Weekly Updates from St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Delmar, NY
Sent every Friday morning with info for the weekend and the following week.
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Sent every Friday morning with info for the weekend and the following week.
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Weekend of September 19-20, 2026
Twenty-fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Hello from the annual clergy retreat at Silver Bay on Lake George! Fr. Lucius and I have been here with most of the priests from our diocese. Please know that we have been praying for each of you! See you this weekend!
Friday, September 18
- 10:30am: Reflecting on the Sunday Scriptures, Conference Room
- 12:15pm: Mass
- 1:00pm: Active Older Adults Luncheon, Gathering Hall
- 1:00pm: Adoration, Confession
- 7:30am: Day-of-Race Registration for Tiger Trot, School
- 9:00am: 2nd Annual Tiger Trot 5k and Kids Race, School
- 4:00pm: Confessions
- 5:00pm: Mass (Livestream)
St. Thomas Parish,
Note: The picnic will happen rain or shine!
We have tents, cafeterias, gyms...lots of places to gather and eat!
Speaking of meeting someone new, this weekend everyone will be introduced to our new Parochial Vicar, Fr. Lucius Amarillas. Welcome! I hope you’ll take the time to read about him a couple pages later in the bulletin. I am grateful to the Holy Spirit for guiding him here to St. Thomas and St. Lucy/St. Bernadette. A “Parochial Vicar” is a priest who shares in the ministry of the Pastor. So, you’ll start to see both of us on more of a rotation basis for Mass, Confession, Adoration, home visits, hospital visits, meetings, etc. I’ll appreciate your patience with me as I work out our schedules and get into a routine over the coming weeks.
As part of our parish picnic this year, the staff and I have made a significant effort to recognize the many volunteers we have at the parish. I’m writing this bulletin letter on Monday kind of chuckling to myself because the parable Jesus uses in the Gospel is all about laborers in a vineyard!
There is something rather fitting about pairing. Jesus teaches us that there is a place for everyone in the Lord’s vineyard. We see that some are called to begin working early in the morning and others are invited later in the day. Some have very visible roles, while others work quietly behind the scenes. Some have been serving for decades, while others have just recently said “yes.” Regardless, every one of them is important to the work of the vineyard.
This is certainly true here at St. Thomas. As I write this, our volunteer spreadsheet currently has 361 names on it. Incredible!! Our parish simply could not function without the many people who give their time and talent in ways both big and small. You teach our children, serve at Mass, welcome people at the doors, bring Communion to the homebound, help with our ministries and events, take care of our buildings and grounds, work with our young people, prepare food, stuff envelopes, answer phones, paint walls, sing in the choir, serve at the altar, and do countless other things that many people never see.
And so, this weekend, we want to say a simple but heartfelt thank you. Although it’s impossible to equate your service to a monetary amount, the gift you’ll be able to pick up at the picnic is a token of our gratitude for the ways you have answered the Lord’s invitation to labor in his vineyard in our parish community.
There is always room for more laborers in the vineyard! So whether you have been volunteering here for fifty years or you're someone who has been wondering whether there is a place for you to get involved, I hope this weekend is an encouragement to you. The Lord has work for each of us, and there is a place for each of us in his vineyard.
Thank you to our dedicated volunteers for all that you do for our parish family. I am deeply grateful for your generosity, your faith, and your willingness to say “yes” when the Lord calls. May he continue to bless the work of our hands and make our parishes fruitful for his glory.
Just one event to highlight this week which is Tuesday evening at 7:00. You’ve been seeing information in the bulletin about our next parish pilgrimage which will happen a year from now, September 2027, to France! Some of you have already registered, and many have indicated that they are interested. There is an information session this Tuesday, September 22 at 7pm in the Gathering Hall. There is also a Zoom link that has been shared in the Weekly Update messages (sent every Friday morning at 9am) if you’re not able to be there in person.
Peace to you,
Fr. Matt
WELCOME FR. LUCIUS AMARILLAS
My name is Fr. Lucius Amarillas, and I have the privilege of serving you as your new Parochial Vicar! I was born in California and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, I was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in 2021. Since ordination, I have had the privilege of serving the Church in both higher education and pastoral ministry. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the People of God and to contribute, in whatever ways I can, to the life and mission of the Church. In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, and continuing to grow in my love of learning. I absolutely love questions about our faith, please feel free to ask me anything, and of course, please pray for me as I pray for you.
-Fr. Lucius
lamarillas@stthomas-church.org
-Fr. Lucius
lamarillas@stthomas-church.org
Next Week:
Monday, September 21
- 7:30am: Mass
- 8:00am: Rosary
- 4:30pm: Alzheimer Care Team, Gathering Hall
- 7:00pm: Women of Mary, Mary Chapel
Tuesday, September 22
- 11:30am: Confession
- 12:15pm: Mass
- 3:00pm: Tuesday Drive, Gathering Hall
- 7:00pm: France Pilgrimage Meeting, Gathering Hall (Zoom link)
Wednesday, September 23
- 11:00am: Rosary, Mary Chapel
- 7:00pm: Choir Rehearsal, Church
- 7:00pm: Young Adult Group: 518 Frassati, Gathering Hall
- 7:30am: Mass
- 8:00am: Rosary
- 7:00pm: Men’s Group, Lower Lounge
Friday, September 25
- 10:30am: Reflecting on the Sunday Scriptures, Conference Room
- 12:15pm: Mass
- 1:00pm: Adoration, Confession
Saturday, September 26
- 4:00pm: Confessions
- 5:00pm: Mass
Sunday, September 27
- 7:30am: Mass
- 9:00am: OCIA Session, Conference Room
- 10:30am: Mass
- 10:30am: Children's Liturgy of the Word, Chapel
- 11:30am: Hospitality
- 5:00pm: Mass
SEPTEMBER TUESDAY DRIVES!
