GET INVOLVED!
“Where your treasure is, there also lies your heart” (Matthew 6:21).
We are all called by God to share the gifts we have been given, to participate fully in the sacramental life of the Church and reach out to those who are in need. As followers of Jesus, we are called to respond generously. No matter your abilities, financial situation or time availability, we invite you to share the gifts you have been given.
There are five key ways to share these gifts with STA and the universal Church:
- Register as a member of the parish
- Prayer
- Outreach Ministries (volunteer activities organized by STA and performed outside the parish)
- Parish Ministries (volunteer activities within STA)
- Financial Support
Outreach, formation, and team opportunities
BAPTISM CLASS LEADER: Due to the great number of couples who are coming to have their first child baptized, we offer a Baptism Prep Class once a month. The preparation program leads newly parents to discovering and discussing the beauty the Sacrament of Baptism brings to their child’s life. Currently, our prep. class takes place on a Saturday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at STA and we need volunteers to lead it! We are asking for faithful couples who would be interested in leading one or more of these sessions.
CARE CENTER MINISTRIES: Communion Visitors are needed throughout the month to bring the Blessed Sacrament to resident rooms. Volunteers are also need to assist with the Communion Service offered in their care center chapel.
CARE FOR CREATION: This committee facilitates learning about, advocating for, and responding to a wide range of social justice issues. The Care for Creation Team promotes care for God’s creation. Inspired by Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’, the team has spearheaded parish energy audits and our solar panel installation, encouraged energy efficiency at home and at the parish, and offered educational opportunities for all parishioners, particularly around Earth Day and during the Season of Creation. Contact: Trudi Jenny, trudijenny@yahoo.com The Justice and Peace Committee also addresses issues such as hunger, immigration, poverty, racism and sex trafficking. All of the Committee’s work is grounded in Catholic Social Teaching. Contact Trudi Jenny, trudijenny@yahoo.com
CHRISTMAS FOOD BASKETS Parishioners provide residents of neighboring apartments and other homes in our parish neighborhood with a basket of grocery staples to help them celebrate Christmas. A few days before Christmas you can help assemble and distribute over 100 baskets of non-perishable and fresh foods.
COMMUNITY MEAL PROGRAM: Parishioners provide and serve a noon meal to those in need at Luke House on Ingersoll Street on the fourth Wednesday of the month. You can help by preparing food for the meal and/or volunteering to help serve the meal.
CONNECTIONS TEAM: Join the hospitality team that plans our “Connections Weekends” and volunteers to serve and clean-up the events. Connections Weekends take place the second weekend of the month after weekend Mass times. It’s a time to connect with your fellow parishioners over refreshments and coffee. There is also a rotation of host groups that share about their parish ministries, volunteering, and outreach opportunities. Build parish connections through conversation, food, and service! Staff contact: Judy@stamadison.org
FOOD COLLECTION: On the third Sunday of each month, parishioners bring non-perishable food items to Mass. These food items are given to the St. Vincent de Paul and Wexford food pantries, as well as to neighbors in need. You can help by bringing in food or by transporting the donated items to the food pantries on the third Sundays.
GIFTS FROM THE HEART: During Advent, donated unwrapped Christmas gifts are placed under the tree in the parish gathering area. Some of these gifts are given to parish and neighborhood families who need assistance. St. Vincent de Paul receives the rest of the Christmas gifts to distribute.
HEALING PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM: The purpose of healing prayer ministry is to intercede in the name of Jesus by invoking the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to bring people healing, wholeness, reconciliation, and peace. While none of us are worthy through our own merits to be prayer ministers, we trust in the goodness of God to work through and with us. Each month, teams offer prayer ministry after all Masses, and there are ongoing opportunities for formation and spiritual sharing.
HOME COMMUNION VISITORS: Our parish homebound population is growing and many cannot participate in parish life on a regular basis. Homebound visitors bring the care and compassion of the parish to help the homebound stay connected to the life and prayer of the parish which may include bringing the Blessed Sacrament to share.
MINISTRY OF CONSOLATION: Parish members offer the care and concern of the parish community through notes, conversation and our annual Bereavement Series. They help the grieving remember that they are not alone in their journey to healing. Members pray for the dead and all those who mourn them.
PARISH CARE TEAM: Our care team gives caregivers time away from their loved ones so they have the opportunity to take care of themselves. The caregiver calls team members when they are needed, or they can make weekly arrangements. Team members stay about 2 hours. The care team also provides assistance to the elderly. Every other month the team members get together for some spiritual renewal, sharing, and education.
PRAYER NETWORK: The list of people needing prayers is distributed to the prayer chain participants by email or mail every other week. Special emails are sent to participants on behalf of people having surgeries or tests on the day of their procedures. Anyone who is interested may put people on the prayer chain or become an active person of prayer.
