St. Thomas Aquinas Parish

ALPHA IS HERE!

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Are you wondering what Christianity is all about?

Are you curious about the Catholic Church?

Have you not received First Communion and/or Confirmation?

Are you engaged or married to a Catholic, and want to know why they believe “all that stuff”?

Are you returning to the Church after a long absence?

Or are you simply interested in learning more about the Faith you already profess and practice?

THE ALPHA COURSE classes are held on Tuesdays in Fr. D'Arco Hall, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

(There is no commitment, cost , or obligation to you!)

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EVANGELical catholicism

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What does "evangelical" mean?

Is it only a Protestant concept?

In what ways is Catholic Christianity evangelical, and why and how SHOULD it be?

Our pastor, Msgr. Douglas Raun, will present a four-week book discussion of George Weigel's recent book, EVANGELICAL CATHOLICISM. It will meet in Fr. D'Arco Hall on Mondays, 6/3/13-7/1/13 (no class on 6/17), 7:00-9:00 p.m. A limited number of books will be available for purchase for $19 each the first night of class. (Come early!)

Missed the first talk?

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!

NEW Great adventure bible study group forming

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A new, 11-session Great Adventure Bible study group is forming to study the book of Revelation.

It will meet in the Religious Education Center, room 6, on Saturdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., beginning 7/13/13.

All Great Adventure studies require participants to use a Catholic Bible and a Catechism of the Catholic Church. The optional, but strongly recommended study kit will cost $20 or less. Please e-mail Jeannette at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (or call 892-1511, x104) by 6/27/13 to pre-register.

Pastor's Corner - 3/17/2013

msgr3 My dear family,

It may be the 5th Sunday of Lent, but still - a blessed St. Patrick’s Day! God bless Ireland and all her children throughout the world!

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But it is the 5th Sunday of Lent - the start of Passiontide. Starting today, the Liturgy changes from focusing on repentance to dwelling upon our Savior’s sufferings. The outward sign of Passiontide is the veiling of the images in church. The images of the saints are covered because they represent the Church in glory, but for these days we only think of our Lord’s Passion. The Cross is covered so that it stands out all the more when it is unveiled on Good Friday. When I was a little boy the Sisters told us that the saints were covered because the sufferings of Jesus were too terrible for them to look at. I like that explanation also.

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Of course I have to write this column on Monday - so as I type, the Conclave has not even started yet. By the time you read this, the odds are that we will have a new Pope. When we have a new Pope, I’ll send out an email with all the information about our parish celebration of these great events.

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You are on the parish email list, aren’t you? If not, drop us a note or call the parish office and give us your email address. Then you will be “in the know” with all that happens in the parish! (Subscribe HERE)

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Holy Week starts next Sunday - Palm Sunday. Next week’s bulletin will have all the information for Holy Week. But right now, remember the major services that every Catholic should want to attend if at all possible:

MARCH 28 - HOLY THURSDAY - 7pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper

MARCH 29 - GOOD FRIDAY - 12 noon The Liturgy of the Passion

MARCH 30 - HOLY SATURDAY - 8:30 pm The Easter Vigil (fulfills the Sunday obligation)

and...HAVE YOU MADE YOUR LENTEN CONFESSION YET?

A blessed week!

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Msgr. Doug Raun

Pastor's Corner - 3/10/2013

msgr3 My dear family,

Did you remember to “spring ahead”?

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The rose-colored vestments tell us that today is Laetare (Rejoice) Sunday: that Lent is now halfway done. Perhaps if we have not kept our Lenten penances as well as we hoped this Lent, now is the time to renew them!

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I finished my preaching at St. Bernadette’s this week. Thank you for your prayers! Now I’m done preaching missions for the year, and will be “back on the ranch” for the great and holy days that conclude Lent.

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I’m writing this on March 5th. As of today, no word on when the conclave will begin. The latest it can be is March 20th. It looks like the Cardinals want to take some time for prayer and discussion. That is good.

In the meantime, pray, pray, pray for the Cardinals, that the Holy Spirit will guide them to choose a good and holy Pope for the Church.

A blessed Lenten week....

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Msgr. Doug Raun

What's New in Adult Ministries?

ARCHDIOCESE OF SANTA FÉ

ORDINATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD

…will take place during a special Mass celebrated by Abp. Michael Sheehan on Saturday, May 18, 2013, 10:00 a.m., at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral Basilica in Santa Fé. Two parishioners from St. Thomas Aquinas, Deacon Simon Carian and Deacon Daniel Gutierrez, are scheduled to be ordained.

Special bus transportation for the event is being planned. For the small cost of $15.00 per person, this will include round-trip travel to the Cathedral Basilica, plus gratuity. Bus-board accommodations available for the physically challenged include storage for assistive devices such as scooters, walkers, and wheelchairs. Boarding time will be 8:00-8:15 a.m. in the STA church parking lot. Return time allows for the reception after Mass. Please purchase your ticket(s) at the parish office by the deadline, Thursday, March 28!

ALPHA IS COMING!

THE ALPHA COURSE will begin on Tuesday, 4/2/13. Classes will be held on Tuesdays in Fr. D'Arco Hall, 6:00-9:00 p.m. (There will be no classes on 4/30 or 5/7.)

What is ALPHA? ALPHA, an 18-week course for adults, is a practical introduction to the Catholic Christian faith. ALPHA serves as a refresher course for practicing Catholics and Catholics returning to the Church, as well as the first phase of sacramental preparation for adults who need to be baptized, confirmed, and/or to make their First Communions in the Catholic Church. (The second phase, RCIA, will begin in January 2014.) Each class begins with a meal provided by the parish, followed by a talk on a fundamental Christian topic. Come join us and bring a friend. Please contact Viana at NakaiSikes@yahoo (preferred) or 710-4410 to register.

NEW GREAT ADVENTURE BIBLE TIMELINE STUDY GROUPS FORMING!

Two new Great Adventure Bible Timeline study groups are forming. This 24-session foundational study provides an overview of the entire Bible, and it is recommended that a person complete this one (or the abbreviated, 8-week A Quick Journey Through the Bible) prior to beginning other Great Adventure Bible studies.

All Great Adventure Bible studies require participants to use a Catholic version of the Bible and a Catechism of the Catholic Church. The optional, but strongly recommended study kit costs $30, and should be available for purchase at the first session attended. Each group will continue to meet at the same time and place each week unless group members are notified otherwise.

Thursdays, beginning 3/14/13, 7:30-9:30 p.m., in the Religious Education Center. Facilitators: Anthony and Soraya Salazar. Please contact Jeannette at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 892-1511, x104, to register
Sundays, beginning 4/7/13, 5:00-7:00 p.m., in the home of Anne and Marty Desautels in NE Albuquerque. Facilitator: Anne Desautels. Please call Anne at 259-6095 to register, and for directions to her home.