Bishop Beckman has requested that all parishes in the Diocese of Knoxville participate in the "Disciple Maker Index digital survey." This survey should be completed by April 22. Seven percent of our parish has completed the survey.  The Diocese has given us a goal of 15%.  Please help the church by completing the survey.  

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El obispo Beckman ha solicitado que todas las parroquias de la Diócesis de Knoxville participen en la «encuesta digital del Índice de Hacedores de Discípulos». Esta encuesta debe completarse antes del 22 de abril. El siete por ciento de nuestra parroquia ha completado la encuesta. La Diócesis nos ha fijado un objetivo del 15%. Por favor, ayude a la iglesia completando la encuesta.

Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church has made some recent changes to address the increased parishioner participation at the Church Campus.  For example, in 2024, we added two additional weekend Mass services, the new gravel lot for increased vehicle parking, and additional paved vehicle parking at the lower North Lot.   

In 2025, another Capital Improvement Project is planned to install asphalt pavement and striping at the existing gravel lot for increased capacity and vehicle parking uniformity.  The result of this project will be 25% more vehicle parking spaces and a reduced risk of slips, trips, and falls on the uneven gravel surface.  

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact Joe Piscitello in the Parish Office at (865) 986-9885.

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La Iglesia Católica de Santo Tomás Apóstol ha realizado algunos cambios recientes para hacer frente al aumento de la participación de los feligreses en el campus de la iglesia. Por ejemplo, en 2024, añadimos dos misas adicionales los fines de semana, el nuevo aparcamiento de grava para aumentar el estacionamiento de vehículos y un estacionamiento pavimentado adicional en el aparcamiento inferior norte.

En 2025, se planea otro proyecto de mejora de capital para instalar pavimento de asfalto y señalización en el aparcamiento de grava existente para aumentar la capacidad y la uniformidad del estacionamiento de vehículos. El resultado de este proyecto será un 25 % más de plazas de aparcamiento para vehículos y una reducción del riesgo de resbalones, tropiezos y caídas en la superficie irregular de grava.

Si tiene alguna duda o pregunta, póngase en contacto con Joe Piscitello en la oficina parroquial en el (865) 986-9885.

SACRED HEART OF JESUS HOLY HOUR

The Knights of Columbus has held a Pilgrim Icon program for over 30 years. A series of sacred icons has been reproduced, blessed, and sent worldwide. This program was created to increase devotion and edify the community's prayer lives.

Our Knights of Columbus, Council 12633 was able to reserve one of these sacred icons for veneration with our parish. You may have noticed the icon on the right side of the Sanctuary.

The icon is a beautiful reproduction of Pompeo Batoni's

1767 Sacred Heart of Jesus. The original hangs in the Church of the Gesu in Rome, Italy. The reproduction bears the blessing of Pope Francis, through the Papal Almoner.

Three hundred of these icons are travelling around the world. We are blessed to have one in our council. There will be a special Holy Hour exposition of the icon on Sunday, April 6, at TBD* at Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

Prayer Cards and Litany Cards are available for all parishioners in the Church Narthex.

Parishioners do not need to wait for the special Holy Hour exposition; you are welcome to venerate this sacred and blessed icon while it is present among us.

*The Holy Hour exposition time has not been finalized, we will send out a separate flocknote with the time as soon as it is finalized.

2025 LENT SCHEDULE

EASTER FLOWER DONATIONS

As we prepare for the joyous celebration of Easter, we invite you to contribute towards the Easter flowers that will decorate our church for Easter Sunday.  Your donation will help us create a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord.  For envelope users, if you would like to make a donation, please use the envelope marked "Easter Flower Offering" in your March envelope packet.  If you do not receive envelopes, you may mail in a check with "Easter Flowers" on the memo line or drop your donation off at the Parish Office during regular business hours.  Thank you for your generosity as we await the celebration of this blessed season of new life and new hope.

The Saint Thomas Knights of Columbus and Council of Catholic Women will again partner this year to offer a Lenten Fish Fry Dinner following the Friday 6:00 PM English Stations of the Cross and before the 7:00 PM Spanish Stations of the Cross during Lent. Dinners will be served March 7, 14, 21, 28, and April 4.

