Category: Events

St. Patrick’s Day Social

We had a great time at the St. Patrick’s Day dinner and social.  Music was good and we even had a bagpiper.  Three lovely ladies joined us from Raleigh to share in the festivities and dance for us.  Their costumes were simply beautiful. The Keeling and Pilarski families were in the kitchen to provide a […]

We had a great time at the St. Patrick’s Day dinner and social.  Music was good and we even had a bagpiper.  Three lovely ladies joined us from Raleigh to share in the festivities and dance for us.  Their costumes were simply beautiful.

The Keeling and Pilarski families were in the kitchen to provide a traditional meal of corned beef and cabbage. Peter O’Grady served as Master of Ceremonies to introduce the guests and entertainment.  Many other brother Knights assisted with serving beverages, food and busing.

Fish Fry – Feb 24th!

What is Lent without our traditional fish fry?  The Knights have been doing it for all of the years at our current church location, but its history goes way back to the ’50’s and our Gimghoul Road Church. We will be serving our dinners on February 24th, March 9th, and March 30th.  We are serving […]

What is Lent without our traditional fish fry?  The Knights have been doing it for all of the years at our current church location, but its history goes way back to the ’50’s and our Gimghoul Road Church.

We will be serving our dinners on February 24th, March 9th, and March 30th.  We are serving from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  This year we are adding baked fish for those of you who are cutting back on fried food.

Why not make it a family affair.  Bring everyone.  While you are at it, make sure you let your neighbors know that this event is open to everyone in our community.  We also offer take out.  You can pick up a family package and take it home to feed the family and friends.

Read a review of last year’s event and Lent at St. Thomas More Church.

St. Patrick’s Day Event Planned – March 17th

Are you ready to celebrate a wee bit?  Do you have a little blarney in you?  Are you considering dyeing your pond green like in Chicago?  Why not join with the Knights of Columbus as we let our hair down a little on St. Patty’s Day?  As Peter might say, “It’s time for a little […]

Are you ready to celebrate a wee bit?  Do you have a little blarney in you?  Are you considering dyeing your pond green like in Chicago?  Why not join with the Knights of Columbus as we let our hair down a little on St. Patty’s Day? 


As Peter might say, “It’s time for a little craic.  Grab your woman, turn off the telly, and grab a few bob.  Tis’ time to get a wee bit polluted.  D’yaknowhwatimeanlike? Be a plastic paddy for a day!  ‘Twil be grand.”


The Council is teaming up with the Catholic Daughters of America to host a St. Patrick’s Day Party on Saturday, March 17 from 6:30-9:30 in the St. Thomas More Church Friends and Family Hall.

We will be serving corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, soda bread, cake, wine, beer, coffee and non-alcoholic beverages.  For entertainment, we have a bagpipe player, Irish music, and step dancers.

Tickets are just $25 for adults and $20 for children.  This includes both your meal and entertainment.

If you would like to purchase tickets, they are available after most masses, at the upcoming Pancake Breakfast, at the upcoming Lenten Fish Dinners or by simply contacting ticket sales.

Our understanding is that there are no other Churches in our area having a St. Patrick’s Day event, so please spread the word in Chapel Hill and Durham.  Invite your friends.  Share with them the family life and activities  of Catholics in Chapel Hill.

Please help us make this a big success and the beginning of a new annual social event for the Church.

Council Gathers for Christmas Dinner – Dec 3rd

Our council along with the Catholic Daughters of America (CDA) is hosting a family Thanksgiving/Christmas party on Saturday, December 3 at 6 PM.  It will be in the old gym in the lower school.   Turkey, ham, salmon and non-alcoholic beverage will be provided.  People are welcome to bring beer or wine if they like. […]

Our council along with the Catholic Daughters of America (CDA) is hosting a family Thanksgiving/Christmas party on Saturday, December 3 at 6 PM.  It will be in the old gym in the lower school.  


Turkey, ham, salmon and non-alcoholic beverage will be provided.  People are welcome to bring beer or wine if they like.  We are asking each family to bring a salad, side or dessert.  There will be no other charge.  

