STM Ministries Adult Faith Formation The Adult Faith Formation ministry plans events to enable adults to strengthen their faith and deepen their relationship with Jesus. Past events include small group bible studies, guest speakers, book clubs and special prayer events. Volunteers help with hospitality, publicity and event planning. Altar Servers The alter server is the oldest and most time honored of the lay ministries. Boys and girls in the 4 th grade or above are invited to join. Formal practice sessions are held in the church to introduce the new altar server to the order of mass. Baptism This ministry provides information and instruction for parents who are presenting their children for infant Baptism, up to age 7. Bereavement This ministry helps families plan liturgies for funerals. They offer guidance and support during the funeral planning process. Building Committee Chinese Community Our mission is to evangelize Catholic Faith among Chinese people. We celebrate Mass in Chinese at St. Thomas More every first and fourth Sunday. This group meets at St. Thomas More on the 1st and 4th Sunday of the month at 1:30 pm for the Mass in the Chinese language. Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) Spend an incredible weekend with members of your faith community to deepen your faith, and more fully realize the power of Christ in your life. It is an experience that you will never forget and will want to repeat every day of your life. Men’s and Women’s retreats are done on consecutive weekends at a local hotel. Christian Outreach This group supports Father Janze in reaching parishioners in need. This group originally was formed and funded from the Italian Catholic Federation. Corazon This non-profit organization started over 30 years ago to help the poor in Mexico help themselves. This group serves the poorest of Mexico by building houses and support buildings in the Tijuana area. They conduct one-day home builds for selected needy families. Cursillo Cursillo is a movement of the Catholic Church which makes it possible for people to live what is fundamental for being a Christian. It helps people discover and fulfill their personal vocations. It promotes the creation of core groups of Christians who leaven their environments with the Gospel. Deacon Permanent deacons are ordained for service to the Bishop and assigned to work in a specific parish. Permanent deacons may baptize, proclaim the Gospel, preach, assist the celebrant during Mass, witness marriages, and preside at various liturgical functions (prayer services, vigils, gravesides services etc.) outside of Mass. Eucharist to the Homebound Taking communion to our homebound parishioners on a weekly basis to those who cannot attend mass. Eucharistic Ministers Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are appointed by the pastor and authorized by the bishop to assist at Mass with the distribution of the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ. Events Coordination Committee Faces of Faith This welcoming group conducts a first line of contact with new and existing parishioners. They present monthly, quarterly, as needed, new parishioners meetings to our newly registered parishioners. To serve on this ministry, you should be willing to meet and greet new parishioners before and after masses. Filipino Community The Filipino Community promotes camaraderie and friendship at the St. Thomas More Church Community by being actively involved in various fund raising activities for the benefit of the St. Thomas More Building Fund. Finance Council Hispanic Community A group of Hispanic and Spanish-speaking parishioners, who have fun, get together and lead many fundraising activities for the parish. Spanish language Mass is scheduled for the 3rd Sunday of the Month at 2:00 pm. 2/10/2016 Page 1 STM Ministries Italian Catholic Federation A family oriented organization dedicated in supporting the needs of the Parish and the less fortunate in the community. ICF welcomes Catholics of all ages and nationalities, keeps alive respect for its members’ heritage, cares for the community by supporting local charities, and is known for its camaraderie, friendship and fun. Junior Legion of Mary Lay apostolic organization at the service of the church, for children ages 12-18. Its purpose is the spiritual development of members. Activities include making rosaries, serving at Mass, sending out spiritual cards and assisting with the Pilgrim Virgin visitations. Knights of Columbus A 120 year old fraternal organization that serves the parish and the priests to promote Catholic family life. They conduct many fundraising events to raise money for the less fortunate and the handicapped. Lectors Lectors proclaim the Word of God at Mass. Lectors are given a scripture workbook with all the readings for the year. In addition, periodic training sessions are given. Legion of Mary The Legion of Mary is an organization of active and devout Catholics united under Mary to say “yes” to Jesus Christ and to forward the apostolic work of the Church. It is involved in evangelization and education about Catholicism and invested in a love for Our Blessed Mother. They meet weekly. Library The library is a resource for all STM parishioners. The collection is available to aid individuals as they broaden their knowledge and understanding of their Catholic faith and deepen their spiritual life. Marriage Case Support Provide resources to assist those whose marriage 1) is in serious trouble (recommended counselors & weekend couple retreats); 2) has resulted in separation or divorce (pertinent seminars, recommended personal counselors, assistance with the Church process that