Ministries

Where Matters of Faith Matter Most

We believe faith life is not just what you receive in church but what you take with you into the world. To become more fully involved in the life of St. Thomas More Parish you are invited to participate in the Stewardship of Ministry. Learn more about our ministries below - share your gifts with fellow parishioners, the community, or the larger Church.

Community Life Ministries

55 & Alive

Senior ministry activities at St. Thomas More are open to any parishioner 55 years or over. 55 & Alive offers PRAYER, FELLOWSHIP& FORMATION opportunities for our seniors.

Contact: Kathy Balhoff or Debbie Littlefield

Catholic Daughters of America (CDA)

The group does works of charity and service according to the seven points of the Circle of Love: Family, Quality of Life, Youth, Education, Legislation, Leadership, and Spiritual Enhancement. In addition to works of charity, the group enjoys social activities such as potlucks and trips. CDA, open to women over 18 years, meets the second Monday of the month (with the exception of July and Dec.) at 6:30p.m. at STM.

Contact: Pat Schmit

Done in a Day

Want to get more involved but your schedule won't allow you to commit to a regular day and time? This is the committee for you! Our STM ministries have various projects throughout the year where extra hands are needed. It requires no prior planning on your part or homework.

Contact: Elise Moran

Hospitality Ministry

The Hospitality Ministry is responsible for planning, hosting and implementing various receptions throughout the year. Receptions include, but are not limited to the 80th Birthday Celebration, Confirmation reception, Christmas Open House, First Eucharist receptions, Easter Vigil reception and more. Volunteers are asked to serve at least two receptions a year.

Contacts: Beth Broussard and Tomi Neames

Knights of Columbus

The Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity. KC Council 5530 is open to all men of the parish. The Knights sponsor numerous parish and diocesan programs to benefit youth, seminarians and the needy, including fundraising, cook-outs, seasonal parties, service projects and more. Its work also supports pro-life initiatives and other Catholic causes worldwide.

Contact: Don Pourciau

Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus

The Fr. Maynard E. Hurst Jr. Auxiliary assists St. Thomas More Knights of Columbus Council 5530 in all their aims and goals, and to help promote fellowship through religious and social activities. The group is open to any female, 18 years of age or older, who is related by blood or by law to a Knight in good standing with his council or who was in good standing at the time of his death. Dues are $12 per year with the year beginning July 1. Dues are prorated for those joining after July 1.

Contact: Shirley Bonaccorso

Men’s Club

The STM Men’s Club is a social and service organization chartered for adult male members to aid in projects around the church and school, as well as to sponsor spiritual and social programs. As a member of this organization, you will have the opportunity to meet fellow parishioners, make new friends, socialize with old friends and provide valuable services to our parish and school.

Contact: Chad Bradley

Single Seniors

This ministry supports men and women who have never married or have lost a spouse through death, divorce or separation, through a variety of spiritual and social activities. (This ministry is currently not meeting as new leadership is being sought.)

Contact: Church Office, 225.275.3940

Welcome Ministry

The Welcome Ministry is a group of parishioners that welcomes newcomers to St. Thomas More Parish. Each welcome minister will meet and share an information packet provided by the parish office to the newly registered parishioners. This is a great opportunity to make our new families feel welcome and at home.

Contact: Liz Core

Women’s Ministry

The Women’s Ministry is a group of women whose mission is to form a network of mothers and families of the parish by providing spiritual, social and service opportunities. The ministry provides family activities, service projects and aid to many in need throughout the parish and the Baton Rouge community. This is a perfect opportunity to connect with other families and create lasting friendships. All women in the parish are encouraged to get involved.

Contact: Beth Touchet-Morgan

Evangelization Ministries

Baptism Ministry

The Baptism Ministry is seeking volunteers to assist the priest, deacon and couples with the Baptism Seminar held once a month. In addition, volunteers will help greet the family the day of the Baptism and assist with any needs of the event. All that is required is a welcoming and helpful heart. Initial training is provided for team members.

Contact: Sarah Neau

Becoming Completely Catholic (BCC)

BCC is a sacramental preparation program for adult baptized Christians who have already been “unofficial” members of the Catholic Church for years. They have been part of the community, attending our services with regularity and devotion but who, for a variety of reasons, have not yet made a profession of faith within the Catholic Church. BCC is also for those baptized Catholics who have not yet completed Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation.

