Dr. Patricio Molina, Music Director, at Carnegie Hall 10.13

Dr. Patricio Molina, Music Director at STA Church, invites the community to join him for a special night at Carnegie Hall.

Event Description

Cantos de Quisqueya, presented by the Pan Global Music Initiative, showcases Dominican classical music under the artistic direction of pianist and composer Dr. Patricio Molina. The concert features Dominican and American artists Dr. Zuly Inirio, Gabriel de los Santos, Leonardo “Leo” De Jesus, Vic Ortiz, and Mallory Molina, performing a program that includes the world premiere of authentic Dominican pieces revived through PGMI’s Dominican Music Initiative, in partnership with Universidad Católica Nordestana.

Parish Picnic THIS SUNDAY September 14th

All are invited to our PARISH PICNIC!

How many fellow parishioners do you know? Get ready for some good food, good fun, and good fellowship!

Our 4th Annual Parish Family Picnic is being held this Sunday, September 14, 2025 (with a rain date of September 21, 2025) from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. It is an enjoyable time for everyone to get together with friends and family from St. Thomas Church and a time to make new friendships.

To make a donation, volunteer, or for any more questions, please email parishpicnic@stachurchbloomfield.org.

Mental Health Ministry: You are Invited

From the Mental Health Ministry.

The Mental Health Ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle Church was formed to help meet the needs of families and loved ones of individuals who struggle with mental health.

Our ministry is run by parishioners who have been trained by the Sanctuary program through the Archdiocese of Newark. The team offers compassionate support and accompaniment to those interested. We do not provide therapy or medication management. All are welcome to attend.

Our team meets the first Sunday of each month at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Peter Room of the parish center at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. The next meeting will be Sunday, October 5th. No registration is required.

To reach the Mental Health Ministry for general questions, please visit their ministry webpage by clicking the button below.

Saint Dymphna, pray for us!

Young Adult Ministry: Upcoming Meetings

From the Young Adult Ministry.

Welcome to the new ministry/school year! We are the St. Thomas the Apostle Young Adult Ministry. We are a young adult group, ages 20-39, who seek to connect with others and grow together in our Catholic faith.

Rooted in the Word of God and nourished by the Eucharist, we encourage one another in strengthening our faith and improving our relationships with God, the Church, our family, friends, and others. We achieve this through our commitment to prayer, gatherings and fellowship, parish and community service, and fun social activities. We're back with a bunch of events, and we hope that you will join us for some of them!

Friday, September 12, 6:30 PM, in the parish center - Faith Formation

We are having our first faith formation meeting of the new ministry year! We are continuing Bishop Robert Barron's Catholicism Series with Episode 6, where we will be talking about the reality of the Church as “one, holy, catholic and apostolic,.” and explore the Catholic conviction, that the life and presence of Christ continues to embrace humanity in all its joys and sorrows through the presence of the Church.

For those that are new, here's a bit of a synopsis: created by Bishop Robert Barron back when he was still a priest, this 10-part series brings new and thoughtful perspectives on various aspects of our faith. There will be light snacks, icebreakers/games, the film itself, followed by discussion.

Wednesday, September 17, 6:30 PM, in the parish center - Watch Party: The Chosen, S1, Ep 2-3

Many of us want to watch The Chosen! And with Season 6 and the Crucifixion expected to come out around 2026, we want to catch up as a group as much as possible, so we could watch this pivotal moment in the Christian story together. We started with Season 1, Episode 1 online, but now we will continue with Episodes 2-3 in person. There will be light snacks and drinks, and fellowship and games afterwards.

Friday, September 19, 6:30 PM - Monthly Outing, Minigolf

For this monthly outing, we're going to minigolf at the Willowbrook Golf Center! We will meet at the Golf Center by 6:30 PM. If you would like to carpool together, please let us know, and we'll carpool from St. Thomas The Apostle Church at 6 PM.

