St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church

We, the parish family of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, proclaim our belief in the message and mission of Jesus Christ. We are committed to sharing our time, talent and treasure through worship, spiritual formation and outreach.

Weekly Online Liturgy

In-Person Mass Guidelines

New Learn About Online Giving

 

Church Calendar






Faith Formation Registration and Classes

After prayerful consideration, St. Thomas Parish has decided to offer Faith Formation for the Fall Semester as an “at home” experience. We do this with great sadness, as we believe that in-person classes offer many benefits. However, a major concern of the parish is the health and safety of our students and catechists. We hope that we will be able to offer in-person classes next semester. St. Thomas will provide materials for home study that are grade appropriate. The materials will be from Pflaum Publishing.

  • St. Thomas will provide hard copies of the materials as well as the opportunity to access the materials on-line.
  • The details of the hard copy distribution are still in progress.
  • Registration is still required. Registration is available on-line or by telephone. There will not be any in-person registration. Registration forms are available in English and in Spanish on the parish website.
  • Telephone calls are welcome to the Parish Office during regular business hours.
  • There will not be any fees for Faith Formation this semester.

We appreciate your understanding of this decision. The Coronavirus Pandemic is a very serious health concern, and a top priority of the parish in this regard is the safety and health of all concerned.

Blessings,

Fr. Ray

Registro y Clases de Formación de Fe

Después de la consideración orante, la Parroquia de Santo Tomás ha decidido ofrecer la Formación de Fe para el Semestre de Otoño como una experiencia “en casa”. Hacemos esto con gran tristeza, ya que creemos que las clases presenciales ofrecen muchos beneficios. Sin embargo, una de las principales preocupaciones de la parroquia es la salud y la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes y catequistas. Esperamos poder ofrecer clases presenciales el próximo semestre. Santo Tomás proporcionará materiales para el estudio en el hogar que sean apropiados para el grado. Los materiales serán de Pflaum Publishing.

  • Santo Tomás proporcionará copias impresas de los materiales, así como la oportunidad de acceder a los materiales en línea.
  • Los detalles de la distribución de copia impresa todavía están en curso. El registro sigue siendo obligatorio.
  • El registro está disponible en línea o por teléfono. No habrá ningún registro en persona. Los formularios de inscripción están disponibles en inglés y en español en el sitio web de la parroquia.
  • Las llamadas telefónicas son bienvenidas a la Oficina Parroquial durante el horario comercial regular.
  • No habrá ningún cargo por la Formación de Fe este semestre.

Agradecemos su comprensión de esta decisión. La pandemia de coronavirus es un problema de salud muy grave, y una prioridad de la parroquia en este sentido es la seguridad y la salud de todos los interesados.

Bendiciones,

Padre Ray

Special Announcements

Sympathy

St. Thomas Parish offers our sympathy to Lee Travis and the Travis family on the death of their father Leslie Travis.  May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.   

 

Thinking About Becoming Catholic?

Interested In Becoming Catholic

You may have been coming to Catholic Church for a long time with a family member or with a friend, but you had not thought about the possibility of becoming Catholic.

Are you interested in possibly becoming Catholic?

Would you consider that possibility now?

Would you like to learn more about the Catholic Church to consider your decision?

If you would like to know more about the RCIA, please call Father Ray or Jackie Lampton at 663-3936. RCIA Sessions begin on Sunday, September 13th.

¿Pensando en ser católico?

Clases de RCIA Para Adultos 9/13

La Parroquia de Santo Tomás comenzará las sesiones el domingo 13 de septiembre para aquellos que estén interesados en recibir sacramentos de iniciación. El proceso se llama el rito de la iniciación cristiana. Este proceso de la RCIA es para personas que no han sido bautizadas, personas que han sido bautizadas en otra tradición cristiana que desean convertirse en católicas, y católicos adultos que han sido bautizados, pero que no han sido confirmados. La RCIA será la única sesión presencia en persona que se ofrece en Santo Tomás este primer semestre. Las sesiones serán los domingos de 9:30 AM a 10:45 AM. Las sesiones en inglés se reunirán en el Salón Parroquial, y las sesiones en español se reunirán en la Sala de San José. Debido a la necesidad de distanciamiento social, las únicas personas que podrán asistir a estas sesiones serán los candidatos, sus cónyuges y sus padrinos.

