April 25, 2021 • Fourth Sunday of Easter

Pastoral Associate for Elementary Catechetics

Tracey Hann

School PrincipalMichael Petrillo

DIRECTOR OF LITURGICAL MUSIC MINISTRIES

Dr. Patricio Molina

Assistant Liturgical Music Minister

Kimberley Mesiti

Pastoral Associate for Family & Adult Formation Ministries

Robert P. Miller

TRUSTEESBernadette LipomaJames McKittrick

St. Thomas the ApostleSt. Thomas the ApostleRoman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

Rectory/Parish Center: (973) 338-9190 • Fax: (973) 338-4224 Religious Education: (973) 338-7400 • School: (973) 338-8505

Address: 60 Byrd Avenue, Bloomfi eld, NJ 07003 • Website: www.stachurchbloomfi eld.comFacebook: Saint Thomas the Apostle Church Twitter: @stachurchnj YouTube: STA Bloomfi eldNJ

Parish Center Hours: Mon., Tues., and Thurs. 9am-3pm • Wednesday 10am-3pm Fri. 9am-2pm (July through Labor Day Fri. 9am-1pm) • Saturday 9am-1pm

Eucharistic LiturgySaturday Eve: 5:00pm

Sunday: 8:00 and 10:00am, and 12:00 Noon

Weekdays: Mon. through Fri. 11:30amHoly Days: See the bulletin

Holidays: 8:30am

Sacrament of Reconciliation

(Penance/Confessions)Saturday: 1:00pm

Marian Devotions

MondaysNovena Prayer 11:30am Mass

Liturgy of the Word

With ChildrenSundays: 10:00am Mass

September - June

Catholic Community

ServicesOffering Social

Service Assistance1(800) CCS-7413

Fax: 596-3735

Rev. Lawrence J. Fama, PastorRev. Charles J. Miller, Pastor EmeritusParochial Vicar: Rev. Lukasz Rokita In Residence: Rev. Charles Pinyan

Weekend Assistant: Rev. Thomas CemborPERMANENT DEACONS

Deacon Thomas J. Coyle • Deacon Brian J. Murphy • Deacon Michael Pasquale Deacon Dennis J. Besida, Retired

Masses for the Week Saturday, April 24 5:00 pm Jim Battagliano—Friends

Sunday, April 25 8:00 am Father John Rausch—Friend

10:00 am Vincent Calderone—Family 12:00 pm William Frunzi—Friends

Monday, April 26 Easter Weekday 11:30 am Stephen Wesner—Family

Tuesday, April 27 Easter Weekday 11:30 am Joseph Bianchi—Family

Wednesday, April 28 Easter Weekday 11:30 am Charles Graham—Parents

Thursday, April 29 St. Catherine if Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church 11:30 am Mc Cormick Family—Family

Friday, April 30 Easter Weekday 11:30 am Paul & Maria De Rogatis—Family

Saturday, May 1 Easter Weekday 8:30 am Deceased Members of DiLaura Family—Family 11:00 am Anthony Raimo—Friend Geraldine Cappuccino—Friend 5:00 pm Bove Klenner & DiGiovanni Families—Family

Sunday, May 2 Fifth Sunday of Easter 8:00 am Deceased Members of Lubben Family 10:00 am Eileen Kossack & Family—Daughter 12:00 pm Salvatore Rotunda—Family

The People of the Parish Mass will be celebrated privately. The priests will be fulfilling all mass intention obligations.

PRAY FOR OUR SICK Cristina Navarrete, Madelyn Delaney, Mary Murphy,

Michael O’Connor, Donna DeVito, Jane Zanni, Deacon Dennis Besida, Virginia Fallon, Jack Serrani,

Mallory Corpew, Richard Saporito, Kevin Sutton, Glenn Personette, James W. Marion

REST IN PEACE

Olga Borges

CANDLE INTENTIONS

CHURCH: Beryl Jeanette Alfano BLESSED MOTHER: Frank Cardone SACRED HEART: Frank Cardone

Missals and Hymnals will not be available in the pews. Please download the music and readings from our website and bring them with you or use a Catholic app on your phone or tablet.

Gospel Reading: John 10:11-18

The fourth Sunday of Easter is also called Good Shepherd Sunday. In each of the three lectionary cycles, our Gospel is taken from the 10th chapter of the Gospel of John. In Cycle B, we hear the middle verses of this chapter. Unless we con-sider this chapter in the greater context of John’s Gospel, we will miss the radical nature of the statement Jesus makes when he declares himself to be the Good Shepherd.

