“The heavens open and multitudes of angels come to assist in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.” -Saint 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, paragraph no. 1073
Did you know 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.
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 ministry. 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 am 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 p.m. in Rm 252 and sing from the choir loft on Sundays. Please contact Jeanne Marie Gerig, Director of Music.
Cantor Ministry
A cantor assists us at our weekend 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 cantor, though regular preparation is required. Please contact Jeanne Marie Gerig, Director of Music.
Extraordinary Form Mass
Our Schola Cantorum sings at the Extraordinary Form Mass every Sunday at 11:30 a.m., and 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. EF Cantor and Schola positions are by audition only. We rehearse on Tuesdays at 7 pm in the choir loft throughout the entire year. Please contact Jeanne Marie Gerig, Director of Music.
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 Sunday 6pm Mass or additional prayer services. Serving as an instrumentalist or accompanist is by audition. Please contact Jeanne Marie Gerig, Director of Music.
Sunday Evening Ministries
Our current schedule on Sunday evening includes an Ordinary Form Mass with contemporary music at 6 pm. Our small ensembles for these ministries are by audition and may include piano, guitar, and cantors. Please contact Jeanne Marie Gerig, Director of Music.
Latin Vespers
Please join us in singing Latin Vespers! This is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, an ancient practice of clergy and lay Christians that helps us to close our day in prayer. Please check the parish calendar for the schedule.
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.
Sacred Music Events in 2025
Dec. 25, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.
Christmas Day Orchestral Mass
The Schola Cantorum will sing Schubert’s “Missa in G” as part of the 11:30 a.m. EF Christmas Day Mass.
January 5, 2025 at 3 p.m.
Schola Antiqua of Chicago Concert
A concert titled “The Prince and Father of Music: Palestrina at 500” will be presented by Schola Antiqua of Chicago, a professional early music vocal ensemble that performs around the country and has released a number of CDs. Selections have been chosen from Palestrina’s motets, spiritual madrigals, plainchant and hymns. Tickets are $25 for general admission and
$10 for students.
Feb. 2, 2025 at 3 p.m.
Benefit Concert featuring Anthony Elliot, Professor Emeritus of Music (University of Michigan)
An afternoon of instrumental ensemble music will feature Anthony Elliot on the cello. All proceeds will directly support our St Cecilia Sacred Music Series.
April 20, 2025 at 11:30 a.m.
Easter Orchestral Mass
The Schola Cantorum will sing Mozart’s “Missa Brevis in D” as part of the 11:30 a.m. EF Easter Mass.
May 18, 2025 at 3 p.m.
Easter Concert
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.
Aug 15, 2023 at 6 p.m.
Marian Concert
A concert of Marian motets will be sung by the Schola Cantorum to
honor Mary on the Feast of the Assumption.
Nov 3, 2025 at 7 p.m.
All Souls’ Day EF Requiem Mass with the Duruflé Requiem
The Schola Cantorum will sing Duruflé’s Requiem as part of our 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, Nov 3 for the Extraordinary Form.
Nov 16, 2025 at 3 p.m.
St Cecilia Hymn Festival
The St Thomas Parish Choir and Schola Cantorum will join together with instrumentalists and area choirs for a Hymn Festival to honor the feast day of St Cecilia. All donations will go toward our music programs.
Dec 14, 2025 at 3 p.m.
Festival of Lessons & Carols
Our 5th annual 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.
Dec. 25, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.
Christmas Day Orchestral Mass
The Schola Cantorum will sing Schubert’s Missa in G as part of the 11:30 a.m. EF Christmas Day Mass.
Serving at Mass
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Parishioners who assist in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass. Women and men 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
Ministers 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, men and women who are willing to enter into initial and on-going formation.
Ushers
Men and women are invited to assist in this ministry of hospitality. 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
Parishioners who step forward to 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 presider in prayer and in action at Mass and other liturgies. This ministry is open to boys and girls age 10 and in 5th grade and up.
Sacristans
Persons who provide the vital service of sanctuary preparation and care at daily and week-end Masses.
Linen Care
Volunteers take linens home for laundering and ironing. This may include purificators, corporals, hand towels, albs and/or altar cloths.
Friday Adoration
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament occurs each Friday after the 7:00 a.m. Mass. We are in need of committed adorers who sign up to ensure the Blessed Sacrament is not left unattended.
Divine Mercy Sunday
The Sunday after Easter has been designated by Pope 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.