“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.
Lay Minister Schedule
Ministry Schedule
Thank you, Liturgical Ministers!
In order to ensure the monthly schedule is reaching you, please email Caroline Biskner at cbiskner@sta2.org if you are not already receiving the monthly distribution email.
We are not posting liturgical ministry schedules at this time.
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 August through Pentecost, as well as Holy Days including Christmas Eve, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil. With special events in Advent and the spring, we enjoy singing a wide variety of sacred music. Participants need to be able to sing on pitch, and basic music reading skills are helpful. We rehearse on Thursdays at 7 pm in Rm 252, and sing from the loft on Sundays. Please contact Jeanne Marie Gerig, Director of Music.
Cantor Ministry
A cantor assists us at every weekend and Holy Day Mass by leading the hymns, psalms, and Mass parts. Cantors do not need to be professional musicians, but should possess 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 preparation is required.
Extraordinary Form Mass
Our cantor and Schola sing at the Extraordinary Form Mass every Sunday at 11:30 am, and at numerous Holy Days throughout the year. We sing the Gregorian chant propers, as well as a wide selection of Latin motets. The cantor and Schola positions are by audition only. We rehearse on Tuesdays at 7 pm in the 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 prelude music, enhance the hymns at Mass, or form small ensembles. Pianists and organists will be considered as substitutes for Mass and accompanists for parish groups. Guitarists are invited to consider serving at our Sunday 6pm Mass or additional prayer services.
Sunday Evening Ministries
Our current schedule on Sunday evening includes Mass at 6 pm and a Holy Hour at 7 pm. Our small ensembles for these ministries include piano, guitar, and cantors. The music is primarily contemporary.
Children’s Choir
Children’s Choir welcomes those in grades 3-8. This choir will help children learn how to serve the parish through music ministry, including proper decorum at Mass. The sacred music we will learn includes choral anthems, traditional Latin chants, and all the music for the Mass. We will sing periodically at the Sunday 9:30 am Mass and special events throughout the choir season, including Lessons and Carols, Christmas Eve 4:30 pm Mass, and a parish Choir Concert May 1. Weekly rehearsals are Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 beginning September 23–regular attendance is expected. For more information, please contact our Co-directors Ginger Herrmann (virginia@sta2.org), Choral Music Director for our school, and Jeanne Marie Gerig (jmgerig@sta2.org), Director of Music for our parish.
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.
First Friday Latin Vespers
Please join us in singing Latin Vespers on First Fridays at 6 pm in the church, starting July 1, 2022. 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.
Special Events 2022-23
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SACRED MUSIC CLASSES
JUNE 2023
Please consider attending a Sacred Music class at St Thomas this June! We’re very fortunate to be hosting classes in chant and vocal skills through the Church Music Association of America. The CMAA Colloquium and related classes are held every June in a different location of the US, so it is unusual to have these opportunities within driving distance.
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.