Parish Ministries and Committees
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Art and Environment CommitteeThe mission of the Art & Environment Committee is to visually create a worship space that reflects the themes of the liturgical seasons through the use of color, fabric, flowers/plants, banners, lighting, statuary, sacred images and many original elements and to enhance the holiness of the ministry celebrated there. The character and beauty of the worship space should reflect a feeling of mystery and hospitality, enhancing the celebration and inspiring the assembly in prayer.
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
We need those gifted in design, carpentry, sewing, floral arranging, electrical, and mostly those who just want to participate in the beautification of our worship space.
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Athletic BoostersThe St. Thomas More Athletic Boosters foster the physical development of the parish student-athlete in an environment governed by Catholic teaching and emphasizing sportsmanship, fair play, respect, discipline, and fellowship.
Elections are held annually for the following positions: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Athletic Director, & Marketing Director. Meetings are held monthly (first Monday of the month); meeting times are announced the Sunday bulletin. The Athletic Director appoints volunteers for one year terms for the following positions: Football, Boys Baseball, Girls Softball, Volleyball, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Track and Spirit Squad Co-coordinators.
All boys and girls (grades 3-8) who are enrolled in our school or the Parish School of Religion are eligible to participate in St. Thomas More’s athletic programs. The Football, Spirit Squad and Track Teams take children in K-8. Any member of the parish can become a member of the Boosters. To be considered for a coaching position, candidate(s) must be an active member of the parish community, file a written coach’s application and meet all the standards of the Archdiocesan Decree on Child Protection.
The fund raising committee is responsible for the generation of revenue required to provide optimal programs and facilities for our parish student-athleties. Please call the president if you are interested in serving on this committee.Contacts:
See all Board Members on our Athletic Booster webpage
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Bereavement Committee
The Ministry of Bereavement answers the need to serve the grieving people of our parish family in a special way. There is a need for words of faith, comfort, and encouragement as well as various acts of kindness for those who mourn.
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
A very important aspect of this ministry is assisting the family of the deceased in preparing the funeral liturgy. Another area where we can use assistance is preparing food for the family after the funeral has taken place. In all that it does, the Bereavement Committee is a positive sign of Christian love and support within our parish community... and beyond.
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Bible Study
Catholics today are seeking Jesus in the Scriptures as never before. Many grew up in an era when the Church, busy doing other things, was not putting much energy into teaching the Bible. Some Catholics even picked up a kind of fear of Bible reading — as if danger of false interpretation was so great it was better to have nothing to do with the Bible at all. Today, there is a new emphasis on Scripture among Catholics. Bible study groups, an expanded selection of Scripture in the liturgy, and encouragement from Church leaders has led many Catholics to dust off the family Bible, looking for nourishment for their spiritual life.
WHEN THE BIBLE STUDY MEETS
Our bible study group meets every Wednesday morning at 9:30AM in the Faith Formation Room to study and discuss the Liturgy of the Word for the upcoming Sunday Mass.Contact:
Tom Kiefer at 513-752-0134
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Catholic Men's FellowshipThe Catholic Men’s Fellowship Group draws from the "Answer the Call - Annual Catholic Men’s Conference." Our group meets on the first and third Saturday of every month at 7:00AM for fellowship, prayer, and discussion about spiritual topics.
Contact:
Tom Kiefer at 513-752-0134 -
Cleaning Ministry
Volunteer groups clean the church on a weekly basis to ensure that our parishioners worship in an atmosphere that will be comfortable, pleasant, and spiritually uplifting. Cleaning services are performed on Saturday mornings each week from 8:30 to 10:30AM. This ministry is not responsible for cleaning the main seating area.
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers serve our parish in this ministry by cleaning with a group of other parishions once each month. They serve together as a team from 8:30 to 10:30AM to clean and dust the Sanctuary, sacristy, choir loft, confessional, and other areas on their assigned Saturday. New volunteers are always welcome and needed.
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Christ Renews His Parish
Christ Renews His Parish is designed to give the individual, both women and men in the parish, an opportunity for renewal and growth in the spiritual family of the church. It is also an opportunity for prayer and faith sharing in the awareness of God’s love and how we can respond to His call to help us grow together as a Christian parish family. What happens on the weekend? Most who have taken part in the weekend say, “You can’t explain what happens: you have to experience it for yourself.”
