Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

These parishioners assist in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass. Adults (16 years and older) who are fully initiated, active participants in the sacramental life of the Church are welcome. Training sessions are held periodically, and formation is ongoing.

Lectors

These parishioners carefully prepare scriptures for proclamation, utilizing an understanding of the liturgy and basic knowledge of scripture. Volunteers must be fully initiated, active participants in the sacramental life of the Church, and be willing to enter into initial and on-going formation.

Ushers

Ushers arrive early to assist in the preparation of a comfortable environment. They recruit volunteers for the presentation of the gifts, carry the collection baskets to the assembly, and are especially attentive to the needs of the elderly, the disabled, and families with small children.

Hospitality Ministers

These parishioners welcome everyone to Sunday Mass, striving to bring into reality the challenge of Pope Francis: “The Church must be a place of mercy freely given, where everyone can feel welcomed, loved, forgiven, and encouraged to live the good life of the Gospel.”

Altar Servers

Servers assist the priest in prayer and action at Mass and other liturgies.

Sacristans

These parishioners provide the vital service of sanctuary preparation and care at daily and Sunday Masses.

Linen Care

These volunteers take linens home for laundering and ironing. This may include purificators, corporals, hand towels, albs, and altar cloths.

Friday 24-Hour Adoration

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament occurs each Friday at 8:00 a.m. (following the 8:00 a.m. school Mass during the school year). We are in need of committed adorers who sign up to ensure the Blessed Sacrament is not left unattended. Use this form to sign up for a slot.

Divine Mercy Sunday

The Second Sunday of Easter has been designated by St. John Paul II as Divine Mercy Sunday in accordance with our Lord’s request made to St. Faustina Kowalska. On Divine Mercy Sunday, St. Thomas offers Mass in the afternoon. Priests are present to hear confessions, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, and the chaplet of Divine Mercy is recited. There is normally an information session several weeks before the celebration in which literature is distributed and the devotion is explained.

“Sing to the LORD, bless his name; proclaim his salvation day after day!”

The Catholic Church has always affirmed the importance of sacred music, and we welcome all to our vibrant music ministry at St. Thomas. If you are interested in serving with your musical gifts or volunteering to assist with music technology, the music library, or other support behind the scenes, please contact Jeanne Marie Gerig, Director of Music, at jmgerig@sta2.org.

Parish Choir

Our Parish Choir sings regularly at the 9:30 a.m. Mass on Sundays from September through Pentecost, as well as Christmas Eve, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. We also participate in Lessons and Carols during Advent and the Easter Concert in April. This choir sings sacred choral music in a wide range of styles. Participants need to be able to sing on pitch,
and basic music reading skills are helpful. We rehearse on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. in Room 252 and sing from the choir loft on Sundays. Please contact Jeanne Marie Gerig, Director of Music, at jmgerig@sta2.org.

Cantor Ministry

A cantor assists us at our Sunday and holy day Masses by leading the hymns, psalms, and Mass parts. This ministry requires a desire to serve the parish, a clear voice with good diction, basic music reading skills, and knowledge of the flow of the liturgy. Cantors must audition, and they are scheduled in advance. Participation in the choir is not required to serve as a cantor, though regular preparation is required. Please contact Jeanne Marie Gerig, Director of Music, at jmgerig@sta2.org.

Schola Cantorum at the Extraordinary Form Mass

Our Schola Cantorum sings for the Extraordinary Form Mass every Sunday at 11:30 a.m., as well as for numerous holy days throughout the year. We sing all of the Gregorian chant propers for each Mass, along with a wide selection of Latin chants and polyphonic motets. Extraordinary Form cantor and schola positions are by audition only. We rehearse on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the choir loft throughout the entire year. Please contact Jeanne Marie Gerig, Director of Music, at jmgerig@sta2.org.

Instrumentalists/Accompanists/Volunteers

We welcome skilled instrumentalists to assist our music ministry! If you play a band or orchestra instrument at a high school level, there are opportunities to play liturgically appropriate prelude music and to enhance the hymns at Mass. Small ensembles are also welcome. Pianists and organists will be considered as substitutes for Mass and accompanists for parish groups. Those who play guitar are invited to consider serving at our 6:00 p.m. Sunday Mass or additional prayer services. Serving as an instrumentalist or accompanist is by audition. Please contact Jeanne Marie Gerig, Director of Music, at jmgerig@sta2.org.

Sunday Evening Ministries

Our current schedule on Sunday evenings includes an Ordinary Form Mass with contemporary music at 6:00 p.m. Our small ensembles for these ministries are by audition and may include piano, guitar, and cantors. Please contact Jeanne Marie Gerig, Director of Music, at jmgerig@sta2.org.

St. Cecilia Society

The St. Cecilia Society is dedicated to the promotion of sacred music within the setting of parish liturgies and special events. The aim is to bring to life the beauty of masterpieces of sacred music spanning the centuries, to offer periodic liturgies and concerts involving sacred music in our beautiful church, and to help defray the costs of supporting these ministries. To donate, please select the St. Cecilia Society Fund on the online giving portal, or write a check directly to St. Thomas and note that it is for the St. Cecilia Society.

Easter Sunday Orchestral Mass

April 20, 2025, 11:30 a.m.

The Schola Cantorum will sing Mozart’s Missa Brevis in D as part of the 11:30 a.m. Extraordinary Form Easter Sunday Mass.

Easter Concert

May 18, 2025, 3:00 p.m.

This festive concert will be presented by the Parish Choir and Schola Cantorum, along with the Ann Arbor Chapter of the
American Guild of Organists.

Marian Concert

August 15, 2025, 6:00 p.m.

A concert of Marian motets will be sung by the Schola Cantorum to honor Mary on the Solemnity of the Assumption.

All Souls Day Requiem Mass with the Duruflé Requiem

November 3, 2025, 7:00 p.m.

The Schola Cantorum will sing Duruflé’s Requiem as part of our Extraordinary Form Mass as we pray for the souls of those who died in the past year. In 2025, the Commemoration of All Souls is moved to Monday, November 3, on the Extraordinary Form calendar.

St. Cecilia Hymn Festival

November 16, 2025, 3:00 p.m.

The St. Thomas Parish Choir and Schola Cantorum will join together with instrumentalists and area choirs for a Hymn Festival to honor the feast of St. Cecilia. All donations will go toward our music programs.

Festival of Lessons & Carols

December 14, 2025, 3:00 p.m.

Our fifth annual Festival of Lessons & Carols includes nine scripture readings that tell the story of the birth of the Christ Child. Each reading is followed by corresponding music sung by our choirs and the congregation. Following the concert, please join us on the plaza for delicious food, live music, and vendors at our annual Christkindlmarkt.

Christmas Day Orchestral Mass

December 25, 2025, 11:30 a.m.

The Schola Cantorum will sing Schubert’s Missa in G as part of the 11:30 a.m. Extraordinary Form Christmas Day Mass.