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 …
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 …
ROBE CARE STEWARD
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. CONTACT US TO PARTICIPATE
ALTAR LINEN STEWARD
Altar Linen Stewards wash and iron the linens used during Mass. Stewards are scheduled for a month. CONTACT US TO PARTICIPATE
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 …
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! CONTACT US TO PARTICIPATE
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. CONTACT US TO PARTICIPATE
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. CONTACT US TO PARTICIPATE
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. CONTACT US TO PARTICIPATE
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. CONTACT US TO PARTICIPATE
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 …
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 …
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. CONTACT US TO PARTICIPATE
CARE CENTER MINISTRIES
Oakwood Village Care Center: Mass is celebrated on the second and fourth Fridays of the month at 10:00 AM. The rosary is prayed the first and third Fridays of the month. Help is needed to move residents to and from the Chapel. Communion Visitors are needed for the first and third Sundays of the month to bring the Blessed Sacrament …
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. CONTACT US TO PARTICIPATE
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. CONTACT US TO PARTICIPATE
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 …
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 …
PARISH LIFE COMMITTEE
This group hosts a variety of social events including: Donut Sunday, Spaghetti Supper, Mardi Gras and Anointing Mass Luncheon. They meet when it is necessary to plan an event. From decorating the environment for the event, to shopping, cooking, and cleaning up, this group brings hospitality to parish functions. CONTACT US TO PARTICIPATE