Loss of a Child Mass on May 1st

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Dear Parishioners,

The passing away of a child leaves families in pain navigating grief's life-long journey. A myriad of unspeakable emotions assail broken hearts every minute of every day bringing each mother, father, each family individual to its knees. Along the way, we gather courage and strength to continue the journey. Our respite lies in the healing Holy Mass brings.

In the spirit of focusing on bereaved families in need of peace through healing, the Archdiocesan H.O.P.E. Group (Helping Other Parents Endure) calls upon you to reach out to families who have experienced the horrific loss of a child by sharing the information as noted in this email. We also remember all lost babies, nameless, yet mourned to this day. Through butterfly kisses and gentle kicks, signs of life in the womb, they are a part of us and hold a reverential place in the hearts of our families.

St. Thomas will be hosting the Family Mass for Child Loss on Thursday, May 1st, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. This Mass is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Newark. It has been noted in our bulletin. During the Mass, there will be a reading-of-names, a very powerful moment remembering and memorializing our lost children. Please ask families to submit the child's name to the Archdiocese's Office of Family Life, John Kalinowski, at (973) 497-4327 or call the St. Thomas Parish Center at (973) 338-9190. Following Mass, light refreshments will be served in the St. Peter's Room of the Parish Center.

I am deeply grateful to Father Fama for throwing the doors wide open of our beautiful church, the St. Thomas Administrators, the entire Parish Center Staff, to John Mothier and Damien, to Patricio, Ms. Osondu (our resident flautist), to Jen Benke, and to the community within St. Thomas and surrounding St. Thomas, people who have acceded to my every request so that families may gather strength and courage to continue their journey and find peace through healing along the way.

Thank you and the members of your ministries - thank you so much for helping us to reach out to these families. Please understand our grief path centers around " ... a time to heal." We humbly welcome ALL of you to come together at this Family Mass for Child Loss. Come pray with us and for us.

With gratitude and hope,

Hedi Kovacs

On behalf of the H.O.P.E. Ministry

and on behalf of the St. Thomas Bereavement Ministry

Disciple Maker Index Survey

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Dear Parishioners,

St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Bloomfield, is on a journey to know, love, and serve Christ in our parish community. Together we must embrace Christ’s vision for missionary discipleship so our parish can thrive and be a place for others to grow together in faith.

The very first step in this process involves assessing our greatest strengths and opportunities, and that is where the Disciple Maker Index (DMI) comes in! The DMI is an important survey tool that invites you to reflect on your discipleship journey here at St. Thomas the Apostle. The Disciple Maker Index is designed to:

❖ Invite parishioners to reflect on their journey of discipleship.

❖ Enable parish leadership to make data-driven decisions.

❖ Help parishioners grow in their faith.

The 10–15-minute survey can be accessed through an online link below. It will ask you to reflect on your own spiritual growth and enable you to provide your perspective on our parish’s efforts to help you grow in relationship with Christ. All responses will be confidential, and the parish will only receive information about the community as a whole.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact patrice.maher@stachurchbloomfield.org.

Together we must embrace Christ’s vision for missionary discipleship so our parish can thrive and be a place for others to grow together in faith.

Thank you for helping with this important project and please continue to pray for this intention and for the growth and protection of our parish.

September Club 2025 Trip Schedule

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The St. Thomas the Apostle September Club announces all the planned trips for this year. We welcome non-members to join us. Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to have a fun time. Additional trips will be added in the near future.

  • THE CLOISTERS WITH LUNCHH AT CARMINE’S UPTOWN

    April 29 (Tuesday) Experience the art and sculpture of medieval Europe, including the renowned Unicorn Tapestries, with a visit to the famed Cloisters in Manhattan. Visit will include a one-hour guided tour on the highlights of the museum followed by a late lunch at Carmine’s. $165 Per Person includes Museum Admission, Guided Tour, Family Style Lunch, Bus Transportation & All Gratuities. (Bar purchases not included).

  • WAIT-LISTED: THE SHORE CLUB, SPRING LAKE, LUNCH & ENTERTAINMENT

    May 29 (Thursday) $145 Per Person includes Lunch, Entertainment, Bus Transportation & All Gratuities. Enjoy the Mike Byrne All Star Show at the Shore Club and dance to the music of Neil Diamond, Olivia Newton John, and Patsy Cline. THIS TRIP IS NOW WAIT-LISTED.

  • WEST POINT & LUNCH AT THE HOTEL THAYER

    July 31 (Thursday) $100 Per Person includes tour of Military Academy, Lunch, Museum, Bus Transportation & All Gratuities. (NOTE: Because West Point is an active military base there will be mandatory Security & ID requirements for access to the base).

  • NOTE: Unfortunately we have had to cancel the CAPE COD trip originally scheduled for September 30th to October 3rd. We hope to re-offer this trip next year. Note, trips have limited capacity.

  • If you’re interested, please contact us at Septemberclub4@gmail.com or call Renee Miscione at 347-675-3581 for individual trip information sheets that have more information as well as a stub at the bottom that must be returned with your deposit to reserve your spot.

Seniors: Free Income Tax Preparation is Back

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The St. Thomas the Apostle Church Holy Name Society is providing free Federal and NJ State Tax preparation for seniors at least 65 years old or disabled and not actively employed.

Income Tax returns will be prepared by an experienced tax preparer volunteering their Time and Talent in the spirit of Stewardship. The tax preparation process for each individual or married couple will include an interview, a review of 2023 tax returns, and receipt of your tax related documents.

Beginning Sunday, February 16th through April 13, 2025, each Sunday a tax preparer will be available in the parish center each from 1:00 TO 3:00 pm BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

Please contact the Parish Center for an appointment (973) 338-9190.

Call for Easter Ham and Chicken Donations

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The Beyond Cornerstone Ministry will be collecting chickens and hams for needy families’ Easter dinners as requested by St. Theresa of Calcutta’s Missionary Sisters of Charity at St. Augustine’s Soup Kitchen in Newark.

Joanne Hand will collect hams and chickens on Saturday, April 12th between 7:30am and 8:30am in the parish parking lot by the handicapped entrance and will bring them directly to the St. Augustine’s soup kitchen. The Sisters will be distributing food bags to families on Palm Sunday.

Additionally, the Bloomfield branch of UNICO, an Italian-American nonprofit organization, will hold their semi-annual food drive on Saturday, April 5th from 9 AM to 1PM at the Brookdale ShopRite. They will be collecting non-perishable foods, cases of water and personal supplies. St. Augustine’s is one of the soup kitchens that will benefit from this collection.  

Thank you to all who participate in our efforts to bring food to the needy and homeless. Click the button below for more information about Beyond Cornerstone, or to get in touch.

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9

2025 Archbishop's Annual Appeal

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Last weekend Cardinal Tobin made his request, via the annual AA video, for our support for the Annual Appeal. If you did not see the video or wish t see it again go to the Archdiocesan website rcan.org.

Our parish goal for 2025 is $90,988 with a stretch goal of $109,186. If we reach our goal in paid pledges before June 30th we will receive a 2% Assessment rate reduction. If we reach our goal in paid pledges before December 31st we will also qualify for a rebate of 50% of all funds received over our goal.

All donations to the AA are used solely to support our Parish and the Ministries noted in the AA materials. Your gift to the AA is also seen as a sign of your support for and love of the Church, her Clergy, her Ministries, and our Parish. Please consider participating in this year’s Appeal to help make a significant difference in many lives within our Archdiocese.

Please make a gift online today by visiting rcan.org/sharing.