“The heavens open and multitudes of angels come to assist in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.” – St. Gregory
“Through the liturgy the inner man is rooted and grounded in ‘the great love with which the Father loved us’ in his beloved son.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church 1073
Did you know that in a given year we celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass over 970 times at St. Thomas? Each week, over 60 volunteers are a part of this incredible endeavor. For more information about any of our liturgical ministries, or to inquire about joining the team, connect with Dan Vincke at dvincke@sta2.org.
Serving at Mass
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.
Music Ministries
“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 sacred music that spans the ages, including Latin chant, classical gems, and contemporary selections. The choir rehearses on Thursdays from 7:00-8:45 p.m. in Room 252 of the parish office building, then gathers at 9:00 a.m. in the choir loft on Sundays to support the liturgy at the 9:30 Mass. The choir sings at special liturgies and events including Lessons & Carols, Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, Holy Week, and our Easter Concert. Interested singers need to be able to stay on pitch and sing in parts. Auditions required. 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
The Schola Cantorum is a group of experienced musicians who support Extraordinary Form Masses by singing Gregorian chant and Latin motets. This group rehearses year-round on Tuesdays from 7:00-8:45 p.m., then gathers at 11:00 to support the 11:30 Mass on Sundays. The Schola also sings Orchestral Mass settings for numerous holy days, as well as special events such as our Marian Concert, Hymn Festival, Lessons & Carols, and the Easter Concert. Auditions required. Please contact Jeanne Marie Gerig, Director of Music, at jmgerig@sta2.org.
Contemporary Ensemble
The 6:00 p.m. Mass on Sunday features contemporary music taken primarily from the Worship Now hymnal and CCLI. Auditions required. 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.
Youth Schola
A Youth Schola will rehearse weekly to learn to sing Gregorian chant along with traditional Latin chants and polyphony. This Schola will sometimes join our Schola Cantorum at the 11:30 Mass and will participate in some of our annual concerts. 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.
Upcoming Sacred Music Events
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.
Laudate Youth Choir
The purpose of the Laudate Youth Choir is to glorify God through excellent sacred choral music, forming the next generation in Catholic musical liturgy and cultivating an uplifting, faith-filled community for young singers in the greater Ann Arbor area. The ensembles sing at a few Masses at Ann Arbor parishes during the school year, at the Pueri Cantores Festival, and in local parish events such as the St. Thomas Hymn Festival, Lessons & Carols, and Easter Concert.
Click here to learn more and schedule an ensemble placement hearing.
Canticle Chant Camp
Each summer, campers will be immersed in Gregorian chant, traditional children’s hymns, and the sacred music traditions of the Catholic Mass. They will also attend daily Mass. Chant Camp was designed by staff from Canticle, a Catholic music organization devoted to passing down Gregorian chant to the next generation, assisting in nurturing the prayer life of children, and fostering a deep connection to the liturgical practices of the Church.