Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church

Liturgy

Greeters/Ushers - greet and assist the parishioners as they assemble before the liturgy begins, and assist with the collection during the preparation of the gifts.

Lay Eucharistic Ministers - assist the priest in the distribution of the Eucharist at Sunday and weekday liturgies.

Eucharist to the Sick - distribute the Eucharist to those who are unable to attend Mass.

Choir - singers and instrumentalists who lead the music during the Mass. The choir consists of youth, college, and adult members who rehearse weekly and have special rehearsals for the feast day liturgies.

Children's Liturgy of the Word - a program during the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass, which gives a liturgical experience to young people to enable them to learn and participate more fully, They gather for the sharing of the Word, and return to the main assembly to share in the Liturgy of the Eucharist with their families.

Acolytes - serve the worshiping community by assisting the priest during Mass.

Floral - the scheduling of the floral arrangements for the sanctuary and other areas of the church including chapel and entrance. A weekly calendar is located in the vestibule.

Decoration of the Liturgical Space - volunteers decorate our sacred space for the special celebrations and for the liturgical seasons.

Child Care - a service provided to care for infants to age four during the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass. The nursery is located in the St. Francis Building.

Transportation - provides for the pick-up and drop-off of anyone unable to come to Mass due to the lack of transportation.

Community Life

Welcome Committee - this ministry is to share information about St. Thomas Aquinas Parish with new parishioners.

Seniors Group - this group gathers for First Friday Mass with meeting/breakfast afterward. Social events to be announced in the bulletin.

Supper Club - this group plans a monthly night out for adult fellowship, usually taking place at a local restaurant.

Women's Guild - provides opportunities for women to meet one another, explore social, spiritual, and service needs of our parish.

Men's Guild - provides the opportunity for men to serve and support the needs of our parish community.

St. Thomas Quilters - this group meets in the St. Thomas Building on Thursday mornings. Anyone interested in quilting, sewing, or crafts is welcome.

Volunteer Ministry - assists in visiting the homebound, those recuperating from hospitalization and those in nursing homes.

Bereavement - provides meals to families following funeral services.

Hospitality - coffee and doughnuts are served after the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday for all to enjoy. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

Youth Basketball - youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join boys/girls basketball league.

Socials - picnics, potlucks, dances, etc. are offered throughout the year and are sponsored by different organizations in the Church community.

Association of Catholic Tech Students (ACTS) - Louisiana Tech students belong to this organization to continue education in faith; to enrich spiritual life; to provide supportive, Christian environment; to help new students' transition into Tech life and to give students a place to study, pray, and socialize.

Dollar Lunch - a lunch is provided to students for $1.00 every Wednesday during the academic quarter. Volunteers from the parish prepare and serve the meals.

Social Concern/National Organizations

St. Vincent de Paul - a network of women and men who serve those in need of food, clothing, or rent and utilities assistance in our neighborhood and parish community. Volunteers are needed for home visits. Advocacy training is provided.

Right to Life - an organization that creates public awareness concerning the right to life, from conception until natural death.

Christian Community Action - our parish supports this community program by monthly monetary contributions and periodical contributions of food and clothing.

Adopt-a-Student - families of the parish "adopt" Louisiana Tech students for the period of time they are attending school. The families provide support as needed to their student.

Knights of Columbus - is an international society of more than one and a half million men, plus their families in more than ten thousand councils who have dedicated themselves to the ideals of Columbianism: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. Membership in the Knights of Columbus is opened to practicing Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who shall not be less than 18 years of age on their last birthday.

Squires - a service organization for boys 12-18 sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

Education/Faith Formation

Library - provides resources for spiritual growth and understanding of our everyday faith.

Adult Education - classes are taught by the Pastor and various parishioners in the Church. Subject matter changes weekly. See the bulletin for times and days.

Greco - adult classes on various subjects offered by the Diocese of Shreveport taking place at area churches. See the bulletin for more information.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) - fosters and supports the journey for those preparing to join the Catholic Church. The RICA process offers an overview of our Catholic faith and sharing of individual faith. Parishioners are also invited to attend. Celebrating the completion at the Easter Vigil Mass.

RCIC - for children interested in joining the Catholic Church. Celebrating the Baptism of children ages four and older at the Easter Vigil Mass.

Parish School of Religion (PSR) - serving grades pre-school age 3 through grade 12. Teachers use scripture, outlined lesson plans, ritual and the Catholic Faith Tradition as resources to teach our youth how to the Catholic Faith. This includes preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Conformation as a part of its curriculum. Classes meet weekly on Sunday mornings for one hour, after the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday.

Baptism Preparation - this Sacrament is celebrated by appointment. Classes for parents take place with the priest. Parents are asked to sign a declaration that the child will be raised in the Catholic Faith.

Marriage Preparation - a program consisting of meetings with a married couple within the parish, the FOCUS questionnaire and a meeting with the priest.

Retreats - retreats will be announced in the bulletin as they are scheduled for adults, youth, and college students. The Christ Renews His Parish program is available for adult members.




