Around the Parish

  • Dean Vernon is getting ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on Wednesday, June 21st at 7 p.m. at Saint Andrew’s Cathedral.  In honor of him, there will be a celebration concert featuring his daughter, Amanda Vernon, on Thursday, June 22nd at 6:30 pm in the Church (PLEASE NOTE CHANGE FROM MINISTRY CENTER).  Dean will be preaching at all the Masses on the weekend of June 24th and 25th and we will have special hospitality in the Ministry Center following each Mass.
  • Sunday Summer Sacrament Series: Saint Thomas is offering a 9-week course, beginning June 11, on the Bible and the Sacraments. This course examines where the sacraments come from, what they mean, and why they are so important to our Catholic faith. For more information, check out The Bible and the Sacraments event flyer. If you are interested, please register for the event online.
  • Diaper Drive: HELP Pregnancy Crisis Aid, Inc. is a Catholic organization that provides alternatives to abortion for local women with an unexpected pregnancy. One of their greatest needs is diapers. Saint Thomas is holding a diaper drive from now until Father’s Day on June 18. You are invited to put disposable diapers in the HELP collection box in the back of church. The most needed sizes are newborn and sizes 4 and 5.
  • Summer Mobile Food Truck: Saint Thomas is partnering with Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank by sponsoring a Mobile Food truck at Congress School (940 Baldwin St. SE) on Thursdays, June 29, July 27, and August 17 from 3:30-5:30 pm. Bring your family and support our neighbors in need by distributing fruits and vegetables. Call Bonnie Burke at 458-5674 or email Bonnie to volunteer.
  • Mark your calendars for this year’s Vacation Bible School, June 26–30, 9 am to Noon each day. This year’s theme is Maker Fun Factory: Created by God, Built for a Purpose! This week promises to be one of the best experiences your children will have the entire summer! Visit our VBS page for further details.
  • GRACEAC Announcment: Parish families with students enrolled in ANY school are now eligible to participate in the GRACEAC athletic program through Saint Thomas! This program is for students in the 5th – 8th grades in the 2017/2018 school year. Check out this Saint Thomas GRACEAC flyer for more information.
  • Middle School/High School Event: Saint Thomas will be hosting “Altaration: The Mystery of the Mass Revealed” from 6:30-8 pm on June 25-30 for 6th – 12th graders. If you would like to attend, please register for this event. And check out this YouTube video for more information.
  • Prayers for Steubie: Prayer Warriors, we are seeking prayers for safety, open hearts, faith conversions, and health for our 44 youth and eight team leaders on their journey to a Steubenville Youth Conference. Please help us reach 1,000 rosaries by pledging at

    Prayer Pledges for Steubenville.

  • Habitat for Humanity’s 5th Catholic United Build will begin in May, across the street from the Basilica of Saint Adalbert. The Saint Thomas build is May 20 and June 10. Leaders will be in the lower level of the church on March 25/26. For more information, contact the church office (459-4662).
  • Run with Nuns! FORT2BASE 10 mile/3 mile Run (Aug. 27) or Bank of America Chicago Marathon (Oct. 8). Run to support the Mission of Our Lady of Angels — the outreach to the poor of the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago. For more information, visit www.missionola.com/marathon.

For an extensive list of Diocesan opportunities, please visit the Diocese of Grand Rapids website.