Young Adult Ministry Upcoming Events

The Young Adult Ministry is hosting several meetings throughout the month of November and would like to invite all young adults to attend!

Events include a bible study, trip to NYC for Catholic Underground, A Catholic Jeopardy Game night, Introduction to Catholicism for newcomers, Karaoke Friendsgiving Party, and a special collaboration event with the Archdiocese of Newark's Outreach Office for Youth & Young Adult Ministry.

More details can be found in our ministry E-newsletter. To receive notifications of these, please subscribe by filling out our ministry interest form, which can be found on the ministry page of our parish website.

Blue Christmas Service Invitation

During the joyful season of Advent and Christmas, many carry quiet burdens of grief, loss, or loneliness. A Blue Christmas (or Longest Night) service offers a gentle, prayerful space for reflection and comfort, acknowledging that this time of year can be difficult for those who are hurting.

You are warmly invited to bring sorrow and longing before the Lord, to find solace in Scripture, music, candlelight, and community prayer. In the midst of winter's darkness, the Blue Christmas service reminds us that the light of Christ shines even in our deepest night, offering hope, peace, and the promise of God's presence with us.

Come find comfort in a time of prayer, remembrance, and gentle hope at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 60 Byrd Ave., Bloomfield, on Wednesday, December 16, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.

2026 Advent Giving Tree

The Advent Giving Tree is St. Thomas’s annual Christmas gift drive to help our brothers and sisters in need.

We collect and distribute all donated items to local organizations such as Mercy House, Family Promise, RWJ Hemophilia Center, Dr. Lena Edwards Charter School, St. Rose of Lima Church in Newark, Montclair Care Center, and St. Joseph’s Social Service Center.

2026: We split the request list between an electronic version and the trees set up in the church by the reconciliation rooms. Starting Saturday, November 21st through Sunday, December 6th the tags will be available.

• Kindly return all items by December 6th with the tags attached.

• Please do not wrap the gifts.

• Gift Cards with the tag attached along with the dollar value should be placed in the collection basket or dropped off at the Parish Center.

The spirit of generosity at St. Thomas has always been boundless. Please continue to help us bring joy to those in need during the Christmas season.

Donations Needed for Our Food Pantry

Our Food Pantry is currently very low on food and donations are needed!

Our food pantry is a channel for God to love the world. Thanks to you, the parishioners of St. Thomas, many hungry souls have been fed both within our parish and outside our parish.

We understand that the price of food has risen dramatically, but still, the hungry remain with us. We ask you to please continue donating non-perishable food items to our food pantry, whatever you can afford.

You can see a list of suitable items listed below. Thank you and God bless you!

• Donated food should be left inside the "handicap accessible” doorway at the back south side of the Church. Be careful not to place bags or boxes in the path of foot traffic.

• Only non-perishable food items are suitable for our Food Pantry (i.e., peanut butter, jelly, cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix, syrup, coffee, tea bags, canned tuna, boxed macaroni and cheese, canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned fruit juice, canned soups, canned stews, pasta sauce, pasta, bagged rice, canned or bagged beans, powdered potatoes, powdered milk, stuffing mix, cake mix, and baby food)

• Supermarket Gift Cards are gladly accepted. Please drop them off at the parish center.

LET US PRAY

O God, thank you for the abundance of life, relationships, health, comfort, and wealth you have provided.  Thank you that even in times of need, despair, and brokenness, you are there. And, Lord, guide us, so we can be your hands and feet, pursuing justice for the poor and upholding the cause of the needy. Amen.

Please donate a Thanksgiving Turkey or Ham

From the Soup Kitchen Ministry.

The STA Soup Kitchen Ministry will collect turkeys and hams on Saturday Nov 21st between 7:30 and 8:30 in the parish parking lot by the handicapped entrance and will bring them directly to the St. Augustine’s soup kitchen in Newark. The Sisters will be distributing Thanksgiving meals to needy families.

Additionally, the UNICO Thanksgiving food drive at the Brookdale Shoprite will be Saturday November 21st from 8AM until 1PM.  Please do your best to support this mission, as St. Augustine's Soup Kitchen is one of the kitchens that receives donations from this drive.

Please remember those who are less fortunate or facing hardship as we look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends. Thank you very much!

Evening Prayer of Thanksgiving And Hospitality

The Holy Name Society invites you to pray Evening Prayer with us, reflecting on this month of giving thanks and of offering hospitality, on November 5, 2026 at 7pm in the Parish Center.

Deacon Candidate Patrick McGroarty will lead us in prayer. Our speaker will be Rev. Dominic Ciriaco, Coordinator of Preaching As Hospitality Formation Program and Professor of Theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Seton Hall University.

Come experience this beautiful prayer of the Church as we prepare to celebrate all God has given us! Hospitality will be offered following the program.

2026 Christmas Pageant Signup Now Available

All children of the parish are invited to sign up now for the 2026 Christmas Pageant, a beloved STA tradition.

Children ages 3 through 12 are invited to participate in a performance telling the story of Jesus' birth. No matter your child's age or ability level, all are welcome.

The pageant will be on Sunday, December 20th at 1:30pm with a mandatory rehearsal on Saturday, December 19th at 6:00pm.

Click the button below to sign your child up today. See you there!

Christmas Concert Saturday, December 5th at 7:00pm

The Music Ministry together with the Bloomfield Civic Band presents a Christmas Concert Saturday, December 5th at 7:00pm.

This program will feature the legendary band and the Adult and Youth Choirs.

Admission is free, please consider a free-will donation to support our Music Ministry.

See you there!