We are happy to welcome Fr. Andrews Kollannoor, M.S. to Smyrna and our parish community of St. Thomas the Apostle.

Fr. Andrews arrived on Wednesday, September 28, from his native India and is looking forward to share with us in the life and ministry of our parish community.

About three years ago Fr. Andrews completed his term of office as Provincial Superior of the Missionaries of La Salette in India.

For sometime afterwards he served with the La Salette Community in Tucson, Arizona. Last year he returned home to India to celebrate his 25th anniversary of priesthood.

Fr. Andrews lived in the Philippines while completing his studies for the priesthood and in his early years of priestly ministry.

Give Fr. Andrews a hearty welcome when you see him!

Please stop by the Parish School of Religion (PSR) hallways during the month of October to view some of our PSR Middle School kids’ published comments on the topic “the hardest thing about being a teen today”.

Our students were interviewed last Spring and their comments are featured in the October 2nd, 2011, Pflaum Gospel Weeklies, the faith formation curriculum used by St. Thomas and Parishes all over the United States and Canada.

It is an honor to display their personal contributions to our PSR Program!

Read the published comments HERE.

Join us for a parish-wide event
to celebrate
the Feast of Our Lady of La Salette!
Saturday, September 17th, 2011

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IGNITE! and Faith Formation Shining Stars Awards   

Join us in thanking and congratulating Maria Cressler, Patty Smith, Mary Kay Howard, Brian Durham, David & Sharon Kowal and Bob & Mary Argent,  for their commitment and contribution in improving our faith formation through IGNITE! Helping to grow the faith in our community, these individuals by volunteering their time, knowledge and talent have helped in the development and execution of IGNITE!

Celebrating its fourth year this November, IGNITE! has become a spiritual gathering where faith is made alive through prayers, Scriptures, music and faith stories. Through IGNITE! the parishioners are able to share and live each other’s faith journey; it has become the access code for communal, spiritual growth and living.

If you have never experienced IGNITE!, come join us. If you have, come again on Tuesday, September 20^th. The Adult Education office is forever grateful to all who volunteer to help grow the faith!

We are happy to welcome Andrew McGovern, our new Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation as well as the new Assistant Youth Minister.

Andrew McGovern
Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation

Andrew is a 23 years old and graduated from Ave Maria University with a Theology Major and Philosophy Minor. He is currently attending Holy Spirit College for his Masters Degree in Theology. “I have a passion for both learning and teaching the Faith.” – says Andrew.

He enjoys playing music, watching Braves Baseball and spending time with his wife Kristina. They got married this past June.

A former LifeTeen member, Andrew is very excited to be able to return to his home parish and serve the community with the gifts God has given him. “This parish community helped bring about my conversion and I hope to give back all I can.”

Please pray and welcome Andrew as he joins our Religious Education staff!

Andrew McGovern can be reached at 770-432-8579 Ext 131
e-mail: amcgovern@stthomastheapostle.org

A Letter from Joseph G. Bachand, M.S., Provincial Superior of the Missionaries of La Salette regarding our recent Lay Ministry Summit

Dear Brothers,

Over the years there have been many things that have made me proud of my fellow La Salettes and many things that have made me happy to be a La Salette Missionary. The latest recently concluded here in Georgia, and I would like to share something of that experience with you.

I recall when the proposal for a La Salette Lay Ministry Summit was first made at last year’s Assembly following discussion of such a possibility at the Georgia regional meeting. The Region was determined to hold such an event for the local parishioners, but was opening it to participation to La Salette ministries around the country. Although there was reluctance on the part of some, there was also general agreement that such an event would be a good thing. After all, the roots of such are found in Chapter proposals and prior discussions around our relationship with the laity. Plans were made, the Province gave a grant to help defray certain expenses, and the Summit took place this past Wednesday to Saturday evening.

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Come celebrate Fr. Jose on Sunday, July 31st, beginning with the 5:00 p.m. liturgy.

We now offer a secure & convenient way for you to contribute to your parish! Learn more about Online Giving! Read more »

New English classes are starting in July at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church!

Class registration will be on:

• Tuesday, July 19th and
• Friday, July 22nd

from 7:00 p.m. to 9;00 p.m. in Classroom #4.

Classes start on Tuesday, July 26th, and will be on Tuesdays and Fridays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

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Memorial Mass for Fr. Caf at St. Matthew’s Church in Tyrone, GA, on
SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2011, AT 5:00 p.m.

Get directions to St. Matthew HERE.

A message from our pastor, Fr. Jim:

Fr. Caff (1933-2011)

With sad regret, I wish to inform you of the death of our former pastor, Fr. James D. Caffery, M.S. on Friday, June 17, 2011, at St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, CT. He was hospitalized on Wednesday for pneumonia.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, June 20, 2011 at the La Salette Community in Hartford, followed by burial at Mt. St. Benedict, Bloomfield, CT. He was 78 years old and in his 51st year of ordination. Please keep him in your prayers that he may have life and peace in the Risen Lord.

A Memorial Mass will be held for “Fr. Caf” here at St. Thomas the Apostle Church on Thursday, June 23, 2011,  at 7:00 p.m. A reception will be held following the Mass in the Parish Social Hall.

Fr. Jim