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. |
Rector's Corner  |
It seems nothing is ever new under the sun! In our recent
Sunday readings St Paul has been writing at some great length to the Corinthian
congregations (with whom he is very familiar as their "Father in God")
- answering their questions about faith, how to live in a metropolitan culture
and how to discover God's meaning for their lives - you may recall from last week
the 'theology of grace and gifts for the good of the whole Body" - and reminding
his listeners that their 'corporate identity' tells us something vital to
understanding how God works in the world. St Paul begins his lyrical Hymn to
Love/Charity (from the Latin caritas)... "if I speak with the tongues of men and
of angels but have not charity..." We may imagine that we are God's gift
to the Church, or we may think that we are God's greatest and most spectacular
saints... but the truth is that we always need to keep before us the "abc" of
faith, the ethic of love.... without which we become a noisy gong or a tinkling
cymbal.
I send my love & prayers, always,
The Rev'd Fr I.E. Davies, B.D. (Wales & Cantab) M.R.I.Ph. | |
Candlemas
|
 Candlemas occurs 40 days after Christmas and, therefore, is not part
of the Christmas Season which ends after the celebration of the
Epiphany. Some
non-liturgical Christmas practices are associated with Candlemas e.g.
the crib in St Peter's Square remains in place until then.
Traditionally the Western term "Candlemas" (or Candle Mass) referred to
the practice whereby a priest on 2 February blessed beeswax candles
with an aspergilium for use throughout the year, some of which were
distributed to the faithful for use in the home. Within the Roman Catholic Church, since the liturgical reforms of the
Second Vatican Council,
this feast has been referred to as the Feast of Presentation of the
Lord, with references to candles and the purification of Mary
de-emphasised in favor of the Prophecy of Simeon the Righteous. Pope
John Paul II connected the feast day with the renewal of religious vows.
The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple celebrates an early episode in the life of Jesus, and falls on 2 February. In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, the Presentation is the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary.
The event is described in the Gospel of Luke 2:22-40. According to the gospel, Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth to complete Mary's ritual purification after childbirth, and to perform the redemption of the firstborn, in obedience to the Law of Moses.
|
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day
|
Groundhog Day is an annual holiday celebrated on February 2. According to folklore, if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day fails to see its shadow, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter
will soon end. If on the other hand, the groundhog sees its shadow, the
groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, and winter will
continue for six more weeks. The holiday, which began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, has its origins in ancient European weather lore, wherein a badger or sacred bear is the prognosticator as opposed to a groundhog. The holiday also bears some similarities to the medieval Catholic holiday of Candlemas. It also bears similarities to the Pagan festival of Imbolc, the seasonal turning point of the Celtic calendar, which is celebrated on February 1 and also involves weather prognostication. Adapted from www.wikipedia.org |
A Litany for Haiti
|
The world's gaze is on Haiti as its people continue to work
towards recovery from the Jan. 12 earthquake that crippled much of the
nation's infrastructure and killed and injured tens of thousands of its
people. The Episcopal Church, through the Diocese of Haiti and
Episcopal Relief & Development, is committed to immediate relief
and long-term reconstruction, and asks the prayers and support of all
Episcopalians for its mission there.
God of infinite mercy, who calls forth order out of chaos, peace out
of turmoil, calm out of fear, we come before you aching and tender,
crying out for Haiti and her people, saying, We lift our prayers to
you, O God:
You are the hope of all Creation.
We pray for Haiti, land of mountains and sea, where the very earth
has shifted. May her tremors cease. May her tumult end. We pray for her
people, shattered yet courageous, frightened yet bold, destitute and
longing for relief. May their voice be heard. May their need be met. We
lift our prayers to you, O God.
You are the hope of all Creation.
We pray for the injured, broken and lost: thirsting for clean water,
hungry for food, stripped of shelter, desperate for medical care; they
look to the world for hope. May their dry mouths find drink, their
empty bellies find food, their families find cover, and their bodies
find health. We lift our prayers to you, O God.
You are the hope of all Creation.
We pray for rescuers, those who do the work of recovery, laboring in
the midst of agony; for healers, doctors, nurses, and all who tend
those wounded in body, mind, or spirit. May their hands be steady. may
their resolve be sure. May their work be filled with grace. We lift our
prayers to you, O God.
You are the hope of all Creation.
We pray for the dying and those who have died, whose frail bodies
now line the city streets. May mercy be abundant. May death have
dignity. May they never be forgotten. We lift our prayers to you, O
God.
You are the hope of all Creation.
We pray for the global community, grieving and responding in love.
May our action be swift. May our purpose be certain. May our devotion
endure. We lift our prayers to you, O God.
You are the hope of all Creation.
We pray for the days to come, the future, and the promise of what
lies ahead. May new roads be paved; new industry be born; new fortunes
rise; and new friendships sustained. We lift our prayers to you, O God.
