Latest News
January 2010
Mandatory Wedding Music Meeting To Take Place in February.
On Sunday, February 28, at 1:00 p.m. in the main Church there will be a mandatory
music meeting for brides and grooms getting married at St. Thomas. For more
information please call Lora at 781-243-1073.
Pre Cana Class Dates Set.
St. Thomas offers a Marriage preparation class once a year in the spring. This year the
dates are Friday, March 26, 6:00–8:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 27, from 9:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. To sign up, or if you have questions, please call the rectory at 978-658-4665.
Women’s Club To Celebrate Chinese New Year.
The St. Thomas Women’s Club will meet on Monday, February 8, at 6:00 p.m. in
Villanova Hall to celebrate the Chinese New Year. It is the year of the Tiger. Please
RSVP by Monday, February 1, to Joan Corsaro at 978-657-3905, since the Chinese food
(low salt and without MSG) has to be ordered. It will be a fun night for all the women of
the parish.
Plan to Take Part in World Marriage Day.
On February 13, 2010, we will celebrate World Marriage Day. Mark your calendar and
watch the bulletin for further details.
STAMP Dance Coming Soon!
On Saturday, March 20, 2010, we will have the STAMP dance. Tickets will be on sale in
the coming weeks.
Reminder Regarding Grade 7 and 8 Students
We are mandated to offer the “Created for Life Program” for our 7th-and 8th-grade
students. We are collaborating with both St. Dorothy and St. William Religious
Education Programs. The program will be held Saturday, January 23, 2010, from 10:00
a.m.–3:00 p.m. in Villanova Hall. Lunch will be provided. For students to attend the
program, they must have a signed permission slip, which went home with our 7th-and 8th-
graders this past week. All permission slips must be signed and returned by January 20th.
No student will be allowed to attend without a permission slip. If you have any questions,
please do not hesitate to contact us at 978-658-6040.
Thank You for Your Giving Tree Gifts!
The St. Thomas Parish Outreach Ministry would like to thank the parishioners for their
generosity. Catholic Charities, House of Hope, Millie Place, Home for Little Wanderers,
& the Lowell Middlesex Shelter all had a very merry and blessed Christmas Thank you
for “Living the Gospel.”
Please Give to the St. Thomas Grand Annual Appeal
Our 2009 Grand Annual Appeal continues. As of January 12, 2010, we had raised
$34,005.00. Our Parish Goal $50,000.00. Thank you to all those who have given. If you
have not yet done so, you may either mail your gift to the parish or place it in the
offertory basket.
Archdiocese Issues Directives Concerning H1N1
The Archdiocese of Boston has promulgated new directives concerning H1N1. Here they
are:
The Cardinal directs the following for the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy and for flu
prevention:
The Holy Water fonts are to be drained, cleaned with a disinfecting soap, and re-filled
with holy water on a regular basis. Please note that old holy water should be disposed
of in the sacrarium.
The distribution of the Precious Blood for the faithful is suspended, with the
exception of those who must receive from the cup due to medical reasons. The faith
of the Church teaches that Christ, whole and entire, is received even under only one
species.
The exchange of the Sign of Peace is to be offered without any physical contact. If
the priest celebrant chooses to extend the invitation for the sign of peace, the faithful,
instead of a handshake, may bow to the persons nearby.
While the faithful retain the option of receiving Holy Communion on the tongue or in
the hand, all ministers of Holy Communion are advised to distribute the consecrated
hosts with care, being cautious not to touch the tongue or the hand of the
communicant.
Parishioners should be reminded that if they are ill or suspect they are ill with a
contagious illness, they are not bound by the Sunday Mass obligation. They should
remain at home and return to church when they are well.
These directives are effective and remain in effect until the cold and flu season has come
to an end.