User:KWuerker/SaintThomasMoreParish

=Saint Thomas More Parish=

Mission Statement
"We the Catholic Community of Saint Thomas More, called by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit, commit ourselves to the mission of Jesus Christ which has been entrusted to us: to worship as one Body, to proclaim the Gospel in word and action; to build a just community without boundaries; and to stand with the poor in solidarity.

General Information
Named after one of most recognizable saints in the history of the Catholic Church, Saint Thomas More Parish has been and continues serve the community in which it is located. The parish was established in 1949 on the corner of Madbury Road Cowell Drive in Durham, New Hampshire, near the heart of the University of New Hampshire's campus. The parish consists of three buildings. The main build is contains the church itself where masses and other services occur. The Church Hall is in the basement of this building and here is where many of the Sunday Morning Christian Formation classes occur. The food pantry is also located in the Church Hall. Next door to the church is the Saint Thomas More Center. The parish offices and campus ministry reside in this building. Also, the Saint Thomas More Center houses the beginning of Palm Sunday mass, to allow the laying of palms down upon the path between the center and the church. The third building is the Rectory and lays behind the main building. Visitor parking is available near the Rectory.

For more information regarding location and directions, click here.

A Brief History on Saint Thomas More

 * Born: 7 February 1478
 * Died: 6 July 1535
 * Beatified: 1886
 * Canonized: 1935

Known as a scholarly and faithful man, Thomas More was educated in London and Oxford and eventually became page to the Archbishop of Canterbury for a time and a lawyer. During his life, he wrote many great works, including Utopia. As a result to his extreme loyalty to his faith, Thomas More was tried and convicted for treason. The charge was issued after Thomas More refused to support the annulment of the King of England. On the sixth of July, 1535, Thomas More was beheaded at the famous Tower Hill (Stephney, London, Kingdom of England).

For further information regarding the life and works of Saint Thomas More, please click here to be redirected to the Catholic Encyclopedia or click here to be redirected to the Saint Thomas More entry by Wikipedia.

Annual Events
Playing an active role on the community, the Saint Thomas More Parish hosts many events and activities yearly. Some of the highlighted activities are:


 * Operation Rice BowlItalic text - The Rice Bowls are provided by Catholic Relief Services, and the money collected goes to various third-world countries in need. In addition to the bowl, a selection of prayers and recipes from the serviced countries are provided. Available on Ash Wednesday, Rice Bowls are continually available within the Parish's Church lobby and in the Saint Thomas More Center throughout the season of Lent. [For information about "Operation Rice Bowl" please visit Catholic Relief Services.]


 * Thanksgiving Food BasketsItalic text - Through the generosity of the Parish members and surrounding community, Saint Thomas More Parish is able to provide Thanksgiving Baskets to local families in need during the Thanksgiving season. There are many opportunities to get involved as a donor, coordinator, delivery, or other various volunteer positions. Donation include canned goods and dry foods.


 * The Giving TreeItalic text - During one of the most important seasons of the Catholic Church, Saint Thomas More Parish erects a "Giving Tree" near the alter of the parish in early December. Upon each branch are several tags with include the desired gift, who it is for, and if it is to be wrapped or left unwrapped. The "Giving Tree" is then left up for the rest of the advent season until right before Christmas, where the numerous gifts that have been left underneath are collected and distributed. The gifts are given to local shelters and families in need.

Each month, the Parish is involved in many other activities. For download and read the monthly calendar, please click here. To view the weekly bulletin distributed at Sunday masses, please click here.

Sacraments, RCIA, and CSO
The parish of Saint Thomas More provides for its community all seven of the sacraments. Saint Thomas More Parish offers Christian Formation classes up to 12th grade. Also, RCIA (Rite of Christian Formation for Adults) is available. Being within the University of New Hampshire community, the parish also is apart of the CSO (Catholic Services Organization) that is integrated with the university's system. To be apart of the Saint Thomas More campus ministry is to be apart of both the parish and the university community. For further information regarding Christian Confirmation or Campus Ministry at Saint Thomas More Parish, please contact the Director Christian Formation (Kathy Brunet, brunetstm@comcast.net) or the Coordinator for Confirmation and Youth Ministry (Kara Kane, kanestm@comcast.net).

Weekend Mass

 * Sunday: 9am / 11:15am

Daily Mass

 * Monday: 12:10pm
 * Tuesday: 12:10pm
 * Wednesday: 12:10pm

Directions

 * Please click here.

Contact Information

 * Telephone: (603) 868-2666
 * Fax: (603) 868-3765
 * E-mail (main): stmdurham@comcast.net
 * Mailing Address:
 * 6 Madbury Road, Durham, NH 03824

For further information and contact details, please visit their website.