Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church

St Thomas Aquinas Cares Campaign

The St. Thomas Aquinas Cares Campaign will address several parish needs and contribute to our mandatory share in the Archdiocesan Ignite Campaign.

The monetary goal is $2.5 million, to be used as follows: parish needs and improvement: $1609.92 Archdiocesan Ignite Campaign: $540,000. Pledges currently exceed $2.2 million. Contributions received to date: $2,056,147.

Aeterni Patris To Vatican Ii

The Thomist revival that began in the mid-19th century, sometimes called “neo-scholasticism” or “neo-Thomism,” can be traced to figures such as professor , , and , and . This movement received impetus from ‘s of 1879. Generally the revival accepts the interpretative tradition of Aquinas’ great commentators such as , , and . Its focus, however, is less exegetical and more concerned with carrying out the program of deploying a rigorously worked out system of Thomistic metaphysics in a wholesale critique of modern philosophy. Other seminal figures in the early part of the century include and Amato Masnovo . The movement’s core philosophical commitments are summarized in “Twenty-Four Thomistic Theses” approved by .

In the first half of the twentieth century professors , among others, carried on Leo’s call for a Thomist revival. Their approach is reflected in many of the manuals and textbooks widely in use in Roman Catholic colleges and seminaries before .

While the took place from 1962 to 1965 was already able to write in 1949 that the century of revival with its urgency to provide a synthetic systematization and defense of Aquinas’ thought was coming to an end. Fabro looked forward to a more constructive period in which the original context of Aquinas’ thought would be explored.

Connection With Jewish Thought

Aquinas did not disdain to draw upon sources. His main work, the , shows a profound knowledge not only of the writings of , whose name he mentions, but also of most Jewish philosophical works then existing.

Aquinas pronounces himself energetically against the hypothesis of the eternity of the world, in agreement with both and . But as this theory is attributed to , he seeks to demonstrate that the latter did not express himself categorically on this subject. “The argument,” said he, “which Aristotle presents to support this thesis is not properly called a demonstration, but is only a reply to the theories of those ancients who supposed that this world had a beginning and who gave only impossible proofs. There are three reasons for believing that Aristotle himself attached only a relative value to this reasoning…” In this, Aquinas paraphrases ‘ , where those reasons are given.

Thomism began to decline in popularity in the , which was inaugurated by ‘ works in 1637 and in 1641. The doctrines of and implicitly contradicted and :

G. K. Chesterton

In describing Thomism as a philosophy of common sense, wrote:

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Daily Low Mass & Morning And Evening Prayer

Low MassMonday, Wednesday and Friday at 12:15 pmTuesday and Thursday at 5:30 pmSaturday at 10:00 amMonday to Friday at 8:30 amSaturday at 9:30 amEvening PrayerMonday to Friday at 5:00 pmDownload the Prayer Book Society of Canada’s Common Prayer mobile app here and then select the settings shown here for Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer so that the services display in the order the office is prayed at St. Thomass.

Council Of Trent To Aeterni Patris

Responding to prevailing philosophical rationalism during the Enlightenment Salvatore Roselli, professor of theology at the College of St. Thomas, the future in Rome, published a six volume Summa philosophica giving an Aristotelian interpretation of Aquinas validating the senses as a source of knowledge. While teaching at the College Roselli is considered to have laid the foundation for Neothomism in the nineteenth century. According to historian J.A. Weisheipl in the late 18th and early 19th centuries “everyone who had anything to do with the revival of Thomism in Italy, Spain and France was directly influenced by Rosellis monumental work.

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Rebroadcast Of The Four Temperaments Conference & additional Great Resources On The Temperaments

For those who weren’t able to make the temperament conference this past Saturday, the video will be on our YouTube channel. As well, here are a couple of other outstanding talks on the Four Temperaments and how they can be incredibly helpful in your own walk with Christ, in your relationships, raising children, and more! Don’t know what your temperament is yet? Take the test here!

Are You Striving For Sainthood

This examination is adapted from the official questionnaire that is used when the Church is investigating the worthiness for beatification and canonization of Catholics. They are the questions that are asked of the witnesses who knew the person in question when they were alive. It is a truly great examination of how we are doing, and what type of goals we can set in order to truly live our Catholic faith. Are we striving to be saints? There are only saints in Heaven.

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A Note From The Pastor

Peace be with you!

