Bishop William Koenig issued a pastoral letter to the faithful of the Diocese of Wilmington on May 15, 2023. This document outline’s the Bishop’s vision for the future of our Diocese. It is a continuation of our work last year on the Synod of Synodality which was instituted by Pope Francis. The Bishop’s vision is based on feedback from the Synod and his own desire that we as a Diocese should imitate St. Paul’s image of the Body of Christ. Later this fall, all of us will have the opportunity to participate in this process.
The 2023 Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal will be conducted in parishes throughout the diocese on the weekend of April 29/30. Once a year, our Bishop asks each of us to make a commitment to support the work of diocesan programs and ministries that provide services that no one parish can offer on its own. Your gift helps our Church to serve the poor, the sick, the distressed, our children and our elderly.
As parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle, we are being asked to serve others by sharing our resources. Your generosity enables us to accompany our brothers and sisters in need. Our parish target is $40,000. Your financial support of the Appeal also provides funding for our parish since once achieving the goal assigned to our parish, once we are over goal, we receive 50% of monies collected for our own parish and ministry needs.
Please prayerfully consider your generous gift to this Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal. Kindly decide ahead of time the contribution you wish to make this year and come to church next week prepared to complete your pledge and offer your support to our parish, and the Diocese of Wilmington.
To learn more about the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal, watch this brief video.
You might have noticed that in the January 15, 2023 bulletin, the Mass Intentions were the same as the previous week. Sorry for the confusion. The correct Mass Intentions are listed below. Rest assured that the correct intentions will be prayed for at each Mass this week.
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception celebrates Mary’s conception without sin and is a holy day of obligation. Even though this feast day occurs in the liturgical season of Advent, which prepares for the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother, St. Ann. The dogma of the Immaculate Conception asserts that, “from the first moment of her conception, the Blessed Virgin Mary was, by the singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, and in the view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of Mankind, kept free from all stain of original sin.”
This feast is a time to celebrate the great joy of God’s gift to humanity in Mary, and to recognize with greater clarity, the truth that each and every human being has been created by God to fulfill a particular mission that He and only He can fulfill.
The Sites and Sounds of Christmas comes alive from the Stars of Carnegie Hall with The New York Tenors. Join The New York Tenors, Andy Cooney, Christopher Macchio & Daniel Rodriguez for a night that will bring the Spirit and Magic of Christmas into all of your hearts!
The Magic of Christmas concert this year, will benefit Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington as we focus on giving and caring for those affected by hunger and homelessness. Please join us for an evening filled with beautiful music to support those in need in our community. Please donate any warm clothing items – hats, gloves, and socks! We will collect them at the concert!
Please come ready to enjoy some Christmas Cheer and bring the warmth of the season to others!
For more information or inquiries call Andrea Rotsch: (302) 573-3120 or Arotsch@cdow.org
Did you know that one out of every 10 residents of the Diocese receive at least one service each year from Catholic Charities? The Bishop’s 5K Run/Walk will bring attention and resources to assist Catholic Charities in its continuing efforts to reach out to underserved areas of the Diocese. This event is a great way for you to participate in the mission of Catholic Charities – providing caring service to the most vulnerable in our community.
The Cathedral of Saint Peter, in the historic Quaker Hill section of the City of Wilmington, is the Bishop’s own parish and the center of Catholicism in our diocese. It was built over 200 years ago – 50 years before the founding of the Diocese of Wilmington – and continues with a small but dedicated parish community and school.
At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the diocese began livestreaming Sunday Mass from our Cathedral. That effort continues today. In 2015, Bishop Malooly, with the support of the priests of the diocese, instituted an annual special collection to support the maintenance and ministry of our Cathedral.
This year, the collection will be held on August 13 & 14.
More information is available at cathedralofstpeter.com and at www.cdow.org/cathedral. We thank you for your generosity.
Thank you St. Thomas! On behalf of Bishop Koenig, I want to thank you for your generous participation in this year’s Faith and Charity Annual Appeal. Our parish recently went over our goal of $40,000.
50% of all donations beyond our goal stay here at St. Thomas.
Your generosity supports so many vital ministries here in the Diocese of Wilmington which positively impacts thousands of lives. Again, thank you! – Monsignor Hurley
