Weekly Updates from St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Delmar, NY
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Weekend of October 31 - November 1, 2026

Solemnity of All Saints

Friday, October 30

10:30am: Reflecting on the Sunday Scriptures, Conference Room
12:15pm: Mass
1:00pm: Adoration, Confession

Saturday, October 31

4:00pm: Confessions
5:00pm: Mass (Livestream)

Sunday, November 1
All Saints Day

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
11:30am: Saints, Snacks, Service Ministry Fair, School Gym
5:00pm: Mass

St. Thomas Parish,

There are five topics on my mind all at once this weekend:

1. All Saints Day — November 1

This weekend, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints, honoring all those who have attained the glory of heaven. We give thanks for the countless men and women, some are known and many are unknown, who lived lives of holiness and now share in the eternal life of God. Their example teaches us that holiness is our ultimate vocation! Each of us is called to become a saint through the ordinary moments of our daily lives. Pray to your patron saint, our patron St. Thomas the Apostle, and may each saint inspire us to live with faith, hope, and love as we journey toward our heavenly home.

2. All Souls Day — November 2

On Monday, the Church commemorates All Souls Day, a special day of prayer for all the faithful departed. We remember our family members, friends, and fellow parishioners who have died, entrusting them to the loving mercy of God. November is traditionally a month when we remember those who have gone before us. Let us continue to pray for the dead, confident in the hope of the Resurrection and the promise of eternal life in Christ. May all our departed brothers and sisters rest in the peace of the Lord. We have Mass on Monday at 6:30pm. A special invitation has been extended to our parish families who have lost a loved one in the past year, but please know that all are welcome to attend.

3. National Vocations Awareness Week — November 1–7

This week is National Vocations Awareness Week, an opportunity to pray for and encourage vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated religious life. The Lord never stops calling! He will never leave his Church abandoned! The question is whether we are listening. Every vocation begins with God's invitation and grows through prayer, discernment, and the encouragement of others. I invite you to pray especially this week for those discerning God's call, for our seminarians and religious, and for an increase in vocations in our diocese. May we foster a parish community where young people are free to hear the Lord's voice and courageous enough to follow wherever He leads!

As part of Vocations Awareness Week, we will be inaugurating the “Traveling Chalice Program” to encourage families to pray for vocations. The idea behind this is that a chalice will be brought home by a family each weekend, along with the binder to guide you in prayer day by day, and the family will spend some time in prayer each day for particular intentions. The week starts with opening our hearts to God’s call, then guides the family to pray for seminarians, religious brothers and sisters, priests, and the week concludes with a reflection on “Here I Am, Lord.” The idea is to continue this weekly prayer in different households each week. For more information, and/or to sign up for a week, please visit www.stthomas-church.org/chalice.

4. Midterm Elections - November 3

We’ve seen the ads and political signs along all of the roadways. I’d encourage everyone to read the page later in this bulletin about voting with our Catholic morals and principals in mind.

5. The month of November is traditionally dedicated to praying for those who have gone before us. Please see the bulletin page that has a calendar of dates and times when we will be gathering at our local cemeteries for prayer. You may recall that we did this last year and many families and friends gathered to pray for and remember those buried in that particular cemetery as we entrust their souls to the love of God.

Finally, next weekend we’re bringing back Craft Fair! Stop by the school 10am-4pm on Saturday, November 7 to see what over 40 vendors are selling!

