As we navigate these difficult times together, we know: "Jesus was born in a humble stable, into a poor family. Simple shepherds were the first witnesses to this event. In this poverty heaven's glory was made manifest. The Church never tires of singing the glory of this night" (CCC 525). May Jesus' birth and heaven's glory which comes to us strengthen our faith, hope, and love! Due to the COVID pandemic, St. Thomas More Church is especially concerned about everyone’s health and safety. We have received directives from the Archdiocese of Newark concerning Christmas Masses. In view of these directives (and their implementation - see bottom of page), attendance for Christmas Masses will be by registration only. Registration will be on a "first come" basis for all Masses. You can sign up using the "attendance form" in the Bulletin, or by contacting the Rectory. When we reach our permitted capacity, we will inform you. The "attendance form" may be placed in the basket on Sunday, dropped off at the Rectory during office hours (Mon-Fri, 8:30AM - 4:00PM), or in the new “drop box” on the brick wall outside the Rectory. You may also call the Rectory at 973-227-0055 or email: stmparish@verizon.net. **Note: It is very important that you include your name, phone number, Email, the Mass time you wish to attend, and the number of people who will be attending with you.** The directives have been implemented as follows...
We are permitted to have 100 people in Church and 50 people in O’Connor Hall. It is mandatory for everyone to wear a mask in Church & O’Connor Hall throughout the Mass, along with maintaining social distancing of 6'. There is to be absolutely no congregating (socializing inside or outside Church) besides for the liturgy. An additional Vigil Mass (at 2PM on December 24th) will be celebrated. The dispensation continues to be in effect for those not able to attend Mass. We will live-stream Christmas Mass. (Note: this information is all pending directives that are sent to us from the Archdiocese of Newark. We will inform you if any changes are made.)  In the true Christian spirit of charity and helping those less fortunate than us, please take a tag or tags from our tree. Please only take a tag if you are able to purchase the gift.
Wrap it, securely attach the tag and place it in the appropriate bin for each charity by 12/6. Tags insure the gift goes to the right person. If you purchase a gift card, wrap & firmly attach the tag and either put it in the collection basket or bring it to the rectory during business hours Mon. thru Fri. 8:30am-4:00pm. Due to COVID we are trying to minimize all contact and keep everyone safe. If you would like to help out but are unable to shop, please consider a cash or gift card donation. Please place these in an envelope labeled ‘Giving Tree donation’ and place in either the collection basket or bring to the rectory. Thanks for helping make this a Merry Christmas by purchasing the gift on your tag. May God bless you for your generosity! Click here to go to the Live-Stream. Saturday, November 14th, 2020 Masses at: 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM Streaming will begin approximately 5 minutes before the Mass begins. If you go to the stream too early, refresh the webpage until STM goes live. For other helpful tips, including troubleshooting information, please reference this guide. Please note: Each Candidate will have a pew. In that pew is the Candidate, Sponsor, and 2 other family members. (Parents or others chosen.) No additional siblings, grandparents, or other family members will not be able to attend. A total of 4 people. O'Connor Hall will be open, but only 50 people are permitted in OCH, socially distanced. Seating there will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Thank you for your understanding!  While our celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation will be different this year, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit will indeed strengthen and seal our Confirmandi. Our world needs authentic disciples of Jesus, who live His Gospel in word and deed. So, we pray that our young brothers and sisters receiving the Sacrament will use these gifts to serve Jesus, His Church, family and friends, and the whole world! May God bless and protect them always! "Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who brought these your servants to new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, freeing them from sin: send upon them, O Lord, the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete; give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and fortitude, the spirit of knowledge and piety; fill them with the spirit of the fear of the Lord. Through Christ our Lord. Amen." (Prayer for the Laying on of Hands, For the Conferral of Confirmation) Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Thomas More Parish, Due to the generosity of so many people, our “500 Club Raffle” continues to be a tremendous benefit to St. Thomas More Church. Last September, during our Parish Picnic Pasta Dinner the grand prize was split 3 ways: 1st Prize-40% of tickets sold amounted to $8,360 which was awarded to Cathy Alvarado and 2nd & 3rd Prize-5% of tickets sold amounted to $1,045 which was awarded to Joan Doud and Rosalie & Frank Salfi. It was a wonderful day for the winners and also for our parish. It is always great to win, but it’s also enriching to know that your contribution went to a worthy cause. I would like to express my gratitude to all who purchased a ticket last year. Your generosity to our parish is a blessing. St. Thomas More Parish will be sponsoring another “500 Club Raffle”. Five hundred tickets will be sold at $100 per ticket and the winning tickets will be drawn on Saturday, December 5, 2020, following the 5PM Mass in Church. (Due to the current situation of Covid-19 and ensuring everyone’s safety, there will not be a pasta dinner this year). But rest assured that the odds of winning are great...better than any lottery, and your support which we can utilize more than ever will go to benefit St. Thomas More Church. Once again we are seeking your support for this raffle by purchasing a ticket either individually or with a group of family and friends (must be 18+ years). The winner need not be present for the drawing! Your participation in this year’s raffle is an investment in our religious and educational endeavors at St. Thomas More Church. Click here for the Raffle Ticket Form! Thank you for your continued support to St. Thomas More Church and the giving of your time, talent, and treasure which enhances our faith community. - Fr. Marek Rev. Marek Chachlowski, Pastor  This week, the Church celebrates National Vocations Awareness Week, an opportunity to reflect on the Universal Call to Holiness and our response to it. All of us in our vocations—single, married, religious, and priestly—are called to sanctity in life and the perfection of God, Our Father. In your prayer, please ask Our Lord for more dedicated, holy priests and consecrated men and women. Please pray for the Seminarians of our Archdiocese of Newark and all those who aspire to the Priesthood or Religious Life. May they be inspired by Jesus Christ, supported by our Parish Family, and respond generously to God's gift of vocation.  |
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