Share Sunday Supports STA's 2nd ANNUAL BACK TO SUMMER FOOD DRIVE
 
Our 2nd annual STA "Back to Summer" food drive is scheduled for June 9th and 10th. This event is organized to help the children in our community who depend on free or reduced breakfast and lunch during the school year. Many of these children do not have a stable source of food during the summer months, when school is not in session. Our STA Boy Scout Troop 232 will be handing out bags on the weekend of June 2nd and 3rd. Please take one and look over the flier attached to the bag. If possible, please return the bag the following week with consideration for the items listed. Our STA Youth Group will greet you by the Aquinas Hall parking lot entrance to receive you donation. Last year we delivered 12 pickup trucks full of donations! In preparation for this event, we are looking for drivers of pick up trucks and vans who can volunteer approximately three hours of time on the morning of Monday June 11th. If you are able to help please contact me at rhywd@aol.com. May's Share Sunday returned a total of 675 pounds of food, paper goods, and household goods! These donations were divided between CSS Catholic Social Services and HUMC Harrisburg United Methodist Church. The need for these donations is ongoing and real. The generosity of our St. Thomas parish family is truly making a difference for families in need! Every item counts, so if you are able, please help! Just a friendly reminder, donations are being accepted at every Mass and event here at STA. Please help in any way you can!
Ray Haywood, Share Sunday coordinator.

TOTUS TUUS (TOTALLY YOURS)
… a summer catechetical youth program, is being held at St. Thomas Aquinas June 24th-30th. The  program features a team of four college-age students (2 men & 2 women) who will engage our youth in a week-long program about the faith. Activities include catechetical instruction, Mass, songs, games, and food. We need families to host our Missionaries and provide lunch and dinner through the week: E-mail   kherzing@stacharlotte.com!!
Program Schedule: 1st-6th Grade, Monday-Friday, 9:00am-2:00pm; junior & senior high school youth, Sunday-Thursday, 7:00-9:00pm. Participants will bring lunch & and drink.

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick will be offered during the 11:00 morning Mass on Saturday, June 2, 2012. If you, or any Catholic you know is suffering from a serious or chronic illness, preparing for surgery, or is advanced in age, come to this special liturgy and receive God's healing grace. Should you need transportation, please call the parish office or send an e-mail to annettemorales@carolina.rr.com.

See you at our YAH Dinner, catered by Jason’s Deli, $12 per person, May 19th, 6:00pm, in Aquinas Hall. Contact Diane Rettke, 704-947-7645 or diane7645@aol.com, for more information.
 

The Internationa/National Combined Collection combines five collections into one and benefits the the Catholic Relief Services Collection, Collection for the Holy Land, Collection for the Works of the Holy Father (Peter’s Pence), Catholic University of America Collection, & Catholic Communications Campaign.

This Collection will be taken up at all Masses on the weekend of May 19th/20th. You should receive in the mail a letter from our Chancellor, Msgr. Mauricio West, and an informative brochure. Envelopes for this collection are in your  parish envelope packet. Please take the time to read through the brochure and become more familiar with the good work done by each of these organizations. Please be generous & THANK YOU!

Seeking Medical Professional Volunteers

Over the past several months, the number of medical emergencies during Mass has increased significantly. Although "911 Emergency" responds quickly and arrives on the scene usually in under 10 minutes, it is important that we are well prepared and equipped to provide assistance until the Medics arrive.

We are asking all Medical Professionals in the Parish to complete a simple voluntary registration form and return it to the parish office. This includes Doctors, Physicians' Assistants, Nurses, Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians. The Medical Professionals will be asked to identify themselves to an Usher as they enter the Church for Mass. The Usher will then advise the Mass Captain regarding the identity and location of the Medical Professional. In the event of an emergency, the Mass Captain will bring that individual (s) to the affected person (s) to provide temporary care until the Medics arrive. To volunteer, please contact Annette Morales.