St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Parish

We appreciated your welcoming Community and your placing the day’s readings in your bulletin. Father’s homily on Divine Mercy Sunday was very life-giving! It was sooo refreshing to be at Mass on this very special day.

very tranquil and accessible and inclusive message. Forward looking, a celebration of life not promising complete Day One understanding of many mysteries; does not talk down to the parishioners, seek up lifting message of inclidiveness.

I love this church! Have for over 25 years. When I’m Tucson I go to the weekly mass. My favorite on Wednesday with the blessings of the sacrament. Confession. Mass. All done within 30 minutes and in time to get to my first meeting! The teachings any day or weekend mass is well educated and keen. I also love how well this parish gives to others, donate to the poor regardless of creed, as a community!

This is my daughter's parish and every time we've come here, it has been a very welcoming experience. This weekend our granddaughter was baptized, and Deacon Joe was wonderful. Such a wonderful event.

I'd been a lapsed Catholic for 25 years and a lowly, wayward sinner.

In the summer of 2012, I experienced a deep bout of desolation.

When my head cleared, I queried the location of the nearest Catholic Church. I found out the street it's located on is the same as the street I grew up on in New Jersey: Valley View Road.

The Mass I attended was celebrated by a priest from Nepal who was once a street urchin in Katmandu.

During his homily, he described the experience of saying Mass in his home country, when a Maoist terrorist entered the Church and detonated a bomb.

Utter devastation.

I felt at home during that return Mass at Saint Thomas, but I noticed the time lapse -- the Liturgy had changed since I'd last been in Church -- or maybe I'd just forgotten much of it.

When it was time for the offering of peace, the five year old boy near me in the pew hugged my leg.

Near the end of the Mass, the Pastor, Father Lyons, made some announcements and also mentioned his favorite Saint was Elizabeth Ann Seton.

More unambiguous messages: I went to high school at Seton Hall Prep in New Jersey.

I've fittingly been a parishioner at Saint Thomas -- Didymus the doubter -- ever since. I'm still a lowly sinner, though less wayward.

The Lord is the Shepherd who always loves and cares for His flock, no matter how lost they may seem, no matter how long.