Worship & Liturgy

We at St Thomas the Apostle Church participate in the Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament on the first Wednesday of each month in the Church Chapel. The hours are from 9 am to 7 pm. Those that regularly participate are encouraged to sign up and commit for a specific hour of Adoration, which assures the Blessed Sacrament is not left exposed without at least one parishioner present. However, you are more than welcome to drop-in any time of that day to spend some time with God. And, of course, the Chapel is always open for prayer and meditation.

The history of Eucharistic Adoration outside the Mass goes back to the early Church, but had lost favor in more recent history. After Vatican II there has been a rediscovery of Eucharistic Adoration within the Church, and Pope John Paul II is credited with that increased interest.

Parish volunteers serve as lectors at weekend masses, holy days, and other occasions directed by our pastor, such as the blessing of the animals and the All Souls memorial mass. Lectors are responsible for the first or second readings at mass.

Schedules are posted for a three month period and posted two weeks prior. Once schedules are posted, lectors are responsible for finding their own replacement if they are unable to serve.

Lectors are also asked to assume responsibility during Soup Suppers and Stations of the Cross during Lent, and also participate in Sunday hospitality following 9:00 mass on Sundays.

Usher / Greeter Ministry

The ministry of usher / greeter is twofold. First to welcome the congregation as it arrives to participate in the Holy Mass and secondly to provide assistance and continuity during the celebration of Mass. A summary of the roles and responsibilities are as follows:

Participation in This Ministry

Ushers / Greeters help to create a welcoming and prayerful atmosphere by greeting parishioners as they arrive for Mass, assist people throughout the liturgy, including seating, taking up the collections, assist in gift presentation, counting attendance at Mass, set-up and take down chairs as needed, pass out bulletins, assist the Priest or Deacon as requested and support additional activities as required or necessary.  Being a part of this ministry allows you the opportunity to meet your fellow parishioners, personalize the worship experience, and actively participate in the celebration of the Mass.  Time requirements are approximately 20 minutes before Mass, during the celebration and 20 minutes after Mass.

To support these functions there are two additional roles:

Usher Scheduler

Use your organizational skills to draft quarterly schedules for Ushers, coordinate and consolidate information with the E.M.E. and Lector Schedulers into one document, prepare schedules for distribution, and support and coordinate requests for assistance at special activities such as hosting a Lenten Soup Supper, Donuts and Coffee, Ministries Fair. Participation in this role requires approximately 8 hours per quarter.

Usher Trainer

Prepare training materials, schedule and conduct training classes, as required, for new and existing Ushers / Greeters as required. Time requirements are approximately 3 hours per quarter.

For more information contact:

Scheduler: Larry Archambault at landsarch@charter.net

The Catholic Church places a serious obligation on all its members to participate in the Mass each Sunday, as well as on every holy day – because it is a celebration of all that we consider to be the heart and soul of our religion. We come together to worship our Lord, Jesus Christ – and to reenact the Last Supper.

To make this celebration meaningful, all the participants have a key role, including children. Altar servers assist the priest during Mass. The duties of an altar server include (but are not limited to!) lighting candles, carrying and holding books, preparing the altar if the priest or deacon does not, and cleanup the altar area after Mass.

Servers are expected to arrive 15 minutes early before Mass to assist if the priest or Sacristan need help. If it is a special Mass, like a Holy Day or one of the Easter Triduum masses, servers may have to arrive early in the morning or may have to stay late after the Mass has ended.

The altar server ministry is special because it involves the very young participants of the mass.  If you are a fourth grader or above and have received your first communion, perhaps you may consider answering God’s call and get involved.  All ages are welcome! You're never too old to be an altar server.

If you are interested, please contact Coordinator, Ashley Siferd.