RESPECT LIFE TEAM This committee facilitates learning about, advocating for, and responding to a wide range of social justice issues. The Respect Life Team raises awareness of life issues from conception to natural death and promotes a culture of life by witnessing to the value of each person. The Respect Life Team is engaged in activities defending the right to life—including the unborn, the disabled, the elderly and the terminally ill, as well as those members of the human family impacted by the tragedy of abortion. Contact: Greg Chesmore, gchesmore@yahoo.com
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL Members of the St. Thomas Aquinas Conference participate in many activities intended to recognize the face of Christ in those in our community who are in need. These activities include stocking the Society’s food pantry, preparing lunches for the residents of Port St. Vincent, collecting school supplies for the children of homeless and low income families who have requested our help. Furniture, clothing, bedding and household items are provided when needed. Financial assistance is given to get utilities turned back on and for rent assistance. To learn more about the St. Thomas Aquinas SVdP Conference, CLICK HERE
STACKS FOR LOVE STACKS (St. Thomas Aquinas Crocheting and Knitting for Love) is made up of those who crochet and knit or who would like to learn. Yarn donated by parishioners is used to make prayer shawls, baby blankets, afghans, lap blankets, etc. The items made by this group are donated to various local organizations that help others in need. This group gets together the second and third Saturday of every month from 1:00PM – 3:00PM.
Assist with the Liturgy
ALTAR SERVER: Altar Servers assist Father during Mass. Anyone in fifth grade or above can be trained in as an altar server. Adults are welcome to be altar servers. Training and written instructions are provided. Being an altar server is a great way to serve God.
ALTAR LINEN & ROBE CARE STEWARD: Altar Linen Stewards wash and iron the linens used during Mass. Stewards are scheduled for a month. Robe Care Stewards wash the servers’ albs. This is done once a month, except during the summer when they may need more attention. Stewards are scheduled for a month.
COMMENTATOR: Commentators welcome the gathered assembly and share any announcements before Mass begins. The commentator also proclaims the intercessions during the Universal Prayer. Training is provided. The commentator calendar is made according to your schedule.
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTER: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion have the honor of sharing the Holy Eucharist with the members of our parish family, when there are not enough priests present. Training is provided and attendance to a one time diocesan workshop for Extraordinary Ministers is encouraged. The Extraordinary Minister calendar is made according to your schedule.
GIFT PRESENTER: Gift presenters bring forward the gifts of bread and wine during the Preparation of the Gifts. Anyone is welcome to be a gift presenter. This is a great way to get your children involved!
MINISTER OF HOSPITALITY: Ministers of Hospitality are key to the welcoming environment of St. Thomas Aquinas. They warmly greet people as they enter the church; assist them in finding their seats or facilities; take up the offertory collection; hand out bulletins; and straighten the books in the pews. Ministers of hospitality are scheduled for an entire month three times a year. Instructions are provided.
READER: Readers have the privilege of proclaiming God’s Word at Mass each weekend and at daily Mass. A Reader’s workbook and training are provided. The Reader calendar is made according to your schedule.
SACRISTAN : Sacristans assist in the getting everything ready for Mass. They put unconsecrated hosts and wine on the gift presenter’s table. Sacristans set and organize the credence table with empty ciboria, cruet of water, lavabo and towel, chalice, and Roman Missal. Sacristans also help to clean up and put away everything used during Mass. Hands on learning and written instructions are provided. The sacristan calendar is made according to your schedule.
MUSIC opportunities
CANTORS/SMALL ENSEMBLES: The cantor’s function is to lead and encourage the congregation in singing (for Masses on Saturday at 4:30PM, Sunday at 8:00 and 10:00AM). In preparation for the liturgical celebration, the cantor may introduce and teach new music to the people. Cantors lead the music at every celebration at St. Thomas Aquinas, often as part of a small ensemble of singers and instrumentalists. They are our song leaders, animators, and psalmists. One of the cantors serves as the psalmist, who has the special task of drawing all present into the proclamation of the Word of God through the proclamation of the Psalm. Singers are expected to read music and proclaim texts with clarity and beauty. Rehearsals are the first Wednesday of each month from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
STA PARISH CHOIR: The STA Parish Choir sings weekly at the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass. In addition, this group sings for evening Holy Day Masses, Midnight Mass, Lessons & Carols, Triduum, Confirmation, and other Liturgical Celebrations during the Church Year. This SATB choir sings from September through May each year, and sings a wide variety of congregational music as well as a varied repertoire of well-composed choral music. This choir is open to students (grade 7 and up) and adults. No audition required. If you love to sing, this is the group for you! Rehearsals are every Thursday from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
STA CHORISTERS: The STA Choristers sing once or twice a month at the 4:30 PM Saturday Mass and the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass. In addition, this group has the opportunity to sing for other celebrations, including Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve Masses. This choir sings from September through May each year, and is open to students (grades 4-8) as well as high school students. These students are encouraged to grow in their faith as well as explore more challenging repertoire written specifically for children’s voices. Rehearsals are most often on Wednesday from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
INSTRUMENTALIST & ACCOMPANISTS: Instrumentalists and accompanists (piano and/or organ) for all Mass times, are encouraged to join our music ministry, depending upon experience. Audition required. If you play an instrument and would like to share your gifts with our parish, you are encouraged to audition. The ability to read music and improvise as necessary is helpful and expected.
SPANISH CHOIR: The STA Spanish Choir sings weekly at 6:30 PM Saturday and/or 1:00 PM – Spanish Masses. Music is sung primarily in Spanish, and choir members serve as cantors and psalmists. This choir joins the STA Parish Choir for bilingual celebrations throughout the Liturgical Year, and leads our music for the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This choir sings year round and is open to students (grade 7 and up) and adults. Rehearsals are before the Spanish Mass times in the Music Room.