Minigolf price: 18 holes: $12 per person OR 36 holes: $18 per person

Monday, September 22, 6:30 PM, in the parish center - Book Reading

We are finishing up our first book, Bishop Robert Barron's Letter to a Suffering Church, with Chapter 5. This book discusses Bishop Barron's response to the Catholic Church's clergy sex abuse scandal. This is a hot button issue that we feel always needs to be discussed. But of course, there will also be games and fellowship afterwards!

You can get the book on amazon here at https://a.co/d/6fat2VX

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) Begins on October 5th

A message from the OCIA Ministry.

This October 5, 2025, we will have our first OCIA Inquiry Period meeting after the 8:00AM Mass in the Parish Center. Our formal Inquiry Period runs from October 5th to November 9th with meetings each Sunday after the 8AM mass. On November 9, we will celebrate the Rite of Welcoming and form the Catechumenate Period at the 10AM Mass.  The Catechumenate is the 16 period during which time we share and discuss Church teaching, the Scriptures, and prepare the Candidates, those seeking Confirmation and sometimes First Holy Communion, for full initiation into the Church and the sacramental life.  

This year, St Thomas the Apostle is blessed with 15 inquirers who have heard the call of Jesus to His Church. Some are converts to Catholicism and some of reverts, returning to the faith of their youth.  All are a great blessing to our parish. 

Please keep these inquirers to the faith in your prayers as they walk a road to faith similar to The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). Together we long to feel our hearts burning within us as we hear the Word of God and seek to live it fully in the Sacramental Life the Church. 

If you or someone you know is not baptized or seeks confirmation in the Catholic Church, please come and inquire about our faith and the faith of the Church. If you have any questions please contact Frank Miller at OCIA@stachurchbloomfield.org, or at 201.207.0020

Religious Education Updates: Fall 2025

A message from Religious Education.

Level Up, our junior high youth group, will start the year with its first meeting on Friday, October 3 from 7:00-9:00pm in the Parish Center. All students, from any school, in grades 6, 7, and 8 are welcome!

The first day of Fall CCD will be Monday, September 22nd from 3:40-5:00pm.  Everyone should meet in Herron Hall. Registration is ongoing online.

First Penance Parents meeting for all grade two parents is Monday, October 20th at 7:00 in Herron Hall in the school. All important dates for the year will be distributed.

Confirmation Parents meeting for all grade eight parents is on Monday, December 1st at 7:00 in Herron Hall in the school. Eligible students are those who have completed religious education through grade 8.

Godly Goods Gift Shop: New Merchandise

Godly Goods Gift Shop is excited to join in the celebration of the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati on September 7th.  We have several items including holy cards, books, and medals of our newest saints. 

We have a great selection of new books, including graphic novels, faith through fiction novels, and stories of saints for children of all ages and various titles for adults too!

And as our parish prepares for Confirmation of our young adults, we have many great gifts to choose from including medals, bracelets, charms and greeting cards. 

Stop in on Saturdays, 4:30-6:00 pm, Sundays, 8:30 am-1:00 pm, and First Fridays after the 11:30 am mass.

Beyond Cornerstone Service Ministry Meeting

A message from the Beyond Cornerstone Service Ministry.

A meeting will be held in the Parish Center on Monday, September 22nd at 7PM to discuss our Fall commitments to the St. Augustine’s soup kitchen. Member participation is important, as it will be an opportunity to share ideas and give valuable feedback.

During the hot summer months, members delivered an abundance of water and monthly meals to those who are less fortunate or facing hardship.  They dedicated time and attention to the children at St Augustine’s day camp and collected and delivered over 100 books and toys.  It is vital that we continue this vibrant and active mission.

If you are interested in helping to continue this vital service to individuals and families in need, please consider attending this meeting. Our individual parishioners’ consistent and prayerful donations of time and money are the foundation of our ministry, and allow us to continue our mission. Please consider placing a donation in an envelope marked SOUP KITCHEN att. Alicia in the collection basket or Parish Center.