Parish Family Life: Spiritual and Sacramental

Pre-Cana for engaged couples

Bereavement ministry

Ministry to the sick

Prayer Network

Marriage growth

Infant Baptism

Spiritual reading

A Pre-Cana weekend is designed to help engaged couples gain a better understanding of the Sacrament of Marriage. Several married couples and a priest give talks on a wide variety of topics with the goal of building a strong enduring marriage.

Upcoming sessions at St. Thomas are scheduled from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Saturdays and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sundays on the weekends of::

• Jan. 26-27, 2008
• Feb. 23-24, 2008
• April 12-13, 2008
• May 31-June 1, 2008

Call 515-292-3810 or stop by the parish office for a registration form. Registrations are due two weeks in advance.

Bereavement ministry strives to:

• Support families at the time of and after the death of a loved one.
• Assist families in planning the funeral liturgies - Vigil, Mass, and Committal.
• Provide a lunch for families and friends after the funeral.
• Include parishioners in offering hospitality to grieving families at the funeral and by serving and clean-up after lunches.
• Provide education in the areas of grief and loss, and offer ongoing companionship after a loss.
• Offer a "Remembering in Prayer" service on All Soul's Day for all relatives and friends who have died in the past year, followed by a soup and bread meal after the service for all parishioners.
• Assist parishioners who have lost a loved one or who are facing a terminal illness, loss of a relationship, loss of expectations, or loss of a job.
• Provide "You Are Not Alone" support. A member of the Bereavement Ministry is available on the first Sunday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the Bethany Room to provide suport to those coping with loss and grief.

AT HOME - Each week, trained, prayerful, and compassionate Communion ministers visit shut-ins in their homes to visit, pray, and give them Communion.

If or when you need this service, please call the parish office, 515-292-3810.

IN THE HOSPITAL - Every day of the week, a trained, prayerful Communion minister or a priest from St. Cecilia's or St. Thomas visits, prays with and brings Communion to all Catholics at Mary Greeley.

In the hospital and want a visit? When you are admitted, register as a "Catholic and open to a pastor visit." That is the only way a minister to the sick knows you are there.

Please call STA when a family member is in the hospital so we can make sure they are visited. Tell us whether the person wishes to be remembered in prayer at Mass or in the Prayer Network.

"With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit." (Ephesians 6:18)

In need of prayer support?

• For yourself?
• For another?

The Prayer Network comprises parishioners of STA who have committed themselves to pray specifically for persons when a need is presented.

When a need arises, call the parish office, and within a few hours, 40 to 50 people will be praying for that person or family.

If you want to be on the list of people who are called to pray for others, please call the office.

A team of 5-6 married couples and a spiritual advisor gather for a monthy meal, prayer and discussion to enable pariticpants to enrich their marriage and develop a spiritual intimacy.

Baptism of infants is usually celebrated at Sunday Mass several times a year. At least one parent must be registered at STA, be an active practicing Catholic, and attend a preparation session. A meal for family and friends following the Baptism is prepared and served by past baptism families.

Contact S. Lorraine at lorraine@STAparish.net or 515-292-3810 for dates and times of upcoming preparation sessions and scheduled Baptisms. Preparation sessions are usually held 3-4 weeks prior to the Baptism. Upcoming Celebrations of Baptism include the following:

• Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008, 10:30 a.m. Mass
• Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, 8:30 a.m. Mass
• Ascension, May 4, 2008, 10:30 a.m. Mass

Looking for good spiritual reading for yourself and your children? STA belongs to "Paulist Book Services," which provides quality books at discounted prices. We receive 7-8 new titles each month.

Check out the book rack at the north end of the garden pathway. If you find something you like, use the envelope inside and put it in the collection or bring it to the office.