We are so glad that you have found your way here. Our lives are a pilgrimage toward which we are moving closer to the One who made us. Each person we meet along the way is an important part of this journey, none of which is by accident. The Lord uses all things to draw us closer to Him. This community is a place where we encourage each other to know and love Jesus Christ and His Church, a place where we will be transformed in grace more each day. We are thrilled that you are here with us on the journey.

In Christ,

Recent Schools And Interpretations

A summary of some recent and current schools and interpretations of Thomism can be found, among other places, in La Metafisica di san Tommaso d’Aquino e i suoi interpreti , by Battista Mondin, Being and Some 20th Century Thomists , by as well as in the writing of .

identifies with the philosophical and theological tradition stretching back to the time of St. Thomas. In the nineteenth century authors such as focused not only on exegesis of the historical Aquinas but also on the articulation of a rigorous system of orthodox Thomism to be used as an instrument of critique of contemporary thought.

Due to its suspicion of attempts to harmonize Aquinas with non-Thomistic categories and assumptions, Neo-Scholastic Thomism has sometimes been called “.” A discussion of recent and current Neo-Scholastic Thomism can be found in La Metafisica di san Tommaso d’Aquino e i suoi interpreti by Battista Mondin, which includes such figures as , , Sofia Vanni Rovighi , , Carlo Giacon , , Abelardo Lobato , Leo Elders and among others. Fabro in particular emphasizes Aquinas’ originality, especially with respect to the actus essendi or act of existence of finite beings by participating in being itself. Other scholars such as those involved with the “Progetto Tommaso” seek to establish an objective and universal reading of Aquinas’ texts.

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Late Career And Cessation Of Writing

In 1272 Thomas took leave from the University of Paris when the Dominicans from his home province called upon him to establish a studium generale wherever he liked and staff it as he pleased. He chose to establish the institution in Naples, and moved there to take his post as regent master. He took his time at Naples to work on the third part of the Summa while giving lectures on various religious topics. He also preached to the people of Naples every day in Lent, 1273. These sermons on the Commandments, the Creed, the Our Father, and Hail Mary were very popular.

Thomas has been traditionally ascribed with the ability to levitate. For example, G. K. Chesterton wrote that “His experiences included well-attested cases of levitation in ecstasy and the Blessed Virgin appeared to him, comforting him with the welcome news that he would never be a Bishop.”

It is traditionally held that on one occasion, in 1273 at the Dominican convent of Naples in the chapel of Saint Nicholas, after Matins, Thomas lingered and was seen by the sacristan Domenic of Caserta to be levitating in prayer with tears before an icon of the crucified Christ. Christ said to Thomas, “You have written well of me, Thomas. What reward would you have for your labor?” Thomas responded, “Nothing but you, Lord.”

Prayer And Care Requests

To submit prayer requests, simply click the button below and complete the form to ensure that a person is included, either on the weekly intercessions list to be prayed for daily at Mass, and/or in the private prayers of our prayer and care team. The form also includes an opportunity to request follow-up if you or someone you know would benefit from a clergy call or visit.

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A Message From Fr Matthew Codd

Our Lord said to his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane “Could you not watch with me one hour?”

With this passage in mind, it is my earnest desire to start a Eucharistic Adoration Chapel here at St. Thomas, where parishioners and other faithful can come to spend time with, and adore Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Many parishioners have asked about having more Eucharistic adoration here, and I believe that the fruits that will come from this will not only bless our parish and our families, but the surrounding university community and beyond. More info and how you can help here!

Magic And Its Practitioners

Regarding magic, Aquinas wrote that:

• only God can perform miracles, create and transform.
• angels and demons may do wonderful things, but they are not miracles and merely use natural things as instruments.
• any efficacy of magicians does not come from the power of particular words, or celestial bodies, or special figures, or sympathetic magic, but by bidding
• “demons” are intellective substances who were created good and have chosen to be bad, it is these who are bid.
• if there is some transformation that could not occur in nature it is either the demon working on human imagination or arranging a fake.

A mention of witchcraft appears in the Summa Theologicae and concludes that the church does not treat temporary or permanent impotence attributed to a spell any differently to that of natural causes, as far as an impediment to marriage.

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St Thomas Aquinas Purdue

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church is the Catholic university parish at Purdue University. It is in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana. It is often referred to as “St. Tom’s” by parishioners.

