Parish Service Ministries
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Parish & Community Service Ministries
Arts and EnvironmentLord, as we gather here we remember that all we have in this world is first a gift from you that requires the collaboration of human hands. Thank you for all those who offer their time and talents, joining in our ministry of bringing healing, hope, and compassion to all those in need. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Arts and Environment reflect our recognition of the wonder of the Lord’s real presence in our midst. This ministry honors our sacred space and enhances our liturgical experiences through seasonal planning and decorating of the church, creating visual effects, and maintaining the physical interior of the church. They care for the plants in the Church with teams of two watering the plants several times per year. Participation may include a one-time project or an ongoing interest reflecting your personal talents. For more information, contact Lois Wiedenhoeft at (925) 525-7347.
Bridge Ministry
Volunteers with this ministry assist with feeding lunch to the homeless in downtown Knoxville on the 1st Saturday and 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. The St. Thomas volunteer group assists with serving and is overseen by the Bridge Ministry under the umbrella of Catholic Charities or KARM. Signup sheets for each serving option are used to allow volunteers to select when they want to serve. For additional information regarding this ministry, contact Peg Lord at 303-621-6996 or Warren Hunt at 724-759-0211.
Catholic Prison Ministry (Men)
A priest and parishioners minister to inmates at the Morgan County Correctional Complex (Wartburg, TN) in the prison, providing religious education, faith formation classes, prayer, and Bible studies. Mass is celebrated, and confessions are heard twice a month. For additional information regarding this ministry, contact Michael Kelly at 703-577-5859 or via email at [email protected]
Church Grounds
Volunteers assist with various aspects of the Saint Thomas the Apostle campus, primarily landscaping, etc., throughout the campus. For more information, contact Randy Tarpley at 865-986-9885, Ext. 122 or via email at [email protected]
Council of Catholic Women (CCW)
The focus of the group is to educate, empower, and support the women of the parish in spiritual growth, leadership, and service based upon gospel values and the needs of the church and society in the modern world. Fellowship, spiritual retreats, and service opportunities are offered to all women of the parish. For more information on how you can participate in this ministry, contact Teri Cleary at 570-606-7015 or via email at [email protected]
Food Service Support Ministry
This ministry provides support to parish events through preparing and serving food. Teams are organized from a master list of volunteers based on the specific event's needs. No prior experience in food preparation or service is required. Each team works on four events per year, with no more than an hour and a half allocated per event. For more information regarding this ministry, contact Duane Baumert via email at [email protected] or Larry Elder at 865-441-5037.
Friendship Kitchen
In cooperation with other area churches, this ministry prepares and delivers meals to the poor, disabled, and elderly of Loudon County. Meals are prepared in the Parish Life Center kitchen, packaged, and delivered by parishioners once a month on the second Monday. There are several teams, with each team helping three to four times a year. For additional information on how you can help in this ministry, contact Keith Mutschler at 443-340-0892 or via email at [email protected]
Funeral Planning/Bereavement
This ministry assists families with church-related funeral planning arrangements, including selecting Mass readings, arranging music, and coordinating church logistics. For more information about this ministry, contact Pat Meyer at 630-842-2225.
Good Samaritan Center
This organization assists Loudon County residents, including but not limited to, with food, utility bills, gasoline, prescription medication, emergency housing, limited medical and educational support, budgeting, GED (high school equivalency) preparation, and language services. If interested in participating in this ministry, contact Evelyn Edwards at 865-986-1777 Ext. 12 or via email at [email protected]
KAIROS Prison (Men)
“Inside” volunteers from Christian churches in the local area do missions twice a year and subsequent follow-up visits to share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ with incarcerated men and women in prisons. The goal is to help them become loving and productive family and community members. “Outside” volunteers help with prayer vigils, bake cookies, etc. For more information regarding this ministry, contact Stu McFadden at 865-458-3911 or via email at [email protected]
KAIROS Prison (Women)
“Inside” volunteers from Christian churches in the local area do missions twice a year and subsequent follow-up visits to share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ with incarcerated men and women in prisons. The goal is to help them become loving and productive family and community members. “Outside” volunteers help with prayer vigils, bake cookies, etc. For more information regarding this ministry, contact Donna Maloney at 865-312-0368 or via email at [email protected]
Kitchen/Funeral Reception
Serves food/hosts small receptions for families in the Family Life Center after funeral Masses. This is often on short notice. For additional information regarding this ministry, contact Robin Whitson at 865-924-9603 or via email at [email protected]
Knights of Columbus, Council 12633
The Fr. Savoca Council at Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish serves parish ministries, sponsors events, and helps w
ith special projects. They support our clergy, fund parish equipment, assist in events for our youth, and help the less fortunate. You can learn about our KofC Council on our Website,
https://uknight.org/CouncilSite/?CNO=12633, or email Robert Kolasa, Grand Knight, at [email protected] or Patrick Leverick, Deputy Grand Knight, at [email protected] for additional information. You can also scan the QR code.
