Worship Commission

Worship and Spiritual Growth

The Mass, our Eucharistic liturgy, is at the center of parish life. From that celebration we go out into the world to spread the Good News and to live the Word that has been proclaimed. We are nourished at the table; we are strengthened by the sharing of the Body and Blood of Christ in Eucharist. That Liturgy is described as "the work of the people," and here at St. Thomas Aquinas Church it is visibly true at every celebration. Our average attendance at weekend Masses is 1700, and there is a team of 20 liturgical ministers for each of those gatherings.

At St. Thomas Aquinas over 300 students and resident parishioners volunteer as Communion Ministers, Hospitality Team, Lectors and Sacristans. There are sixty musicians who lead us at the weekend and Thursday Night Liturgies. There is an Environment Committee and those who help with the special Advent/Christmas and Holy Week/Easter setting, bread bakers, sacristy helpers, secretarial support staff, volunteer computer scheduling, and maintenance of the Worship and Gathering Space. All liturgical ministers and musicians are welcomed, invited, trained and participate so that those who come to pray and sing in this place will find our liturgies prayerful and uplifting.

The Worship Commission and Liturgy Planning Group involves the chairpersons for all of the liturgical ministries as well as a representative of the Charismatic Prayer Group and meets alternately throughout the year to promote the spiritual life of the parish. Paul Brown is the Chairperson for the Commission this year (2006). There is a student peer minister who works with the Liturgy and Music Coordinator in drawing the students into the life of the parish and the liturgical life of the parish. Each and everyone of these people bring their unique gifts and contribute to making our worship the expression of our faith as a community. The invitation is always open for others to join in contributing to the liturgical life of St. Thomas Aquinas, that center and "summit toward which the activity of all the Church is directed....the font from which all flows."