F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

In this Issue:Let’s Meet This Week 2 From the Pen of 2 Father Ken

Lenten Activities 4 February Calendar 6

Thank you to these wonderful women for putting the needs of the hungry ‘first’ in their lives:

Erica KornfeindMarianne Drogosz

Gloria TibbittsLiz AltfillischLynn Hauser

Leanne NamioSharon Hauser

Betty HerrmannJulie Fryer

Luann BausmanJennifer Nowicki

Marian CookRose YoungSara Peska

Lindsay Heitz

St. Thomas Aquinas Parish started answering the call to feed the hungry in our community last fall.

FACC (Freeport Area Church Cooperative) re-started their Dinner Program in October 2019. In response to their need, St. Thomas put out a call for help in Septem-ber and now have a group of parishioners who contrib-ute to the meal monthly or bi-monthly.

St. Thomas Aquinas cooks every first Monday of the month. We put together a dinner for the 10-15 homeless guests at the FACC Shelter on Chicago Avenue. Each month we plan a menu that includes an entrée, side dishes, vegetables, large garden salad and fresh fruit--and the FACC-request ice cream for dessert. The perish-able items are important since the guests do not have access to them on a regular basis. With 10 other area churches on the program, the guests receive a bountiful, hot meal several times a week. The staff at FACC sup-plements the other nightly dinners.

We are always looking for additional cooks, bakers or shoppers to help out on the first Monday of each month. We are also invited to serve the meal and have dinner with the guests if that is something you would like to do. If you are interested in helping with this Parish Ministry, please contact Lou Ann Hayes at 847-373-5745.

FACC Dinner Volunteers

M E E T T H E S T . T H O M A S

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Matthew 25:35

your monthly guide to the activities, opportunities and growth in the freeport catholic communities.

SUNDAY . February 2FAITH FORMATION• Education Wing . 9amFAITH FORMATION GROUP MASS• Church . 10:30amMONDAY . February 3BIBLE STUDY• McMillan Room . 6:30pm

TUESDAY . February 4FAITH UPDATE• O’Neill Center . 9am

THURSDAY . February 6BUILDING AND GROUNDS• McMillan Room . 5pmFINANCE COUNCIL• McMillan Room . 6pmPASTORAL COUNCIL• McMillan Room . 7pmFRIDAY . February 71ST FRIDAY ANOINTING• Chapel . 8:45amSATURDAY . February 8PARISH POTLUCK• O’Neill Center . 5:30pmSUNDAY . February 9DONUT SUNDAY• Lobby Coffee Bar . 8am-noonFAMILY FAITH FORMATION• O’Neill Center . 9amBAPTISM • Church . 11:45amMONDAY . February 10CLERGY CONFERENCE• Fr. Ken and Fr. Joel gone thru Wednesday, February 12BIBLE STUDY• McMillan Room . 6:30pmTUESDAY . February 11FAITH UPDATE• O’Neill Center . 9am

WEDNESDAY . February 12PRAY THE WAY OF THE CROSS . Chapel . 12pmTHURSDAY . February 13 STEWARDSHIP COMMISSION• McMillan Room . 6:30pmFRIDAY . February 14VALENTINE’S DAY PARTY• O’Neill Center . 6pmSUNDAY . February 16NO FAITH FORMATION EUCHARIST MINISTERS MEETING• O’Neill Center . 9amALTAR SERVER LUNCH+LEARN• O’Neill Center . 11:30am

PHONE 815-232-3225

WEB www.stthomasfreeport.org

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/Stthomasaquinasfreeport

EMAIL sta@stthomasfreeport.org

PRESENTATION OF THE LORDAbraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are our forbearers of faith, and by their belief and trust in God, and of His covenant, helped to unfold for us the goodness,

love and mercy of God. It is this faithfulness of God that allowed the prophets, and holy men and women, to speak the truth to a sinful people. This same trust in God gave courage to the Blessed Virgin Mary, as she gives her unconditional ‘yes’ as the God-carrier, of the Incarnation.

Not unlike the stewardship and discipleship of these ancient people, Simeon and Anna give praise to God for his faithfulness. When we are thankful, nurturing and nourishing the gifts we have been entrusted with, we are better able to make sacrifices in our own lives. Recognizing the goodness of God, we too put aside our wants and desires, so as to achieve even greater goodness.

