Welcome Visitors! The first Sunday of Advent is November 29, 2020. It's that time of year when family and friends gather to celebrate our many blessings, with the biggest blessing of all being the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Not only does our parish welcome you as you celebrate Christmas with us, but we also welcome you to join us at this table as a part of our faith community. If you are interested in becoming a member of St. Thomas or St. Mary Parish, be sure to stop by the parish office, give the office a call (St. Thomas 618/783-8741; St. Mary's 618/455-3155), or contact Fr. Dean (217/494-6326).
Christmas Schedule
In this time of uncertainty, I cannot predict what the situation will be at Christmastime regarding gatherings, illnesses, etc. However, I can plan the schedule in the present situation. I will use the same schedule as last year, which is:
Christmas Eve Vigil: 4:00 p.m. at St. Mary's; 5:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Vigil Mass
First Mass of Christmas: 11:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Mass of Night
Christmas Day: 8:00 a.m. at St. Mary's; 9:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Mass of Day
In this time of uncertainty, I cannot predict what the situation will be at Christmastime regarding gatherings, illnesses, etc. However, I can plan the schedule in the present situation. I will use the same schedule as last year, which is:
Christmas Eve Vigil: 4:00 p.m. at St. Mary's; 5:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Vigil Mass
First Mass of Christmas: 11:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Mass of Night
Christmas Day: 8:00 a.m. at St. Mary's; 9:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Mass of Day
Please Note:
If the current situation of crowd size and social distancing rules are in place, attendance will be limited to a maximum of 150 in the church, with overflow crowd gathering in the parish centers. Please sign up for the Mass you desire to attend beginning December 1, through December 24. Mass will be live-streamed to the parish centers, and Holy Communion will be distributed at the proper time to people in those locations.
Holy Communion will be brought to people requesting it at their home only on Christmas Day. So-called "Communion Service" in the home during the celebration of the Christmas Mass is not permitted.
Fr. Dean, November 8, 2020
If the current situation of crowd size and social distancing rules are in place, attendance will be limited to a maximum of 150 in the church, with overflow crowd gathering in the parish centers. Please sign up for the Mass you desire to attend beginning December 1, through December 24. Mass will be live-streamed to the parish centers, and Holy Communion will be distributed at the proper time to people in those locations.
Holy Communion will be brought to people requesting it at their home only on Christmas Day. So-called "Communion Service" in the home during the celebration of the Christmas Mass is not permitted.
Fr. Dean, November 8, 2020
November 29, First Sunday of Advent - Be Alert! Watch! We begin this new liturgical year as the old one ends: alert, on the watch, looking to the end time (that is, the return of Jesus Christ) while still living in the middle time of grace. In our watching, we make the words at the center of Isaiah reading our own: "Would that you might meet us doing right." Let us be faithful gatekeepers - of our thoughts and of our acts - actively looking for the face of the Lord.
- How will I maintain hope as I wait for Jesus Christ?
- What will I say?
- What will I do? The Works of Mercy can be a start.
The Jasper County Ministerial Association Christmas Food Basket Project is asking for monetary donations only this year due to the pandemic. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 213, Newton, IL 62448. St. Thomas Parish will be providing a box for monetary donations in the church's gathering space through the Thanksgiving holiday to help collect money for this project.
St. Thomas Parish Giving Tree - This year our parish Christmas tree will have a little bit of a different look. The tree will be covered in sealed envelopes that contain the names of our parish families. The first Sunday of Advent is November 29th, and each parish family is asked to take an envelope (or two) and then pray for that family throughout the season of Advent. Other options for reaching out to your selected family might include sending a Christmas card or leaving a small care package on their front step. Be sure to stop by any time during the Advent season to pick up your envelope. Be watching patiently for the Parish Christmas Tree as Advent draw nearer.