The menu remains the same as in the past: baked or fried fish, potato slices, hush puppies, macaroni & cheese, coleslaw, green beans, and beverages. The ticket price is $13 for an individual and $36 for a family of four (no charge for children under 12).

NEED VOLUNTEERS TO DECORATE THE CHURCH FOR EASTER

The Arts & Environment Ministry has been established to coordinate and decorate the church's environment for the various seasons of the Liturgical year. In addition to Ordinary Time, special times of the year (Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter) provide opportunities to beautify the church interior with flowers, displays, and other suitable decorations that enhance and complement the celebrations of the Mass and other sacraments.

Volunteers are needed all year round, but especially during Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter! We would welcome any parishioners (men and women) who would like to volunteer a few hours on April 19 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM (or whenever we finish) to help decorate our Church for Easter.  

Please get in touch with Sara Garlutzo at (303) 903-2041 if you are interested or show up when you can. Thank you, and God bless you!

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NECESITAMOS VOLUNTARIOS PARA DECORAR LA IGLESIA PARA LA PASCUA

El Ministerio de Arte y Ambiente se ha creado para coordinar y decorar el entorno de la iglesia para las distintas estaciones del año litúrgico. Además del Tiempo Ordinario, las épocas especiales del año (Adviento, Navidad, Cuaresma y Pascua) brindan la oportunidad de embellecer el interior de la iglesia con flores, exhibiciones y otras decoraciones adecuadas que realzan y complementan las celebraciones de la misa y otros sacramentos.

Se necesitan voluntarios durante todo el año, pero especialmente durante el Adviento, la Navidad, la Cuaresma y la Pascua. Agradeceríamos a cualquier feligrés (hombre o mujer) que quisiera ofrecerse como voluntario unas horas el 19 de abril de 10:00 a. m. a 1:00 p. m. (o cuando terminemos) para ayudar a decorar nuestra iglesia para la Pascua.

Póngase en contacto con Sara Garlutzo en el (303) 903-2041 si está interesado o preséntese cuando pueda. ¡Gracias y que Dios le bendiga!

Come to our April CCW Meeting, bring a friend!!

Loudon County Habitat for Humanity

Presented by Tony Gibbons and Rachel Rendon

Monday, April 21

Gathering and fellowship at 9:15am

Speaker at 9:30am

Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than four million people around the world construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976.  Come and hear what our local chapter in Loudon County is doing to help those in our community.

SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC CHURCH

PRAYER AND FELLOWSHIP

NEWS FROM OUR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (K-5)

Rice Bowl Collection:

Religious Education students will turn in their Rice Bowls on Sunday, April 6. Rice Bowls will be collected during Palm Sunday Masses, April 13, for those outside of the Religious Education program.

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Los estudiantes de Educación Religiosa entregarán sus Platos de Arroz el domingo 6 de abril. Los Platos de Arroz se recogerán durante las misas del Domingo de Ramos, el 13 de abril, para quienes no asistan al programa de Educación Religiosa.

Cancellations:

• Family Catechesis Sunday (FCS) has been cancelled for April.  

• No Religious Education on April 13 (Palm Sunday) and April 20 (Easter Sunday).  

• The last day of Religious Education Classes is May 11.

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Cancelaciones:

• La Catequesis Familiar Dominical (FCS) ha sido cancelada para abril.

• No habrá educación religiosa el 13 de abril (Domingo de Ramos) ni el 20 de abril (Domingo de Pascua).

• El último día de clases de educación religiosa es el 11 de mayo.

The Confirmation Mass is April 12 at 2:00 PM. Students and their sponsors are required to attend the rehearsal on Friday, April 11, at 7:00 PM. Students and sponsors should arrive no later than 1:30 PM on April 12.

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La Misa de Confirmación es el 12 de abril a las 14:00 h. Los estudiantes y sus padrinos deben asistir al ensayo el viernes 11 de abril a las 19:00 h. Los estudiantes y sus padrinos deben llegar a más tardar a la 13:30 h del 12 de abril.

First Reconciliation:

First Reconciliation will be held on Thursday, April 24. Students will come at their assigned time based on their class:

• First Communion A (Mrs. Anita’s class) is to arrive at 6:00 PM. 

