|
|
FAMILY CENTER
CHILDREN RELATED GROUPS
SERVICE GROUPS
SUPPORT GROUPS
SPIRITUAL LIFE GROUPS
ADULT ENRICHMENT
FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
CHILDREN'S ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES
SCOUTING
WOMEN'S GUILD
Mother/Daughter Brunch - Spring
Reception for First Communicants - May
Reception for STM and H.S. Graduates - June
Mother/Son Roller Skating Party - October
Anniversary Couples Mass & Brunch - October
Children's Christmas Party - December
M.O.S.T.
Monthly Breakfasts
SpaghettiI Dinner
Las Vegas Night
Parish P.E.A.C.E. Program - March
Parish Adult Weekend Retreat - March
Youth Retreat-February
SEASONAL OBSERVANCES
Stations of the Cross during Lent
Crowning of the Blessed Mother in May
Prayer Program in Advent
Customizes wedding receptions, cocktail parties, and corporate events.
GWYN BAKER
CHILD CENTER
RICHARD YUDT, Director
WEE CHURCH
Located in Shepherd's Room, for 3, 4 and 5 year olds during Sat., 5:30 P.M., Sun., 9:00 A.M. and 10:30 A.M. Masses for pre-school worship.
TAMMY VAN KOOTEN
CHILDREN'S ROSARY– ARMATA BIANCA
CHRISTINE LYNCH
PARISH MINISTRIES
Adult—Teen—Children 's Choirs
Lectors—Cantors
Summer Theatre
NATALIE SENG PIONEGRO
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR
FRANK FLANDORFFER
ALTAR SERVERS
Training occurs twice in the summer months for those in 5th through 8th grade.
REV. KEITH A. MATHUR
USHERS
FRANK McCULLOUGH
STORKS
MELISSA STAHLEY
Back to Top
CHI-RHO (Christians Reaching Out) A group of volunteers who offer their time and love in ministering to many varied needs throughout the Parish. Meets the first Tues. of every month in the Parish Center.
MSGR. JOHN P. MURPHY
PARISH NURSE PROGRAM
STM health nurses who also become God's representatives of love, caring and healing on earth. Wellness is promoted by holistically addressing members' physical, emotional and spiritual needs. If you require assistance or have any questions, call the rectory.
JULIE TESTEN & MARY LOU PADOLICK
STM BEREAVEMENT SMALL FAITH GROUPS
A group that comes together to share, cope, and pray in remembrance of deceased loved ones. Meets September through June on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 P.M. in the Church Library.
CONNIE BARBARICS
GERRY MULLINS
STM MOM'S GROUP
Social group for moms and dads and their pre-schoolers / infants.
HOPE CROSLIS
FRIENDS OF THE CARPENTER
Widows and widowers, recovering from a hospital visit, elderly, and just can't fix that small household problem? Call "Friends," parishioners who will give you a hand at no charge. Small repairs only.
CHRIS BIRKHEAD & DEACON JIM TOOLAN
MEDJUGORJE PRAYER GROUP
Meets first and second Mondays of every month at 7:00 P.M. in the Parish Center.
SALLY HUNT
BIBLE STUDY
Join us for a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for Scrip-ture as it applies to your life. Meets after 8:45 A.M. Mass on Thursdays, (9:15A.M.-10:30A.M.) year round in the Library. All materials provided.
FRANK STECKEL
L.I.F.E. ORGANIZATION
Monthly Pro-Life Holy Hour at 7:30 P.M. in the Chapel.
DEACON TOM SHUBELLA
MARYANNE POHL
Back to Top
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
Classes are held every Tuesday at 7 P.M.., and Sunday, 10:30 A.M. Mass– September through May.
FR. KEITH A. MATHUR
FALL & SPRING EDUCATION SERIES
Mondays 7:30-8:30 P.M., Church Library
MEN'S GOSPEL REFLECTION
Thursdays 7:30-8:15 A.M., Church Library
BRENNAN PURSELL
MARRIAGE PREPARATION TEAM
Conducts classes for those preparing for marriage in con-junction with the Family Life Bureau
KENNETH & LORRAINE SCHUETTE
JIM & MARION GEWARTOWSKI
PARISH VOCATIONS COMMITTEE
To foster, promote, and affirm vocations to the priesthood and religious life. New members welcome. Meets on sec-ond Thursday of Jan., Apr., July, and Oct.; 7:15 P.M., Chil-dren's Center Library. Holy Hour 4:15-5:15 pm on the First Friday of the month.
DICK RAAB
CHURCH LIBRARY
RICHARD YUDT, Director
Back to Top
WOMEN'S GUILD
The purpose of this organization is to aid the Pastor in development of family life in the parish. Its activities are primarily spiritual and social. Watch the bulletin for special events and bus trips.
MJ MULLER, President
MEN OF ST. THOMAS (M.O.S.T.)
A men's group which fosters the spiritual, physical and intellectual development of the men of the parish and provides an opportunity and channel for services to the parish and community. Check the bulletin for special activities.
KEVIN ASHCROFT, President
PRIME TIME CLUB
Folks 55 and over "having the time of their lives." Meets on the second Thursday of each month at 1:30 P.M. in the Family Center. Watch the bulletin for bus trips.
LEONARD FARKAS, President
HAVE-A-HEART GROUP
Comprised of widows and widowers whose goal is to offer support through spiritual and social activities to parishioners who have experienced the loss of a spouse.