This chapter of John’s Gospel follows Jesus’ healing of the man born blind and the rejection of this miracle by the Jew-ish leaders who question Jesus’ authority to heal. Jesus re-sponds to this challenge by calling himself the Good Shep-herd. He is criticizing the leadership of the Pharisees and the other Jewish leaders. The Pharisees and other Jewish leaders are so angry that they attempt to stone and arrest Jesus (see John 10:31,39). This controversy with the reli-gious leaders continues until Jesus’ death.

In the portion of the chapter that we hear proclaimed today, Jesus describes his relationship with his followers as similar to the relationship between a good shepherd and his sheep. As a good shepherd will risk and lay down his life in order to protect his sheep, Jesus willingly sacrifices himself for the sake of his sheep. Jesus contrasts the actions of the good shepherd with the actions of the hired shepherd who aban-dons the sheep in the face of danger. In the verses following Jesus' teaching, we learn that the Pharisees and the other religious leaders understand that Jesus is referring to them when he describes the hired shepherds.

The concern of a good shepherd for his sheep is part of the shepherd’s job. Jesus says, however, that the actions of the good shepherd are based upon the relationship that devel-ops between the shepherd and the sheep. This is at the heart of the difference between the good shepherd and the hired shepherd. The good shepherd knows the sheep and therefore acts out of love. For the Good Shepherd, this is never simply part of a job; this love-in-action is integral to his identity.

As with so much of John’s Gospel, one hears in this passage John’s particular focus on Christology. As the sheep are known by the Good Shepherd, the Father knows Jesus and Jesus knows the Father. There is an essential unity between the Father and the Son. The freedom with which Jesus acts when he lays down his life is rooted in the unity that he shares with his Father.

In this context, Jesus also refers to others with whom he shares a relationship. By this reference, John probably un-derstands the eventual inclusion of the Gentiles in the Chris-tian community. Our modern ears hear this as a reference to Christian unity. The work of ecumenism is to restore unity among all Christians so that we form one flock under one shepherd, as God desires.

Fourth Sunday of Easter April 25, 2021

PPhase 3 Church reopening / Weekend Masses

Cardinal Tobin has extended the dispensation to attend Mass.

Weekend Mass Schedule - Saturdays 5pm, Sundays 8, 10, 12 and on our YouTube channel.

The church will be open a half hour before Mass and closes after Mass for cleaning. Maximum of 150 people per Mass on a first come first serve basis.

Please use the south side handicap and center front entrances. Weekday Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 am Monday—Friday. The church will be open from 10:30am to 12:30pm on these days. Maximum of 150 people per Mass on a first come first serve basis. Please use the south side handicap entrance.

Reconciliation (confession) Saturday at 1pm in our parking lot (weather permitting). In case of inclement weather, confession will be in church. Please enter through the front center door. GUIDELINES Everyone must wear a mask before entering the Church and while in the building Everyone must stay 6’ apart when on the church property (both inside and outside the Church) Everyone must sanitize your hands before entering the church (please bring hand sanitizer with you) If you are sick or feel that you’ve been infected or exposed to someone who has been infected with Covid-19, you must wait 14 days before entering the Church

We are happy to welcome you back for Mass but please note that even with the best health practices and social distanc-ing, anyone who enters a public space should recognize there is a risk in contracting Covid-19. We’ve increased the cleaning of our Church, but no one should expect they will be any safer from germs here than in other public areas.

April 25, 2021

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE

The Main source of operating funds for St. Thomas is our weekly / holyday offertory collections. The information below will show where the Parish is as of April 18th compared to the amount needed for the year. The break-even date is June 30, 2021. The amount needed each week to have a balanced budget is $17,254 and the amount collected last weekend was $13,503.

Envelopes/Cash $11,751 Electronic Giving $1,752

Balanced Budget Amount Year to Date Remaining $880,000 $607,167 $272,833

The year to date amount is negative by $100,247 as of week number 41 in our current budget year.

Easter Collection $36,386 vs. Budget $33,000

HOLY WATER During the pandemic Holy Water cannot be kept in the fountain or in the dispenser. If you would like Holy Water for your home, please bring in a bottle filled with water to the church and one of the priests or deacons will bless it for you. Thank you for your understanding.

NEW MEMORIAL OPTION

We have new votive candles which can be memorialized for your loved ones. One is before the statue of the Sacred Heart and the other is before the statue of our Blessed Mother. These candles will burn only when they have been memorialized and

PARISH CENTER — PHONE HOURS ONLY M, T, Th, 9am-3pm, Wed. 10am-3pm,

Fri. 9am-2pm. Sat. 9am-1pm

ALL MEETINGS & EVENTS CANCELED

NEW TO OUR PARISH? WELCOME!! PARISH MEMBERSHIP; New Parishioners are requested to register in the Parish as soon as possible. Please notify us of changes in address or phone number.

