Please join us!
Our parish is located in the heart of the scenic East Tennessee, not far from Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mountains. Whether you are from this area or visiting, we welcome you to join us.
Mission: St. Thomas the Apostle is a Roman Catholic community centered in Faith and fully engaged in Evangelizing, Discipleship, Prayer and Worship that is functioning as a well-informed Parish Community.
Schedule your photo session!
Click the below picture to be taken to the online sign up page!
Attention: Special Dates
COMMUNION SERVICES
October 22, 23 & 24
NO DAILY MASS
October 22-24, all diocesan priests will be on retreat.
NO CONFESSIONS
Tuesday, October 22
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION DATE CHANGE
This year the first Friday of November is All Saints Day, a Holy Day of obligation. Therefore, our monthly First Friday 24-Hr Eucharistic Adoration will be moved one week to Friday, November 8th and Saturday, November 9th. The sign-up placard will be in the narthex for two weeks in advance.
ALL SAINTS MASS SCHEDULE - HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION
Thursday, October 31 @ 7:00 PM – Spanish
Friday, November 1 @ 10:00 AM – English
Friday, November 1 @ 6:00 PM - English
Mass Times
Saturday 7:00 PM Spanish Vigil
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 11:30 AM
Mon-Fri 8:30 AM
Saturday 9:00 AM
Rosary immediately following daily Mass
Rosary
40 minutes before weekend Masses (not including Spanish)
Parish Calendar
WE HAVE A NEW CALENDAR!
The complete parish calendar can be found at the bottom of the homepage or you may click on the menu item, Calendar to be directed to a new page.
ROSARY BEFORE MASS
The Rosary is prayed 40 minutes before 5:00PM Mass and 11:30AM Mass. If you are willing to help lead the Rosary, you should contact the coordinator for each Mass; 5:00PM, Jim Gecsei at 803-3555; 9:00AM, Ralph Pubillones at 458-6111; and 11:30AM, Pam Wallace at 657-3445.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Reconciliation is available Tuesdays at 6:00 PM and Saturdays from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
You may also call the parish office to make an appointment at 865-986-9885.
Download - Pastoral Exhortation on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
Link to USCCB information on the Sacrament of Reconciliation Reconciliation
Morning Prayer
MORNING PRAYER ON FRIDAYS
Morning Prayer on Fridays after Daily Mass.
Please join us!
Office Hours
Friday 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Closed 12:00 PM-12:30 PM for lunch
Eucharistic Adoration
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
FIRST FRIDAY 24-HOUR
On the first Friday of every month, parishioners will have the opportunity to spend an hour with our Lord at all times between 9 AM on First Friday and 8:30 AM on Saturday. A sign-up placard will be positioned in the narthex covering all hours.
This broadened First Friday devotion is being offered because of the wonderful response to the worldwide 24-hour Adoration held earlier this month. There were at least four parishioners in the church for each hour. In order for Eucharistic Adoration to become a permanent observance on First Fridays, it is imperative that there be at least two persons in the church during each hour. The continued success of 24-hour Adoration depends on a core group of adorers who commit to the same hour each time. This ensures that all hours are filled and there are no gaps in attendance. Please prayerfully consider committing to a specific hour for each First Friday. The graces and blessings associated with Eucharistic Adoration are abundant.
Book of the Names of the Dead
BOOK OF THE NAMES OF THE DEAD
All Souls Day is Saturday, November 2nd. The 9 AM Mass will be said as a memorial Mass for those parishioners who have died during the past year and any other deceased loved ones wished to be remembered by parishioners. A Book of the Names of the Dead will be placed on the pedestal in the narthex for parishioners to write the names of those they wish to be remembered at the All Souls Day Mass. The book will be placed on the altar during the memorial Mass.
Veteran's Day
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY; MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2019
You are all invited to attend the Veterans Day Mass and Ceremony at 10:00 AM. Following Mass, please come and help us salute our veterans at the Parish Family Life Center. This year we are pleased to have Col. Joe Mulherin, USAF, Retired, as our guest speaker. Refreshments will be provided.