enables marriage in the Church after such an event) Marriage Encounter Marriage Encounter creates the environment for you to revisit your marriage commitment, and provides the opportunity for private growth by encouraging a couple to look deeply into their relationship with one another and with God. Marriage Encounter is for any couple who wants to enhance their marriage. Marriage Preparation Classes (MITL) The Marriage in the Lord (Marriage Preparation) Program is a diocese program for engaged couples who are preparing for a Christian, sacramental marriage. To serve on this ministry, couples must be current STM parishioners married at least 2 years. STM provides these sessions for engaged couples 2 times each year. Meditation More Moms Music Director This Ministry of Song helps to lead the parish family to praise God not only by word but by music. There are many different types of musical groups at St. Thomas More, and all offer something for the great diversity in our parish. Music - Hispanic Mass Music - Mass Saturday 5:30pm & Tridentine Mass Music - Mass Sunday 8:00am Music - Mass Sunday 9:30am Music - Mass Sunday 11: 15am Music - Mass Sunday 5:00pm Music - Young Adults Parish Office Manager Pastoral Care Ministry—Meals Pastoral Council The primary task of the Pastoral council is pastoral planning. The planning process involves, identifies and prioritizing the ways in which the parish is being called to live out our mission. Pilgrim Virgin The Pilgrim Virgin statue travels from home to home each week. Our hope is that your family will pray the rosary together daily, strengthening the spiritual life of your family faith community, and bring peace and blessings to your home. “Welcomes” and “farewells” of the statue are normally on Sundays. Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) Provides to adults the knowledge appropriate for supporting a decision to join the Roman Catholic Church and building one’s relationship with God within it. It is appropriate for either adults that have not been baptized, been baptized but not confirmed, or who have been baptized in another Christian denomination. 2/10/2016 Page 2 STM Ministries Religious Education The Religious Education Program at St. Thomas More offers formal classes for young people from Kindergarten through High School Confirmation. We endeavor to work in cooperation with our families and our parish community as partners in the spiritual growth of our youth. Respect Life This ministry organizes events to support various pro-life ministries within the diocese through both financial (Pennies from Heaven) and prayer support (monthly Rosary for Life). We also represent the parish on the diocesan pro-life committee. Serving on this ministry is open to everyone. St. Thomas More Men These men meet on the first Saturday of each month after the 8:00 am mass in the St. Nicholas room. Various members present a spiritual topic for discussion. The goals are fellowship and spiritual growth. St. Thomas More Veterans Our mission is to honor the deceased veterans of the parish. We do this by providing a flag line at funerals, honoring them with a picture on the STM website, and holding a Memorial Day ceremony. We also attend a monthly communion service and raise funds for church charities. St. Thomas More Women This group of women meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month to share ideas, plan and implement various charitable programs for our parish and community. It is a wonderful way to meet new people, enrich your spiritual life and feel a sense of accomplishment by performing good deeds while having fun. St. Vincent de Paul Society Members are men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to individuals in need. We are young and old, wealthy and financially poor; but all are blessed with awareness that our blessings (time, talent or treasure) are to be shared with our brothers and sisters in need. Small Groups Coordinates small groups that discuss the church’s doctrine, bible studies, and Catholic discipleship. Spanish Bible Study This ministry has a morning Bible Study that meets every Monday and an evening study that meets 2-3 times per month. Both are conducted in Spanish. Anyone who speaks fluent Spanish and wants to learn the Bible are welcome to join. The Spanish bible is used. Taize Prayer Taize (tay zay) prayer is a reflective prayer experience offered during Lent. Ushers This group assists the congregation at Mass by greeting people, helping people find a place to sit, passing the collection baskets, selecting of bearers to present the Gifts to the priest at Mass, direction of the congregation during Holy Communion, and handing out the bulletins after Mass. Wedding Coordinator Wedding Music Young Adults A ministry for young adults (18-30 yrs.) focused on maintaining and deepening our connection with Christ and the Sacramental life of Church in the midst of an ever-changing time of life milestones and transitions. Young Ladies Institute (YLI) These women participate in charitable, spiritual, and cultural activities. Their purpose is to help others in our organization, church, and community. Activities include aiding seminarians, Right to Life baby showers for unwed mothers, blessed candles, lunches for the homeless and aid to YLI members. Youth Ministry/Life Teen A Eucharist-based ministry that seeks to lead high school teens closer to Christ, and transform the culture that we live in. Among many events, we consistently seek to engage teens at our Sunday 5pm Youth Mass followed by our weekly Life Night gatherings. We cover everything from fun & games, to small group discussions, to Adoration & worship. 2/10/2016 Page 3