You are the hope of all Creation.
Gifts earmarked for
Episcopal Relief & Development (Haiti relief) may be sent payable to the
Treasurer of the Diocese, P. O. Box 512164, Los Angeles, CA 90051, or made
directly online through Episcopal Relief & Development's secure website.
We join our Presiding Bishop,
the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, in calling the Episcopal Church to
prayer and action, and we appreciate her perspective gained from her own recent
pastoral visit to the Diocese of Haiti. Her comments are available via online video here.
|
Heart Health & Medication Sunday
|
St. Thomas's Parish Nurse program would like to announce that Feb 7, 2010 is Heart Health and Medication Review Sunday. Blood pressure screening with information on cardiovascular health will be available in the small parish hall after both morning Mass Services. Any parishioners that would like may bring all their medications bottles for review if they have any questions or concerns about them.
|
| Communion & H1N1 |
 In response to the H1N1 Flu (commonly known as the Swine Flu), St. Thomas Hollywood encourages parishioners to partake of communion via intinction. The Sacred Minister will dip the host into the wine and place the consecrated host on the parishioners tongue, which should be extended.
For those parishioners who out of custom prefer to continue using the chalice, the chalice is cleaned with a grain-alcohol cloth after each use, significantly reducing any transfer of germs.
We are mindful of the sensitivity of certain people to these issues, and we would kindly remind you that receiving just the Sacred Host is full Communion. You do not have to receive the Chalice, and vice-versa: receiving only the Chalice is full Communion.
Common sense will be one of our best weapons against this flu:
- Wash hands early and often, and use appropriate sanitizers. Please use the dispensers that are placed around the Church grounds.
- If you feel sick, stay home as an act of grace to others.
- If you have a family member sick, keep that person home for the same reason.
- Get your information from trustworthy sources: the CDC, local public health, or your health care provider.
|
| 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 |
|
|
|
Epiphany 4
|
 |
Celebrant (8am & 10:30am)
The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Homily (8am & 10.30a):
The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Deacon (10:30a):
The Rev. Walter Johnson
Organist-in-Residence (10:30a):
John West
PRE
Marche
Religieuse
Henri Mulet
POST
'Finale' from
Symphonie II
Charles Marie Widor
Ezekiel
43.27-44.4
Psalm 48
1 Corinthians 13
Luke 2.22-40
|
| Clergy |
 |
|
The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
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.] |
Holy Rosary Remembrance for Robert Krueger
|
|
 In commemoration of The First Year Anniversary of Robert
Krueger's passing; The Holy Rosary will be said on Sunday 31January 2010 immediately
following Evening Prayer, (Vespers) at
5p.m. All Parishioners and friends are
invited to this celebration of Bob's life.
|
Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham meets 02/02
|
|
The Parish Society of Our Lady of Walsingham will meet next
on Tuesday 2 February
2010; being the Feast of The Presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple. The Holy Rosary will be said at 6:30p.m.;
followed by a Solemn Mass at 7p.m.
The
Parish Society will meet in the small Parish Hall following The Mass for a
potluck dinner meeting, all are welcomed! For more information please contact
Mark S. Vigil @ marksvigil@yahoo.com.
|
| Homeless Breakfast |
|
|
On the Second and Fourth Saturdays of each month the Homeless Breakfast takes 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. |
Gift of Giving
|
| Calling St. Thomas Parents Who Want to Instill the Gift of Giving: Join us
for fun, fellowship and community service on February 13th at 7 am in the parish
hall to help serve the homeless at the Breakfast Club. All ages welcome.
Learning to give to those less fortunate can never begin too early! |
Service Change
|
| On January 22, 2010 the St. Thomas the Apostle website and email servers were transferred to a different, more reliable and more cost-effective service. The web-site functionality is currently being rebuilt. Thank you for your patience.
|
| Mother Knows Best |
Interesting facts about
St. Thomas the Apostle, The Episcopal Church and The Anglican Community  |
More people do unpaid work for church organisations than any other organisation. Eight per cent of adults undertake voluntary work for church organisations while sixteen per cent of adults belong to religious or church organisations.
|
MardiGras in the Cathedral
|
 |
The Program Group on Gay & Lesbian Ministry invites you to MardiGras in the Cathedral.
Food! Fun! Friends!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
7pm to 9pm
$25.00 at the door
Music by dj Justin Palmer
hors d'oeuvres, open bar.
St. John's Cathedral
514 West Adams Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
RSVP to the Rev. Vicki Mouradian |
Transforming Sunday School Room
|
| Come One, Come All for Fun and Frolic as We Transform the Sunday School
Room on Saturday, February 6
at 9am.
Pizza will follow as a reward!
Contact Len Leatherwood |
| ePrayer List |
|
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.
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. |
| Miss a week? |
|
If you missed an eNews, they are now conveniently archived! Click here! |
| 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.") |
|
|
