Ways to Serve

Faith Formation

helping ensure the faith

Seeds Prayer Leader

Using the Lectionary-based Seeds materials, prayer leaders serve in teams of two while ministering to a group of 3, 4 and 5 year olds during Sunday Mass. The leaders present age-appropriate activities based on the week’s reading that include stories, music and art. An initial training session is provided as well as yearly renewal sessions. The time commitment is approximately once a month, depending upon schedules and number of prayer leaders. Any parish member who is high school age or older is welcome.

Interested in serving as a Seeds Prayer Leader?

Contact Cheryl Taylor

Faith Formation Catechist

Catechists serve in teams of two, helping guide children in grades K-8 on their faith journey using the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies series of materials. An initial training session is provided as well as yearly renewal sessions. The time commitment is approximately two hours most Wednesday evenings from September through May. Any parish member high school age or older is welcome.

Interested in serving as a catechist?

Contact Cheryl Taylor

Faith Formation Commission

Members of this commission work with our Faith Formation Pastoral Associate to reflect on and guide the parish’s Faith Formation ministries and seek to ensure the faithful implementation of the parish’s strategic plan in these areas.

Interested in joining the Faith Formation Commission?

Contact Bill Nolan

Protecting Children and Vulnerable Adults

The Church of St. Thomas the Apostle has a long and dedicated history of providing a variety of ministries to meet the many needs of the parish community. The value of parish ministries has also included the unwavering expectation that they take place in a safe and healthy environment grounded in respect for the dignity of all persons participating. In keeping with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, all parish employees as well as all adult volunteer ministers who interact with minors or vulnerable adults must complete what the Archdiocese calls the Essential 3:

1. Background check

2. Safe Environment training (including VIRTUS)

3. Signing a Code of Conduct.

These requirements must be renewed every three years.

Ministers younger than 18 who work with children must sign a Youth Code of Conduct and provide two written references from trustworthy adults attesting to their character and dependability for their ministry position. Completing a VIRTUS training is recommended but not required.

In addition, in the event that an incident of abuse is known or suspected, all parish staff and volunteers are committed to fully comply with reporting expectations of both civil and Archdiocesan authorities. Contact us for more information about the Essential 3.