Weekly Updates from St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Delmar, NY
Sent every Friday morning with info for the weekend and the following week.
Thanks for subscribing!
Sent every Friday morning with info for the weekend and the following week.
Thanks for subscribing!
Weekend of October 10-11, 2026
Twenty-eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Friday, October 9
Happy Birthday, Fr. Lucius!
Happy Birthday, Fr. Lucius!
- 10:30am: Reflecting on the Sunday Scriptures, Conference Room
- 12:15pm: Mass
- 1:00pm: Adoration, Confession
- 4:00pm: Confessions
- 5:00pm: Mass (Livestream)
Office Closed on Monday, October 12
On Monday, Oct. 12 in observation of Columbus and Indigenous Peoples’ Day the Parish office will be closed. We will still have Mass at 7:30 AM.
A LOST BABY STROLLER!
We found a baby stroller earlier this month near the entrance to the church. We don't know if it was mistakenly left behind or was meant to be a donation. If the stroller belongs to you, please contact the parish office by the end of the day on Friday, October 30. If we don't hear from anyone, we will consider it a donation (Thank you!) and pass it along to Mary's Corner, for a family in need.
St. Thomas Parish,
This week, we continue in the Gospel of Matthew with another parable from Jesus about the wedding feast. This weekend’s parable comes directly after last weekend’s parable about the tenants in the vineyard. And, just like last week, there is almost a violent undertone to this parable about the wedding feast, especially as we hear that the king’s servants are mistreated and killed, the king responds by destroying the murderers and burning their city, and even a guest who arrives without a wedding garment is cast out into the darkness.
We can make some pretty clear ties between the imagery in the parable and what Jesus is teaching us about the Kingdom of God. The king represents God, and the wedding feast is an image of the heavenly banquet, the eternal life God desires to share with us. The servants are sent to invite the guests, but many refuse the invitation. Eventually, the invitation is extended to everyone: “bad and good alike.” The invitation is extended far beyond those who might have expected to receive it. God’s invitation to share in his life is generous, and his desire is that everyone should have a place at the banquet. We see this same desire reflected in the Church’s mission to proclaim the Gospel and invite all people to encounter Christ.
But the parable also reminds us that accepting God’s invitation means allowing his grace to change us. The wedding garment can be understood as a symbol of the new life we are called to put on through faith and conversion. It is not enough simply to be present at the banquet; we are called to live as people who have been transformed by our encounter with Christ. Through our Baptism, we have been welcomed into the life of Christ and made members of his Church. We gather at Mass week after week. And there are always questions to consider: How are we allowing that invitation to shape the way we live? Does our faith influence how we treat our neighbors, how we forgive those who have hurt us, and how we respond to those who are in need? Are we simply present in the banquet hall, or are we living as people who have been transformed by the grace of God?
Jesus tells us, “Many are invited, but few are chosen.” The invitation is generous and freely offered. Our task is to respond with a free and generous “yes” as we give our lives to our Lord Jesus Christ, the one who gave his life for you and me.
We continue through October, Respect Life Month, and this year’s theme is about our Blessed Mother Mary and how she teaches us to respect human life in every stage and circumstance. Here’s a reflection from one of the publications:
“When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to tell her that she would conceive and bear a son, Mary responded with her fiat, ‘May it be done to me according to your word’ (Lk 1:38). Mary conceives Christ in her womb, becoming the mother of God, the mother of Jesus. Jesus himself tells us that he is “the way and the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6). In becoming the mother of Jesus, Mary becomes the mother of life. Mary’s acceptance in this unforeseen moment demonstrates how each of us must welcome the gift of new human life, even when that gift is unexpected or calls us to make sacrifices.”
A couple parish announcements:
This is the last call to purchase tickets for the Annual Gala & Auction to support St. Thomas School! The honorees this year are Bob & Pat Ricchiuti, and I simply can’t say enough about their ministry, support, and dedication to our school, our parish, and our diocese. Thank you, Bob and Pat, and I’m looking forward to honoring you this Friday, October 16. The live auction is full of incredible items for bid: Siena tickets, Lion King tickets, a “Concert at Home” with Fr. Matt, John, and ensemble, dinner with Fr. Lucius and Fr. Matt, and a free spot on the pilgrimage to France next year!
Get your ticket to the Gala by Monday: St. Thomas School Gala 2026 "Lighting the Way" | Flocknote
Our Pastoral Council Discernment & Information Evening is next Tuesday, October 20 at 7:00pm in the Gathering Hall. I’m looking for an accurate representation of the cross-section of our parishioners: those who have been here for decades, those who are new, parents, young adults, new Catholics, school families, high school students, etc. Thank you for considering this invitation, and if you have a nomination, please email pastoralcouncil@stthomas-church.org
Peace to you,
Fr. Matt
Next Week:
Monday, October 12
Parish Office Closed, there will still be 7:30am Mass- 7:30am: Mass
Tuesday, October 13
- 11:30am: Confession
- 12:15pm: Mass
- 3:00pm: Tuesday Drive, Gathering Hall
- 7:00pm: Men's Group, Lower Lounge
Wednesday, October 14
- 11:00am: Rosary, Mary Chapel
- 7:00pm: Choir Rehearsal, Church
- 7:00pm: 518 Frassati, Conference Room
- 7:30am: Mass
- 8:00am: Rosary
Friday, October 16
- 10:30am: Reflecting on the Sunday Scriptures, Conference Room
- 12:15pm: Mass
- 12:45pm: Senior Luncheon, Gathering Hall
- 1:00pm: Adoration, Confession
- 6:00pm: School Gala, Italian American Community Center
Saturday, October 17
- 4:00pm: Confessions
- 5:00pm: Mass
Sunday, October 18
- 7:30am: Mass
- 9:00am: OCIA Session, Cafeteria
- 10:00am: Children's Rosary, Chapel
- 10:30am: Mass
- 10:30am: Children's Liturgy of the Word, Chapel
- 11:30am: Hospitality
- 5:00pm: Mass
- 6:00pm: Confirmation Candidate/Sponsor Night for Level 2, Gathering Hall
PURCHASE YOUR GALA TICKETS BY THIS MONDAY!
Ladies of Charity Annual Coat Collection!
With the cooler weather arriving we are reminded that many among us find it difficult to obtain a warm winter coat. We ask that you please go through your closets to find unneeded coats, jackets and snow pants. We need both adult and children’s sizes. Please leave your items in the box in the Gathering Hall, from Saturday, October 3 through Saturday, Oct. 17. The Gathering Hall is open during the week for your donations. Many families are supported by your generosity and, on behalf of the Ladies of Charity, we thank you! Any questions, please call Sandie Flynn, (518)221-1027.
RESPECT LIFE MONTH TUESDAY DRIVES!
This Tuesday Oct. 13, 3pm-4pm is for our St. Thomas Meal Ministry: Gift Cards in denominations of $10-$40 to Price Chopper, Hannaford, Delmar Market Place, and Stewart's will be shared with those mourning the loss of a loved one, birth of a new baby, in treatment or just because! Gift cards will be accepted also at the office all week! God bless you for your thoughtfulness!
Respect Life Apostolate
Essay Contest
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
