St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church

Religious Education Families - Don't forget, classes start this week with a Religious Education Program Meet and Greet in the school starting at 9:00am! See you there!

Life Chain - Saturday, September 3rd at 11:00am Right to Life Michiana and Holy Innocents are feeling more joy on the Life Chain as we consider that around 90% of the lives of the preborn in Indiana will be spared from abortion due to recent legislation! Even so, many lives are at even greater risk in several states, which are amending state constitutions to declare abortion a right. Pray that all lives will be welcomed, saved, and loved and that abortion will become unthinkable. Now, we must be more prepared than ever to help those in unexpected pregnancies. Please be prepared to help these mothers and fathers by referring them to Women's Care Center or to RETA. Please join us on the next Life Chain on September 3rd from 11:00 to noon along Bristol Street.

Thursday before First Friday confessions tomorrow, Thursday, September 1st from 4:00pm to 5:00pm.

Blessed St. Joseph Traveling Icon Tuesday, August 30th at 6:10pm & Friday, September 2nd at 7:00pm in the church. Following the Year of St. Joseph declared by Pope Francis, the Knights of Columbus Pilgrim Icon Program honors St. Joseph, who carried out his mission of raising, guarding, and preparing Christ quietly, courageously, and faithfully. The icon depicts St. Joseph bearing the child Jesus, whose own Hand is raised, blessing the world. In his right arm, St. Joseph holds a flowering staff. The Elkhart Knights of Columbus will have the blessed traveling icon at St. Thomas the Apostle Church for two events: On Tuesday, August 30th, following the 5:30pm Mass, the Knights of Columbus will display the St. Joseph icon during a Rosary starting at 6:10pm. On Friday, September 2nd at 7:00pm, the St. Joseph icon will be on display during the 471th consecutive First Friday Rosary presented by the Knights of Columbus. For more information regarding the St. Joseph Pilgrim Icon search Knights of Columbus St. Joseph Icon or visit kofc.org/pilgrimicon.  

RCIA classes begin next Tuesday. If you are interested, please call Theresa Hock at (574) 848-4127 or come to Elliott Hall on August 23rd at 6:30pm.

THIS WEEKEND - St. Vincent de Paul Special Collection. This weekend, members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be in the Gathering Space collecting items to fill their pantry and answering any questions you might have about their ministry. Please be sure to support this collections if you are able. They are asking specifically for Toilet Paper Pancake Mix Pancake Syrup Breakfast Cereal Spaghetti Spaghetti Sauce Baked beans

This past weekend we welcomed our new pastor, Fr. Levi Nkwocha. Here is a welcome message from him: Hello!!! Dear Friends of St Thomas Parish, To the glory of God, I moved in (or returned to stay) yesterday (July 28) from Wabash. Following Bishop Rhoades’ recent transfer letter, we would be working together to grow the body of Christ at St. Thomas, Elkhart. That would be our collective goal. I am not only happy to be with you, I also feel at home to serve you, wonderful people of God, in my capacity as your pastor. I vividly recall our lovely memories from 2017/2018. But please give me a little more time to reregister your names. This would be in line with our parish growth process: Crawl ­­­-- Walk ----- Run. At St. Thomas, We are TEAM, because Together Everyone Achieves More. I believe that it is providential that our first weekend Masses mark the feast of our patron Saint Thomas (July 3rd). With the powerful intercessions of Saint Thomas our integral growth is assured. Jointly, we appreciate Father Jason Freiburger for his great shepherding and your supportive followership. May the Lord inspire him the more in his new mission at St. Monica, Mishawaka. Amen. For our new parishioners, Father Levi Nkwocha is my name. Originally from Nigeria, I obtained a PhD in Theology at the University of Notre Dame (2018) and transited into the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, but also teach at the University of St. Francis. Calling me Father Levi is very okay. However, for the super strong, here is the clue to pronounce my last name: N-KW(Q)-O-CHA (N-qo-cha). God bless you. Father Levi

Happy Birthday, America! May God guide you.

REMINDER - Confessions today from 4:00pm to 5:00pm Also, NO Catholic Cocktails tonight. Join us NEXT THURSDAY!! Come listen to Fr. Pete McCormick, Director of Campus Ministry and team chaplain for the Irish men’s basketball team at The University of Notre Dame, as he discusses "what does it mean to 'love'? Why are we commanded by Christ to do so?"

Watch the slide show of pictures from Father Jason's Farewell party below.

Thank you to our Fathers.

The Trinity does not live in a splendid solitude, but is rather inexhaustible font of life that unceasingly gives itself and communicates itself

SAVE THE DATE! CATHOLIC COCKTAILS Catholic Cocktails is back for our summer series!! Next Thursday, June 16th, come listen to Msgr. Mike Heintz, Academic Dean at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD, as he kicks off the Catholic Cocktails Adult Faith Speaker Series at Antonio’s Italian Ristorante, 1105 Goshen Ave., Elkhart. Admission is free—and so is the pizza (courtesy of Paul Cataldo)! However, all drinks (alcoholic or not), as well as tips, are up to the attendees. No reservations are necessary…just come to be “stirred and shaken” by Msgr. Mike’s inspiring words. His topic—“How to Read and Pray the Bible Like a Catholic”—is intended to explore the bible through the unique perspective of a Catholic lens. In so doing, Msgr. Mike will not only assist all in their Christian journey but will also deepen their understanding of what it means to specifically be a Catholic. A brief Question-and-Answer time will follow. Catholic Cocktails is sponsored by the Spiritual Growth & Development Committee of St. Thomas Church. It is open to all over the age of 21. Come to be “Shaken and Stirred” by this faith and fellowship series.

FATHER JASON'S FAREWELL PARTY - The St. Thomas community is invited to a farewell party for Father Jason on Sunday, June 26th from noon until 3:00pm in the school gym. Please RSVP by June 19th at https://forms.gle/tR3GYv4bWS947M327.

Our phones are working again!

Our phone system is currently down. If you need to reach us, please email the church office at office@stthomaselkhart.com.

NO CONFESSIONS THURSDAY, JUNE 2nd The regularly scheduled Thursday before First Friday confessions from 4-5pm are CANCELLED.

Today we remember and honor those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God, and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving, for the Ascension of Christ your Son is our exaltation, and, where the Head has gone before in glory, the Body is called to follow in hope. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

MESSAGE FROM FATHER JASON: This summer will mark nine years of me being here at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. Jesus’ words in our Gospel are most appropriate, “My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.” Bishop has decided it is time for me to move to a new parish. I am among the priests whose assignments will change June 28th. I am being reassigned as pastor of St. Monica’s in Mishawaka. The priest who will be transferring here is someone some of you know as he was at our parish for a little over a year as he worked on his studies at Notre Dame before he moved to serve as pastor of St. Bernard Church and School in Wabash. Fr. Levi Nkwocha will follow me and be the next pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. Thank you for all of your support and prayers. I can never give back to you all that you have given to me. Moving, though it is not easy, is part of the vocation of a priest. I love you and will continue to serve you to the best of my ability for these remaining weeks. https://todayscatholic.org/priest-assignments-9/?ct=t(05222022)