Free Tax Preparation for Seniors

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The St. Thomas the Apostle Church Holy Name Society is again sponsoring free tax preparation by an experienced retired CPA.

  • You must be a parishioner of St. Thomas, a senior, and only require a regular Federal 1040 and N.J. State tax return with related schedules.

  • We cannot accept businesses, partnerships, or returns involving rental investment properties.

  • The tax preparer will be available in the parish center on Saturday mornings through April 1th from 10am to 12pm to take your information, assist you, or answer any tax questions you may have. Please bring all related tax information and a copy of last year’s Federal 1040 return with you at that time. Tax returns will be completed in the following week and returned to you for mailing. All info provided or discussed is held in strictest confidence and not shared with anyone.

  • If the time in the parish center is not convenient, you can just drop off the info in an envelope addressed to “TAX HOLY NAME” at the Parish Center in the Holy Name mail slot. If you need more assistance, you can always call the number below and we can try to make some other arrangements.

  • For inquiries or questions, please contact Dennis at (973) 338-8604.

Archdiocese of Newark 2023 Lenten Regulations

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1. The days of both Fast and Abstinence during Lent are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the "paschal fast" to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. The other Fridays of Lent are days of Abstinence.

On a day of Fast, only one (1) full meal is permitted, and two (2) smaller meals, which, if added together, would not exceed the main meal in quantity. Those between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast.

On a day of Abstinence, no meat may be eaten. Those who have reached the age of 14 are obliged by the law of abstinence.

2. The obligation to observe the laws of Fast and Abstinence "substantially", or as a whole, is a serious obligation.

3. The Fridays of the year, outside of Lent, are designated as days of penance, but each individual may substitute for the traditional abstinence from meat some other practice of voluntary self-denial as penance.

4. The time for fulfilling the Paschal Precept (Easter Duty*) extends from the First Sunday of Lent, February 26th to The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, June 4th.

*Canon 920, §1. All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, are bound by the obligation of receiving Communion at least once a year.

September Club 2023 Trip Schedule

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The STA September Club ministry has published their 2023 trip schedule!

Note: Because the COVID Virus is still with us, we ask that all travelers, both members and non-members, have proof of vaccination to travel with us this season. Masks are highly recommended on the bus and inside theater venues.

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.

  • “Murder On The Orient Express” April 19 (Wednesday) 7:30 pm at the Paper Mill Playhouse preceded by prix fixe dinner at Joey’s Tap & Tavern, Millburn. $135 Per Person includes dinner, show, bus transportation & all gratuities. (Bar purchases at restaurant not included).

  • Lunch at the Breakers, Spring Lake, NJ May 17 (Wednesday) Enjoy a day at Spring Lake, enjoy some shopping, a prix fixe lunch at The Breakers followed by some time to stroll along the beach and perhaps dip a toe in the ocean. $85 per person includes lunch, bus transportation & all gratuities. (Bar purchases at restaurant not included).

  • Lunch at the Windlass Restaurant and Boat Ride on Lake Hopatcong July 11 (Tuesday) Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Hopatcong, NJ’s largest lake, followed by a buffet lunch at the Windlass Restaurant. $115 per person includes boat ride, buffet lunch, bus transportation & all gratuities. (Bar purchases at restaurant not included).

  • Gaming at Wind Creek Casino, Bethlehem, PA August 2 (Wednesday) $35 per person includes bus transportation, driver tip, & $25 Slot Play. Will spend 5 hours at the casino.

  • Carmine’s & the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine August 30 (Wednesday) $105 per person includes a 60-90 minute tour of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine followed by a family-style lunch at Carmine’s Uptown, bus transportation, & all gratuities.

  • Lake George & Saratoga Springs 4 Days/3 Nights, Sept 26 thru Sept 29 (Tues-Fri) Enjoy guided tours of Lake George, Saratoga Springs and Lake Placid, including the Olympic Village and “Miracle on Ice” rink; cruise Lake George, visit Saratoga Casino, the Saratoga National Historic Park, and more; $670 per person based on double occupancy includes fees for all activities, 3 nights lodging, 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners including gratuities, bus transportation & driver tip.

  • Brunch at The Brookdale, 1099 Broad St., Bloomfield, NJ November 5 (Sunday) $55 per person includes family-style brunch & gratuity. No bus, travel on your own. Join us to wrap up our travel year.

Please note, some 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. These have a short form at the bottom that must be returned with your deposit to reserve your spot.

From the Wellness Ministry: Blood Pressure Screening and Glucose Evaluations Now Offered

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The Wellness Ministry is back!

We will be offering blood pressure screening and glucose evaluations in the Parish Center after all of the Masses on the third Sunday of each month: March 19th, April 16th, May 21st, June 18th. Refreshments will be served. Please mark your calendars.

Please join us for questions on basic health issues, medications and other medical, nutritional and general concerns.

As you may recall, the Parish Center was closed in the past for some activities on Sunday mornings related to COVID restrictions. We look forward to welcoming back all parishioners!

Register now for The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully

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The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully

Prayer Day March 14th, 2023

Loyola Jesuit Center

160 James St Morristown, NJ

Based on the book By Sr. Joan Chittister, Benedictine Sister of Erie

Sr. Joan speaks of there being the “young old 65-74, the old old 75-84, and the oldest old, 85 and over”. All of these ages have some things in common - each of them faces specific issues at the same time.

Living in a transitional age such as ours is scary: things seem to be falling apart, the future is unknowable, and so much doesn’t make sense, raising many feelings forcing us to pay attention to our fears, regrets, relationships, the meaning of life.

There is wisdom and grace in exploring the gift of your years and learning how to grow older gracefully

Come and spend a prayer day pondering with soul friends and God the transitions in your own life noticing how the presence of God has been with you, and where do you go from here.

RSVP Phone: (973) 539-0740