THE EXPERIENCE
The 30-hour Christ Renews His Parish experience includes: group activities and discussions, prayer together, reflection talks by the "giving team." Reflection themes include topics such as The Father’s Loving Care for Us, Scripture, Eucharist, and the Christian Life, as well as private reflection. A Reconciliation service with individual Confession and a Eucharistic celebration are integral parts of each weekend experience. The weekend begins at 8:00AM on Saturday and ends by 2:00PM on Sunday.Contact:
Deacon Michael Thomas at 513-753-2549
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Dad's Group
One of the greatest challenges facing families today is how to pass along Christian values to generations to come. Our Dad’s Group centers on efforts to provide resources to fathers and grandfathers to help them fulfill God’s mandate to be a good parent. Most fathers have received little or no training in parenthood. This is a great way to meet other men of the parish and to help support each other in our goal of being the best dads we can be. The group meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30PM.
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Elizabeth Ministry
Elizabeth Ministry is an international movement designed to offer hope, help, and healing on the intimate issues of life, loss, and love. We encourage, educate, and equip people through mentoring, programs, and resources related to relationships, sexuality, and childbearing.
Our Elizabeth Ministry responds to the joys and sorrows of a woman and her family’s life during the childbearing years. This outreach includes: pregnancy and complications, adoptions and births, infant or child crisis, special needs children, fertility and infertility concerns, miscarriage, stillbirth, infant or child death, family outreach and grand parenting issues.The Elizabeth Ministry responds to these needs by offering personal visits, meals, assisting with household tasks, and errands, small remembrance gifts and most importantly, prayers. Some events and activities hosted include Elizabeth Ministry Library, Epiphany Celebration, Expectant Parent Blessing, Memorial Service for Children Born & Unborn, and Rosebuds of Prayer for You Program.Contact:
Michelle Minardi at 513-943-4935
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Divorce Ministry
Our Divorce Ministry helps to bring healing to the separated or divorced members of our parish community. This ministry offers individual, personal accompaniment during this most difficult time through a journey of renewal called "RESTORED: Reviving our Joy and Hope" and using video testimonials from "Voices of Hope" by Lisa Duffey, a Catholic author, speaker, and divorce recovery expert.
Sessions are personalized to each person's situation and desires. Discussions cover a broad range of topics including practical concerns, accepting the current reality, healing and self worth, prayer life, annulment, unforgivness and anger, living with hope and gratitude, finding peace and happiness, and next steps.
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Family MinistryCalled to build up families in response to our culture, which is tearing down marriage and family values, our parish offers many ministries to strengthen faith and family life. This specific ministry, called Our Domestic Church, a term that refers to the family, the smallest body of gathered believers in Christ.
Our Family Ministry promotes sacramental marriages by offering one-to-one accompaniment for individuals and couples that supports important aspects of marriage building and family unity. Also walking with those who are in struggling relationships, it offers emotional and spiritual support and helpful resources. Its focus is to accompany and care for families or individuals in the particular challenges and needs related to family life.
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Football Program
The St. Veronica/St. Thomas More (SVTM) Football Program fosters the physical development of the parish student athlete in an environment governed by Catholic teaching and emphasizing sportsmanship, fair play, respect, discipline, and fellowship.
The SVTM Board of Trustees are appointed bi-annually and consists of five individuals, two each from St. Veronica and St. Thomas More, and one from St. Bernadette. They oversee the appointment of volunteer coordinators on an annual basis at the first meeting held in January.
Meetings are held on a quarterly basis, on the second Tuesday of the month. All boys and girls in grades K-8, who are enrolled in our parish school or who are parishioners enrolled in the Parish School of Religion, are eligible to participate in the SVTM Football and Cheer programs. Any parishioner may be appointed as a member of the SVTM Board of Trustees or be appointed as a Coordinator, Head Football or Cheer Squad Coach.
To be considered for a coaching position, candidates must be an active member of the parish community, file a written coach’s application and meet all the standards of the Archdiocesan Decree on Child Protection.Contacts:
Chris Yoshida (St. Thomas More) at 336-918-3333
Jarett Foster (St. Veronica) at 513-939-8353
Troy Svensson (St. Bernadette) at 513-673-3460
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Ministry of Communion for the Homebound
The obligation to visit and comfort those who cannot take part in the Eucharistic assembly may be clearly demonstrated by taking communion to them from the community’s Eucharistic celebration. This symbol of the unity between the community and its sick members has the deepest significance on the Lord’s Day, the special day of the Eucharistic assembly.
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
Special training as Extraordinary Ministers of Communion is required for those who take Holy Communion to the sick and homebound. This is a great opportunity for our retired members who might have extra time during the week and for those who want to extend their celebration of the Lord’s Day through this loving act of service. The days, times, and duration for those receiving this ministry may vary according to their individual needs.