So I commit myself to this one person always, in sickness and in health, for richer and poorer, so that in the end I can know the fullness of love and passion. I make a promise of celibacy, to teach, preach, and sanctify, so as to be present and inspire the lives of many people. Sacrifice seeks something greater, better than ourselves.

So Jesus is the one, true, and perfect sacrifice that brings light and beauty into a darkened and sinful world. With Simeon and Anna, we thank God for the gift of salvation and eternal peace.

Father Ken

2 WEEKSP L A N N I N G from the pen of father ken

The Anointing of the Sick is administered to bring spiritual and physical strength during an illness. The sacrament is a rite that is performed to convey God’s grace to the recipient, through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not Extreme Unction or Last Rites. Receiving the sacrament in the presence of family and friends adds to the sacredness and impact of spiritual healing for the one receiving the sacra-ment. Anointing of the Sick will be rou-tinely celebrated, on the First Friday of every month, after the 8:00am Mass. Our next Anointing will be held February 7.

The Anointing Sick of the

CURRENT ADORATION OPENINGS

Saturday . 3pmSunday . 10am, 11am and 12pm

To fill an opening, sign up for a specific hour,

or become a substitute,please call the office at 815-232-3225.

February’s Prayer

Intention:Say one Hail Mary a

day for those suffering with heart ailments.

Celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes (February 11) by learning the story of St Bernadette, ‘the visionary’.

MONDAY NIGHT MOVIE February 17 . 6:30pm

St. Thomas O’Neill CenterThis event is sponsored by St. Thomas Aquinas Parish

WEBSITEwww.stthomasfreeport.org STEWARDSHIP

Thank you to those who already donated to our annual maternity kit project. You are so generous! We now have plenty of washcloths, soap and diaper pins.We are still in need of: • receiving blankets • light-weight bath towels • baby gowns (no feet) • cloth diapers • light-weight house coats for womenIf you would like to help, please bring your donation to Aquin’s Student Office at 1419 South Galena from 8am-4pm. God bless your kind and generous hearts!

HAITI BIRTHING KITCOLLECTIONS

2 Dinner Events in February!

FEBRUARY COLLECTION GOAL250 CANS OF TUNA

(Mac and Cheese is always greatly appreciated!)

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS1400 Kiwanis Drive Freeport, IL 61032STEWARDSHIP

St. Thomas Aquinas will be

delivering meals the week

of February 17. If you want

to help with this ministry,

please call Marge Bushelle

at 815-233-1096. God bless

your generous hearts.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS1400 Kiwanis Drive Freeport, IL 61032

Light of the World PA R I S H R E T R E AT

An invitation especially for you . . .

to be part of a special faith journey,

to hear amazing talks,

to reflect during quiet moments,

to engage in rich fellowship,

and to connect with The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All adults over the age of 16, men and women,

Catholics and non-Catholics All Are Welcome!

Please prayerfully consider participating in this special faith journey . . . just for you!

• You are the one who will receive a precious gift by participating in Light of the World! • For the Lord delights in you and makes your land his spouse. As a young man marries a virgin, your Builder shall marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so shall your God rejoice in you. -- Book of the Prophet Isaiah --

• Light of the World is not a Bible study, it is not a catechism class, but it is a time to sit quietly and allow your soul to re-ignite the fire of your faith!

March 20 . Friday 6:30pm – 9:00pm

March 21 . Saturday8:15am – 7:30pm

March 22 . Sunday8:15am – 7:00pm

March 23 . Monday6:30pm – 9:00pm

St. Thomas Aquinas Church1400 Kiwanis Drive . Freeport, IL 61032 . 815-232-3225

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS1400 Kiwanis Drive Freeport, IL 61032

Light of the World PA R I S H R E T R E AT

An invitation especially for you . . .

to be part of a special faith journey,

to hear amazing talks,

to reflect during quiet moments,

to engage in rich fellowship,

and to connect with The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All adults over the age of 16, men and women,

Catholics and non-Catholics All Are Welcome!

Please prayerfully consider participating in this special faith journey . . . just for you!