Tuesday Sept. 22, we will be working on creating our Fall Blessing Bags for our Homebound and their Caregivers. We are collecting canned fruit, pudding snacks, crackers, peanut butter, jelly, fluff, soup, tissues, paper towels, and dish detergent. Thank you for your thoughtfulness!
ONE DAY UNTIL THE TIGER TROT!
Our 2nd Annual Tiger Trot 5K Race & Kids Run is just ONE DAY AWAY!
We can’t wait for an amazing day filled with incredible runners, enthusiastic volunteers, and wonderful spectators coming together to support our St. Thomas community!
Whether you’re running, volunteering, cheering from the sidelines—or all three—we can’t wait to see you there!
Haven’t registered yet? No worries! We will have day-of registration from 7:30 AM–8:30 AM.
Get ready to lace up, have some fun, and Trot with the Tigers!
SEE YOU TOMORROW!
OUR ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC IS THIS SUNDAY!
Rain or Shine!
Don’t forget to stop by for our Annual Parish Picnic! We are excited to come together as a parish family to thank and celebrate our wonderful volunteers for all they do and for the incredible ways they serve our parish and community. It’s a wonderful opportunity to show our appreciation for their time, dedication, and generosity while enjoying a fun-filled day together!
We’ll have plenty of delicious food and refreshing drinks, along with a 50/50 Raffle, bounce house, rock wall, and much more! There will be fun and activities for the whole family, as well as plenty of time to enjoy great conversation, meet new friends, and catch up with fellow parishioners. Whether you’re coming for the food, the fun, the fellowship, or simply to celebrate our amazing volunteers, there’s something for everyone!
And don’t let the weather stop you — the Parish Picnic will happen rain or shine!
Bring your family, invite a friend, and join us for a wonderful afternoon filled with faith, fellowship, food, and fun! We can’t wait to see you there!
We’ll have plenty of delicious food and refreshing drinks, along with a 50/50 Raffle, bounce house, rock wall, and much more! There will be fun and activities for the whole family, as well as plenty of time to enjoy great conversation, meet new friends, and catch up with fellow parishioners. Whether you’re coming for the food, the fun, the fellowship, or simply to celebrate our amazing volunteers, there’s something for everyone!
And don’t let the weather stop you — the Parish Picnic will happen rain or shine!
Bring your family, invite a friend, and join us for a wonderful afternoon filled with faith, fellowship, food, and fun! We can’t wait to see you there!
This Year’s Guests of Honor: Bob & Pat Ricchiuti!
We are incredibly grateful for Bob and Pat’s many years of service and their continued dedication to our Parish and School. Their commitment, generosity, and countless contributions have helped make our community stronger, and we are so excited to have the opportunity to honor them for all they have done!
We are incredibly grateful for Bob and Pat’s many years of service and their continued dedication to our Parish and School. Their commitment, generosity, and countless contributions have helped make our community stronger, and we are so excited to have the opportunity to honor them for all they have done!
We hope you will join us for an evening of celebration, gratitude, and fellowship as we come together to Light the Way for our Parish and School!
Help Us Light the Way for St. Thomas School!
We are asking our parish community to help us make this year’s Gala a success. Do you own a local business, work for a company that supports community organizations, or have a connection with a business or individual that may be interested in supporting St. Thomas School?
We are currently seeking:
Event Sponsors: Sponsorship opportunities are available at a variety of levels for businesses, families and individuals.
Live & Silent Auction Donations: Gift cards, merchandise, services, experiences, event tickets and other items are greatly appreciated.
Sometimes the most valuable help is simply making a connection. If you know a business or individual who may be willing to support the Gala, we would love an introduction!
Proceeds from the Gala directly support the students and programs of St. Thomas the Apostle School.
Interested in helping?
Contact Lucy Rubino at lrubino@stthomas-school.org or 518-439-5573 for sponsorship information, donation materials or to connect us with a potential supporter.
Thank you for helping us Light the Way for our students!
St. Thomas CYO Registration is open for the 26-27 Season!
St. Thomas offers an instructional, competitive travel basketball experience for children in grades 3-8. In addition to the travel program, a clinic program is offered on Saturday mornings to children in grades 1-4.
All teams, led by volunteer coaches, emphasize teamwork, sportsmanship, and player development.
All teams, led by volunteer coaches, emphasize teamwork, sportsmanship, and player development.
2027 Parish Pilgrimage to France
Informational Meeting:
Tuesday, September 22
7:00pm in the Gathering Hall
It's Better to use Flocknote for Giving!
Take a look at the St. Thomas giving page to get started:
- Use a credit card for giving
- Connect direct deposit through your bank account
- Set up a recurring giving donation weekly, monthly, or annually
https://stthomasdelmar.flocknote.com/give
Thank you!
Your generosity funds our ministries, programs,
and keeps our church looking beautiful!
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church
35 Adams Place
Delmar, NY 12054
(518) 439-4951
https://linktr.ee/St.ThomastheApostleChurchNY
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School
42 Adams Place
Delmar, NY 12054
(518) 439-5573
Enrolling for next year:
https://linktr.ee/St.ThomastheApostleSchoolNY