A Catholic Parish Serving The University Area Of Charlotte North Carolina

Requiescat In Pace Mr. Thomas F. Savoy

It is with great sadness that we let you know that parishioner and former Director of Sacred Music Tom Savoy passed away at home last night. Please pray for the happy repose of his soul and for his beloved wife Deborah and their family and friends.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas on Saturday, October 29 at 10:00 a.m. with a reception to follow. If you feel moved to provide a dish to share with friends and family, please drop it off in the parish hall kitchen before the funeral Mass. Thank you.

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View The Funeral Mass Of Our Beloved Deacon Mel Dunphy

We need to warn you that the scam that has been used against the Church for the past few years is back again! Please do not fall for it! In this scam, someone who is claiming to be Father Eric is asking for money, supposedly for some good cause. But the person asking is not Father Eric but is a scam artist, and the money would not go to a good cause, but it would go into the pockets of the scam artist! Please know that no priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg is ever allowed to make such personal requests for money, and please for your own sake, do not give them any! God bless you!

St Thomas Aquinas ‘cares’ Capital Campaign Prayer

Gracious, loving and generous God, we thank You for the many blessings You have bestowed on the St. Thomas Aquinas family in the past. We ask you to look with favor and blessing on our St. Thomas Aquinas Cares Capital Campaign.

Holy Spirit, give us your gifts of wisdom and understanding. Inspire our parishioners to share the resources necessary to meet the growing needs of our parish for the greater glory of God. May the gifts of the Holy Spirit encourage us in deep faith and gratitude, and help us to commit our resources of time, talent and treasure as prior members have done for us.

St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Francis de Sales, give us the faith necessary to make this commitment. O Holy Trinity, we beseech your blessing on our efforts as we go forward with faith, hope and love. Amen.

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Nature Of Jesus Christ

In the Summa Theologica Thomas begins his discussion of Jesus Christ by recounting the biblical story of Adam and Eve and by describing the negative effects of original sin. The purpose of Christ’s Incarnation was to restore human nature by removing the contamination of sin, which humans cannot do by themselves. “Divine Wisdom judged it fitting that God should become man, so that thus one and the same person would be able both to restore man and to offer satisfaction.” Thomas argued in favor of the satisfaction view of atonement that is, that Jesus Christdied “to satisfy for the whole human race, which was sentenced to die on account of sin.”

Thomas Aquinas

Thomas argued against several specific contemporary and historical theologians who held differing views about Christ. In response to Photinus, Thomas stated that Jesus was truly divine and not simply a human being. Against Nestorius, who suggested that Son of God was merely conjoined to the man Christ, Thomas argued that the fullness of God was an integral part of Christ’s existence. However, countering Apollinaris‘ views, Thomas held that Christ had a truly human soul, as well. This produced a duality of natures in Christ. Thomas argued against Eutyches that this duality persisted after the Incarnation. Thomas stated that these two natures existed simultaneously yet distinguishably in one real human body, unlike the teachings of Manichaeus and Valentinus.

Thoughts On Afterlife And Resurrection

A grasp of Thomas’s psychology is essential for understanding his beliefs around the afterlife and resurrection. Thomas, following church doctrine, accepts that the soul continues to exist after the death of the body. Because he accepts that the soul is the form of the body, then he also must believe that the human being, like all material things, is form-matter composite. Substantial form configures prime matter and is the form by which a material composite belongs to that species it does in the case of human beings, that species is rational animal. So, a human being is a matter-form composite that is organized to be a rational animal. Matter cannot exist without being configured by form, but form can exist without matterwhich allows for the separation of soul from body. Thomas says that the soul shares in the material and spiritual worlds, and so has some features of matter and other, immaterial, features . The human soul is different from other material and spiritual things it is created by God, but also comes into existence only in the material body.

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Relaxed Covid Protocols For Mass Attendance

It remains strongly encouraged that those present in a Church building wear proper face covering…

If you are uncomfortable with “opening up” without social-distancing, please identify yourself to the ushers when you show up for Mass and ask them to please seat you in the “Social-Distanced Seating Section.”

Reception of Holy Communion is once again at the rail.

If you wish to receive Communion on the tongue, please come up at the end of the Communion procession and please come up to the Extraordinary Minister on the St. Joseph side of the Church. The minister will hand-sanitize after each distribution of Communion.

If you wish to receive the low-gluten host, please come up at the end of the Communion procession to the Extraordinary Minister on the Mary side of the Church.

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