St. Thomas More Catholic Church
6548 Dorchester Road, Niagara Falls, ON, L2G 5T5
Telephone: 905.356.7533 ● Fax: 905.356.9087 ● email: stthomasmoreparish@cogeco.net map
Parish & Community Events
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R.C.I.A.: THE SCRUTINIES
The Scrutinies are celebrated on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent. Those preparing to be baptized at the Easter Vigil are present at these rites. For both the Elect and the parish community, Lent is a time for more intense spiritual preparation and for deepening our relationship with Jesus. The Scrutinies are an opportunity for us to pray for our Elect that they will turn their hearts towards Jesus and feel our support.
At each of the Scrutinies, the church invites the Elect and the parish community to reflect on three different Gospels that reveal the meaning of the upcoming baptism of the Elect.
FIRST SCRUTINY: John 4:5-42 The Samaritan Woman at the Well
SECOND SCRUTINY: John 9:1-41 The Man Born Blind
THIRD SCRUTINY: John 11:1-45 The Raising of Lazarus
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Junior Altar Servers Needed - click here for additional information
We are happy to announce that we are moving forward with preparations to welcome back our Junior Altar Services at weekend Masses. We are also looking for new Altar Servers who may be interested in serving in this Ministry. Updated training will be provided for all Altar Servers. If you are interested or have any questions,
call Anna Racine at 905.358.3412.
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Hospital Calls
Given the restricted access to our local hospitals and the protocols in place, if a relative or friend is in hospital and needs pastoral care, it is recommended that you phone the parish office to inform the priests. As the patient lists are not kept up-to-date, they have no way of knowing who is in hospital unless they are notified of it.
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Knights of Columbus - Flying Fathers Fundraiser. For more information, please visit this website.
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Diocesan Separated & Divorced Healing Ministry Support Group - Mt. Carmel Spiritual Centre
The next meeting will be April 11 with the topic being "Guilt, Regrets, Apologies" withDino Sicoli.
We meet at 7:00 p.m. through Mt. Carmel Spiritual Centre. Pre-registration is required by phoning 905.356.4113 or emailing separatedanddivorced@saintcd.com.
For current schedule click here
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Baptism Preparation - Every Third Thursday of the Month (Commencing Nov 17)
Parents inquiring about infant baptism need to contact the parish office 905.356.7533 or email stthomasmoreparish@cogeco.net to set-up an appointment. Following this they will be asked to attend a baptism preparation class that is held on the third Thursday of each month. It is then that a date can be set for baptism.
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Bingo! Bingo! Bingo! Bingo! - click here
Delta Monte Carlo Bingo Hall - 4735 Drummond Rd.
Volunteers are needed.
Your support is greatly appreciated!
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Mass Intentions
If you would like to have a Mass offered for someone, contact the parish office. We will help you with the dates and times which are available.
Cards are given to you so that you can give them to whomever you choose so that they may also participate in the Mass. The stipend or offering given ($10) signifies the sacrificial nature of giving something of yourself, to associate more intimately with Christ who offers himself in the Eucharist. Note: There is a limit to intentions requested; that is, one cannot fill up the calendar with too many family requests.
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Parish Office - office hours
Monday to Thursday 9:00 am to noon: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm - closed Fridays
A drop-off slot has been installed in the church office to the right of the door.
Please use this slot when dropping off offertory envelopes or other important documents. Thank you very much.
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Ministry, Activity, Group, and Council Leaders
Please remember to take advantage of the bulletin and our church website! They are a crucial part of parish life and should be used as much as possible. It is up to you as leaders to promote your activity, meeting, function, outing, etc. Contact the bulletin editor with your announcements. Notifications must be received no later than Tuesday (noon) for the upcoming Sunday's bulletin. Send your request to Maria (officestm@cogeco.net). If you wish for your announcement.
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Sunday Missals
“Saint Joseph” Sunday Missals are available and can be found on the bookstand in the church foyer. To cover the cost, a donation of $5 would be appreciated.
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Church Envelopes - 2023
Please do not use old envelopes. Envelope numbers get recycled, so if you use old envelopes, you will not get credit for it. If your address has changed, please notify the office directly.
Take the time to print your full name and address correctly on your envelope, and ensure that your number is correct. Something like "Smith family" is not acceptable; there may be many "Smiths" in the parish and we have no way of knowing which family your offering comes from!
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Ways to donate to St. Thomas More Catholic Church - click here
Preauthorized Donations - a “win-win” situation for all! New ways to donate to St. Thomas More Church.
During this time of absence from church, expenses go on just the same.
Would you like to continue to donate your Sunday and special offerings to St. Thomas More? It is easy to set up by using monthly Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) donations.
Contact the church office for a form. Internet e-transfers from your personal bank are also being accepted. Please use stthomasmorenf@gmail. com as the email address that the bank requests. You can also search for St. Thomas More on canadahelps.org and donate there. "Thank you" for your help! Call the office to start now 905.356.7533
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Indigenous Reconciliation Fund
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has agreed to establish a new registered charity to support and advance healing and reconciliation initiatives. The charity will manage the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, which will accept contributions from 73 dioceses across Canada in order to fulfill the $30 million financial commitment made in September. Regional and/or Diocesan Granting Committees will be established to identify projects that further the fund’s priorities, review applications and request funds to support such projects. For further information, email communications@cccb.ca.
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SYNOD 2021-2023, Journeying Together
Prayer for the Synod
We stand before You, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name. With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go,
and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life,
and not stray from the way of truth and what is right. All this we ask of You,
who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.
Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has invited the Catholic Church to participate in the Synod on Synodality, which is all about our journeying together. Through listening and discernment rooted in the Holy Spirit, the entire people of God is called to contribute to a process by which the Church deepens in understanding of Her mission and looks toward the future. A Synod, which is the process by which the Church will begin this important work is not just a convening of Bishops advising the Pope. It is a journey of discernment in which the entire people of God are called to pray and reflect upon the Holy Spirit’s will for the Church. Through our listening and our sharing, we will seek to understand what the Holy Spirit’s will is for the topic being discussed – and thus, for the Church.
For more information, visit www.synod.va/en.html
Links of Interest
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament - Holy Hour
Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction
Diocesan Separated & Divorced - Healing Ministry Group - click here
Retrouvaille - Do You Need to "Rediscover" Your Marriage? - click here
Check us out at: www.Retrouvaille.org or call 905.664.5212 or 905.662.2018
Mount Carmel Retreats click here
Workshops, Retreats and Spiritual Direction