Name_______________________________________________

Address_____________________________________________

Phone______________________________________________

Email_______________________________________________

____ I wish to receive a registration form

____ I have an address change

____ I am moving out of the Parish

Please send to Parish office or drop in collection basket.

Calendar Raffle Winners!

Week Eleven $100 Grace Matturri 3597

$125 Ann Towey 3411

$100 Rosario Eng 2466

$125 Kathleen Beard 1663

$150 Victor Laracca 0721

Week Twelve $100 Susan & Gary Kopko 0625

$125 Paul Chuck 1588

$150 Mary Ann Miller 3293

$100 Patricia Alfano 1718

$125 James & Casandra Michels 2329

April 25, 2021

RESPECT LIFE Any woman who is pregnant and in need can get help She never has to feel that abortion is the only option and can find assistance at the following numbers: NJ law allows a mother who cannot keep a recently-born baby to leave the baby at a hospital or police station, no questions asked. For info call 877-839-2339

Crisis Pregnancy Helpline 888-4-OPTIONS 888-NO-ABORT Post Abortion Healing 887-HOPE 4 ME rachelsvineyard.org Birthright 800-550-4900 201-845-4646 Respect Life Office 9973-497-4350 rileyche@rcan.org

Other resources: getyourcare.org, Babies in the womb feel pain.com, The Gianna Center of New Brunswick 732-565-5490

Men’s Scripture Reading and Reflection online. ALL MEN are invited Monday, May 3, 2021 at 7:30pm on line at ZOOM. Join a group of ordinary men and spend 90 minutes reflecting on the Sunday Scripture Readings for the coming week. We will also watch and listen to Bishop Robert Barron’s talk. We will participate in the Word on Fire Ministry’s “Imaginative Apologetics” which identifies the challenge of evangeliza-tion in our time as extremely difficult. Most people ““know” about Christianity, but ddo not understand its meaning. Come and share the extraordinary Word of God and together learn more about our beautiful Catho-lic faith. Join Zoom Scripture Meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89601220664?pwd=SGF3YzM0NjNJK0UvQVowUXExeE1vdz09 Meeting ID: 896 0122 0664 Passcode: 778579

STA “300 Club” St. Thomas the Apostle and your Finance Com-mittee invite you and your friends to participate in our “300 Club”. You will find that this Club is better than State Lotteries, Casino Slots, or Bingo. Here is how it works...

ONLY 300 TICKETS AVAILABLE!!! Tickets are $100 each.

Prizes are as follows: 1st Prize: $10,500 or 35% of tickets sold 2nd Prize: $ 3,000 or 10% of tickets sold 3rd Prize: $ 1,500 or 5% of tickets sold

Raffle to be held on Thursday, May 20, 2021

_______ Ticket(s) for 300 Club @ $100.00

Name or Names (please print) __________________________________

Address: __________________________ _________________________________

Phone ____________________________

Checks payable to St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Winner need not be present to win. Send this form with your check to:

St. Thomas the Apostle Church Attn: 300 Club 60 Byrd Ave., Bloomfield, NJ 07003

Church ID #41-1-16464 Raffle License #RA 3578

FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION

The Holy Name Society continues to provide free federal and NJ state income tax preparation for seniors and disabled members of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. To be eligible for this service, you must be a registered member of St. Thomas, at least 62 years of age or disabled, not actively employed and no business or individual rental forms.

Income tax returns will be prepared by experienced tax preparers volunteering their time and talent in the spirit of stewardship.

Because of the COVID pandemic, tax preparation will be done differently this year. If your 2019 taxes were done by a STA preparer, you can call Dennis Sutton, 973-338-5872, or Frank Helmstetter, 973-338-5872, to make arrangements. If we did not prepare your 2019 taxes, you can leave your 2019 and 2020 tax information, along with your phone number, at the Parish Center and we will contact you.

ANNUAL APPEAL 2021

February 14th was our Pledge and Collection Weekend. Please continue to drop your pledge and collection envelopes in the collection basket at mass or place them in the lock box at the top of the Parish Center steps. Thank you to those who have already made their gift to the 2021 Annual Appeal.

Our goal of $99,856 can only be achieved through YOUR generosity! Under the new Archdiocese guidelines, if a parish does not reach their goal the balance must be made up as an expense in the 2022 parish operating budget year.

To date the amount Pledged is $73,097.

Will you join your fellow parishioners in supporting this effort that strengthens many important programs and ministries across the Archdiocese of Newark including our own parish school?