Message from Father Ray

May 11, 2020

Dear Parishioners,

I continue to remember each of you in my prayers during this very difficult time.  I pray that God will watch over each of you.

Governor Kay Ivy has given permission for public worship services as long as social distancing and other precautions are taken.  Bishop Robert Baker has lifted the suspension of public Masses inside Churches effective Wednesday, May 13th. 

St. Thomas will celebrate public Masses inside the Church beginning on that day. However, we must remain aware of the very serious danger of the coronavirus.  This pandemic continues to plague our state and the whole world. People continue to get sick and to die from this virus. Thus, we must act prudently to protect the safety and well-being of all.

Thus, I offer the following guidelines for St. Thomas:

      • No one is to attend Mass if they feel sick.
      • There is a general dispensation from attending Mass to anyone with health concerns that would lead them to fear contracting the virus.
      • Holy Water and Hymnals have been removed from Church.
      • Aisles are one-way marked by signs.
      • Social distancing will be required in the Church.
      • Face Masks are required to attend Mass.
      • St. Thomas will provide Face Masks for those who need them.
      • Offertory baskets will not be passed person to person.
      • The Sign of Peace is retained but without physical contact.
      • Communicants are to observe social distancing in the Communion line.
      • Holy Communion will not be offered from the chalice.
      • Communicants are strongly encouraged to receive Communion in the hand.
      • Social distancing will be required entering and exiting the Church.
      • Congregating will not be permitted in the Gathering Area.
      • Dismissal after Mass will be by rows directed by Father Ray.
      • After dismissal, no one is to remain in the Gathering Area.
      • People may visit using social distancing in the Parking Lot.

I would emphasize the general dispensation from attending Mass.  There is still a danger of contracting this deadly illness. When in doubt, I would urge you to err on the side of caution.

I would emphasize the request to receive Holy Communion in the hand.  Many bishops are requiring this procedure.  This is not only for your health and well-being, but also for the health and well-being of your neighbor. 

St. Thomas posted an online liturgy on our website on May 3rd and May 10th.  We plan to continue with online posting of the weekend liturgy for the benefit of our parishioners who are not yet comfortable attending Mass in person.

In order to observe social distancing, the Church capacity will be less than 50% of normal capacity.  People who arrive after all the seats in Church have been filled will be asked to go to the courtyard.  We plan to have speakers there, and people will be able to come into Church to receive Holy Communion at Communion time in the liturgy.

There will be limited seating.  One parishioner who attends daily Mass suggests that those attending daily Mass might omit Sunday Mass to allow others to have the limited seating.

Since I had tested positive for the coronavirus, I felt that it was important to thoroughly clean and disinfect the Church.  For that purpose, I contacted ServPro.  Last month, ServPro sent a team of workers to offer a deep cleaning and a thorough disinfection of the Church. Additionally, St. Thomas will disinfect the Church after each Mass.

Thank you for your very generous support of our parish. Many parishioners have continued to give financially to the parish during this time of suspension of public Masses.  However, during this crisis our parish income had decreased.  I invite you to mail your contributions to St. Thomas.

St. Thomas also offers an opportunity of electronic giving through Faith Direct. You will receive a letter and an email message from me inviting you to consider using Faith Direct for your contributions to the parish. There is a Faith Direct link on the parish website.   Many parishioners use Faith Direct, and their contributions have been very important to our parish finances.

For me personally, I am very grateful for all your prayers and support.  I am getting better each day. 

I pray that God will protect you and your family from the Coronavirus and every other illness.

Blessings,

Father Ray

Weekday Mass Cancellation Process

We had some dangerous weather in our area recently and the decision about whether there would be weekday Mass arose. After much thought and prayerful consideration of the safety needs of the parish, St Thomas will approach the decision about weekday Mass in this way. During the school year, if Alabaster Schools cancel school due to issues regarding the weather, there will NOT be Mass that morning. This approach will be followed to ensure the safety of all. During the summer and on weekends, if Mass is to be canceled, it will be posted on the parish website. Thank you for your understanding with regard this policy

Ministry Locations

Directions to Main Church
80 St. Thomas Way
Montevallo, AL 35115
Office (205) 663-3936
Fax (205) 663-0657

Direction to Campus Ministry
1251 Highland Street
Montevallo, AL 35115
(205) 665-7379