Trunk or Treat
TRUNK OR TREAT
Wednesday, October 30th at 6:00 PM
Decorate your car or truck, bring candy and join us for Trunk or Treat!
Evergreen Decorations for Sale
FRESH EVERGREEN DECORATIONS
Get an early start on your Christmas decorating by purchasing a fresh fragrant Evergreen Wreath, Mini-Christmas Tree, or Candlelit Centerpiece from the Knights of Columbus starting the weekend of October 19th- 20th through November 9th-10th in the Narthex after Mass. Your order will be shipped direct and delivered by FedEX between November 18th and December 10th. Just think you'll avoid crowded parking lots and long lines at a check-out counter plus feel good knowing the proceeds from the Knight's fundraiser will benefit area charities. For additional information contact Quin Hostetler at 217-801-7677.
Bulletin Notes
SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
In the Gospel today Jesus tells his disciples to pray always without becoming weary., indeed our prayer must always be an expression of our love for God, our family, our world, and especially for the suffering poor.
As you place your gift in the parish monthly charity collection, through which the Society of St. Vincent de Paul helps those in need, please say a special prayer for the poor who have no one to pray for them. The next regular meeting will be on Friday, November 1 at 9:15 am in the Deacon Jose Rivera Room. Call Larry Finneran at 657-9119 for more information.
Please remember your items for the Food and Diaper collection next week! If not in town next weekend please drop off your donations early. The bins are always in the Narthex! Thank you so much!!!
KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY THANKS YOU
A huge THANK YOU to all our kookie bakers for the Kairos prison ministry weekend on October 17 – 20, in Morgan County Correctional Complex. We collected over 700 dozen kookies for the prisoners. Thank you too for the Meal Tickets purchased for the prisoners. This helps to provide the food for the participants of the weekend retreat. God Bless You All! The St. Thomas part of Kairos #32 weekend team – Stu McFadden, Tom Shaughnessy, Jim Mattavi and Chip Young.
“FAITH BY ITSELF, IF IT HAS NO WORKS, IS DEAD”, James 2:17
Think a moment. You are surrounded by people who are thirsting for a personal relationship with Christ who may or may not know it. When St. James says, faith without works is dead, he is telling you to do something with your faith to help others. What can I do about these people you say? Well, right now we are asking you to bring people into our church who need to be here. Who want to be here, but may not know it. Look at your friends and family. In your act of faith, reach out to someone you think needs us…ask them to “just come and see.” Then, do your work by introducing them to RCIA, and we will do our work of preparation while the Holy Spirit leads them to Christ.
RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation For Adults at St. Thomas the Apostle, is designed for adults and mature older teens who freely seek a personal relationship with Jesus. Participants range from the already baptized to the non-baptized. Active church goers to the un-active. Catholics who have left the faith. Think, you do know someone. Ask them to join with other Inquirers once a week at St. Thomas from now until Pentecost. They will explore the fundamental questions of our Catholic faith, learn the Sacramental nature of our church, and, through catechesis, prepare for full reception into the Church at Easter Vigil.
The Inquirer Class begins now and meets Mondays, 6:30 to 8:00 pm in Room 118.
Catechumen/candidate class will begin on December 1, 2019, the first Sunday of Advent, following the 9:00 am Mass (from 10:15 to 11:15) in Room 118. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions: Deacon John Krepps (865) 288-0576 (email: [email protected]).
Women’s Guild 11th Annual Advent by Candlelight Tea
We are happy to announce our St. Thomas Women’s Guild Eleventh Annual Advent by Candlelight Tea. Mark your calendar now for Sunday, December 1, in the PFLC Social Hall. All parish women are welcome and their guests to come for a delightful afternoon of prayerful reflection and fellowship in a beautiful atmosphere of candlelight and music.
