|
|
|
| Weekly E-Newsletter |
Week Ending October 9, 2009 |
|
|
Dear Parishioner
St. Thomas the Apostle is an Episcopal Parish in the Anglo-Catholic tradition. We are called by God to be a holy place where love is found, where all are named and where hearts are freed to change the world.
Stewardship 2010: Christ the Rock
Almight God, whose loving hand has given us all that we possess: Grant us grace that we may honor You with our substance and being strong in You and in the Power ofYour might, be faithful stewards of Your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
|
Saint Damian of Molokai |
|
 Blessed Damien of Molokai, SS.CC. (January 3, 1840 - April 15, 1889), born Jozef De Veuster and also known as Damien De Veuster (Dutch: Pater Damiaan or Zalige Damiaan De Veuster), was a Roman Catholic priest from Belgium and member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, a missionary religious order. Pope Benedict will officially declare him a saint on 11 October 2009. He won recognition for his ministry to people with leprosy (also known as Hansen's Disease), who had been placed under a government-sanctioned medical quarantine on the island of Molokai in the Kingdom of Hawaii. He eventually contracted and died of the disease, and is widely considered a "martyr of charity".
In the Roman and Eastern Catholic Churches, Damien is considered a saint, one who is holy and worthy of public veneration. In the Anglican communion, as well as other denominations of Christianity, Damien is considered the spiritual patron for Hansen's Disease, HIV and AIDS patients, and outcasts. As the patron saint of the Diocese of Honolulu and of Hawaii, Father Damien Day is celebrated statewide on April 15. Upon his beatification by Pope John Paul II in Rome on June 4, 1995, Blessed Damien was granted a memorial feast day, which is celebrated on May 10. On February 21, 2009, the Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI would canonize Father Damien on October 11, 2009 completing the process of canonization. The Catholic Encyclopedia calls him "the Apostle of the Lepers", and elsewhere he is known as the "leper priest".
Several memorials have been made to Damien worldwide, from Belgium and the United States to Ireland and Ecuador. The Father Damien Statue honors the priest in bronze in Statuary Hall at the United States Capitol, while a full size replica stands in front of the Hawaii State Capitol. In 2005, Damien was honored with the title of De Grootste Belg, chosen as "The Greatest Belgian" throughout that country's history in polling conducted by the Flemish public broadcasting service, VRT.
In both ecumenical religious and non-sectarian communities, Damien is being adopted as the symbol of how society should treat HIV/AIDS patients in defiance of the misconceptions of the disease, much like leprosy treatment was an outgrowth of misconceptions and poor treatment of lepers. Several Damien Centers have been established worldwide to serve people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.
|
| Columbus Day, October 12 |
 Many countries in the New World and elsewhere celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, which occurred on October 12, 1492 in the Julian calendar and October 21, 1492 in the modern Gregorian calendar, as an official holiday. The day is celebrated as Columbus Day in the United States, as Día de la Raza (Day of the Race) in many countries in Latin America, as Día de las Culturas (Day of the Cultures) in Costa Rica, as Discovery Day in The Bahamas, as Día de la Hispanidad and Fiesta Nacional in Spain, as Día de las Américas (Day of the Americas) in Uruguay and as Día de la Resistencia Indígena (Day of Indigenous Resistance) in Venezuela. These holidays have been celebrated unofficially since the late 18th century, and officially in various countries since the early 20th century.
Columbus Day became an official state holiday in Colorado in 1905, and became a federal holiday in 1970. People have ritually remembered Columbus beginning at least in the Colonial period. In 1792, New York City and other eastern U.S. cities celebrated the 300th anniversary of his landing in the New World. In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison called upon the people of the United States to celebrate Columbus Day on the 400th anniversary of the event. During the 400-year anniversary in 1892, teachers, preachers, poets and politicians used Columbus Day rituals to teach ideals of patriotism. These patriotic rituals were framed around themes such as support for war, citizenship boundaries, the importance of loyalty to the nation, and celebrating social progress.
Catholic immigration in the mid-nineteenth century induced discrimination from anti-immigrant activists such as the Ku Klux Klan. Like many other struggling immigrant communities, Catholics developed organizations to fight discrimination and provide insurance for the struggling immigrants. One such organization, the Knights of Columbus, chose that name in part because it saw Christopher Columbus as a fitting symbol of Catholic immigrants' right to citizenship: one of their own, a fellow Catholic, had discovered America.
Some Italian-Americans observe Columbus Day as a celebration of their heritage, the first occasion being in New York City on October 12, 1866. Columbus Day was first popularized as a holiday in the United States through the lobbying of Angelo Noce, a first generation Italian, in Denver. The first official non-centennial Columbus Day was decreed by Colorado governor Jesse F. McDonald in 1905 and made state law in 1907. In April 1934, at the behest of the Knights of Columbus, Congress and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt set aside October 12 as Columbus Day and a Federal holiday.