• You are the one who will receive a precious gift by participating in Light of the World! • For the Lord delights in you and makes your land his spouse. As a young man marries a virgin, your Builder shall marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so shall your God rejoice in you. -- Book of the Prophet Isaiah --

• Light of the World is not a Bible study, it is not a catechism class, but it is a time to sit quietly and allow your soul to re-ignite the fire of your faith!

March 20 . Friday 6:30pm – 9:00pm

March 21 . Saturday8:15am – 7:30pm

March 22 . Sunday8:15am – 7:00pm

March 23 . Monday6:30pm – 9:00pm

St. Thomas Aquinas Church1400 Kiwanis Drive . Freeport, IL 61032 . 815-232-3225

Think back to last year’s Palm Sunday-- the triumphant en-try of Jesus into Jerusalem and then the Passion. We have absolute joy on Palm Sunday and as we begin Lent, we use these same things--palms now burned to ashes--to show re-pentance and the need for salvation.

Please help us prepare for Ash Wednesday by bringing your palms from last year to St. Thomas so they can be burned and traced in the sign of the cross on our foreheads as a reminder that we are sinners. Please place your loose palms (no twist ties or rubber bands) in the boxes in the lobby by Sunday, February 16 as we will burn them for Ash Wednesday on February 26.

PALMS INTO ASHES Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.

PANCAKE BREAKFASTSunday . February 23

Knights of Columbus Council #12120 St. Thomas

Serving Pancakes, Sausage & Eggs with Coffee and Juice

following the 8 and 10:30am Masses. Donations welcome.

Proceeds support FACC!

MADONNA RENEWAL CENTER SPAGHETTI DINNERThe Madonna Renewal Center will be sponsoring a spaghetti dinner on Tuesday, February 25, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Freeport. The meal that includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, garlic bread, beverage and dessert will be served from 4-7pm. The pre-sale tickets will be $8.00 and tickets at the door will be $9.00. Any questions? Please contact Pat Davis at 7pandj1@gmail.com.

WASHING OF THE FEETHOLY THURSDAY

‘If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.’

John 13:1–17In remembering Jesus’ selfless act of washing his apostles feet during the Last Supper, Father would like to wash the feet of twelve people during Holy Thursday Mass. If you are interested and available on Thursday, April 9 at 7pm, please call the Church office, 815-232-3225 to volunteer. Thank you!

FAITH FORMATIONWEBSITEwww.stthomasfreeport.org

•To register, go to: stthomasfreeport.formed.org

THE BEST CATHOLIC CONTENT. ALL IN ONE PLACE.

FEbruaryschedule

february 2: faith formation 9am Group Mass 10:30amfebruary 9: family faith formation 9amno classes february 16 february 23: faith formation 9am Group Mass 10:30am

•

•

•

NEW DAY of the WEEK!

New GRADES INVITED!

Updated YOUTH ROOM!

Starts Feb 6 ! 7th and 8th graders are now welcome to join the Youth Group (7th-12th). Food, air hockey, foosball, videos, discus-sion, Adoration, making Catholic friends!

@ St. Thomas Aquinas Church

Questions: Jason 815-275-0895

‘St. Thomas Aquinas Parish is a faith community under the guidance

of the Holy Spirit dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus through Word, Sacrament, and Service both to its

parishioners and the broader community through worship, prayer and evangelization.

THE WAY OF THE CROSS OF THE UNBORN

Join us as we pray in Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel on Wednesday, February 12 at noon and at noon on the 12th day of every month. This is an apostolate for the great Glory of God, through the intercessions of Mary, our pregnant Lady of Guada-lupe, Patroness of the Unborn. The unborn speaks. We will pray the Stations of “The Way of the Cross” for the unborn and their mothers and fathers to restore peace, heal their conscience and promote a culture of life. At our Holy Mother’s request, the un-born child speaks their feelings during the stations.

BAPTISMBaptism classes are offered every other month, and we recommend the class be taken before the child is born. If it’s been more than 3 years since you last at-tended a Baptism class, you

are required to attend one to have your child(ren) baptized. Baptisms are also held monthly during or after the 10:30am Mass. Parents wishing to have their child(ren) baptized should call the church office. Our next celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism will be Sunday, February 9.