New Parish Photo Directory - COMING SOON
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish is always changing and growing, so our Parish Directory should be too! We want you and your family to be photographed for the new parish directory. You will receive one free 8x10 print, and you will have the opportunity to purchase additional photographs if you wish. Photography sessions will begin this fall on October 29th and continue through mid-November. Appointment scheduling will begin soon! Your participation is important.
Mission of Love and Relationship - Trip to NPH El Salvador
November 13 – 17, 2019
Come experience El Salvador, the children of NPH and the wonderful home that God has provided. You will meet the amazing children and staff of NPH and learn the ins and outs of their daily lives. If you are new to NPH, visiting a home is the best way to see what they do in action. If you are a longtime supporter or sponsor (there are many at St. Thomas), come catch up with old friends and see how your godchildren are growing and flourishing. Travelers of all ages are welcome, including children (children under 21 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone). Join us – your life may never be the same! For local information, call Stu or Jan McFadden 865-458-3911; email: [email protected]. To register online: www.nphusa.org. For more information, contact Maci Mitchell at [email protected] or call 312-386-7494.
Help is needed to clean the church
“Housekeeping ain’t no joke” – Louisa May Alcott
Help is needed to clean the church, every first Monday at 10:00AM. See Sharon May 423-612-9529.
Email and Text Scams
Please be advised that no priest, staff person or official volunteer for the church will ever ask for your help financially via email or text....we will not ask you to send money or buy itunes cards or anything similar. Please do not respond to any such emails. Scammers are more and more clever and are using websites to find out names and they are creating email addresses and asking for help. Please do not respond! Father Julian's email was the latest to be used in this way.
HEARING ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
Hearing assistance transmitters and headphones are available in the closet next to the sound control board in the back corner of the sanctuary. If you have difficulty hearing, please take advantage of these devices. Just pick them up at the closet prior to Mass, and return after Mass.
CATHOLICISM INQUIRY SESSIONS
Do you have a family member or friend who is interested in becoming Catholic? The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a ministry for those who are not baptized or who have been baptized in another faith tradition and wish to learn more about and possibly enter the Catholic Church. Our Inquiry sessions are held every Sunday morning (10:15am-11:15am) or Monday evening (6:30pm-8pm) in Room 118 downstairs in the Parish Family Life Center. You may attend either session as they will both contain the same information. For more information, call Deacon John Krepps, 469-0604, or[email protected].
ROSARY BEFORE MASS
The Rosary is prayed 40 minutes before 5:00PM Mass and 11:30AM Mass; starting Sunday, July 2, the Rosary preceding the 9:00AM Mass will start. If you are willing to help lead the Rosary, you should contact the coordinator for each Mass; 5:00, Jim Gecsei at 803-3555, 9:00, Ralph Pubillones at 458-6111, and 11:30, Pam Wallace at 657-3445.
KROGER SHOPPERS
If you would register your Kroger Plus card and designate St. Thomas as your charitable choice once each quarter Kroger will send St. Thomas a donation check. The donation amount is based on how much we collectively spend each quarter at Kroger. Nothing else is required on your part, just shop as you normally would. To register visit Kroger.com. If you do not have computer access you can call 1(800) 576-4377, OPTION 3, or just visit the customer service desk and they will help you. The St. Thomas program number with Kroger is 42126. It is easy and the church benefits. If you are not registered, please consider doing so and if you are registered, thank you!
New Adult Faith Formation Programs
DOWNLOAD OUR LATEST FLYER-click here
Tuesday’s Men’s Group: Romans: The Gospel of Salvation
Paul’s letter to the Romans has been at the center of reflection, conversion, and controversy from the very beginning. Romans: The Gospel of Salvation provides an authentically Catholic, comprehensive, and simple way to understand the overarching theme of Romans—salvation. In this 8-session program, theology professor Dr. Andrew Swafford and Jeff Cavins examine Paul’s letter to the Romans providing historical context and highlight the connections to Jesus and Christianity. This program, lead by Stu McFadden begins on Tuesday, October 22, from 9:15-10:30am in Room 110.
Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary
St. Louis de Montfort calls consecration to Jesus through Mary “the quickest, easiest, and surest way to holiness.” A 33 day self-directed process of prayerful preparation, which includes a weekly 90 minute gathering for discussion and video presentation by Fr. Michael Gaitley. Introductory Meeting: October 23, 9:30 AM Room 12
Preparation: begins November 5. Consecration: will be on December 8, Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Contact Jill St. Yves in the parish office at [email protected] or (865) 986-9885.
Book Club: A Call to Mercy, Hearts to Love, Hands to Serve. Mother Teresa
Published to coincide with Pope Francis’ Year of Mercy and the Vatican’s canonization of Mother Teresa, this new book of unpublished materials by a humble yet remarkable woman of faith whose influence is felt as deeply today as it was when she was alive, offers Mother Teresa’s profound yet accessible wisdom on how we can show mercy and compassion in our day-to-day lives. The Book Club group will meet on Friday, Oct. 25 at 10 AM in room 118 of the Parish Family Life Center. Contact Marlene Eeg at [email protected] for more information or with questions.
Why Participate in Adult Faith Formation?
A recent article (9/27/19) in the Wall Street Journal by Sarah Hurwitz describes the author’s unexpected discovery of the deeper meanings of her Jewish faith, after having disdainfully dismissed many of the teachings in her earlier years. As she notes, she enrolled in a class about Judaism for “company and distraction” at a difficult time in her life, but discovered greater understanding and enrichment in the teachings and prayers she had previously doubted. Per her description, she encountered a “wildly diverse array of God concepts in her research. God isn’t a being in the sky, but rather God is everything, and we’re all interconnected. She had learned none of this in school and didn’t know how you would even begin to teach such things to children. And therein lies the problem: Many of our most profound teachings are accessible only to thoughtful adults.” She cites Christian, Muslim and Hindu friends who similarly experienced deeper faith and understanding by studying their religions as adults. To paraphrase Ms. Hurwitz, “many of us stopped learning about religion, continue to show up at our places of worship, and go through the motions. We’ve rejected the kiddie stuff but never replaced it with an adult version”.
Have you taken advantage of any of the opportunities to grow in your faith offered through the Adult Faith Formation program at St. Thomas the Apostle Church? These programs provide deeper education and insight into the treasure of our Catholic religion and will enrich your faith, and perhaps help your kiddie version evolve into a richer adult version.
If you have questions on any Adult Faith Formation program or want to sign-up, contact Jill St. Yves in the parish office at [email protected] or (865) 986-9885.
Pivotal Players
The Pivotal Players is a multi-part film series that illumines a handful of saints, artists, mystics, and scholars who not only shaped the life of the Church but changed the course of civilization. This program focuses on St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Benedict of Nursia, evangelist Bishop Fulton Sheen, and novelist Flannery O’Connor. Join deacon David Luncheon on Monday, October 14th at 12:30-1:45pm or Thursday, October 17 at 9:30-11:00pm in the Deacon Jose Rivera Room.
“Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother”: will meet at 9:15am instead of 9:30am
If you have questions on any Adult Faith Formation program or want to sign-up, contact Jill St. Yves in the parish office at [email protected] or (865) 986-9885.
Interested in learning more about our faith?
Check out the new books and CDs available in the Narthex by well-known authors including: Cardinal Chaput, Scott Hahn, Tim Gray, Fr. Larry Richards, and Jeff Cavins. There are titles in English and in Spanish. Share them with your family or pass them along to a friend when you are done with them! The Narthex also has printed instruction cards on how to log into the FORMED website. The website contains many riches to enhance your spiritual life and the subscription is a gift from our parish to all parishioners. You can access the site through the parish website (www.sthomaslc.com) using access code HKP7F3 then register your own personal log on.