Council Supports Arc at Christmas

Our council is sponsoring a Christmas tree vignette at The Arc’s Festival of Trees, which is open to the public 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday this week (Nov 30-Dec 2) at the Sheraton Hotel, Chapel Hill. There is also a publicly open Family Night Tuesday 5-9 p.m. with entertainment and activities.  Free admittance with donations […]

Our council is sponsoring a Christmas tree vignette at The Arc’s Festival of Trees, which is open to the public 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday this week (Nov 30-Dec 2) at the Sheraton Hotel, Chapel Hill.
There is also a publicly open Family Night Tuesday 5-9 p.m. with entertainment and activities.  Free admittance with donations accepted.  Shula’s 347 Grill is offering a special discounted dinner menu to attendees on Tuesday night, with 20% of dinner proceeds also going to The Arc.
Wednesday night is a special Ladies Night event, and Thursday night is the big gala and final auction that you can purchase tickets to for $50, if interested.
The Arc provides programs to help the intellectually disabled.  The Festival of Trees is a fundraiser with 53 sponsored Christmas tree displays, 30 sponsored wreath displays, and numerous donated separate items that all get auctioned off. 
Tom Stoffel, chairman of this project, has put together a fabulous vignette.  Why not take time for the holidays and visit the Festival of Trees?  Better yet, maybe even to bid on a display or one of the many donated single items.  Single items might include a massage package, a weekend package at the beach, and a tandem skydive!  You will have to attend to find out what they are!
The Knights of Columbus theme is “Keep Christ in Christmas”.  
The Knights of Columbus Christmas Tree Vignette
 
 

Pancakes, Eggs, and a Great Morning

The Knights have brought back the monthly St. Thomas More  Pancake breakfast!  This continues the hard work of the Men’s Club and a tradition of building church through parish family events.  There will be the familiar faces of Knights, Men’s Club, and many of the youth from the TYM. Breakfast is from 8:30 a.m. to […]

The Knights have brought back the monthly St. Thomas More  Pancake breakfast!  This continues the hard work of the Men’s Club and a tradition of building church through parish family events.  There will be the familiar faces of Knights, Men’s Club, and many of the youth from the TYM.

Breakfast is from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Scrambled eggs have been added to the menu and there is a change in location!  We will host each breakfast in the new Parish Hall.  Service will be much faster.  We will use the new serving lines and serve you as you come in.  Not to worry, we will still bring to the tables a tray offering seconds.

The price is still $6.  So, bring along your friends and extended family.  It is one of the best breakfast deals in town.

Event dates are:

  • November 14, 2010
  • December 5, 2010
  • January 9, 2011
  • February 13, 2011
  • March 13, 2011
  • April 10, 2011
  • May 8, 2011
  • June 12, 2011
  • July 10, 2011
  • August 14, 2011
  • September 11, 2011
  • October 9, 2011
  • November 13, 2011
  • December 11, 2011

Oktoberfest 2010

In just two short weeks we will host our 4th Annual Oktoberfest at St. Thomas More Church.  The date is October 10th at 5 p.m. in the new parish hall.  This event is open to the community of Chapel Hill, but tickets are limited to 300. This is a very old fall tradition in the […]

In just two short weeks we will host our 4th Annual Oktoberfest at St. Thomas More Church.  The date is October 10th at 5 p.m. in the new parish hall.  This event is open to the community of Chapel Hill, but tickets are limited to 300.

This is a very old fall tradition in the German communities.  Our church is rich in cultural heritage with members from around the world.  Oktoberfest is just one of our celebrations in support of our parish.

Our Oktoberfest includes Oktoberfest locally brewed beer, wine, brats, barbecued chicken, and German potato salad.  All this and three hours of great family fun and music for just $25.  Our event is a family event, so we include children for $12.  Of course, their ticket includes soda pop.

You should include this event on your list of must do events.  It is fun, fun, fun.  We encourage you to wear traditional Oktoberfest attire.  That includes Alpine hats, lederhosen, and other finery.  Need more information on what will give you the right look?  Learn more…

For tickets, contact John Felten at 919-929-6569.

Here is a preview of our band, The Little German Band.

Priest Appreciation Night

The Priests and religious team members of St. Thomas More Catholic Church will be honored on Sep 9th at the Durham University Club. This is an annual event hosted by the Knights of Columbus to recognize the significant contributions of our church leaders. We are nothing without their leadership and spiritual guidance. Durham University Club […]

The Priests and religious team members of St. Thomas More Catholic Church will be honored on Sep 9th at the Durham University Club.

