CASA AMPARO
Women’s House of Shelter houses approximately 70 girls ages five to twenty and about ten religious Sisters in Reynosa, Mexico. They receive support from our parish through financial donations as well as donations of bedding, vitamins, shampoo, soap, spiral notebooks, pencils, and even kerosene heaters! St. Tom’s has also donated gifts at Christmas. Some years those have been the only Christmas gifts the children received.

COUPLE-TO-COUPLE MINISTRY
Assists engaged couples as they prepare to enter marriage. Couples meet to discuss various issues highlighted by a special questionnaire. Training is provided. 

GREETERS
This ministry takes place 15 minutes before each weekend Mass. You simply welcome people as they come in the doors, help them find their name tags. No training needed. Simply sign up in the narthex.

FUNERAL AND FOOD PREPARATION MINISTRY
Provides assistance to parishioners in times of emergency or particular troubles in their lives, such as assistance with meals, errands, getting to doctor’s appointments, and funeral luncheons. Volunteers also help with special parish projects. A monthly coordinator makes phone calls from the list of volunteers to solicit help as needed.

LAMBDA CATHOLICS
Are an inclusive and ecumenical group of gay men and lesbian women, endorsed by the Diocese of Kalamazoo, to provide spiritual ministry in accord with the social justice teachings of the Catholic Church. Contact the group through the parish office 269 381 8917. St. Tom's supports Western MIchigan University's Safe on Campus policies. 

LITURGICAL MINISTRIES
Enhance our parish liturgies with service as a lector, Eucharistic minister, musician or mass coordinator. Others contribute their artistic skills or help to create a beautiful environment for the various liturgical seasons.

MEN’S GROUP
Gathers a group of Christian men, primarily Catholic, who share a burning desire to discuss and act on issues of faith and their common journey. They discuss issues involving the church, their families, and their jobs, seeking ways to be ambassadors of Christ in all they do.

MIGRANT MINISTRY
Spend an evening at migrant camps near Kalamazoo during the summer months. Clothing and household items donated by parishioners also are distributed to migrant families in need. Volunteers organize games and recreation for the children. Speaking Spanish is not required. We also collect clothing and household items for the migrant workers. Volunteers are needed to help sort and organize the donations or help at the Aleman Center in Hartford.

MUSIC MINISTRY
Strives to share musical gifts and talents to praise God in song, to support and to inspire the prayer of all who attend the liturgies at St. Tom’s, to grow in faith and the experience of God’s presence among us. Music ministers meet the hour before each Mass to prepare for that liturgy. Drummers, guitar players, string and wind players are always welcome, along with singers.

PEACE AND JUSTICE MINISTRY
Works on issues of justice and peacemaking. Contact Deacon joe schmitt for more details

RCIA (RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS)
Accompanies people into the Catholic Church through a process of spiritual formation. It includes catechesis, faith sharing, shared prayer, and mission activity. It is marked by several liturgical celebrations with the parish community. It includes a period of inquiry, a time of Christian formation, Lenten spiritual preparation for the Easter sacraments, and a time of continued support and follow-up after Easter. Each individual is supported by a sponsor who belongs to the parish.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND YOUTH FAITH FORMATION
Offers a variety of catechetical programs for elementary and secondary students. Programs include catechesis in a classroom setting, including sacramental preparation programs. Spirit! youth ministry groups (for high school and middle school age youth) welcome Catholic students and their friends from all area schools. Parishioners offer assistance as catechists, classroom aides, and volunteers for special events.

ST. LUCY MINISTRY
Gathers on the first and third Saturdays, at 4:45 pm in Mary, Mother of the Poor Chapel at St. Tom's. In this ministry, we work to quiet the noise that keeps us from hearing God’s voice, as we come together to pray; using our handiwork as a focus for meditation, knitting or crocheting shawls for those who are sick, or in special need of prayer. Basic knitting or crochet experience necessary.

SISTER PARISH COMMITTEE
Helps organize activities connected with our sister parish in El Salvador – Maria, Madre de los Pobres. Activities include the scholarship program, delegations to El Salvador, arranging visits of students from El Salvador to our parish and community, collection and shipping of medical supplies and optical goods, and an annual dinner for scholarship sponsors and their families.

SUNDAY SUPPERS
Provides home-cooked meals for students on Sunday evenings after the 5:30 Sunday Mass, when the colleges are in session. Permanent residents cook, serve, and clean up, and make new friends in the process. If you would like to help, look for the sign up book in the narthex. Each Sunday has a separate page listing the host, helpers and dessert providers. It's a great way to meet the students who call St. Tom's home while they're away at school.

TOILET PAPER MINISTRY
Most of us take for granted that toilet paper will be available whenever we need it, but this is not true for the poor. Government assistance does not cover any paper products, including toilet paper. And food distribution sites have very limited supplies. This ministry was by a St. Tom's parishioner in 2015 and continues strong with volunteers to help distribute and donations from parishioners. Several thousand rolls have been donated over the past 5+ years. Here are some ways you can help - bring toilet paper to St. Tom's parish office garage Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm or to the church on weekends. Also, you can make a cash donation for the purchase of toilet paper. Make your checks out to St. Thomas More, indicating on the memo line that the donation is for the Toilet Paper Ministry. The distribution of toilet paper is once a month at St. Andrews Church in Kalamazoo.

WELCOMING MINISTRY
Calls upon newly registered permanent residents to welcome them to the parish, explain our parish mission and the various ministries available.

WOMEN’S GROUP
Invites women of the parish to gather with others for support, faith sharing, discussion about how our faith sustains us throughout our busy lives.

YOUNG ADULTS
St. Tom's Young Adults Group is open to all young adults (young professionals, single, married, parents and anything in between!) in the Kalamazoo area who want to grow in faith together through prayer, study, service, and fellowship. We meet weekly to share a meal and engage in discussion. We are here to support one another as we learn more about our Catholic faith and put it into action. Please join us!