If you have not yet made a gift, there will be pledge forms available at the doors of the church, or you can visit www.rcan.org/sharing. PPlease be sure to credit our parish if you donate online. Your gift will truly make a difference. Thank you for your prayers and support.

FEMA to Help Pay Funeral Costs for COVID-19-related Deaths

FEMA began providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and bur-den caused by the pandemic. The policy was finalized and FEMA is now moving rapidly to implement this funeral assistance program na-tionwide.

More information regarding this assistance can be found at

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov . FEMA began to accept applications for the fu-neral assistance The scheduled start date was April 12th and the following number will be used for those applying: 844-684-6333.

April 25, 2021

Statement of the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey on the Reproductive Freedom Act

The Catholic Church believes and teaches that all human life is sacred from conception to natural death. For that reason, we, the Bishops of each of the dioceses in New Jersey, join in voicing the strongest possible opposition to the “Reproductive Freedom Act.”

Without minimizing other serious threats to human life and dignity evident in contemporary American society, the Catholic Church consistently maintains that “the threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself, because it takes place within the sanctuary of the family, and because of the number of lives destroyed” (USCCB, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, “Introductory Letter,” 2020).

When informed of the text of the USCCB document early in 2020, Pope Francis observed that the right to life of the unborn “is the most fundamental right. This is not first a religious issue; it is a human rights issue. (Pope Francis to American Catholic Bishops, USCCB Region IX, January 16, 2020).”

As the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey, we urge all Catholics and people of good will to reject this proposed legislative initiative in our state and to contact your State legislators to vigorously express opposition to its passage.

LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR

The Little Sisters of the Poor are committed to preserving the original charism of their Foundress, Saint Jeanne Jugan, by giving happiness to the elderly and meeting their needs at this difficult time., This year the Little Sisters are unable to come to our parish themselves but their needs are current, especially during this present health crisis. Their website www.littlesistersof the poortotowa.org can be accessed to provide info as to how to send monetary donations online. It also provides their address to which any offerings can be mailed. May their holy patron, St. Joseph, protect you always.

Pope Francis Announces Holy Year of St. Joseph

One hundred and fifty years ago, Blessed Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph as “Patron of the Universal Church.” To mark the 150th anniversary of this occasion, Pope Francis has proclaimed a Holy Year of St. Joseph from Dec. 8, 2020, to Dec. 8, 2021.

In the Pope’s proclamation of the Year of St. Joseph he drew connections between St. Joseph and the humble people working throughout the pan-demic. “People who do not appear in newspaper and magazine headlines, or on the latest television show, yet in these very days are surely shaping the decisive events of our history.” The Holy Father notes, “how many fathers, mothers, grandparents and teachers are showing our children, in small everyday ways, how to accept and deal with a crisis by adjusting their routines, looking ahead and encouraging the practice of prayer. How many are praying, making sacrifices and interceding for the good of all.”

St. Joseph was a man of sacrifice and prayer for the good of the Holy Fami-ly. Even today, he continues to inspire others to reach out to those in need, especially during this difficult time.

For more information on the Holy Year of St. Joseph, please visit: www.rcan.org/joseph. “St. Joseph, pray for us!”

April 25, 2021

Gospel Reading John 10:11-18 Jesus says that he is the good shepherd who knows his sheep.

Family Connection

The Good Shepherd makes sacrifices for the sheep not because it is required, but because it is a choice. That sounds a lot like parenting and the dynamics of a healthy family life. Parents choose to make sacri-fices for their children out of love, not obligation. Christian parents model and invite their children to choose to make sacrifices for other family members and for other people, acting out of love rather than obligation.

When you gather as a family, invite each family member to consider the attitude that permeates their par-ticipation in family life. Read a common examen, such as any of the following: Do we do family chores cheerfully and without having to be asked multiple times? Do we gladly share with others? Do we will-ingly contribute to the family good when asked? Read aloud today’s Gospel, John 10:11-18. Discuss to-gether how the example of the Good Shepherd might inspire your family life. Invite each family member to make a renewed commitment to one action/attitude to focus on in the upcoming week that show that we will choose to follow the example of the Good Shepherd. Pray together that we will be able to honor our commitment. Pray together Saint Ignatius of Loyola’s Prayer for Generosity.

Prayer for Generosity St. Ignatius of Loyola

Eternal Word, only begotten Son of God, Teach me true generosity. Teach me to serve you as you deserve. To give without counting the cost, To fight heedless of wounds, To labor without seeking rest, To sacrifice myself without thought of any reward Save the knowledge that I have done your will.

Amen.

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IN REMEMBRANCE OF SAMANTHA JOSEPHSON

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