Peace to you,
Fr. Matt

Oct. 31 - Nov. 1 Bulletin

Monday Message October 26

This Weekend's Readings

St. Thomas Calendar

Next Week:

Monday, November 2

All Souls Day

7:30am: Mass
8:00am: Rosary
6:30pm: All Souls Mass (Livestream)

Tuesday, November 3

11:30am: Confession
12:15pm: Mass
3:00pm: Tuesday Drive, Gathering Hall

Wednesday, November 4

11:00am: Rosary, Mary Chapel
7:00pm: Choir Rehearsal, Church
7:00pm: 518 Frassati, Conference Room

Thursday, November 5

7:30am: Mass
8:00am: Rosary
7:00pm: NCYC Parent & Info Night, Gathering Hall

Friday, November 6

10:30am: Reflecting on the Sunday Scriptures, Conference Room
12:15pm: Mass
1:00pm: Adoration, Confession

Saturday, November 7

10:00am-4:00pm: Craft Fair, School Gym
12:00pm: Prayer Vigil for Peace, Peace Pole
November Cemetery Prayer Services:
- 12:00pm: Onesquethaw Cemetery, 1923 Tarrytown Rd, Feura Bush
- 1:00pm: Woodlawn Cemetery, 1820 Helderberg Trail, Berne
- 2:00pm: Knox Cemetery, 2075 NY-156, Altamont
4:00pm: Confessions
5:00pm: Mass

Sunday, November 8

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
November Cemetery Prayer Service:
- 1:00pm: Bethlehem Cemetery, 286 Kenwood Ave, Delmar
5:00pm: Mass
6:00pm: Agape Latte, Gathering Hall
6:00pm: Baptism Prep, Office Table

Respect Life Apostolate
Essay Contest

The Respect Life Apostolate invites students,
Grades 9-12, who attend St. Thomas parish to participate in an essay contest reflecting the value of every human life.

More Information!

All Souls Day Mass
Monday, November 2, 6:30pm

A special invitation has been extended to those families who have lost a loved one in the past year. The crosses on the wall will be distributed back to the families during Mass. Of course, this Mass is open to any and all who would like to pray in a special way for those who have gone before us.

Send a note of THANKS & APPRECIATION!

Drop off Cards this Month in our Appreciation Box!

Staff will deliver cards in December!

Please pray for and give thanks for the Priests and Deacons who have served us here at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish.
Rev. Tom Hayes, Rev. David Berberian, Rev. Geoffrey Burke, Rev. Mark Cunningham, Rev. James Ebert, Rev. Michael Flannery, Rev. Kenneth Gregory, Cpl. David Hammond, Rev. Richard Leskovar, Rev. John O'Grady, Rev. John Provost, Rev. James Walsh, Rev. Matt Wetsel, Rev. Rick Lesser, Rev. Dan McHale, Rev. Daniel Vallejo, Rev. Charles Onyeneke, Rev. Matt Duclos, Rev. Lucius Amarillas, Deacon Al Manzella, and Deacon Albert Schrempf

Please pray for the deceased priests and deacons who have served at St. Thomas.

Please pray for Vocations to: The Priesthood, Deaconate & Religious Life.

November Tuesday Drives

This Tuesday, Nov. 3, 3pm-4pm is for paper products and household items to add to our 35 Christmas bags for St. John/St. Ann’s Outreach Center: dish detergent, individual toilet paper, individual paper towels, box tissues, clorox wipes, household cleaners, laundry detergent and sponges. Thank you for your generosity!

$50 off the registration fee for students who attend this Open House and enroll!

Introducing

The Traveling Chalice Program

Praying for Vocations in your Home Week by Week

The traveling chalice is an opportunity for families to take a chalice and a binder of prayers and reflections into their home and use it to pray for vocations from our families, parishes, and diocese. More information and a weekly signup are available on our website:

www.stthomas-church.org/chalice

This will begin the weekend of Oct 31/Nov 1, which marks the beginning of National Vocations Awareness Week (Nov 1-7).

Immediate Opening – Cleaner Needed

We have an immediate opening for an individual to clean our church and adjacent spaces. They will also assist the Facilities Manager as needed. The position is for 15-18 hours per week, with a salary range of $16-$18 per hour. Our preference is for someone who can work before or after business hours, but some flexibility is possible. You need to be physically able to use cleaning equipment and lift up to 25 lbs. If you are interested or know someone who is, please email your resume and cover letter to Patricia Holm in the parish office: pholm@stthomas-church.org.