A Message from Fr. Steve Kuhlmann, OP
Experience Spiritual Growth in 2025
Before Vatican II (October 11, 1962, to December 8, 1965), the Feast of the Presentation on February 2 was the end of the Christmas Season. Today, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which we celebrated last Sunday, is the end of the Christmas Season and the First Sunday in Ordinary Time. So, since Monday, we have been in Ordinary Time, sometimes called Ordinal Time. On Monday, the semester at Purdue began, and the spring semester is off to a good start here at St. Tom's.
Before Vatican II (October 11, 1962, to December 8, 1965), the Feast of the Presentation on February 2 was the end of the Christmas Season. Today, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which we celebrated last Sunday, is the end of the Christmas Season and the First Sunday in Ordinary Time. So, since Monday, we have been in Ordinary Time, sometimes called Ordinal Time. On Monday, the semester at Purdue began, and the spring semester is off to a good start here at St. Tom's.
There are many programs here at St. Tom’s that will help you grow in your faith this semester. See page 7 of this sweekend's bulletin for a partial list, and visit boilercatholics.org/pathways for links to more information and sign-ups. Another great program we offer during the spring semester is Spring Discipleship Training. Information can be found on page 6 of the bulletin , or you can scan the QR code on the many flyers posted around St. Tom’s. This training will be weekly starting on Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in Newman Hall and will end on April 16. Spring Training will help you grow in your faith AND learn to be an active evangelizing disciple, sharing your faith with others. And for other ways to bring Christ more into your life in 2025, visit boilercatholics.org/resolutions.
In our second reading for this weekend, we hear Saint Paul tell us: “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.” One goal of spiritual growth is to discern our gifts and talents and then continually ask: How can I use these gifts to build up not only myself but the community of faith? How can I do it with faith and humility, realizing that everything comes from God?
Using our gifts with humility and faith is a constant battle for many of us, as it was in the Corinthian Community that Paul was writing to. In that community, boasting and pride over the spiritual gifts led to divisions and factions, not unity.
May all of us this Spring continue to grow in faith by discerning our God-given and Spirit-driven gifts and talents and then use them to make this Spring Semester a Spirit-filled one here at St. Tom’s.
Fr. Steve Kuhlmann, OP
Resources:
Livestream Mass @ 9AM
Sunday Bulletin
Readings: The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
If you are a Faith Direct e-giver and would prefer NOT to receive Sunday Collection Envelopes, click here
Parish Calendar
Parish Website
Prayer Intentions
To submit names for prayer intentions in the Bulletin, use this link or call the Parish Office at (765) 743-4652.
Announcements
CYA Christmas Conference on Saturday
The Catholic Young Adults group (CYA) will host a student and resident parishioner gathering this Saturday, Jan. 18, to reflect on this glorious Christmas tide. Dive deeper into the Mass and your prayer life and explore opportunities to deepen your relationships with Our Lord and those around us. We will follow a rich tradition of letting beauty guide our hearts and minds to help us fall deeper in love with Our Lord during this Christmas season. Contact Jeff Kuhn at (260) 442-4064 or kuhnjeff12@gmail.com for more information or visit boilercatholics.org.
Mother Teresa Fund Second Collection this Weekend
The January second collection for St. Tom's Mother Teresa Fund will be collected this weekend. The Mother Teresa Fund provides rent and utility assistance to our community members in need.
Sunday Gatherings Resume
Sunday Night Dinner resumes this Sunday, Jan. 19, at 5:30 p.m. Just $3 per person.
Coffee and Donuts will take place this Sunday, Jan. 19, after the 9:00 a.m. Mass in Newman Hall (downstairs)
MLK Day Schedule
The Mass and Confession schedule on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Monday, Jan. 20) will NOT change. Adoration for the spring semester will start on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The Parish Office will be closed Monday in observance of MLK Day.
Baby Loom Project Begins Tuesday
Hands and Feet of Christ will begin its Baby Looms project on Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Room 3. Participants will be taught how to make simple baby hats using a loom to be donated to a pro-life women's clinic in the community. All are welcome, and all equipment and yarn will be provided.
St. Thomas Aquinas Feast Day - Jan. 28
On Tuesday, Jan. 28, we will celebrate our parish’s namesake, St. Thomas Aquinas, on his feast day during Daily Mass at 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and with Solemn Vespers (evening prayer) and Adoration led by our Dominican priests at 6:30 p.m. in the Church. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Circle of Catholic Women Meets Jan. 28
Women of St Tom’s, you are invited to join the Circle of Catholic Women for prayer, support, and discussion. The group's next meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in Room 24 (upstairs). This month's topic will be "Gender Differences in Language." For more information, email kathybatz@aol.com.
Spring Discipleship Training
All parishioners who want to share their faith with others but aren’t sure how: Consider “Spring Discipleship Training.” Sessions begin on Wednesday, Jan. 29. For more information and to register, visit https://www.boilercatholics.org/discipleship-training
Candlemas Blessing
A Candlemas blessing will take place during weekend Mass on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, February 1-2. On this feast day, we commemorate the day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem 40 days after his birth. The candlelight is an outward and visible sign of Christ, illuminating our hearts and inner being. It is customary on this feast day to bless candles – those to be used throughout the liturgical year. Please feel free to bring your own home candles to be blessed.
Chili Cookoff on Feb. 1
The Knights of Columbus will host their third annual Chili Cookoff on Saturday, Feb. 1, after the 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass to raise funds for Food Finders Food Bank. All are welcome to enter the competition, and there is no entry fee. To enter, email ccouncil15144@indianakofc.org. Thieme and Wagner will be serving beer and wine. Tasting all chili entrants costs $5 per person ($25 for a family). Come for great chili and fellowship!
Theology on Tap resumes Feb. 4
"Did God Create Evil & Suffering?" is February's Theology on Tap topic. Join us on Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room at Harry's Chocolate Shop. Our speaker will be James McLean, director of evangelization for St. Tom's.
"Evil, Suffering, and the Goodness of God" Series begins Feb. 11
All are welcome to a three-part series on "Evil, Suffering, and the Goodness of God," sponsored by the Men of St. Tom's (MoST) and the Office of Adult Formation. Sessions meet on Tuesdays, Feb. 11, 18, and 25, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 3. For more information on this parish bible study series, contact James McLean, director of evangelization and adult formation, at james@boilercatholics.org.