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Hospitality Ministry
The Hospitality Ministry plans and provides for the social and fellowship needs of the parish.The members offer their time and support for many ongoing events and activities in the parish including maintaining supplies, setup/cleanup of facilities for each function, call members to advise them of event/activities and begin the planning process. Some of the events this ministry serves include the World Marriage Celebration, coffee and donuts after Mass on specified Sundays and other gatherings.
Contact:
Mary Kay Thomas at 513-490-1805
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JulyFest / Winterfest Steering Committee
The St. Thomas More JulyFest, one of the largest festivals on the eastside of Cincinnati, is held on the second weekend in July each summer. The Festival, which is the major fundraiser for the parish, has entertainment for the entire family, including games for children and adults, rides, Bid-N-Buy, and our Grand Raffle. Several live bands play during scheduled festival times. Refreshments and a wide variety of food are also available.
The St. Thomas More WinterFest was new to St. Thomas More parish in 2019 and is an winter evening of fun, games, and live entertainment for the anyone 21 years of age and over. On-site babysitting is available.
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
These festivals are planned and carried out by the JulyFest Steering Committee. There are many volunteer opportunities... all are welcome to help made these annual events / fundraisers a continued success!Contact for Both Events:
[email protected] or 513-753-2563
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Liturgical Ministers
Altar Servers
The role of the server is to assist the priest and deacon during the celebration of the Mass and at other liturgical celebrations. Servers may be adult or youth, male or female. Servers prepare the sanctuary for the Liturgy, assist in preparation of the gifts during Mass, and insure the sanctuary is in order after the liturgical celebration. If you are in the 4th grade or above, you are invited to participate in this very helpful and rewarding ministry.Eucharistic Ministers
The Communion rite is the heart and center-the ritual climax-of the entire Eucharistic liturgy. Everything at Mass is directed towards the moment of Communion in which we, fed with his own Body and Blood, are made one with the Lord. Eucharistic Ministers are called to this most beautiful ministry. They have the honor of ministering Our Lord’s Body and Blood to their brothers and sisters during Mass and distribute along with the priest and deacon.
Greeters and Ushers
Recent understanding and study about the nature of the worship assembly has given a new significance and status to the role of the usher/greeter. As a minister of hospitality, people should be made to feel welcome when they come to worship with us, whether it is their first time here or if they have been with us for years.
Lectors
As ministers of the Word, lectors are called to do what John the Baptist did: proclaim over and over again, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” The role of the lector is to bring God’s Word in Scripture more easily into the lives of all who have ears to hear, namely the assembly. Therefore, they should strive to proclaim the Word of God in a way that touches the hearts of all who come to the liturgy in the hope of challenging them to live that Word.
Contacts:
Deacon Michael Thomas at 513-753-2549
Coordinator for Minister Training for Weekday & Holy Day Masses
Donna Buchheit at 513-753-2541
Coordinator for Weekend Masses
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Marriage MinistryParishioners can become involved in our marriage ministry in three ways:
- Wedding Coordinator: the coordinator helps to setup and facilitate wedding rehearsals and wedding ceremonies.
- FOCCUS Couple: parish married couples volunteer to assist the engaged couple in preparing for marriage by enabling them to focus on their communication skills with each other. The married couple ministers as a team to coordinate the FOCCUS instrument and then discuss and interpret it with the engaged couple. All couples being married in our parish participate in the FOCCUS.
- Marriage Dinner: volunteers help with the setup and cleanup of the annual celebration of marriage dinner usually held every year in February.
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M.O.M.S. Ministry
M.O.M.S. stands for the "Ministry of Mother’s Sharing." This ministry brings mothers of all ages together where they learn to share the stress, concerns, and positive experiences that have influenced their personal and spiritual growth.
M.O.M.S. is a ministry for women who devote their time of the spiritual and physical upbringing of their children, who live stressful lives, who live with many demands on their time and energy, and who need a place to receive personal and spiritual nurturing.
This ministry also maintains an online book club at www.shelfari.com under the group title: STM Catholic Women’s Book Club.Contact:
Becky Ready at 513-753-2548
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Music MinistrySt. Thomas More offers one of the most diverse music programs in the archdiocese. This ministry strives to reach out to the hearts of many different people from various walks of life and gives everyone an opportunity participate. Our music is one of many things that make this parish special and unique.
The parish is blessed to have choirs and ensembles covering all weekend Masses, except for our 8AM Sunday Mass when very talented cantors (or soloists) lead the congregation in singing praises to God! Our ministry of music is an important part of weekend liturgies. The song selections are picked to reflect on the readings, the Eucharist, and the general theme of the Mass. The music at St. Thomas More is a blend of music covering styles such as classic hymnody and Catholic songs as well as contemporary Catholic selections and gospel. The music is selected to not only be reflective, but to encourage and inspire participation of the congregation. The music ministry serves to lead the parish in its entirety in song — not to put on a performance or to sing unfamiliar music unattainable for the congregation to participate in.
