“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 Holy Days including 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 pm 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 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 Cantorum 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 and a wide selection of Latin chants and polyphonic motets. The 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 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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Special Events 2023-2024

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.