Parish Life

This ministry offers support both at the time of and following the death of a loved one.

Committee members assist families in:

• planning the funeral liturgy,
• serving a lunch after the funeral and
• providing education on grief and loss.

In addition, each year the Bereavement Ministry holds a Day of Remembrance on All Soul's Day, November 2. Those who have lost a family member in the previous year are encouraged to attend to pray and share memories together.

During November, the Bereavement ministry sets out books that deal with sickness, death, and grieving for parishioners' benefit.

The Bereavement committee meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. New members are always welcome and needed.

If you are interested in serving on this critical ministry, please contact Lynn Lanning, Chair, at: 515-231-7549 or via email:  [email protected]  

Is it more than just a time to chat?  Yes. We believe this is a valuable time to build community and to share what’s going on in our lives while we enjoy refreshments together. Our tradition has been to serve coffee, doughnuts, milk and juice between the 8:30 and 10:30 am Sunday masses.

Volunteers take turns setting up the coffee and other items and cleaning up afterward.

All are encouraged to donate toward the cost of the food to keep this ministry viable.

The current coordinators of this fun ministry are Ray Bratsch-Prince and Michael Dempsey. Please watch for sign-up sheets so that you can take your turn in the breakfast nook. You may also contact Ray - [email protected] or Michael at: [email protected]

Surprise Sundays!

On the second Sunday each month, we’re having “Surprise Sundays,” where we’ll serve items brought in by parishioners instead of purchased doughnuts.

What items should you donate? Easy to serve foods, such as:

Bananas, grapes, strawberries, clementines, string cheese, muffins, bagels, banana bread, coffee cake, cookies, cupcakes or ….doughnuts. Bring whatever you would like to bring.

Our kitchen is a hub of activity. We use it for:

• Sunday Coffee and Doughnuts after the 8:30 am Mass
• Whole Parish Catechesis Suppers
• Luncheons after funerals
• First Communion celebrations
• Confirmation and Easter Vigil receptions
• Wine and Wisdom events
• Pancake breakfasts and study breaks
• Lenten soup lunches
• Lenten fish fries put on by the Knights of Columbus.

We have a complete kitchen stocked with dishes, silverware, paper goods and serving dishes and utensils of all sorts. In addition we have a beverage nook that is used to serve coffee, tea or whatever drinks are on the agenda for the event.

Charlotte Dougherty is the coordinator of our kitchen and she is responsible for keeping it stocked and ensuring that all the equipment is running efficiently. If you have questions about the kitchen, you may contact Charlotte at: 515-290-1201.

There is no charge to use the facilities for parish sponsored events.

If you would like to schedule an event that will use the kitchen, please contact Bobby LeBlanc, STA Business Manager: 292-3810 or email him at: [email protected].

If a group not affiliated with St. Thomas would like to use the kitchen or lower lounge, there will likely be a deposit of at least $100 and a requirement to provide a Certificate of Liability Insurance. Again, please contact Bobby LeBlanc who will guide you to the necessary forms.

No events are being planned until New Coordinators are identified.

Contact Fr. Kyle if interested in the ministry.

Are you a prayer angel?

• If you wake up and your first thought is “Good Morning God, instead of “good grief, it’s morning,” then you must be a prayer angel.
• If you say a quick prayer when you see an ambulance or fire truck, then you must be a prayer angel.
• If you ask God what you should pray about when you can’t sleep at night, then you are a prayer angel.
• If you send up a quick prayer when someone’s name pops into your head unexpectedly, then you must be a prayer angel.
• If you take time to pray before meals, even in restaurants, then you must be a prayer angel.
• If you think of the majesty of God when you gaze upon mountains or lakes, then you must be a prayer angel.

The mission of the prayer network is simply to lift up those in need of prayer.

The prayer network is made up of people who love to pray and know the power of prayer. Some say rosaries; others create their own prayers. Some come to daily Mass or stop in at Adoration, others get up early to spend time with God, or seek Him late at night.

Do you know someone (parishioner or not) who would appreciate and could use our prayers?  The Prayer Network is made up of many people who have pledged to pray for special intentions. We ask that the person who is being prayed for has given their permission for the information to be shared.

If you would like to be part of the Prayer Network – or if you need to request prayers, please email [email protected] or call the parish office.