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St. Tom's desires all visitors to feel welcome and all parishioners to feel connected to our community and grow in their faith. And hospitality is the mission of many St. Tom's ministries, including Greeters and Ushers at Mass, as volunteers to assist at the New Parishioner Welcome events and Funerals, and as caregivers for Child Care that offered at select events.
Below is a brief description of each hospitality role. All volunteers will receive orientation and training and, once trained, can serve as often as they choose.
To join one of our hospitality ministries, please complete the online submission form on this page. Thank you for being a part of our St. Tom's community and for helping others feel included!
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Joyful Greeter
Greeting is one of the simplest yet most important positions in the church. It is one that the whole family can be involved in.
Greeter Role:
- Share a joyful greeting/welcome as each person comes into the church.
- Open a door for each person.
- Lend a helping hand to people as they enter the church when needed.
- Make everyone feel welcome
- Smile, smile, smile. :-)
Expectations:
- Please arrive 15 minutes before Mass starts. Be sure to wear your name tag.
- Remain after Mass to wish everyone well as they leave the church.
- Always be positive.
- Prepare yourself spiritually.
- Be friendly to ALL who enter.
- Be mindful of those that may need extra assistance.
- Try to learn parishioner names. Everyone wants to feel valued and knowing someone's name makes them feel special.
- Commit to serving as a joyful greeter individually or as a family for at least one semester and once a month.
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Usher
Ushering is an individual role that does behind the scenes work to help the Mass run smoothly.
Role:
- Greet each parishioner as they enter the Church and ensure that they have a place to sit, even if they are a few minutes late.
- Make sure the collection baskets are emptied at the end of each Mass and placed back on the altar for the next Mass (and put away after 9:00 p.m. Mass)
- Make sure there are enough weekly bulletins at each door.
- Make sure the individuals or family assigned to take up the gifts are present and ask if they have any questions.
- Assist other ministries in making sure that all aspects of the Mass run smoothly.
Expectations:
- Please arrive at least 20 minutes before the Mass starts and stay after Mass to ensure that things are in order for the next Mass or put away following 9:00 p.m. Sunday Mass.
- Commit to serving as an usher for a minimum of one semester and once per month.
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New Parishioner Welcome
The New Parishioner Welcome Ministry offers three Welcome Events each year and pairs new student and resident parishioners with current parishioners to acclimate them to the St. Tom’s community. The Welcome Event includes brief presentations by students and staff, light refreshments, and a tour of St. Toms. Child care is provided by the Child Care Ministry.
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Funeral Dinners
The Funeral Ministry offers a light lunch and a forum for families and friends to gather following the funeral. Ministry members coordinate the food and set up, host, and clean up the lunch in Newman Hall.
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Child Care Ministry
Attending events and faith formation programs can be a challenge for parents with young children. St. Tom’s Child Care Ministry provides care for parishioners’ children during St. Tom's events and programs, such as:
- SYCAMORE, held on Friday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. includes dinner, presentations, and small group discussions.
- YOUNG PARENTS MONTHLY DINNER takes place on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. and includes dinner and social time.
- NEW PARISHIONER WELCOME RECEPTION occurs in late September and in January and April from 12:30 to 2:30 pm.
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