~ Thomas

H E A P OST L E Catholic Church

O :1015 Olousan PQblicattons, Inc.

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Diocese of Peoria

904 E Lake Ave Peoria Heights stthomaspeoria.org

"Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life."

John 6 :47

St Thomas the Apostle Church Peoria Heights, 1111 nois

NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Reading I: 1Kings Reading II: Ephesians

Gospel: John

19: 4-8 4:30-5:2 6:41-51

Often at a science fair, there is a section on optical illusions. We are entertained by seeing one thing, but the reality is something else. Often we judge others from mere externals. Internally, people are often not what they appear to be externally. We must remain open to new evidence. In the Gospel today, some Jews are in a state of illusion. They j udge Jesus from mere externals. Jesus says, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." But they say, "You are a mere man, the son of Joseph. We know your family and where you grew up." They see externals only. Because of their negative feelings toward Jesus, they have closed minds. They will not accept Jesus' true identity. To accept Jesus beyond externals requires faith. Faith sees beyond externals.

Monday, August 10, 2015 7:00am Homer Jacquin/Family 8:00am Winifred Haughney & Anna Merkle/M ike &

Theresa Haughney & Family

Tuesday, August 11, 2015 7:00am JoAnn Gross/Family 8:00am T Joseph Varkey/The Joseph Family

\Nednesday,August12, 2015 7:00am Dave Ryon/J im & Deb Rochford 8:00am Jim McCabe/Scott & Joyce Elger

Thursday, August 13, 2015 7:00am Penny Scherer/The Wombacher Family 8:00am The Hafner Family

Friday, August 14, 2015 7:00am Teresa Hines/The Michael Naumann Family 8:00am Alice Eaton 1st Ann iv/Friends

Saturday, August 15, 2015 Feast of the Assumption 8:00am Regina Stewart/Mary Stewart S:OOpm Marilyn Roedell/Jay & Lois Streid

Sunday,August16, 2015 6:30am Janet Kimberl in/Dale & Donna Bursott 8:00am Jim Schaumburg/Family 9:30am Jan Van Tine/Family & Friends

11:00am Cecel ia LaHood/Family 5:00pm For the People

View this bulletin online at www.DiscoverMass.com

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 9, 2015

SENIOR CITIZENS Monday, August 10 at noon at the 50's Diner in the Metro Center. All seniors are welcome.

CENTERING PRAYER GROUP Monday, August 10 at 7:00 pm in the original church basement.

ROSARY FOR PEACE Tuesday, August 11 at 10:00 am in the chapel.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY Tuesday, August 11 at 7:00 pm in the lower level of the church.

BIBLE STUDY Wednesday, August 12 at 8:45 am in the parish office meeting room.

CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP Thursday, August 13 at 7:00 pm.

THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION Saturday, August 15 is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year. We will have our usual 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Masses that day.

"THAT MAN IS YOU" REGISTRATION after Masses next weekend.

PARISH OFFICE SUMMER HOURS

are

8:30 am - 3:00 pm

PARISH REGISTRATION

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY ZIP

PHONE

CHANGE OF ADDRESS --EMAIL

FINE HOME BUILDING &RENOVATION CONTRACTORS

Tim CallahanCell • 635-9330

Office • 686-3759

The parish bul letin is one of the most important means of communication to keep all parishioners informed of the activities of our parish and school. I look forward to in­serting a regular column in the bulletin as a means of shar­ing my thoughts or observations with you. This method of communication will substitute for the quarterly letters that Msgr. Watson used to send to parishioners.

At the Masses I celebrated last weekend, I mentioned the importance of the sacrament of marriage. The grace of the sacrament is a precious help to husbands and wives, both in their commitment to each other and in their responsi­bility as parents. Any parishioners who are planning to marry are encouraged to contact the parish office at least eight months beforehand to begin marriage preparation. Both the meetings with the clergy and the diocesan pre­marital programs provide couples with valuable insight for a successful marriage.

At the same time, I know that some parishioners may find themselves in an irregular marriage that is not recognized by the Church. If this is the case, you are welcome to con­tact the parish office. I would be happy to see what can be done to resolve the irregularity.

-Msgr. Gray

St. Thomas School Parents

Back to School Uniform Sale 20% off all of August at Lagron-Miller

It is time to invite people who have an interest in learning about/joining the Catholic Church t o the RCIA sessions which will begin the first Wednesday of October. Please pray about t his and contact Sr. Ra­chel if you are aware of anyone who might want to participate in the program. Call 688-3446.