Since 1971, the holiday has been commemorated in the U.S. on the second Monday in October, the same day as Thanksgiving in neighboring Canada. It is generally observed today by banks, the bond market, the U.S. Postal Service and other federal agencies, most state government offices, and some school districts; however, most businesses and stock exchanges remain open.
The St. Thomas the Apostle office will be closed in observance of Columbus Day.
| |
| Flu Shot |
The St. Thomas Health Cabinet would like to announce that o n Oct. 11th (this Sunday), free "regular" flu shots will be offered from 9am to 3pm at St. Thomas.
|
| Book Discussion starts October 11 at 9:15am |
 Starting October 11, 2009 at 9:15am will be a Book Discussion on Samuel Wells' book "Power & Passion." The book looks at the passion of Christ by examining 6 different characters: Pontius Pilate, Barabbas, Joseph of Arimathea, Pilate's Wife, Peter and Mary Magdalene.
"Power & Passion" was chosen by the Archbishop of Canterbury as his Lent book for 2007, but it is a book that can be shared any time we need to reconsider our own power in the light of the power of Jesus' resurrection and allow our own passion to be renewed by the passion of Christ.
The book discussion will be held on Sunday's from 9:15am to 9:45am in the Small Parish Hall.
Shireen Baker, a seminarian, will lead the book discussion. You may purchase the book at Amazon or any other retailer. |
| Shopping with your Ralph's card |
 It's time to re-register your Ralph's Card for Community Rewards. Ralph's requires everybody do this every September, even if you registered in August!
To make sure your grocery purchases benefit St. Thomas, please go to ralphs.com, sign in to (or sign up if it's your first time), click on "My Account" and then "Community Rewards" and search for Saint Thomas the Apostle (84981)
If you do not have online access print out this email (or bring in Sunday's bulliten) and provide the cashier with the following bar code along with your Ralph's Card. You only need to present the card once and it will take 72 hours for the system to connect your Ralph's card with St. Thomas:
Thanks for shopping at Ralph's for St. Thomas!
NOTE: For St. Thomas to benefit from this program you must always present your Ralph's card. Ralph's does not make Community contributions if you put in your phone number, only when the Ralph's card is present. |
| This weeks Stewardship Meditation |
|
As we mature socially and spiritually we grow to realize that the world does not revolve around just us (sadly some people never learn this into their adult years.) As children we are selfish; the first words most children learn after "Mommy" and "Daddy" are "my" and "mine." As followers of Jesus, we learn to share and to do good works. Through our stewardship - the giving of our time, abilities, and money - we break this guise of selfishness. "Me" and "mine" become "ours." We give to do God's work in the world. Every Sunday we place our gifts on the altar at Mass, representing us and who we are (our thankfulness to God and our love of Jesus Christ.) Giving of ourselves is a vital part of the sacramental mystery we all celebrate at the altar each week. |
| Service Schedule |
MASSES & DAILY OFFICES
Sunday
7:30 AM - Morning Prayer
8:00 AM - Low Mass
9:45 AM - Rosary
10:30AM - High Mass with Choir - Childcare Available
4:30 PM - Evening Prayer
Monday through Friday
7:30 AM - Morning Prayer
6:30 PM - Evening Prayer
7:00 PM - Low Mass
Tuesday
6:00 PM - Reconciliations / Confessions
Saturday
10:00AM - Low Mass
5:00 PM - Vigil Mass with Gregorian Chant
6:30 PM - Compline
Many additional activities occur each week at St. Thomas the Apostle. See the calendar for more! | |
We hope to see you soon!
Blessings from
St. Thomas the Apostle |
|
|
|
Trinity XVIII |
 |
Celebrant (8am)
The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Celebrant (10.30a):
Homily (8am & 10.30a):
The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Deacon (10:30a):
The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Organist-in-Residence (10:30a):
Job 23.1-9, 16-end
Psalm 22.1-15
Hebrews 4.12-end
Mark 10.17-31 |
| Clergy |
 |
|
The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Rector
The Rev. Mark D Stuart
Associate Rector
The Rev. Michael Cooper
Assistant Priest
The Rev. Mr. Walter Johnson
Deacon |
| Pastoral Counseling |
|
|
One-on-one Pastoral counseling is available. Please contact the office (323-876-2102 ext 2) to schedule an appointment with the Clergy. |
| Vigil Mass |
|
|
Missa Vigil hoc septem dies cum lingua Latina. Missa mos ineo 5 meridianus et cum ero Abeo Gregoriana in Ecclesiae Parochiae Sancta Thomasiensis.
[The Vigil Mass on Saturday will be in Latin this week. Join us at 5pm in the Church with Gregorian Chant.]
|
| Homeless Breakfast |
|
|
Saturday, October 10th the Homeless Breakfast will take place. Volunteers are welcome and greatly needed!
