Back-to-School Assistance

The Ministry of St. Vincent de Paul is beginning our next project, the Back-to-School Assistance for the 2005 - 2006 school year. As in the past, we are hoping to give students a $40 gift card for use for clothing, shoes, or school supplies. Letters are being sent to businesses and organizations that have assisted us last year. If you, as a family or individual, would like to adopt a student for the 2005 - 2006 school year, please place your donation in any amount in an envelope marked for St. Vincent de Paul and indicate that it is a Back-to-School donation. These funds are kept separately from our general funds. Envelopes may be left at the parish office. We hope to assist not only families we have assisted this year in our ministry, but also the St. Michael's Conference in Gila Bend who have little or no support from their church. May God bless all of you for your continued support of the St. Vincent de Paul Ministry.

St. Vincent de Paul is looking for the following items to assist our families in need.

• 3 washers
• 2 sofas
• 1 kitchen table with chairs
• 2 small dressers
• 2 baby cribs

Please call 623-935-2151 ext. 300 if you have any of these items to donate. One of your Vincentians will call and arrange for pick-up. We can only accept items that we have immediate placement for due to lack of storage facilities.

About St. Vincent de Paul

Members are known as Vincentians, and are united in an internal society of charity by their spirit of humility and sharing.  Members are nourished by prayer, reflection and  mutually supportive gatherings in adherence to a basic Rule.  The society collaborates with other people of good will and makes no distinction in those served.  This lay organization leads parishioners to join together and grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy and suffering in the tradition of its patron St. Vincent de Paul.  Anyone interested in joining this ministry of caring for the needs of St. Thomas Aquinas’ own community is welcomed.  Generosity from the parish-at-large from fifth Sunday collections, food drives, and Adopt-An-Angel Projects have touched many lives in our area.

Contact: Pat Hoover – 623-935-2151

If you are grieving the death of a loved one - join us in our Grief to Hope gathering on May 2nd. We will meet every other Monday from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Please contact Deacon Chuck at the Parish Office at 935 - 2151 for more information.

You do not have to be alone on this journey.

This is a group that meets to support an individual who is grieving the loss of a loved one.  It is difficult to face the pain of separation and the many changes that this loss creates in a person’s life.  Beyond the funeral, as disbelief and shock begin to subside, we are faced with the reality of our changed circumstances.  We grieve not having someone to talk with and many of the rituals we did with our loved one, even going to Church, are now different.  Grief work encompasses not only dealing with the death, but also working through the pain of not having that person with us for family celebrations, the holidays or to help during the tough times.  All are warmly welcomed.  You may contact the Parish Office for the time and location of these gatherings.  You don’t have to be on this journey alone.  

Contact: Janet Hobbs  623-935-4324

The Sunday collection is counted and deposited by this group.  Members of this ministry count the collection after each of the Masses on Sunday, keep accurate records and make weekly deposits.  This Ministry requires people who are detail oriented, and good with figures.  If you have any of these skills your expertise will be put to good use.

This ministry offers support and consolation within our community of faith when a loved one’s life on earth has come to an end.  This group will be present for the family during their time of loss.  This dedicated group will arrange the hall following the funeral, they will arrange tables and provide food for the reception.  This helps make the time following the funeral of a loved one, a time of healing and comfort for the family and friends of the deceased.

Contact:  Eileen Warga  623-935-2151

This is a one of the most important ministries in our parish and yet it is usually one of the last mentioned. 

There are two important parts to this ministry: 

• The first is cleaning the interior of our church weekly.  These dedicated men and women keep the interior of our church clean and bright. They vacuum, dust and polish the entire church and keep it in tip top condition.
• The other very important side to this ministry is the group of ladies that keep the church linens washed and pressed each week.  Each volunteer does the linens one month each year. This group is always in need of help so please consider joining. 

Volunteers are always needed to help clean the church on
Thursday mornings at 8:30 a.m. 

Skills in keeping God's house sparkling is all you need.  Working for God on earth does not pay much, but his retirement plan is our of this world.

Contact:  Norb Jones

The goal of the St. Thomas Aquinas Men’s Club is the development of spiritual, social and charitable life.  Membership is open to all men interested in these objectives.  Club members enjoy working for the betterment of the parish community.  The Men’s Club is involved in the following parish activities, spiritual talks and retreats, charitable endeavors and church picnics.  There is membership fee and meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm.

Contact:  Parish Office  623-935-2151

The St. Thomas Aquinas Pastoral Council’s mission is to assist the community in its spiritual is an elected body of parishioners, meeting monthly to represent the  “Voice” of the community in matters concerning the overall direction of the parish.  Meetings are held on the 2 ^nd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM and are open to all parishioners. There are no meetings scheduled for the months of July and August. If you are interested in the Pastoral Council contact the parish office and leave your name with the Parish Secretary.
Current activity: Council is working on development of a thee year Pastoral Plan for the parish.

For more information, contact the Parish Office  935-2151

Contact:  Sandra Shaw  623-935-0386

The Prison Ministry of Catholics in the West Valley was formed in 1995 at the request of the Chaplain of the Perryvale State Prison.  Since then the ministry has grown by relying on lay volunteers, a deacon and retired priests.  Both ministers and inmates claim that this ministry has changed their lives and brought them closer to Christ.   The qualifications for those who wish to serve include a willing heart and desire to bring the Catholic Faith to those who are incarcerated.  A Communion Service is held weekly at each unit. Orientations are mandatory, as well as background checks and TB skin tests.  Two volunteers are assigned to each of the units for each visit.  There is a great need for people to serve in this special ministry.

Joe Fairlie 623-907-2199

Visit the Knights of Columbus Council 11675 Official Webpage: http://www.kc11675.com

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic, family, fraternal organization founded in 1882 by Fr. Michael McGivney and a group of Catholic men with the goal of providing security for the widows and orphans of parishes.  The St. Thomas Aquinas Holy Family Council serves the parish and the larger community by addressing pro-life issues, needs of Intellectually disadvantages and mentally retarded children as well as conducting various social activities within the parish. I would welcome a call to talk more about how you can help your church and community by becoming a Knight of Columbus – 623-907-2199. Requirements to join are quit simple – be a practical catholic man at least 18 years old. Make a positive difference in your church and community – join the Knights of Columbus!

Joe Fairlie
Grand Knight