St. Thomas Website: stthomaspeoria.org St. Thomas e-mail: parishoffice@stthomas-church.net

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED THIS WEEK

Sponsor of the Week

bI'T CALLAHAN CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

WEEKLY COLLECTION

7/26/15

Collections needed $ 24,000 Sunday Collections $ 14,311 Electronic Collections$ 3,471 Total Collected $ 17,782 Over/(Short) $ {6,218)

Fiscal YTD

$ 96,000 $ 73,676 $ 13,884 $ 87,560 $ (8,440}

We appreciate your generosity.

ST. THOMAS FOOD PANTRY

Following is the suggested list of food items:

Spaghetti Spaghetti Sauce Rice Canned Fruit Pancake M ix Syrup Dry Beans Cereal Tuna Soup Crackers Jelly Beef Stew Canned Vegetables Peanut Butter Mac & Cheese Instant Potatoes

Our greatest needs are:

Pancake Mix, Syrup and Jelly

We appreciate your generosity ..

View this bulletin online at www.DiscoverMass.com

____ 9.12.15 at 6:00pm._on the_blacktoR

I 111 I Sample a wide selection of craft and traditional brews. Wine, soda, and water will also be available.

I I I Enjoy some bbq by Pit Master Todd from Blue Ribbon Catering.

I A I Show us your stuffi There wil I be pickup games throughout the night.

I 11 I I ~ome hear Mindy Watkins and our t;lented StlJThomas students, followed by Borch Swing Tfierapy!

FREE Adnussion! Bring your chairs and blankets!

In tha gygnt of rain, tha fest will ba moved to thg new gym. Contact Oava Wiles at 264-9252 for more information o r to volunteer.

\IIN .......... ______ .._

A Family Embrace

by Diarmuid Martin For America Magazine

Renewing the church's pastoral support for marriage

I was surprised to find myself one of a small group of veterans at last year's Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family, one of the very few who had been present also at the Synod of Bishops on the Family in 1980. I also have attended many synods since then, albeit in a variety of capacities. This has given me some insight into how synods work and into where they have worked well and where they have run into difficulties. Last year's Ex1:raordinary General Assembly of the Synod let me compare and reflect on what has happened in the past 35 years.

I found it interesting, first of all, that both Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis took the family as the theme for their first synods. Both had been diocesan bishops up to the moment of their election- one in a country under Communist persecution and the other in the challenging and changing religious reality of Latin America- yet both saw clearly, from their own perspectives, how Christian marriage and the family are vital for the transmission of the faith and for the stability of society. Both saw the need not just to defend the teaching of the church but to foster the Christian vision of the family and to present that vision in an attractive and appealing way in the real situations of today's changing world.

It is interesting to recall that Pope Paul VI had, in fact, wanted to hold a synod on the family, but he feared that right after the publication of the encyclical "Humanae Vitae" (1968), it would not be possible to create the proper atmosphere. Ten years later, however, he felt that the time to hold a synod on the family had come, and he communicated that to the secretariat of the synod just before he died.

The question was taken up by Pope John Paul I, who formally communicated his decision to dedicate the synod to the theme of the Christian family in the contemporary world. But he also died before the theme was formally made public. Pope John Paul II took up the question shortly after his election, but he was not happy with the theme as formulated by his predecessor. Instead he chose the unusual term de muneribus, the mission of the family in the contemporary world.

He used the concept of the threefold mission of all Christians, priestly, prophetic and kingly, as a reminder that the family has a vital contribution to bring to the life of the church and to society and must be supported. Christian married couples have a mission within the church that must be fostered and never supplanted. Christian marriage and family life are ecclesial realities, realities of faith and of Christian life.

Synods have traditionally involved a preparatory position paper (lineamenta) on which bishops' conferences could reflect, followed by a working document (instrumentum laboris), which constituted an agenda for the synod's discussion. These were prepared by the Permanent Council of the Synod, 12 bishops elected at the conclusion of each synod and three others appointed by the pope. Pope Francis surprised us all last year by asking that thelineamenta be accompanied with a lengthy questionnaire, which not just the bishops but as wide a representation within the church as possible should study.

It was a revolutionary challenge. I think that some bishops had to read the instructions a few times before they realized exactly what they were being asked to do.