• First Communion B (Mrs. Mary’s class) is to arrive at 6:20 PM. 

• First Communion C (Mrs. Consuelo’s class) is to arrive at 6:40 PM. 

• First Communion D (Mrs. Mayra’s class) is to arrive at 7:00 PM.

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La Primera Reconciliación se llevará a cabo el jueves 24 de abril de 2025 en el Nártex. Todos los candidatos deben asistir. 

• La Primera Comunión A (clase de la Sra. Anita) llegará a las 6:00 PM. 

• La Primera Comunión B (clase de la Sra. Mary) llegará a las 6:20 PM. 

• La Primera Comunión C (clase de la Sra. Consuelo) llegará a las 6:40 PM. 

• La Primera Comunión D (clase de la Sra. Mayra) llegará a las 7:00 PM.

First Communion:

The First Communion Mass is May 10 at 11:00 AM. Students and their parents are required to attend the rehearsal on Friday, May 9, at 7:00 PM. Students and their parents should arrive no later than 10:30 AM on May 10.

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La Misa de Primera Comunión es el 10 de mayo a las 11:00 a. m. Los alumnos y sus padres deben asistir al ensayo el viernes 9 de mayo a las 7:00 p. m. Deben llegar a más tardar a las 10:30 a. m. del 10 de mayo.

EDGE AND LIFE TEEN

Edge
Edge is a component of Life Teen that focuses on leading Middle School students closer to Christ. EDGE Nights are held on Thursdays from 7 PM to 8:30 PM. The evening's format includes topically related games, informative talks, small group discussions, and a faith-based closing. Yearly activities include periodic social nights, participation in March for Life, retreats, our parish Living Stations, and summer camp at Camp Hidden Lake. Grades 6-8 comprise the EDGE program, and participation is part of the Confirmation program.

LifeTeen
Saint Thomas the Apostle has been a LifeTeen parish since 2015. Our high school students attend Life Teen Nights on Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. These Nights allow for shared companionship, faith-filled talks, small group discussions, prayer exercises, and Eucharistic Adoration. LifeTeen also provides social nights like ice skating, bonfires, messy games, color wars, and Main Event nights. Service opportunities include clothing drives, food distribution in the homeless community, and assisted living visits. Our youth also have participated in N.C.Y.C, Steubenville/Atlanta, Catholic Heart Work Camp, LifeTeen Restore Camp, and LifeTeen Camp Covecrest. High School students preparing for Confirmation are expected to attend LifeTeen.

For more information about our Youth Ministry CLICK HERE.

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EDGE Y LIFE TEEN

Edge
Edge es un componente de Life Teen que se centra en acercar a Cristo a los estudiantes de secundaria. Las noches EDGE se celebran los jueves de 19:00 a 20:30. El formato de la velada incluye juegos relacionados con el tema, charlas informativas, debates en grupos reducidos y una clausura basada en la fe. Las actividades anuales incluyen noches sociales periódicas, participación en March for Life, retiros, nuestras estaciones vivientes parroquiales y un campamento de verano en Camp Hidden Lake. Los grados 6-8 comprenden el programa EDGE, y la participación es parte del programa de Confirmación.

Life Teen
Saint Thomas the Apostle ha sido una parroquia de Life Teen desde 2015. Nuestros estudiantes de secundaria asisten a Life Teen Nights los miércoles de 7 a 8:30 p. m. Estas noches permiten compartir compañía, charlas llenas de fe, discusiones en grupos pequeños, ejercicios de oración y adoración eucarística. Life Teen también ofrece noches sociales como patinaje sobre hielo, hogueras, juegos desordenados, guerras de colores y noches de Main Event. Las oportunidades de servicio incluyen campañas de recogida de ropa, distribución de alimentos en la comunidad de personas sin hogar y visitas a residencias asistidas. Nuestros jóvenes también han participado en N.C.Y.C., Steubenville/Atlanta, Catholic Heart Work Camp, LifeTeen Restore Camp y LifeTeen Camp Covecrest. Se espera que los estudiantes de secundaria que se preparan para la confirmación asistan a LifeTeen.

Para obtener más información sobre nuestro Ministerio de Jóvenes, HAGA CLIC AQUÍ.