As we enter into this Lenten season, the Church once again invites us to use this opportunity to share more fully in the Paschal Mys-tery of Jesus Christ. It is essential that we cultivate a deeper sense of prayer, fasting and almsgiving to better offer our lives to Our Lord.

As we make our way through these forty days of Lent, the Most Holy Triduum and to that glorious day of the Lord’s Resurrec-tion, I pray that all of us will be ever more attentive to our spiritual devotions and especially to the Word of God. May the guidance of the Holy Spirit assist us in our Lenten journey.

REGULATIONS FOR LENT & HOLY WEEK

1. Lent is the principal season of penance in the Christian year. All are strongly urged to develop and follow a program of voluntary self-denial, attentiveness to prayer, and especially to works of charity and mercy.
2. Everyone 14 years of age or over is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012 and all the Fridays of Lent.
3. Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 years of age is bound to fast on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012 and Good Friday, April 6, 2012.
4. On these two days of fast and abstinence, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, only one full meatless meal is allowed. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength may be taken according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted on these two days, but liquids including milk and fruit juices are allowed. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige.
5. To disregard completely the law of fast and abstinence is a serious matter.

Bishop Daniel R. Jenky C.S.C.
Bishop of Peoria

Ash Wednesday Masses
7:00, 8:00, 9:00 a.m. and 12:15, 5:00, 7:00 p.m.

LENT is the season of renewal and new life. The Church, in the weeks in preparation  for the Easter celebration, gives us the model to follow in the RCIA. Those preparing to join the Catholic Church will spend these six weeks in prayerful discernment, listening to the Lord’s call to conversion. We join with them in our own listening through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, all the time surrendering ourselves to a deeper relationship with God.

Click here to read Bishop Daniel R. Jenky C.S.C. letter about Regulations for Lent & Holy Week.

LENTEN MASS SCHEDULE

7:00; 8:00 am & 5:30 pm ~ Monday through Friday 

9:00 am ~ Tuesdays & Thursdays on school days

5:00 pm ~ Saturday

6:30; 8:00; 9:30; 11:00 am & 5:00 pm ~ Sundays

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Parish Penance Service 
Wednesday, April 4
7:00 pm

Weekly Saturdays ~ 4:00-4:45 pm; 7:00-8:00 pm

MORNING AND EVENING PRAYER

Morning Prayer —after 8:00 am Mass
Monday through Saturday

Evening Prayer — 5:00 pm
Monday through Friday

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Fridays during Lent — 7:00 pm
Good Friday — 12:00 noon & 7:00 pm

St. Thomas Boy Scout Troop 28

Pasta Dinner and Bake Sale

featuring Mostaccioli, Bread, & Salad from

Sunday, February 26

6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Tickets

Advance
Adults $7, Children (3-10) $4

At the Door
Adults $8, Children (3-10) $5

Ages 2 & under FREE

Advance Tickets can be purchased:

• after weekend Masses (Church Lower Level)
• from a Scout
• by contacting Stephanie Bender (369-0939)

Can’t join us for dinner? Stop by the Bake Sale & pick up dessert!

a country & western fandango

Howdy Ya’All

PTO is fixin’ to have a whole mess of fun at the Father & Daughter Roundup!

So put on yer boots, saddle up yer hours, lasso your gal, and mosey on down to the St. Thomas Corral

Saturday, February 4, 2012
7 o’clock in the Old Gym

Snacks, drinks line dancin’ and fun
15 buck will get r’done. An extra 5 for each little one.

Times a’wastn’ so give us a holler if ya’ll be rid’n on over.

We can accept RSVPs by email mfeinerman@comcast.net or send to school with payment. For questions contact Megan Feinerman 453.4364 or Angie Lawrence 251.9314.

Attention Incoming Kindergarten Parents

St. Thomas School is now accepting applications for Kin-dergarten for the 2012-2013 school year. Incoming stu-dents must be 5 years of age by September 1, 2012.Our Kindergarten Meeting will be Monday, February 27 at 6:30 pm. This meeting is for all parents who have already ap-plied and any parents interested in finding out more infor-mation about out Kindergarten program. The kindergarten rooms will be open for students and parents to meet the kindergarten teachers. Then at 7:00 pm parents will meet in the library for an informational meeting. Students will re-main in the classrooms for the activities. If you would like to apply, please visit our website at school: stthomaspeo-ria.org and click on Apply Now!

Attention Incoming Pre3 and  Preschool  Parents

St. Thomas Pre3 and Preschool Open House will be Mon-day, February 27 at 6:00 pm. All parents and students who have applied or are planning to apply for the next school year may attend. Incoming students must be 3 years of age by September, 2012 for Preschool. This is a great oppor-tunity to visit the classroom with your child and meet the teachers. If you would like to apply, please visit our website at schoolstthomaspeoria.org and click on Apply Now!

It seems we just celebrated Christmas, with the Christmas star calling the Magi to travel from the east to praise the arrival of the Infant Jesus. Lent is now upon us, and we are called to continue our personal journey home to the waiting arms of Jesus. St. Thomas Parish offers a meaningful aid to help make your Lenten journey one that will be unforget-table in 2012 through your participation in We Are the Church (WATCH) weekend. Your journey begins March 9-11 with your request to reserve your seat on this WATCH renewal weekend. In John 1:39, Jesus calls and invites us to “Come and see.”

Information and registration pamphlets are located in the Gathering Spaces of the church. If you have any additional questions, please contact Lay Spiritual Director, Bonnie Stroot, 686-4071.

Happy New Year to you! We ask God’s blessings on you and your family in this year of 2012. May all that is good be given to you in abudance.