	Liturgy Greeters/Ushers - greet and assist the parishioners as they assemble before the liturgy begins, and assist with the collection during the preparation of the gifts. Lay Eucharistic Ministers - assist the priest in the distribution of the Eucharist at Sunday and weekday liturgies. Eucharist to the Sick - distribute the Eucharist to those who are unable to attend Mass. Choir - singers and instrumentalists who lead the music during the Mass. The choir consists of youth, college, and adult members who rehearse weekly and have special rehearsals for the feast day liturgies. Children's Liturgy of the Word - a program during the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass, which gives a liturgical experience to young people to enable them to learn and participate more fully, They gather for the sharing of the Word, and return to the main assembly to share in the Liturgy of the Eucharist with their families. Acolytes - serve the worshiping community by assisting the priest during Mass. Floral - the scheduling of the floral arrangements for the sanctuary and other areas of the church including chapel and entrance. A weekly calendar is located in the vestibule. Decoration of the Liturgical Space - volunteers decorate our sacred space for the special celebrations and for the liturgical seasons. Child Care - a service provided to care for infants to age four during the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass. The nursery is located in the St. Francis Building. Transportation - provides for the pick-up and drop-off of anyone unable to come to Mass due to the lack of transportation. Community Life Welcome Committee - this ministry is to share information about St. Thomas Aquinas Parish with new parishioners. Seniors Group - this group gathers for First Friday Mass with meeting/breakfast afterward. Social events to be announced in the bulletin. Supper Club - this group plans a monthly night out for adult fellowship, usually taking place at a local restaurant. Women's Guild - provides opportunities for women to meet one another, explore social, spiritual, and service needs of our parish. Men's Guild - provides the opportunity for men to serve and support the needs of our parish community. St. Thomas Quilters - this group meets in the St. Thomas Building on Thursday mornings. Anyone interested in quilting, sewing, or crafts is welcome. Volunteer Ministry - assists in visiting the homebound, those recuperating from hospitalization and those in nursing homes. Bereavement - provides meals to families following funeral services. Hospitality - coffee and doughnuts are served after the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday for all to enjoy. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Youth Basketball - youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join boys/girls basketball league. Socials - picnics, potlucks, dances, etc. are offered throughout the year and are sponsored by different organizations in the Church community. Association of Catholic Tech Students (ACTS) - Louisiana Tech students belong to this organization to continue education in faith; to enrich spiritual life; to provide supportive, Christian environment; to help new students' transition into Tech life and to give students a place to study, pray, and socialize. Dollar Lunch - a lunch is provided to students for $1.00 every Wednesday during the academic quarter. Volunteers from the parish prepare and serve the meals. Social Concern/National Organizations St. Vincent de Paul - a network of women and men who serve those in need of food, clothing, or rent and utilities assistance in our neighborhood and parish community. Volunteers are needed for home visits. Advocacy training is provided. Right to Life - an organization that creates public awareness concerning the right to life, from conception until natural death. Christian Community Action - our parish supports this community program by monthly monetary contributions and periodical contributions of food and clothing. Adopt-a-Student - families of the parish "adopt" Louisiana Tech students for the period of time they are attending school. The families provide support as needed to their student. Knights of Columbus - is an international society of more than one and a half million men, plus their families in more than ten thousand councils who have dedicated themselves to the ideals of Columbianism: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. Membership in the Knights of Columbus is opened to practicing Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who shall not be less than 18 years of age on their last birthday. Squires - a service organization for boys 12-18 sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Education/Faith Formation Library - provides resources for spiritual growth and understanding of our everyday faith. Adult Education - classes are taught by the Pastor and various parishioners in the Church. Subject matter changes weekly. See the bulletin for times and days. Greco - adult classes on various subjects offered by the Diocese of Shreveport taking place at area churches. See the bulletin for more information. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) - fosters and supports the journey for those preparing to join the Catholic Church. The RICA process offers an overview of our Catholic faith and sharing of individual faith. Parishioners are also invited to attend. Celebrating the completion at the Easter Vigil Mass. RCIC - for children interested in joining the Catholic Church. Celebrating the Baptism of children ages four and older at the Easter Vigil Mass. Parish School of Religion (PSR) - serving grades pre-school age 3 through grade 12. Teachers use scripture, outlined lesson plans, ritual and the Catholic Faith Tradition as resources to teach our youth how to the Catholic Faith. This includes preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Conformation as a part of its curriculum. Classes meet weekly on Sunday mornings for one hour, after the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday. Baptism Preparation - this Sacrament is celebrated by appointment. Classes for parents take place with the priest. Parents are asked to sign a declaration that the child will be raised in the Catholic Faith. Marriage Preparation - a program consisting of meetings with a married couple within the parish, the FOCUS questionnaire and a meeting with the priest. Retreats - retreats will be announced in the bulletin as they are scheduled for adults, youth, and college students. The Christ Renews His Parish program is available for adult members.