Parish Activities

During Advent, the ladies of St. Thomas More gather for an evening of socializing and reflection.  String musicians provide music.  Food and beverages are served at this Youth Group sponsored event. 

Every other year St. Thomas More hosts a week long Bible Camp for Children.  The camp offers approximately 200 children a fun filled experience of faith and creative learning using drama, song, crafts, and games.  A puppet theatre presentation kicks off camp activities; another puppet production closes the camp activities.   

Scripture study is essential to understanding the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Faith. St. Thomas More offers small group opportunities for Bible Study ranging from fundamental understanding through advanced appreciation of the Bible.

All parishioners are invited to inquire about current and future studies. We are happy to program a Bible Study that will satisfy the scheduling needs of any group.

Call the Religious Education Office for more details.  

Everyone loves Christmas.  Christmas offers us the opportunity to enjoy the spirit of giving.  Nothing is more rewarding than giving to those less fortunate.  During Advent “Giving Trees” are placed in the Gathering Area of the Church.  These trees are filled with names and gift ideas offering parishioners the opportunity to purchase a gift for those less fortunate. 

These gifts are sorted and packaged up for delivery to families just in time for Christmas.  These gifts, purchased by parishioners, help to make Christmas brighter for those less fortunate. 

“When I was naked, you clothed me.”  Twice a year our St. Vincent de Paul sponsors a clothing drive.  Parishioners are invited to donate new or gently used clothing items to St. Vincent de Paul for distribution to those less fortunate.

The Co-op Nursery is the gateway to children’s ministry at St. Thomas More.  Families of children ages six months through three years are invited to become members of the Co-op Nursery.  As a Co-op, families share responsibilities for child care during Mass.  The nursery is a wonderful way for young families to meet, get to know each other and build community at St. Thomas More.

The Nursery is open during the 10:30 a.m. Mass throughout the year. 

Everyone wants to stay young.  Here at St. Thomas More we celebrate the reality of becoming older – and hopefully wiser.  This event is our Decade Birthday Party.  It is celebrated in conjunction with Father Belczak’s birthday.  All are welcome – invitations, however, are sent to highlight those entering into a new decade. This weekday evening begins with a prayer service followed by an ice cream and cake celebration.  We remember that God is the author of life and that every birthday is a celebration of our life in God.  The Decade Birthday Party brings together the young and the old and gives us all the chance to be grateful for the gift of life.  What could be better than that!

Easter brings many delightful thoughts.  Easter celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus.  Popular culture celebrates the Easter Bunny. 

St. Thomas More pays attention to popular culture by having our own Easter Egg Hunt.  We begin Holy Saturday morning with the blessing of Easter Baskets together with a prayer service in the Church.  We follow the blessing of food with our Easter Egg Hunt – outside or inside depending on the weather.  We provide an opportunity for children to participate in an Easter Egg Hunt that will create a memory of their time at St. Thomas More.  Thanksgiving and laughter – two signs of a resurrected life!

Each year St. Thomas More sponsors an Annual Golf Outing for both men and women.  Volunteers organize these events.

During Lent the Youth Group sponsors a “soup supper” for the parish community.  This is a simple meal consisting of bread and a bowl of soup, and a light dessert.  Monies from ticket sales are collected and a donation is given to a local charity.  This yearly event gives families a chance to eat together in a communal setting.  All realize a blessing in gathering for a “common cause.”

St. Thomas More offers “More” Coffee after Mass on Sunday.  This hospitality is hosted by the Ushers.  Everyone is welcome to step into the Social Hall after Mass to enjoy this gathering with fellow parishioners.  Share a cup of “More” Coffee and the opportunity to meet new friends.

On the last Sunday in October we invite parishioners to come together for St. Thomas More’s annual Oktoberfest.  The party begins in the afternoon and lasts until the evening.  Food, drink, and dancing allow everyone to have a good time.  Young and old come together to celebrate.  This celebration marks the end of summer and welcomes the fall.  Again we enjoy the genuine spirit of thanksgiving for all God’s blessings as we move from one season to the next.

This is a fun event – a good time is had by all.

The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday is typically referred to as Fat Tuesday.  Here at St. Thomas More we celebrate Fat Tuesday by serving Paczki, pronounced PUNCH-KEY, after our 9:00 a.m. morning Mass.  These jelly-filled donuts are the last goodies to be enjoyed before the fasting of Lent begins.

Twice a year the Youth Group sponsors a Pancake Breakfast.  The breakfast is generally held in May and November.  Pancakes and sausages, orange juice and coffee are served in our Social Hall.  This Youth Group event is served after all Sunday Masses.  We here at St. Thomas More feel this is a wonderful community building event.

St. Thomas More hosts a family picnic on the first Sunday following Labor Day.
Food, drinks, games, dancing, and fellowship are provided in generous measure.  Everyone is invited to come and have a good time.

The picnic provides an opportunity to bring the parishioners of St. Thomas More together in a wonderful family atmosphere.

Members of St. Thomas More gather on a regular basis to create quilts specifically for an ailing member of the parish. These quilts are blessed at Mass and delivered with prayers and the good wishes of the entire community.

The Youth Group sponsors coffee and donuts once a month from October to May.  We call this “Social Sunday.”  It is held after all the Sunday Masses and draws a large gathering of men, women, and children to enjoy community and fellowship.  All are welcome to “Social Sunday.”

Each year the parishioners of St. Thomas More donate food and monies to our Thanksgiving Drive.  Items are sorted, packed and delivered to needy families to help them enjoy Thanksgiving.

Something “More” is a social and spiritual group of young adults in their twenties and thirties.  Typically this group consists of those living, working, or studying in the area.  Something “More” meets twice a month for fun and faith-filled events.

Perhaps the children are gone from your home; perhaps you have lost a spouse.  Perhaps you would like to connect with people, or perhaps you would like to expand your social activities. 

Young at Heart may be the answer you seek.  This is a group of mature men and women who gather together to enjoy one another socially.  It also offers the opportunity for members to use their time and talent for service to the greater community, should that be of interest. 

Some service opportunities are working at a soup kitchen and sewing blankets for the sick.   Other activities include playing cards and enjoying the many social and cultural activities that exist in the surrounding communities.  As members of St. Thomas More there are plenty of opportunities to stay connected to friends, family, and community.  These members are interested in aging in wisdom and grace before God and yet remain “Young at Heart.”