Parish Family Life: Community

Coffee & Donuts

Stone Soup Suppers

MOMS

Parents of Young Children

Young Adults

Adopt a Student

Widows and widowers

All-parish events

Join other STA parishioners after the 8:30 a.m. Mass (or come early for the 10:30 a.m. Mass) in the Lowser Lounge for coffee, donuts, juice, milk or hot chocolate, plus visiting and fun for all persons of all ages.

Volunteers take turns serving and cleaning up.

When the cold winds blow, we have Stone Soup Suppers!

In the Russian folk tale, "Stone Soup," three soldiers tramping home across Russia seek food and hospitality in a small village. As each person gives a little, strangers become friends and enjoy a delicious meal.

In February and March, STA parishioners host a simple meal in their homes and prepare the soup. Attendees bring salads, desserts, and bread. In coming together, strangers become friends.

Watch for sign-ups in late January.

Mothers gather regularly to pray, share stories and become spiritually enriched. MOMS groups are a great source of support, community and affirmation.

New groups are formed as needed. Materials and leaders are provided.

Parents of children from birth to 7 years old support one another in family life and parenting through social and religious activities such as:

• Ice Cream Social each September
• Hayride at a pumpkin patch in early October
• Halloween/All Saints party in late October
• Advent Wreath party at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in the Lower Lounge
• Epiphany party at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, in the Lower Lounge
• Pre-Lent party at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, in the Lower Lounge
• Easter Egg Hunt at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, March 30, 2008
• Ice Cream Social at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, 2008

Interested in helping with PYC events? Contact S. Lorraine at or lorraine@STAparish.net or 515-292-3810.

Young adults in their 20s and 30s gather to serve, pray, learn, socialize and share their faith together.

If you are interested in being part of this group or want to learn about upcoming events, contact Misty Heinen at misty@staparish.net or call 515-292-3810.

The Adopt a Student program is designed to bring resident and student parishioners together in informal ways to help new students feel more at home at STA.

Student/family activities may include a meal together, phone calls, remembering birthdays and holidays, or another activity of mutual choosing.

If you are interested in adopting a student or being "adopted," contact Judy Amfahr at jjamfahr@mchsi.com or 515-292-9433, or Gail or Russ Scott at russscott@hotmail.com or 515-597-2915.

Widows and widowers meet regularly for food, friendship and support. If interested, call Pat Post, 515-292-8060, or Ellen Hadwiger, 515-292-5550.

Come celebrate the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas on Sunday, January 27, 2008. An all-parish potluck will be held at 5:00 p.m. in the Lower Lounge. Watch the Bulletin for details.