309-573-1443 ▪www.peterlynchlaw.com ▪ Parish Member

Attorney at LawWills • TrusTs • EsTaTE Planning • ProbaTE

Jack Boos, P.C. Commerce Bank Building 309.673.4948 416 Main St., Suite 933 jboos@booslaw.com

Parishioner Heating-Cooling-RefrigerationResidential & Commercial

24 hour emergency service “free estimates on new equipment installation”329 N. Western

(309) 633-1313www.dmiheatingandair.com

8101 N University

• REAL ESTATE •691-3121

1 & 2 Room Whirlpool SuitesChildren under 12 stay FREE

AMERICINN® OF PEORIA

9106 N Lindbergh Dr.309-692-9200

Large Indoor Pool & Whirlpool Free Enhanced Continental Breakfast Give us a taste

Avanti’s gives an American flavor to an Italian favorite.

Five Locations in Peoria, East Peoria, and Pekin.

Call Us! We deliver.avantispeoria.com

Specialists dedicated to your cardiovascular health

Ronald Rabjohns, MD -- Parishioner (309) 691-4410

Compliments of

Since 19684704 N. Sheridan Rd., Peoria IL 61614(309) 688-4327

Come see us for a free hearing screening

EAST PEORIA698-8404

www.tazwellcountyasphalt.comCarl Kaufman

Specializing in Asphalt Paving • Asphalt Sealing

www.osfhealthcare.org

• Commercial• Industrial• Residential

(309) 693-2400----24 Hour Service ----

www.laserelectricinc.com

Illinois

CatholicMatch.com/goIL

Parishioners of st. thomas

804 West trailcreek Dr. • Peoria, ilWWW.rashiDPutman.com • 309-670-0700

BILL McCARTHYREALTOR® - PARISHIONER

Honig-Bell7555 N. Knoxville Bus: 689-7371 Cell: 360-0012

Homemade All NaturalPremium Ice Cream • Frozen Yogurt

Catering Available • Credit Cards Acceptedwww.spottedcow.net

718 W Glen St. 691-1910

The Spotted CowHomemade SoupS, SaladS,

BurgerS, FrieS and moo...re!

AGINGCARE MANAGEMENT42 Years Experience Working With The Aged

Sandi KiStner, mSw, c-aSwSm

309-231-0318 ParishionerAssessment • Consultation • Recommendation

Jim RochfordAttorney At LAw

JIM ROCHFORD & ASSOCIATES309.637.5322 PARISHIONER101 South West Adams, #700drochford@rochfordlaw.com

Floyd J. Rashid, D.D.S.

2819 Knoxville Ave. | Peoria

Full and Partial Denture ServiceEmergency ExtractionsIncluding Wisdom Teeth

General Dentistry

(309) 688-5800 | cell 453-9505 Parishioner

New Patients Welcome!

Tammy VuParishioner

For beautiful, strong . . . natural looking nails683-6968 Junction City’s New Building

309-579-2244

KRUMHOLZ BROTHERSLANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS

Dave & RichaRD KRumholz

Landscape • Excavating • Erosion Control

www.krumholzbros.com

sche

rerm

azda

.com

309.691.0300 • 2300 W. Pioneer Pkwy.

(309) 682-2090

2809 West Willow Knolls Drive • Peoria, IL

Harry Watts, D.D.s.Parishioner

William C. WombacherATTORNEY-AT-LAW

wombacherlaw.com

Business ~ Real EstateElder Law Solutions

674-8125 PARISHIONER

Richard A. Kube II, MD, FACSSSpine Surgeon

7620 N University St. Parishioner Office: 309-691-7774

www.prairiespine.com

Minimally invasive spine surgeryPhysical therapy on site

212 North Davenport • Metamora 309-367-2378

Evening Hours Available • Office Hours by Appointmentwww.baldikrall.com

GENERAL DENTISTRY & INvISALIGN ORThODONTIcSSteven T. Baldi, D.D.S.

Robert W. McQuellon, MBAPresident / CEO and Parishioner

Real Estate Tax Appeals

Commercial • Industrial • Residential309-256-6700 Mobile • 309-693-2600 Office • 309-693-6200 Fax

Email: bob@mcquellon.com • www.mcquellon.com

Roger E. Holzgrafe • S. Linn PerkinsATTORNEYS • PARISHIONERS

411 Hamilton Blvd. • Suite 1400 • Peoria, IL 61602

Westervelt, Johnson, Nicoll & Keller, LLC

309-671-3550

Peoria Heights - 681-1779 1231 E. Samuel Ave.

North Peoria - 691-7891 3300 W. Willow Knolls Dr.

parties • catering • rehearsal dinners

James Kelly - Owner/Parishioner

www.oliverspizza.org

* General Construction* Design Build* Commercial & Residential* Construction Management* Pre Engineered StructuresDESIGNERS & CONTRACTORS

Dennis Bishop, Parishioner243-5599

2800 W Alta Rd.

TOM SMITH PLUMBING CO.TIM & TOM SMITH - Plumbing

tomsmithplumbing.comIL LIC. 058-1052420

688-5114 429 E Sciota Ave. • Peoria Heights

Ed Zosky, GRIPresident, Parishioner

www.Zosky.com500 School St. Bus: 745-3300 Cell: 696-7441

7ONPROSPECT.COMS

ON PROSPECTA COSMOPOLITAN GRILL

E E NV4609 N PROSPECT AVE.309.682.7007

PARISHIONER

Peoria Ear, Nose & Throat Group

James a. GeraGhty, m.D.– Parishioner –

7301 N Knoxville Ave. • 309-589-5900

Loren D. Zimmerman

309.682.9666

2600 N. Knoxville AvePeoria, IL 61604

lzimmerman@farmersagent.com

by: Krystyna @ Judy’s688-3371

Styles • Cuts • Flattops • Neck Shaves

4311 N. Sheridan Rd. Closed Mondays

Jamie L. Smith, DDS, MSBoard Certified Pediatric Dentist

www.growingsmilespeoria.com(309) 685-44444207 N. Prospect • Peoria Heights

KEMP MFG. CO.

Shear Pzazz Salon www.shearpzazz.com 1311 E. Duryea, Peoria Heights

685-5253Patrick Moore, Parishioner

Deborah SimonisLCSW • IBECPTS

Internationally Board Certified Child Therapist

2426 W. Cornerstone Ct. • Peoria, IL 61614

Catholic CounselorFamily & Child Therapist

(309) 750-2828

309-208-6246

Bill & Joan Krumholz, ParishionersR e a s o n a b l e R a t e s

Attorneys at LawParishioners:

Gary E. Schmidt

KarEn m. StumpE

ElizabEth t. arcot

676-1381