150 homeless and needy Angelinos are served a tasty breakfast by St. Thomas volunteers. Come at 7:00am to help prepare and share pancakes, eggs, sausage, biscuits and good fellowship. Come at 7:30am to help serve. Come at 9:00am to help clean up.
Deacon Johnson serves as the Social Worker providing outreach to the Homess during the Breakfast. This portion of the program, including providing safer sex kits, hygene items and other critical supplies is funded in part by a grant from The City of West Hollywood. |
| Team St Thomas for AIDS Walk Los Angeles |
 |
St. Thomas is once again participating in the Aids Walk Los Angeles. On October 18th volunteers from St. Thomas the Apostle will unite with people of all ages, races, and backgrounds in a massive demonstration of compassion and action.
This year marks the 25th such event and we would love to have your support either by walking with our parish or sponsoring a parishioner. Please see Steve De Muth for further information or email him at wiscosteven@hotmail.com. |
| "Timber" |
|
|
The large Podocarpus Tree outside the Transept of the Church will be removed on Friday. This beautiful tree has caused a number of problems over the years - including damage to the roof of the Church and the Parish Hall. The roots of the tree have severely damaged drainage pipes, causing extensive and costly repairs. There is concern that further delay will cause foundation problems for the Church and possibly for the Parish Hall.
In the two years of analysis in how to best remedy the situation, the consensus of the arborists we have contacted has been to remove the tree. This will be done on Friday, October 16 by professionals.
The memorial plaque just outside the transept door, which says this tree was planted in memory of the first St. Thomas rector, Fr. Frank Roudenbush, was originally near the entrance to the Hollywood Bowl and has nothing to do with the tree outside the transept door.
|
| Mother Knows Best |
Interesting facts about
St. Thomas the Apostle  |
The Damien Chapel was created in the 1980's by Fr. Barbour to be a place of remembrance for people who had died of AIDS. The chapel is dedicated to Saint Damien because he is a patron saint of people with infectious diseases, and has been adopted as a patron of people with AIDS.
The chapel is located where a bell tower was planned in the original designs for the Church. In the 1960s a porch was built as an entrance to the church.
Fr. Barbour obtained an altar from another church and placed it in the space. Rhett Judice created the triptych of Christ the King, St. Thomas, and St. Damien which form the reredos of the altar.
Fr. Barbour wanted the altar to also serve as a colombarium for the interment of ashes. An AIDS memorial book for the names of anyone who had died from AIDS was also created.
Originally there was a large painting of Fr. Damien done in the David Hockney style which hung in the chapel. For a number of years the chapel served as the AIDS memorial chapel for the diocese of Los Angeles. That memorial was moved to the Cathedral Centre and the painting went with it, where it can be seen today.
The Damien chapel continues to be a place of devotion and reflection and is an integral part of St. Thomas Church. The chapel contains two paintings of Fr. Damien, plus a photograph and relic of the Saint. Orchids adorn the shrine in memory of Damien's work on Molokai, the island in Hawaiian Islands, where he served lepers and where he eventually died. |
| ePrayer List |
|
Again, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:18-20)
Prayer is at the center of our worship and binds us together as a community of faith. This week we commenced our electronic prayer chain email. A list of persons on the prayer list is sent weekly.
Subscribers to the prayer chain email agree to honor confidentiality of the members on the prayer list and to pray for the persons on the prayer list during the week. It is expected that the prayer chain will be sent weekly, though occasional additional emails will be sent if circumstances warrant.
The prayer chain email is an opt-in list only - it will not be sent unless you sign up for it. If you'd like to be on this distribution list, please update your profile (please use link at the bottom of the email, customized with your email)or contact the office. |
| Minutes |
|
The minutes from the Vestry Meetings of St. Thomas the Apostle are now available on the St. Thomas the Apostle website. Click here to get the minutes. (Or goto the "Wardens & Vestry" page and click on "Minutes.")
Each month after the Vestry approves the prior months minutes they will be posted in PDF format. |
|
|
|
|
 |
Cal National Bank's Community Account provides an Exclusive Offer for Family, Friends, and Employees of St. Thomas the Apostle Church. When you open any checking account, Cal National will donate $20 to St. Thomas!
Open any checking account and use any ATM with NO Cal National fee. They even reimburse all machine surcharges for Value & Market Rate checking customers.
Earn points for travel, merchandise, gift cards by using your Cal National Visa Check Card
FREE Online Banking with FREE Bill Pay
FREE Telephone banking
FREE Welcome Gift
St. Thomas now banks with Cal National! |
| CONTACT: Martha Morales, 323.817.6360 at the Hollywood Branch, 6922 Hollywood Blvd. (Entrance on Orange) | |
|