CONNIE DeANGELO
YOUTH MINISTRY
Fun and fellowship for all teens of the parish.
JOE AND CORY LAMACK
NEW FAMILIES PROGRAM
Several coffees and Annual Wine and Cheese Social are held to welcome new families into our parish.
TOM AND DENISE GARRITY
LADIES' BRIDGE MARATHON
DIANE FIGULI
Back to Top
ANN VAUGHAN, COORDINATOR
BOYS
BASEBALL (7-8)
BASKETBALL (5-8)
SKILLS & DRILLS BASKETBALL PROGRAM (1-4)
H.S. BASKETBALL CROSS COUNTRY (K-8)
FLAG FOOTBALL VOLLEYBALL (5-8)
GIRLS
H.S. BASKETBALL
JV BASKETBALL (5-8)
INTRAMURAL BASKETBALL
CHEERLEADING (5-8)
CROSS COUNTRY (K-8)
H.S VOLLEYBALL
JV VOLLEYBALL (5-8)
RICHARD MCGINNIS
BOYS & GIRLS SOCCER
GIRL SCOUTS - DAWN GALLAGHER
BOY SCOUTS - FRANK WINGER
CUB SCOUTS - JOHN DAY
Back to Top
|
 On behalf of all the priests, deacons, sisters, and the parishioners of Saint Thomas More Parish, I welcome you as part of our family. You will soon begin to experience, if you have not seen already, the great faith, love, and hospitality of this community. I am sure that your presence among us will contribute greatly into building up this parish.
As you read through this directory, you will find the numerous groups, ministries, and programs that we are blessed to have here at Saint Thomas More. They are diverse from Youth Ministry to the Prime Time Club, from the Women’s Guild to the Men of Saint Thomas More, and so many more wonderful organizations. There are also many programs designed to enrich your spiritual lives. We ask you to consider growing in your knowledge and love of the Lord. Each of us has a role to play in extending the Body of Christ to others. Our parish community desires your time and talent in these endeavors.
We invite you to accept the opportunity to give your all to Christ so that you might give Christ to all. May God Bless you and your family!
Thanks for being part of our parish. We need you and we welcome you. If we can ever assist you, do not hesitate to call. As an extension of Christ’s ministry we strive to be His servants to you.
 “I am the King’s good servant, but God’s first.”
Saint Thomas More (1478-1535) After a thorough grounding in religion and the classics, Saint Thomas More entered Oxford to study law. After the university he embarked on a legal career which took him to Parliament. In 1505, he married Jane Colt who bore him four children, and when she died at a young age, he married a widow, Alice Middleton, to be a mother for his young children. This learned man numbered Bishops and scholars among his friends, and by 1516 wrote his famous book "Utopia.” He attracted the attention of Henry VIII who appointed him to a succession of high posts, and finally made him Lord Chancellor in 1529. However, he resigned in 1532, at the height of his career and reputation, when Henry persisted in holding his own opinions regarding marriage and the supremacy of the Pope. The rest of his life was spent in writing mostly in defense of the Church. In 1534, with his close friend, Saint John Fisher, he refused to render allegiance to the King as the Head of the Church of England and was confined to the Tower. Fifteen months later, and nine days after Fisher's execution, he was tried and convicted of treason. He told the court that he could not go against his conscience. And on the scaffold, he told the crowd of spectators that he was dying as "the King's good servant-but God's first." He was beheaded on July 6, 1535. His feast day is June 22nd.
In 1966, the land south and west of Allentown was dotted with an ever growing number of residential developments. Many more acres of farmland were destined to absorb the steady sprawl of Lehigh County. Within this framework of demography and necessity, Saint Thomas More Parish was born. On a Sunday morning in May 1966, Bishop Joseph McShea announced its formation with a nucleus of 550 families and 17 acres of undeveloped land. The first new parish in 38 years was launched. It was exciting news to the members of this area.
The Bishop’s challenge was met by a fledgling Catholic community full of resolve and hope. The catalyst was the Reverend Robert Coll, a very dynamic leader. Groundbreaking was held on Christmas Eve of 1967 and construction began shortly after. Saint Thomas More Church was formally dedicated on October 17,1971. Bishop McShea celebrated a Mass attended by 1,000 worshippers and 41 priests. It was the culmination of five years of sacrifice and service by a parish that had grown to 750 families. In 1974, the parish center was completed which provided room for both the priests and the staff. Monsignor Coll left the parish in 1980 to become assistant executive director of Catholic Relief Services.
The Reverend John P. Murphy became pastor in October 1980. He was previously the pastor of Immaculate Conception parish in Allentown. At the time he was the youngest pastor in the Diocese. Through his twenty-eight and counting years of leadership, the Church and School has seen tremendous growth. In 1981, the first kindergarten classes began at the school. Another major addition was the opening of the Saint Thomas More Family Center in 1982. This serves as a school cafeteria by day, meeting space by night, and social functions and private receptions on the weekend. In 1989, the generous people of the parish contributed over one million dollars to the “Share the Moment” campaign. The sanctuary, roof, and daily Mass Chapel were among the projects which the money went directly towards. Today over 2,900 families belong to this growing parish, 610 children comprise the largest grade school in the Diocese, and 530 are enrolled in our religious education program. We are an active and vibrant parish and invite all families to become involved in our parish.
|