FORMED DAILY: Start your day with short clips from the most dynamic and trusted figures in the Church today! Discover the impact 1-2 minutes can have on your faith life. Get your daily dose of truth, goodness, and beauty sent direct to your inbox every morning from formed.org. You will first need to have a FORMED log on (see above for instructions).
To register for FORMED DAILY, log on to: https://buff.ly/2yVQbuz
If you have questions on any Adult Faith Formation program or want to sign-up , contact Jill in the parish office at [email protected] or (865) 986-9885 ext. 15.
Read the Latest Catholic News!
New to St. Thomas?
We welcome you to St. Thomas and hope that you will soon feel like a part of our community of faith.
If you are visiting with us or have not registered at the parish, we would love to get to know you better! You may stop in the office to register or pick-up a registration form in church or even register online (see further down on this page or click here). Or if you would like to just learn more from a member of our Welcome Committee, please contact [email protected]
If you have recently registered and have not heard from our Welcome Committee, please contact Deacon Dave Pecot at [email protected].
The Welcome Committee's mission is not only to help you to know about St. Thomas but to also help you feel to like St. Thomas is your home and an extension of your family.
Book Study
Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life
Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life features the wisdom that spiritual leader and counselor Henri J. M. Nouwen brought to the essential question asked by every Christian and seeker: What should I do with my life? Nouwen emphasizes listening to the Word of God—in our hearts, in the Bible, in the community of faith, and in the voice of the poor as a way to discern God’s plan. Now, in association with the Nouwen Legacy Trust, Michael Christensen—one of Nouwen’s longtime students—and Rebecca Laird have taken his coursework, journals, and unpublished writings to create this and other books in the series exploring God’s will for your life. The group will meet on Friday, Sept. 27 at 10 AM in room 118 of the Parish Family Life Center. Contact Marlene Eeg at [email protected] for more information or with questions.
An Immovable Feast
Join the St. Thomas Book Club on Friday, August 23 to discuss this book by Tyler Blanski. A winsome, beautifully written, page turning read of a modern spiritual journey. This is the colorful story of one man's religious path that begins with a fundamentalist Baptist childhood to adolescence in emergent church spirituality. He moves on through hipster years as a house painter and musician, then marries and enters a seminary in Wisconsin. After years of wearing a black cassock and preparing to be an Anglican priest, and his final bold decision of joining the Catholic Church, Tyler Blanski's tale does not reject suitors of religion, but seduces them. An Immovable Feast is a profound love story told with humor, wisdom and bite. A fresh breeze blows through it, one that perhaps hasn't blown through Christian conversation in a long time. Blanski reminds us that religion is not dead because it is not mortal. It is the liturgy of heaven...on earth. The group meets at 10 AM in room 118 of the Parish Family Life Center. Contact Marlene Eeg at [email protected] for more information or with questions.
Online Parish Registration
To register online, click below.
Online Giving
Click on the the above box to be redirected to the WeShare site.
Learn more about online giving and the opportunities for giving at St. Thomas the Apostle
FORMED for St. Thomas the Apostle
By the Augustine Institute
The Catholic Faith – On Demand – Anytime
Movies – Books – Interactive Video Programs
There are hundreds of options for you to view from your home computer, laptop, or smart cell phone at no charge any time of the day or night with our Parish subscription.
We have found that the site works best using the Chrome or Firefox browser.
Above on our site, there is a menu item, called "FORMED for St. Thomas the Apostle", click on that menu item to be taken directly to our FORMED page.
Once you are on our FORMED page, under the Parish Code, HKP7F3 From there, you can set up an account that is uniquely yours. Check out the “New to Formed?” link that will help you find your way. Just one click gets you to topics like the Sacraments, Divine Mercy, Mary and the Saints as well as programs for children and youth or family movie night. Individual features on the site will be profiled in the inFORMED box to further describe the treasures on this site.
