Upcoming Estate Planning Event
/Program co-sponsored by parish Holy Name Society and Wellness Ministry.
Estate Planning: How to create your go-to box of necessities
… A gift as well as a work of mercy to your successors no matter what your age. It deals with how to remove some burden for them as well as anxiety and stress and to make room for joy at an otherwise difficult time.
When and where: After the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, October 19 (approximately 6 p.m.) in the parish center. (See the bulletin for more details.) We are asking for you to preregister so we can plan the free sandwiches and beverages. You can do this by sending an email or by making a phone call to John Nellegar at jnellegar2004@yahoo.com or (973) 338-1970.
The 7 Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching: 6 - Solidarity
/From the Social Concerns Ministry.
Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching: US Conference of Catholic Bishops:
Theme 6: “SOLIDARITY”
We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that “if you want peace, work for justice.” The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.
For more information about this Theme, please see the Social Concerns Ministry page (stachurchbloomfield.org/social-concerns-ministry)
Mental Health Ministry
/The Mental Health Ministry for Adults is a new ministry at STA church created to meet the needs of people who struggle with Mental Health issues for themselves and/or their loved ones.
Our goal is to provide a warm, friendly and stigma-free environment where all are welcomed and accepted. We do not provide medical advice, medication management, or diagnosis.
We need a few people step up to lead this ministry. If you are called to this very special ministry service, please contact the parish center at (973) 338-9190 to pre-register. Hope to see you there!
The 7 Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching: 5 - Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
/From the Social Concerns Ministry.
Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teachings: 5 - Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected--the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.
More on this Theme, including a witness statement, can be found on the Social Concerns Ministry page. Thanks for your prayerful consideration of these teachings of our Church.
The 7 Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching: 4 - Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
/From the Social Concerns Ministry.
Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teachings: 4- Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
The Catholic Church proclaims the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching, the fourth of which is Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable. This theme states that we need to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. Christ says “As you did to one of these, the least of my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt.25:40). The United States Conference of Catholic Bishop states (in Economic Justice for All, no.86) “The obligation to provide justice for all means that the poor have the single most urgent economic claim on the conscience of the nation.”
The Social Concern Ministry has handouts at the Church exits on this theme; please take one home and read it with your family. More on this Theme, including a witness statement, can be found on the Parish website (stachurchbloomfield.org) and the Social Concerns Ministry site (stachurchbloomfield.org/social-concerns-ministry). Thanks for your prayerful consideration of these teachings of our Church.
STA Celebrates 85th Anniversary with Mass Celebrated by Bishop Michael Saporito
/On Sunday, June 23, 2024, our St. Thomas the Apostle Church community celebrated our 85th anniversary as a parish! Bishop Michael Saporito, who grew up in Bloomfield and attended St. Thomas the Apostle Elementary School, celebrated the 10:00 am Mass. Bishop Saporito received his Sacraments here, worshipped here with his family, and was involved in many aspects of parish life at St. Thomas. It was so fitting to have him celebrate our anniversary Mass as we remember the first parish Mass celebrated here by Fr. Charles Herron on June 25, 1939.
In Sunday’s bulletin, Fr. Larry shared a timeline of some key events in our parish’s history:
January 26, 1939: Archbishop Thomas Joseph Walsh canonically established the parish of St. Thomas the Apostle in the Brookdale section of Bloomfield
June 17, 1939: Father Thomas J. Herron received the letter designating him pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle
Sunday, June 25, 1939: The first parish Mass was celebrated by Father Herron
July 23, 1939: Ground was broken for construction of the church school building
August 17, 1939: The parish corporation was formed
October 15, 1939: The cornerstone was laid for the new church and school building
December of 1939: The Confraternity of the Holy Rosary was organized
March 31, 1940: Dedication of St. Thomas the Apostle Church by Archbishop Walsh
September 1940: STA school opened
October 1940: The convent’s construction was complete
February 16, 1946: Funeral Mass for Father Thomas Herron
December 5, 1955: The Archbishop gave his approval to the building of the new church in a letter to Father Magnier
February 21, 1960: Father Magnier offered the first Mass in the new church
March 26, 1960: The cornerstone laying and the formal dedication and opening of the new church
What a beautiful legacy that our clergy, religious, and laity have left for us!
Let us continue to pray for them and the current St. Thomas the Apostle community members so that we may keep our parish a vibrant place for future generations to worship and connect through our various ministries.
Scroll through the photo gallery below, which commemorates this incredible milestone in the life of our parish family.
Photos by Francesca Leite / Francesca Marie Photography.
85th Anniversary Weekend: 10:00am Mass with Bishop Saporito and 3:00pm Concert Celebration
/
You are invited to join us for a very special 85th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, June 23rd.
Begin the day with 10:00am mass celebrated with Bishop Saporito, a former parishioner. Refreshments will be served in the parish center following mass.
At 3:00pm, our Music Ministry presents 85 Years of Faith and Music: An Anniversary Concert. Stories and memories of our parish will be shared along with music from our adult and children’s choirs and parish musicians. Freewill donations will be collected to help repair our beloved organ. Click here to learn more about the damage to the organ and bell towers and how you can help.
This will be a weekend to remember, enjoy, and to thank God for all He has given us through His church. See you there!