This surprising idea prompted varied reactions. One reaction was typical of us Irish. We immediately found fault with the questionnaire. The language was too complex, the time available was too short; how then were we going to carry out such a consultation?

continued on next page View this bulletin on line at www.DiscoverMass.com

This questionnaire, however imperfect, did in fact bring about a change in direction for the synod. This change was evident on the first morning of the synod, when Pope Francis said that he wanted an open and honest discussion:

After the last consistory [February 2014], in which the family was discussed, a cardinal wrote to me, saying: what a shame that several cardinals did not have the courage to say certain things out of respect for the pope, perhaps believing that the pope might think something else. This is not good, this is not synodality, because it is necessary to say all that, in the Lord, one feels the need to say: without polite deference, without hesitation. And, at the same time, one must listen with humility and welcome, with an open heart, what your brothers say. Synodality is exercised with these two approaches. It is necessary to say with parrhesia all that one feels.

I had to Google the wordparrhesia, and I found that it is a Greek New Testament term that means "courageous and bold speech" and the ability of believers to hold their own in discourse before political and religious authorities. We find it in Acts 4:13: "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus."

This Gospel parrhesia does not just encourage us to speak candidly and boldly; it seems to be saying also that in a sense, boldness of speech must be characteristic of the followers of Jesus. Catholicism is not a "yes man" faith. Candid affirmation of faith is not the gift just of the learned. It is rooted in a depth of faith rather than in a degree or diploma.

Pope Francis attended every working session of the synod except for his Wednesday general audience. He arrived every morning on foot, surprising some on the first morning when he arrived 20 minutes early and began the session exactly at nine o'clock. It was funny to watch eminent cardinals, used to having five minutes' grace at Vatican meetings, having to discretely slip into their places in the synod hall, like children arriving late for school.

What We Learned

The worldwide consultation had shown that the church's teaching on marriage and the family is not easily understood today, especially by young people. In today's culture, many of the classical terms regarding marriage and the family have taken on a different meaning.

The synod's analysis was realistic. The perfect family rarely exists. Families struggle everywhere. They struggle with poverty, unemployment and marginalization. They find it difficult to transmit faith to their children. In many parts of the world families are struck by wide-scale emigration and the separation that this entails. A couple from Iraq spoke movingly of the struggle that families in that region face, being driven from their homes if they do not renounce their Christian identity. The perfect family rarely exists, but in the midst of great challenges great families do exist and struggle. And they must be supported.

With so many countries represented, it was inevitable that concerns and challenges would be different. My English-speaking discussion group included five African bishops, seven from Asia, one from Papua New Guinea and just two from historically Christian countries, myself and Cardinal Dolan of New York. There were lay couples from the United States and Iraq, a lay theologian from Lithuania and a Presbyterian pastor from Nigeria.

Bishops from Africa spoke about polygamy; bishops from Asia spoke about marriage behveen people of different faiths. We discussed annulment processes. We discussed marriages of Christians who have a very weak understanding of their faith. An interesting aside was that a bishop from Greece mentioned to me that he had many Irish weddings on his islands, arranged by marriage planners as a sort of business within which the faith dimension was reduced to a colorful ceremony.

The strong message of the synod was a call for a radical renewal of the church's pastoral support for marriage and the family. In today's pluralism, we need a radical catechesis on marriage and the family. Marriage preparation is not just for a ceremony, much less just filling out canonical forms. Marriage must be understood as part of a lifelong catechesis or itinerary of faith. Marriage preparation and accompaniment is a lifelong task for parishes and for the day-to-day work of evangelization; it cannot be outsourced.

View this bulletin online at www.DiscoverMass.com

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

309-671-0791800-747-6453

Michael E. Leali, cprcSenior Vice President ~ Wealth Management

Mon-Sat10-5

688-PEAR4544 N Prospect Rd.

Peoria HeightsLibby Fritsch-Koszuta, cLass oF ‘94

FINE HOME BUILDING &RENOVATION CONTRACTORS

Tim CallahanCell • 635-9330

Office • 686-3759

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

GLAZING CONTRACTORSPeoria Notre Dame High School5105 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 —

Steve Malpede 309.691.5001 WilliaM voorheeS309-671-4543

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

www.sharrisuniforms.com

Your New Home for School Uniforms!

212 North Davenport • Metamora 309-367-2378Evening Hours Available • Office Hours by AppointmentGENERAL DENTISTRY & INvISALIGN ORThODONTIcSSteven T. Baldi, D.D.S.