St.Thomas Staff
The staff of St. Thomas the Apostle welcome you. We are a vibrant and active parish that seeks to spread God's word and our faith with positive action. We are here to help you!
Please click on the staff member names below for more information.
Staff
- Fr. Ray Powell, Pastor
- Fr. Julian Cardona, Associate Pastor
- Deacon Sean Smith, Deacon
- Deacon John Krepps, Deacon
- Deacon David Egan, Deacon
- Phil Johnson, Business Manager
- Lupe Cortes, Secretary/Receptionist
- Kevin Cooney, Director of Sports,Family and Youth Ministry
- Jill St. Yves, Director of Religious Education
- Marla Sloane Emerson, Music Coordinator
- Jim Polhamus, Liturgical Coordinator
- Christine Lucheon, Bookkeeper/Webmaster
Annointing
Please help us to be attentive to those who are ill, homebound or in the hospital. Either the patient or family member must notify the parish office (865-986-9885) if they or a family member is ill or in the hospital. (We will not be notified by the hospital due to patient confidentiality.)
Communion can be brought to the home or healthcare facility.
Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
Do you have a friend, coworker, neighbor, or family member who you think would benefit from participation in our parish community and in the Catholic faith. Well then, ask them to "come and see" during our upcoming "Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults" (RCIA) program. All you have to do is invite them, pray for them, and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. If you are reading this and are not currently a member of the Catholic Church, and no one else has invited you, consider this my personal invitation. Below is some information concerning the RCIA program at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish this year:
The RCIA program is designed for adults who are freely seeking the living God through an understanding of the mystery of Jesus Christ proclaimed. Participants may range from those who have just begun responding to the Gospel message to those that have already been baptized and have participated in Christian communities. The program is separated into 3 phases. The first phase begins with "Inquiry" and attempts to explore the fundamental questions of our faith such as "Who is God?" The program then builds into "catechesis" or teaching about the Catholic Faith in order to understand the importance of the Sacramental nature of the Church. The Sacraments of our focus will be Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. The final, and end goal of the program is to prepare individuals for full reception and participation into the Church and its Sacramental life at the Easter Vigil.
The program this year will begin on Sunday, August 18, following the 9:00 AM Mass (from 10:15 to 11:15) in our Parish Family Life Center. Classes will be held on most Sunday mornings and will continue until the Easter Vigil in 2020.
For more information, call Deacon John Krepps, 469-0604, or [email protected]
Altar Flowers
If you would like to donate flowers for the altar, please contact the parish office at 865-986-9885.
The choir sings at the Cathedral
St. Thomas Mixed Choir making their debut at The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Catholic Gifts and Books and Supplies
May Crowning
Women's Guild Meetings
Women's Guild April 16th meeting. Three deacon's wives sheared with us ...
Women's Guild March 19th meeting. Speaker Lisa Healy, Interim Executive Director, ...
Women's Guild May 17th - 20th Annual Luncheon and Card Party ...
Casino Night
Weekly Readings
Weekly reading
Readings for the week of October 20, 2019
- Sunday: Ex 17:8-13 / Ps 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 [cf. 2] / 2 Tm 3:14—4:2 / Lk 18:1-8
- Monday: Rom 4:20-25 / Lk 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75 [cf. 68] / Lk 12:13-21
- Tuesday: Rom 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21 / Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17 [8a and 9a] / Lk 12:35-38
- Wednesday: Rom 6:12-18 / Ps 124:1b-3, 4-6, 7-8 [8a] / Lk 12:39-48
- Thursday: Rom 6:19-23 / Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 [Ps 40:5] / Lk 12:49-53
- Friday: Rom 7:18-25a / Ps 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94 [68b] / Lk 12:54-59
- Saturday: Rom 8:1-11 / Ps 24:1b-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 [cf. 6] / Lk 13:1-9
- Next Sunday: Sir 35:12-14, 16-18 / Ps 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23 [7a] / 2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18 / Lk 18:9-14