Welcome to St. Thomas More Parish

As we approach Pentecost, we will be offering Holy Communion from 11am-1:00pm on Sundays May 31 and June 7. To help prepare you for what to expect please see details below.

Included in this post:

• Infographic explaining the basic process for reception of Holy Communion
• Diagram of Holy Communion stations and flow of foot traffic
• Infographic explaining how to properly put on and take off a medical mask safely

Volunteers will be present to assist you every step of the way during reception of Holy Communion at St Thomas More during this first stage of rebooting the parish. Be prepared for a volunteer to stop your vehicle and make verbal contact as your vehicle arrives at the parking lot. Social distancing will be practiced and we expect that all attendees will wear masks to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others.

Basic Process for Receiving Holy Communion

Downloadable PDF of this same infographic with clickable links:

• STM Basic Process for Receiving Holy Communion in Phase One

Diagram of Holy Communion Stations and Flow of Foot Traffic

 

We are trying to stay in touch with our parishioners, and hope that most of you are getting our communication via Flocknote. This is an email/text service that will keep you posted on updates at St Thomas More. Click here for a link to sign up, if you aren't already receiving information from us. There is also  an information sheet here which explains a little bit about flocknote. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact our business administrator, Barb Tremel, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (920) 739-7758.

See more information and attachments in the Deacon Lincoln's Log section below about the Phase 1 Reboot of our sacramental life this Sunday, May 31 as we celebrate Pentecost!

Phase One: A Message from our Bishop...

Click here to view the video from Bishop Ricken on safe practices for the reception of Holy Communion.

To celebrate Pentecost, and prepare to receive Holy Communion, there is a simple prayer process below. For information and resources about receiving Holy Communion outside Mass at St. Thomas More, see the "Deacon Lincoln's Log" section of this Flocknote.

Thanks for being the Amazing Catholic community that you are!

- Dcn Lincoln

Dcn Lincoln's Log...

If you are called to receive communion this weekend (remember, the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday has been suspended during the pandemic), things will look very different than a normal Mass. The Diocese of Green Bay is taking a phased approach. The current phase is phase 1. This phase allows for the reception of Communion Outside of Mass. This short Rite allows Jesus’ disciples to receive communion in a way that is safe and responsibly prevents the spread of the virus. This phase will last at least until June 13.

Things that are new or different can be challenging. Knowing what to expect when you arrive will help you to encounter the peace of love of Jesus in Holy Communion. If you read this article and look at the attached map carefully, it will help put you at ease as you have a clearer idea of what to expect. Continue to be gentle with yourself and others as we walk through phase 1 of rebooting our sacramental life.

As disciples of Jesus, we trust in His promise to be with us always. Jesus promises, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (Jn. 14:18).

If you come to receive Holy Communion Outside of Mass during phase 1 here is what you can expect:...

Click this link to read more.

See the attachments below if you plan to receive Holy Communion this Sunday.

• Phase One Directions Documents
• Communion Stations and Traffic Flow
• Phase One Communion Mask Process

1. Start Sunday here with the readings...

Read through the readings found here for this Sunday. Or, you can watch Mass online or on TV (see below for some options).

2. Ponder the Question of the Week...

On Pentecost, we hear about the Holy Spirit enabling the apostles to speak in different languages. If you could speak any language, what language would you want to speak? Why?

This question can be discussed with your household right away or at a meal together this week (this might be even better than a homily!) or reflected on personally or in a journal. Spend some time with Mary pondering the Word of God.

This week's question of the week comes from the resource 52 Sundays. Consider signing up for their weekly resources.

3. Pray in response to God's Word...

Speak to God about what is on your heart. Attached are some prayers you could pray with others you live with but you can also include your own intentions or just talk to God.

Intercessions for time of Pandemic

4. Give...

We want to thank those who have continued to support St. Thomas More during this challenging time. Our regular Sunday giving is what enables us to continue our ministry and maintain our staff. Continuing your weekly giving is as simple as mailing your check to:

St. Thomas More Parish
1810 b N. McDonald St.
Appleton, WI 54911

you can also give by visiting our parish webiste and clicking on the donate button on the left side.

Thank you for your ongoing financial support during these tough times.

Your donation is tax deductible. We will send you a year end giving statement. Thanks!

Keep the Giving Going...

Besides giving to STM, we encourage you to support local organizations reaching out to our poor and vulnerable brothers and sisters. This month, please consider supporting St. Joseph's Food Pantry. You can do this my clicking on the "Give to STM" button and indicating "St. Joseph's Food Pantry" by clicking "Add special instructions to the seller:" Thank you for your generosity!

 

 

 

 

5. Stay connected...

Check out the announcements below and in the bulletin.

You are invited to attend our Facebook Live Annual meeting at 6:30 pm on June 11 at our St. Thomas More Facebook Page. More details will be coming. Sign up for the event on Facebook here.

If you are called to receive Holy Communion this weekend, take a close look at the attachments below (by the Deacon Lincoln's Log) to prepare to come to church between 11 am and 12:30 pm this Sunday, May 31 as we begin our sacramental reboot.

Click for a link to St Thomas More's weekly bulletin.

•  You're Invited again this Sunday... 
  to join us virtually at STM* - Sunday Talk and Music. STM* will begin 10am on Sunday we will be live streaming music from St. Thomas More with a short talk to prepare us for Mass with Bishop Ricken at 10:30 am (see below for details on Bp. Ricken's Mass). Find STM* on our Facebook page or click here. 
  
  
• Tune in after STM* live stream...
  Local 5 will be broadcasting a 30-minute Mass celebrated by Bishop Ricken each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on-air and online.
  To watch Mass online, visit the link below. The stream will begin precisely at 10:30 a.m., so don’t be alarmed if you don’t see the feed prior to that time. EVENT LIVESTREAM PAGE: www.wearegreenbay.com/live. 
  This will be the final Mass hosted on Channel 5 with Bishop Ricken. Please plan accordingly for future virtual Masses.
  
  
• Other Mass options...
  Sunday Mass is also available diocesan-wide via broadcast television on ABC affiliate WBAY at 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning, and on CW14 at 8:00 am. Mass is also available on Relevant Radio, 1050 AM at 9 a.m.
  
  
• Our church remains open for prayer daily...
  St. Thomas More church is open every day from 7:30 am to 4 pm for prayer. Please no more then 10 in the church at a time and keep social distance. Come and pray!
  
  
• Fr. Jack is hearing confessions every Saturday...
  Fr. Jack will be available at church for the sacrament of Reconciliation from 2-4 pm on Saturdays. Confessions will be held in the Family Room just off to the side of the main church.

Here's your treat...

 

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