Lawn Cutting Ministry
A dedicated group of volunteers who love working outdoors care for the parish's lawns and landscaping areas. The volunteers are divided into several teams, each assigned on a rotating monthly schedule to operate mowers, trimmers, and blowers. We use several mowers, including zero-turn riding, commercial wide-area, and walk-behind trim mowers. Other volunteers are involved in various landscaping projects around the campus. We have a variety of trees, plants, and flowers that require planting and trimming, and each spring our landscaped areas are covered with fresh mulch. We also have a 22-zone irrigation system that provides water for our lawns and gardens. Our volunteers maintain this system by replacing sprinkler heads when needed, repairing leaks, adjusting spray patterns, setting irrigation schedules, and winterizing the system each fall. You can volunteer with this Ministry by contacting Larry Elder at 865-441-5037.
Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos – NPH
The Child Sponsorship Program connects parishioners with individual children living in NPH residential care facilities or with families providing financial support to help with nutritious food, clothing, medical care, education, and a safe place to live. Sponsors can bond with their sponsored child through mail and personal visits. Many Saint Thomas the Apostle parishioners support NPH El Salvador through fundraising, personal visits, or promoting the mission of NPH.org. For more information on this Ministry, contact Jan McFadden at 865-458-3911 or via email at [email protected].
Rosary Makers
This group repairs and makes cord- and chain-type rosaries for the parish, special events (e.g., first holy communion and confirmation), and parish-related ministries. The rosaries and related materials are free, and training is provided. Rosary makers work from home and have periodic meetings at the Parish Life Family Center. For more information on how you can participate in this ministry, contact Pam Geoghegan at 321-482-9668 or via email at [email protected]
Safety and Security
The Saint Thomas Safety and Security Ministry's mission is to provide for all the overall safety, health and welfare of our parish family and community during their participation in our church-sponsored activities and events, including our parish's faith formation and outreach initiatives. For more information regarding this ministry, contact John Merrill at 865-696-5906 or at [email protected]
Saint Vincent de Paul Society
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers an opportunity to put faith into action. The ministry is dedicated to the spiritual growth of all its members and to serving the needy and suffering in person-to-person service. Vincentian volunteers provide short-term assistance to individuals in need (rent, utility, food, clothing, diapers, emergency shelter) of all faiths in the local community. They also help pregnant women and moms through Rosalie’s Helping Hands; facilitate the Lenoir City North Middle School backpack food program; facilitate the monthly parish food drive; and partner with other community agencies to further services to those in need. Volunteers visit individuals in two-person teams and have a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Training is provided. Parishioners interested in SVDP may contact Andy Flad at 630-240-6111 or at [email protected].
Set-Up Ministry
The Saint Thomas Set-up Ministry sets up the Parish Family Life Center for events. This ministry works with all of the ministries at Saint Thomas to provide a service of table arrangement, audio-visual requirements, etc. To learn more about the Set-Up Ministry, contact Pete Kilmartin at 269-806-5214.
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry provides one-on-one care, focused on active listening, prayer, and shared Scripture reading to those experiencing a difficult time in life. These life circumstances might include grief, death, divorce, job loss, chronic/terminal illness, relocation, or geographical separation. Significant training is needed and provided to become a Stephen Minister. To learn more about Stephen Ministry, contact Tom Ringenbach at 865-458-0915.
Welcome Committee
One of the goals of Saint Thomas the Apostle is to be a welcoming faith community by helping new parishioners assimilate into the parish. New parishioners are welcomed and provided information about various faith formation programs, ministries, spiritual and social event offerings, and church buildings/facilities/grounds so they feel at home in the parish. Volunteers call or reach out to our new parishioners. To learn more about this ministry, reach out to Tim Geoghegan at 321-482-1413 or via email at [email protected]. You can also contact Pam Geoghegan at 321-482-9668 or via email at [email protected]
Widow’s Support Group
This ministry is for those who have experienced a recent or past loss of a loved one and provides encouragement and companionship to its members. They discuss topics that relate to individuals’ grief journeys, plan outings in or outside of the church, and volunteer. They meet monthly. For more information on how you can serve in this Ministry, contact Angela Wichlinski at 865-567-6002 or via email [email protected]