Parish News

CCD TEACHERS NEEDED

CCD TEACHERS NEEDED:
CCD is around the corner – we are looking for a handful volunteer CCD Teachers. September will be here before we know it . . ., and that means CCD is not far off. As always, this program can only operate through the giving of time through our Parishioners. Should you feel called to offer your time and talents for the betterment of the youth in our Parish – you are who God needs for these children. Please contact Rob Rodgers at rrodgers@saintthomaszanesville.org for more information, or text at 740-617-6953. 

RCIA:
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) will start up again on October 4th, should you know anyone who desires to enter the Catholic Church, or deepen their existing knowledge of the faith please contact Rob Rodgers at rrodgers@saintthomaszanesville.org for more information, or text at 740-617-6953.  Watch the bulletins and the Church doors from more information and registration forms. All are welcome to attend the Sessions – these evenings can provide an excellent learning opportunity for all.

NET MINISTRIES:
NET Ministries will be returning to work with the youth of Muskingum County again this year!  Through their Catalyst Nights, area youth from 8th grade through High school are challenged to deepen their relationship with Christ.  Evenings of inspiring talks, games, food, and great fellowship these evenings offer an excellent opportunity to not only grow in our faith but enjoy solid fellowship and a great environment. Each year over a hundred youth 18 – 25years of age give a year of their life to travel around the country for NET Ministries, to share their love of Gospel with those on retreat.  For more information about NET check out their website at www.netusa.org.  Retreats will begin in October this year and will be held once a month on Sunday nights from 6:00 – 8:30. Watch the bulletin and the Church doors for more information.  The retreats are free . . ., and did we say there was food? Dinner is provided!

Welcome Father Stinnett 

Newly ordained Father Jacob Stinnett will offer a “First” Mass at Saint Thomas Aquinas this Sunday, June 27, at 11 am.  Father Stinnett, as a seminarian, accompanied me during my first weeks at Saint Thomas four years ago.  He had been assigned to me in Newark for the summer and came to Zanesville to help me in the move.  He has been with us on special occasions ever since; Advent, Lent, Marian celebrations and various Sundays when his schedule permitted. 

He wanted to come and celebrate Mass for you before his first priestly assignment begins in Chillicothe on July 13. 

All are invited to attend this Sunday’s 11 am Mass as we welcome Father Stinnett to Zanesville. 

Weekly Update 6/10/21

Father Stephen Ondrey, newly ordained priest of the Diocese of Columbus, will offer a “First” Mass at Saint Thomas Aquinas on Sunday, June 13 at 7:45 am.

Father Ondrey, while a seminarian, served at Saint Thomas during the summer of 2019.  He led that summer’s Server Boot Camp and edited the parish Server’s Manual.  

Some of our parishioners may remember him when he practiced dentistry in our community before going to the seminary.  

All are invited to participate in this Sunday’s 7:45 am Mass, as we welcome Father Ondrey back to Saint Thomas Aquinas before he begins his new ministry at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Pickerington.  

Welcome and Congratulations Father Ondrey!

June is the month of the Sacred Heart 

June is the month of the Sacred Heart 

Dear Friends, 

Each year the month of June is set aside for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  It is a devotion to Jesus’ loving mercy and gentle compassion. 

His Sacred Heart, exposed to us in artistic renderings, is surmounted by a cross and a flame.  How his love for us on the cross was manifested in the intense fire of his sacrifice on Calvary!  The flame of his love still burns, even unto heaven, as he continues to love us and draw us ever nearer to his heart through the great gift of the Sacrament of Penance and the greatest of all sacraments, His Body and Blood. 

On the cross, his heart was opened wide by the piercing lance of the soldier, exposing to us the depth of his mercy and revealing the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist as water and blood flowed forth from the inner most depths of his being. 

What wonder and marvel are these sacraments!  That he would draw us so near, bathe us so thoroughly and nourish us so completely that we would be numbered among his elect! 

Consider the thorns which encircle his heart.  How our sins have pierced his love. 

By turning to him in our sorrow and need we seek to be restored to the fulness of joy.  In reparation for our sins, and the sins of the whole world, we rejoice in his mercy and love.  

May I suggest that you take time each day during the month of the Sacred Heart to turn to Jesus in thanksgiving and praise.  Offer to him the entirety of your daily activities; the needs and concerns of your families, the joy of your faith in him and the ever-deepening desire to love as he loves, to be merciful as he is merciful and to forgive as we, ourselves, have been forgiven. 

Perhaps obtain an image of the Sacred Heart to display in your home.  I am always happy to bless sacred images intended for prayerful use.  Bring the image to Mass with you.  I will bless it afterwards and then you can display it in an honored place in your home and received even more blessings by honoring Jesus and his merciful love that flows in such abundance from his Sacred Heart. 

From my heart to yours, in the hearts of Jesus and Mary— 

Peace and blessing, 

Father Sullivan. 

Dispensation Lifted Beginning June 5th and 6th 

Dispensation Lifted Beginning June 5th and 6th 

The Bishops of Ohio have lifted the Dispensation from the Obligation of Sunday Mass beginning the weekend of June 5 and 6, The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi.) 

The Parish Staff is working so that Saint Thomas Aquinas may have a smooth transition as the Sunday Mass Obligation is restored and the State of Ohio protocols are being suspended.   

We will continue to make safety and caution a priority as we move away from the restraints put in place throughout the pandemic.  Our prayers and concern continue for those who have been so adversely affected by the corona virus. 

We are anxious to welcome everyone back to Sunday worship at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church! 

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