In an effort to reach more households, St. Thomas Aquinas is signed up for the Observer’s Golden Plan. What exactly does that mean? Based on our num-ber of registered families, we are invoiced annually. Parishioner payments are deducted from that amount and St. Thomas pays the bal-ance. Our 2019 invoice was $10,892. A total of $3,280 (from parishioners who paid for their own subscription), was deducted, leaving a bal-ance of $7,612 for STA to pay. Thank you to those parish-ioners who pay for their sub-scription (in turn helping to pay down our balance)!

T

MASS TIMES & INFORMATIONFEBRUARY 3-9

DAILY ROSARY: Before 8am Masses

DAILY CHAPEL SERVICES MON 8am MASS • for Lucille Miller TUE 8am MASS • for Lorayne Edwards WED 8am MASS • for Deceased Loved Ones of St. Thomas Parishioners 3:30pm MASS • at Liberty Village THU 8am MASS • for Deceased Loved Ones of St. Thomas Parishioners FRI 8am MASS • for Terry Johnson

All Are WelcomeAll of our events, meetings and celebra-

tions are open to everyone so please

mark them on your calendar and join us! (available in Google Play & The App Store) www.stthomasfreeport.orgConnect with Us!

815-232-3225

sta@stthomasfreeport.org

26 27 28 30 31

9 10 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Baptism Class 10am

Faith Formation 9amFaith Formation Group Mass 10:30am

Faith Update 9am

1st Friday Anointing 9am

Parish Potluck 5:30pm

Family Faith Formation 9am

Coffee & Donuts 9am-12pm

Baptism 11:45am

Bible Study 6:30pm

Pray the Way of the Cross 12pm

Servants of Mary 6:30pm

KC’s 7pm

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day Party 5:30pm

No Faith Formation ClassesEucharistic Minister Meetings 9amAltar Server Lunch+Learn 11:30am

Presidents’ Day Office Closed

Bible Study 6:30pm

Monday Night Movie: ‘Bernadette’ 6:30pm

Faith Update 9amCursillo Group 10am

Holy Week Prep Meeting 7pm

Liturgy Commission 7pm

Catechist Certification Class 8:30am

Bible Study 6:30pm

Faith Update 9amMRC Spaghetti Dinner 6pm

23 24 26 27 2928

Building & Grounds 5pm

Finance Council 6pm

Pastoral Council 7pm

5

25

29 1

Bible Study 6:30pm

Win With Wellness EnrollmentSessions: 9:30am &5:30pm

3 4 6 7 82

Rite of Election in Rockford 10am

Family Night Social 5:30pm

Faith Update 9am

Pray the Way of the Cross 12pm

Stewardship Commission 6:30pm

Ash Wednesday• Mass 8am & 5:30pm• Liturgy of the Word Service 10am & 12:15pm

SAT 8am MASS • for Deceased Loved Ones of St. Thomas Parishioners

WEEKEND MASSES SAT 4:30pm MASS • for Mark Rauch and deceased members of the Harrenstein Family SUN 8am MASS • for the People of the ParishSUN 10:30am MASS • for Mark Sneek SUN 1pm MASS • Spanish Mass at St. Mary Parish

February

Family Faith Formation 9am

Faith Formation Group Mass 10:30am

KC’s Pancake Breakfast 9am-noon

HOLY FAMILY

LIGHTSare burning

in loving memory of Patrick Love.

JANUARY 25-26 C O L L E C T I O N S

Sunday Envelopes $5,494.00Loose Offering 354.77 Total $5,848.77 Children’s Collection $ 25.47Online e-Giving $1,882.00

Our February 6.5% tithe goes to Highland Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa and the 11th Annual HCC OneMeal Event on April 3-4. This year, HCC Phi Theta Kappa is providing leadership for the OneMeal event.

Every quarter given, provides a meal for a child.

OUR PARISH TITHE

F O R C A L E N D E R U P D A T E S & C H A N G E S , V I S I T w w w . s t t h o m a s f r e e p o r t . o r g .

11

Clergy Conference for Frs. Ken and Joel

REPOSE OF THE SOUL

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Bill Pittz, formerly of our parish and for Lloyd G. Smith, father

of Dena Burke of our parish.

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