A Look Ahead

Dear Parishioners,

While the anticipation of the Super Bowl permeates this weekend in the secular world, Lent begins for Christians on Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2024. It is a time for increased prayer, fasting and almsgiving. This sacred time is meant to be different from the rest of the year in preparation for the events of Holy Week and Easter. I pray you take the season seriously as we preach the call to Repent, and believe in the Gospel! Stations of the Cross will be added every Friday in Lent at 7 PM.

At the end of the month, we will have our annual Parish Mission from Monday, February 26 to Wednesday, February 28 at 7 PM. This year the preacher will be Fr. Allain Caparas. I was fortunate to have Fr. Caparas as my parochial vicar as a newly ordained priest in 2006. Since then he has served at various parishes, as a high school principal, and is now pastor at Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish in Glassboro. Please mark these dates on your calendar as we anticipate the inspiring preaching of Fr. Caparas.

As I had mentioned several months ago, St. Thomas More Parish will now begin the application process to seek a committed, active Catholic to serve as the Coordinator of Catechesis, Lifelong Faith Formation and Evangelization. This position will be responsible for oversight of all catechetical ministry to every age group within the parish. The coordinator initiates, organizes and facilitates various programs and services relating directly to the evangelization and the education of parishioners in the Catholic faith. The coordinator seeks to meet the needs of parishioners in the areas of catechesis, youth and young adult ministry, adult faith formation, and sacramental preparation, including adult Christian initiation. The applicant must be a practicing Catholic in good standing in the Church with an in-depth knowledge of the Catholic faith (BA, or MA preferred). The coordinator must have working knowledge of computers and technology. The applicant must be willing to be involved in the spiritual life of St. Thomas More Parish. Salary and weekly hours are negotiable. This position reports directly to the pastor. Anyone who wishes to apply for this position should submit a résumé to me personally, by regular mail or e-mail (fr.namiotka@gmail.com). The appointment of this position will be made before the end of the fiscal year in June.

Finally, please continue to pray for my mom as she is now on hospice care and has begun her preparation to journey back to God. My mom is 90 years old and has been very close to me since the sudden death of my father in 1995. I know her time is short (days, weeks, months?) and I will certainly miss her as her first-born son. My brothers, sister and I appreciate your continued prayers for her.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor