The Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Join us for Mass on December 8 at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.,12:10 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
"Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing!" December 8th is one of our feasts celebrating Mary - the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. From the beginnings of the Church, spiritual writers and theologians have acknowledged the innocence and holiness of Mary. St. Irenaeus called her the "new Eve." Both faced with the pure freedom to accept or reject God, Mary began with work of redemption with her yes to Christ! The Church began to celebrate the feast of Mary's conception in the early Middle Ages. In 1854, Pope Pius IX infallibly declared that Mary was free of original sin from the first moment of her conception. On this feast day, we celebrate the beauty and goodness of Our Lady!
Parish Office Closed
The parish office will be closed on Friday, December 8th in observance of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. We will reopen on Monday, December 11th at 9:00 a.m.
We are immensely grateful for your continued support of our parish and its vital mission in our community. As we approach the year's end, we invite you to participate, if you haven’t already, in the 2023 Diocesan Appeal, “Know Him, See Him." The success of the Diocesan Appeal depends on the participation of parishioners like you. Any funds collected beyond our goal are returned to St. Thomas More, benefiting our campus through repairs and improvements.
Pilgrimage to Fatima and Spain.
January 25-Feb. 2, 2024.
Openings for this pilgrimage are now available.
For registration or questions email help@pilgrimtravel.
Review the itinerary and read more information by clicking on the documents below.
Thank you to all who made donations to the Sharing Tree.
Your gifts to Corbella Clinic, TLC Pregnancy Services, Community Crisis Center and Elgin Mental Health Center will help to bring Christmas joy to those in need in our community.
Merry Christmas and God’s blessings in the new year!
SVDP Thank You!!!!
Our St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Wreath Sale was a great success because of all of you!
The proceeds from this sale will enable us to assist many struggling families in our Elgin community during these difficult times.
Thank you so much for your continued support and generosity with this event and throughout the year!
Bethlehem Peace Light
The Peace Light will be coming to St. Thomas More on the weekend of December 9/10 after all Masses.
The Peace Light from Bethlehem is a continuously-burning flame, originating from the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Israel. It is meant to promote peace, harmony and unity among the people of the world regardless of race, ethnicity or religion. For several decades the International Scouting movement - both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts - have actively promoted global peace and harmony through the distribution of the Peace Light.
Fellowship Club Christmas Luncheon
Tuesday, December 12th at 12:00pm
Come enjoy a catered lunch, fellowship, and music with students from STM school.
St. Thomas More Fellowship Club is a group of men and women 55 years and older, that meet on the third Tuesday of each month. It is the longest standing group at St. Thomas More! There is a short meeting, lunch, followed by valuable information, a guest speaker, fun and games, or sometimes just good old conversation among friends. First time guests are welcome and pay no dues until you decide to join. Looking forward to welcoming new members.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Special Mass
For the first time, on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 6:30 p.m., St. Thomas More invites you to join us for a special evening Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas and one of the most beloved apparitions of Mary.
With traditional Guadalupe
music from the STM Ensemble.
music from the STM Ensemble.
All are invited to bring roses for the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Society of St. Vincent dePaul
St. Vincent de Paul is raising funds to help our Friends in need with heating costs for Nicor and ComEd during December 1–31, 2023. You can participate by placing a donation in the box in our display in the Gathering Space, or online by clicking the button below.
Bambinelli Blessing
In 1969 Pope Paul VI started the Blessing of the Bambinelli, or the blessing of the Christ Child figurines, on the third Sunday of Advent and it has continued with every Pope since. Children and people of all ages bring the baby
Jesus from the Nativities in their homes and the Pope offers a blessing upon all the baby Jesus’ present and then families bring Jesus back to their homes and place Jesus in the manger on Christmas. We want to continue this tradition at St. Thomas More.
Jesus from the Nativities in their homes and the Pope offers a blessing upon all the baby Jesus’ present and then families bring Jesus back to their homes and place Jesus in the manger on Christmas. We want to continue this tradition at St. Thomas More.
The weekend of December 16 & 17 bring to Mass the baby Jesus from your Nativity and the priest will offer a special blessing.
This week in the Gathering Space....
- Welcome Center - Questions? Ask Melissa
- St. Vincent de Paul Friends in Need Heating Donations
- Bethlehem Peace Light
Parish Happenings this week....
- DEC 08 - Parish Office Closed
- DEC 08 - The Feast of the Immaculate Conception Masses 8:30AM, 10:30AM, 12:10PM & 7:00PM
- DEC 09 - Confessions 9AM & 1PM
- DEC 09/10 - Peace Light of Bethlehem
- DEC 11 - Family Rosary 7PM
- DEC 12 - Confessions 5:30PM
- DEC 12 - Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass 6:30PM
- DEC 13 - Advent Holy Hour with Fr. Browning 6PM
- DEC 14 - Confessions 9AM
- DEC 14 - STM School Christmas Concert 6:30PM
- DEC 14 - Little Flower Prayer Group 9AM
Coming Soon at STM....
- Bambinelli Blessing DEC 16/17