Contact:
Doug Stegeman at 513-753-2546
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Parish School of Religion (PSR)The Parish School of Religion supports and assists families in the religious forming of their children — in living a Catholic way of life. Through formal presentations of our faith’s truths by witnesses, who are living this faith, there is interwoven message, worship, prayer, service, and community.
We strive to not only inform, but also to foster communion and intimacy with Jesus Christ. PSR is for children who are 3 years of age through the 8th grade. Preschool classes are held during the 10:00AM Sunday Mass. PSR classes for grades 1-8 are held from 8:30 to 9:45AM.
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Prayer Requests - "The Rosary Prayer Circle"The Rosary Prayer Circle is an email list for confidential prayer requests. This prayer circle includes over fifty parishioners who are committed to praying for the needs of the parish.Contacts:
Karen Trautman at [email protected]
Parish Prayer Line at 513-752-2080 ext. 133
Kate Roelker for bulletin requests at [email protected]
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Respect Life Ministry
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The Respect Life Ministry, under the guidance of Fr. Bill Wagner and the USCCB’s Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities seeks to inform, engage and evangelize our parishioners on the Church’s teachings on matters of life ranging from conception to a natural death. We do this by hosting Respect Life events throughout the year and actively engaging parishioners of all ages. Our Respect Life programs seek to address life issues and advertise these through our parish bulletin and this website. Some events and activities hosted by the Respect Life Ministry are:
- Cemetery of the Innocent
- 40 Days for Life
- Cookie Ministry for a Kairos Weekend at the prison
- March for Life, and Life Chain
Contacts:
Co-Director, Rose Mary Bell at [email protected]
Co-Director, Muriel Casavant at [email protected]
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"Never tire of firmly speaking out in defense of life from its conception and do not be deterred from the commitment to defend the dignity of every human person with courageous determination. Christ is with you: be not afraid.”
- Pope John Paul ll
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The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and Youth
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and Youth (RCIY) is the process by which men, women and children of catechetical (religious teaching) age, are initiated into membership in the Catholic Church. Through Sunday parish liturgy participation and catechetical sessions, potential converts are invited to know the Church and discern the call of Christ in their lives.
Contact:
Becky Ready at 513-753-2548
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Senior Citizen's Ministry
The Chancellor’s Club consist of seniors who meet the second Tuesday of every month at different local restaurants for lunch. In addition, we take day and overnight trips to places of interest.
Our purpose is to share fellowship with one another and to grow spiritually as we continue to build up our parish community.
Contact:
Deacon Michael Thomas at 513-753-2549
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Southeastern Ecumenical Ministry
St. Thomas More Parish is a member of the Southeastern Ecumenical Ministry (SEM), an organization of 30 churches in eastern Hamilton and western Clermont Counties, which help the area’s needy and elderly through mission activities, including housing facilities for the elderly and a food pantry.
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
SEM operates a food pantry where people in need may receive food and funds on an emergency basis. The Food Pantry receives food every other month from donations given to the ongoing St. Thomas More “Feed the Poor” collection and from other member churches. The Food Pantry telephone number is 513-231-1412. Volunteers are always welcome.
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St. Vincent de Paul Society
The St. Vincent de Paul Society is a ministry of volunteers who administer to the poor in our parish area. Contact is made as the result of calls received on our St. Vincent de Paul voice mail line from people in need.
Clients are given assistance with food, rent, utility bills, clothing and other basic needs. Clients are visited and interviewed by members to determine their needs. The work of the St. Vincent de Paul is sustained by the generosity of our parishioners through fifth Sunday collections, food drives and Christmas Giving Tree. Without this assistance the conference would not exist. St. Vincent de Paul manages our St. Thomas More House at 804 Ohio Pike, which is used as a food pantry.
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Welcome Ministry
The Welcome Ministry reaches out to the new members of our growing faith community and makes personal contact to ensure they feel welcome. The welcome minister’s main responsibility is to call the new parishioners and arrange a visit to their home to deliver a packet of parish information. Welcome Ministry members rotate to deliver parish information to new parishioners and this is done on a very flexible schedule.
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
We are always looking for friendly people to join this ministry. The time commitment of this ministry varies as it depends on the number of new parishioners as well as the number of volunteers.Contact:
Donna Buchheit at 513-753-2541
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