Dentures Par excellence“Excellence in Removable Prosthodontics”

Richard 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) 633-1313

8101 N University

• REAL ESTATE •691-3121

Give us a tasteAvanti’s gives an American flavor to

an Italian favorite.Five Locations in Peoria, East Peoria, and Pekin.

Call Us! We deliver.avantispeoria.com

Amanda ChambersMarketing Director

AAmberg@BuehlerHome.comachambers@buehlerhome.com

(309) 685-6236

“Where Superior Service is a Tradition”

“Call Kelli Barisch, a parishioner,for all of your hearing needs.”

4704 N. Sheridan Rd., Peoria IL 61614(309) 688-4327

Specialists dedicated to your cardiovascular health

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

Compliments of

Since 1968

American LandscapingDesign and Installation

Jeff Russell - Parishioner309-635-4611

Specializing in Asphalt Paving • Asphalt Sealing

EAST PEORIA698-8404 Carl Kaufman www.osfhealthcare.org

• Commercial• Industrial• Residential

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

1208

BILL McCARTHYREALTOR® - PARISHIONER

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

Homemade All NaturalPremium Ice Cream • Frozen Yogurt

Catering Available • Credit Cards Accepted

718 W Glen St. 691-1910

The Spotted CowHomemade SoupS, SaladS,

BurgerS, FrieS and moo...re!

AGINGCARE MANAGEMENT41 Years Experience Working With The Aged

Sandi KiStner, mSw, c-aSwSm

309-231-0318 ParishionerAssessment • Consultation • Recommendation 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!

Jim RochfordAttorney At LAw

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

Tammy VuParishioner

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

Attorneys at LawParishioners:

Gary E. Schmidt

KarEn m. StumpE

ElizabEth t. arcot

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309.691.0300 • 2300 W. Pioneer Pkwy.

(309) 682-2090

2809 West Willow Knolls Drive • Peoria, IL

Harry Watts, D.D.s.Parishioner

309-579-2244

KRUMHOLZ BROTHERSLANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS

Dave & RichaRD KRumholz

Landscape • Excavating • Erosion Control

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

William C. WombacherATTORNEY-AT-LAW

Business ~ Real EstateElder Law Solutions

674-8125 PARISHIONER

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

Dr. Laurie DonlanPh. 309.692.0175

www.kidsfirstdentalgroup.com

1231 E. Samuel Ave. Peoria Heights

James Kelly - Owner/Parishioner681-1779

www.oliverspizza.org

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

Dennis Bishop, Parishioner243-5599

2800 W Alta Rd.

Stanley D. Lynall, CPAParishioner

(309) 648-7748

CFO Services On Demand

S. LINN PERKINS • JOHN R. PUSEYATTORNEYS AT LAW • PARISHIONERS

Vonachen, Lawless, Trager & Slevin 456 Fulton St., Suite 425 309.676.8986 Twin Towers Plaza www.vltslaw.com

Ed Zosky, GRIPresident, Parishioner

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

TOM SMITH PLUMBING CO.TIM & TOM SMITH - Plumbing

tomsmithplumbing.comIL LIC. 058-1052420

688-5114 429 E Sciota Ave. • Peoria Heights

Facial Plastic& Laser Surgery Center

7301 N KNoxville AveNue

309.589.3223Harrison C. Putman III, M.D., Parishioner

Peoria Ear, Nose & Throat Group

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

7301 N Knoxville Ave. • 309-589-5900

Jamie L. Smith, DDS, MSBoard Certified Pediatric Dentist

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

MEDICAL GROUPO FS

▫ Thomas M. Rashid, M.D. ▫ Stefanie N. Manley, APN▫ Alan B. DeBord, M.D. • Parishioner

▫ Samuel A. Grampsas, M.D. ▫ Jennifer L. Hicks, APN▫ Aaron Benson, M.D. ▫ Wendy Padilla, M.D.

OSF Urology1001 Main St.

Suite 400Peoria, IL 61606

Offices in: Kewanee, Galesburg, Canton

309-308-0920 Fax: 309-308-0930

KEMP MFG. CO.

4410-C North Knoxville Ave. Peoria

www.popedental.net 309-688-7007

JOSEPH M. POPE, D.D.S. ParishionerDentistry for Adults and Children Shear Pzazz Salon

www.shearpzazz.com 1311 E. Duryea, Peoria Heights

685-5253Patrick Moore, Parishioner

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