This is an annual event hosted by the Knights of Columbus to recognize the significant contributions of our church leaders. We are nothing without their leadership and spiritual guidance.
Durham University Club sits high atop the Durham Tower building–17 floors up with a 360 degree view of Durham and Orange Counties. The University Club is a Four-Star restaurant that serves elegant dinners and lunches that are beautiful to the eye and a great delight to all.

Newman Students Need Our Support

If you left church in a rush today, you missed the smiling faces of two UNC Chapel Hill students from the Newman Center. Your editor spotted them and stopped by. I spoke with Kelly Dunlap. She was announcing their Alternative Spring Break activity. No, they are not Daytona Beach bound, and they are passing Ft. […]

If you left church in a rush today, you missed the smiling faces of two UNC Chapel Hill students from the Newman Center. Your editor spotted them and stopped by.
I spoke with Kelly Dunlap. She was announcing their Alternative Spring Break activity. No, they are not Daytona Beach bound, and they are passing Ft. Lauderdale by too. So, where are they headed? To Montego Bay, Jamaica.
No beach parties for these students. They are on a mission of mercy and will work with handicapped children at one of the Mustard Seed orphanages scattered all over the island. That is where we come in. The students are selling tickets to a Silent Auction, Friday, Feb 1st, from 8 to 12 p.m. Tickets are just $30 per person. There will be wine, finger foods, and a chance to bid on auction items.
Some you are muttering as you read this. Yes, $30 is a little steep for wine and finger foods, but, wait. It is not about what we get for our $30. It is what you are enabling them to do with your money. You are empowering our youth to make a difference where it counts. Your editor applauds their drive, compassion and vision. I’ll be there with Yoli. How about you?
You can order your tickets by contacting the Newman Center and asking for tickets. Can’t attend? Call and ask them where to send a personal donation. Next, pick up the phone and call your Grand Knight. Tell him you support a motion to make a Council contribution of $100.

Parish Priest’s Appreciation Dinner

About forty Knights and their ladies joined together last night, September 5th, to honor our parish priest, Fr. John Durbin, at the La Residence in Chapel Hill. After an open bar cocktail social gathering, everyone moved to the outdoor patio for dinner under the stars. The meal was served family style and included four courses. […]

About forty Knights and their ladies joined together last night, September 5th, to honor our parish priest, Fr. John Durbin, at the La Residence in Chapel Hill.

After an open bar cocktail social gathering, everyone moved to the outdoor patio for dinner under the stars. The meal was served family style and included four courses. There were heavy hors’deuves at the bar and again on the patio. This was followed by a salad buffet. Then, to the delight and surprise of all, we were presented with the main course. Splendid, elegant, beyond expectation, all hint at the beautiful presentation of our main course.

There was a huge selection. Each dish drew “Oohs” and “Ahhs” from the ladies. There was something sure to delight everyone. There was prime rib, trout with red potatoes and corn sauce, lamb with Southern grits, salmon with Peruvian potato salad, and roasted pork chops sliced thick and served with creamed potatoes. There was a nice selection of steamed vegetables, too.

Dinner was followed by coffee and sweet treats of strawberries, puffed pastries with filling and chocolate, and dainty morsels of pecan pie squares.

It was one of those meals that is sure to be described over and over. (If you missed the event, well… there is always a next time. )

District Deputy (9) Haddon Ware and his wife also joined us as guests.

Many thanks to Grand Knight Gil Montoya for arranging for this event, and to Deputy Grand Knight Gene Keeling and his lovely wife, Lisa, for hosting it. “I was worried about the attendance,” Gene said, “but at the last minute it all came together and we have a great showing.”

Fr. Durbin was much appreciative of the display of support by his Knights and their families. He commended the knights not just for their work in the parish, but for their extended service to the local community through projects to help the handicapped, feed the poor, and to serve their neighbors. “These are the kinds of things that really make a difference,” he said.

We are all humbled and proud to be of service to the community, but our work is just a flicker of light when compared to the sacrifices and service to our parish and church by our Fr. John Durbin.

We look forward to making this an annual event. Won’t you join us next time?

The restaurant La Residence is owned and operated by parishioners. I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to dine there. It will be an evening to remember.