Contact: Sr. Janelle Sevier

Parish School of Religion

Parish School of Religion has been a constant ministry in the parish since its inception and provides continuous religious education to children and youth, 1st - 11th grade. The children and youth are guided by their catechists and parents on a journey to grow in their faith through prayer, service, Church teachings, and more. Any family with children in the parish attending a private or public school is strongly encouraged to enroll them in the Parish School of Religion. Registration for children is available by calling the parish office.

Contact: Church Office, 225.275.3940

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

This program is for non-Catholic adults and children seeking to learn more about the faith. Unbaptized adults and children are highly encouraged to join, as well as those seeking to make a full profession of faith.

  • RCIA Adult Catechist: Those wanting to become RCIA catechists should have a background in Catholic doctrine and be interested in sharing their knowledge with those in the process. 
  • RCIA Children’s Catechist: Those wanting to become RCIA catechists should have a background in Catholic doctrine and be able to share that knowledge with children between 3rd grade and 12th grade students who are seeking to join the Catholic faith or complete their initiation sacraments. 
  • RCIA Sponsor: Becoming a sponsor gives volunteers the opportunity to be a spiritual companion for those participating in the RCIA process.

Contact: Sarah Neau

Vocations Ministry

The vocations ministry works to promote a better understanding and openness to the priesthood and religious life. They are advocates who support those in our parish and the diocese who are either in the process of discerning their vocation, are in active formation, or are full-time priests and religious who daily, in faith, respond to God’s call.

Contact: Sarah Neau

Outreach Ministries

Bereavement Ministry

This ministry provides spiritual, physical and moral support to families experiencing the loss of a loved one. Volunteers assist on the day of the funeral in the church as altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, sacristans, and hospitality ministers. If you feel called to walk with our parishioners and extended family that have lost a loved one please share your time, heart and compassion with the Bereavement Ministry.

Contact: Peggy Hoffman

Interfaith Ministry

The role of this ministry is to be a liaison between St. Thomas More and the Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge. The mission is to pursue unity, justice and peace through interfaith cooperation. Activities include visitations to other places of worship, forums and dinners to brainstorm issues that affect us all; a community prayer breakfast and a community concert.

Contact Ellie Perret

LSU Lunch

A group of STM parishioners prepares a homemade meal to serve approximately 400 LSU students a hearty lunch once a year.

Contact: Tomi Neames

Manna Givers

One of the Corporal Works of Mercy we are called to serve as Catholic-Christians is to feed the hungry. Each month various teams of volunteers from St. Thomas More cook and serve an evening meal at one of the three St. Vincent de Paul/Bishop Ott Shelter locations for homeless men and women. Most teams serve once a month; some serve every other month.

Contacts: Ellie Perret and Mike Nola

Nursing Home Ministry

The parish serves three nursing homes which are within its geographical boundaries: The Care Center, Capital House, and Guest House. All are in need of consistent volunteers for weekly communion services, visits with the residents and special seasonal celebrations held throughout the year.

Contact: Deacon Paul Soileau

Prison Ministry

Prison Ministry is run by several volunteers, together with members of other parishes within the Diocese of Baton Rouge. These volunteers work together for the betterment of those incarcerated within the prison systems of East Baton Rouge Parish and beyond. They strive to provide for the physical, spiritual, social and educational needs of the inmates as well as their families. Volunteers are fully trained through the Diocese of Baton Rouge to empower them to serve more effectively.

Contact: Jim Pitchford

Respect Life Ministry

Through prayer, outreach, education and political action, Respect Life Ministry volunteers strive to uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church with regards to the protection and sanctification of life and families. They raise the consciousness of the parish through the awareness months of October and January, and also maintain a formation program throughout the year. They also participate in diocesan, local and nationally sponsored events including the March for Life in Washington D.C., the Louisiana Life March and The 40 Days for Life. The STM Knights of Columbus coordinate this ministry.

Contact: Frank Lacour

St. Vincent de Paul Conference

These volunteers help serve the neediest in our parish area. Volunteers committed to this ministry are trained on-site by an existing volunteer and then work in teams to visit and talk with the needy in an effort to find solutions to the problems many of them face and to provide for them the basic necessities of living.

Contact: Joe Macaluso

Word & Worship Ministries

Ushers

This group of volunteers assists in greeting and seating the congregation during weekend Masses. They help the communion lines move smoothly, see that the collection is passed in an orderly fashion, and handle distribution of the parish bulletin.

Contact: Jamie Tennyson

Prayer and Devotions

St. Thomas More offers many opportunities to come together as a community to pray:

  • Eucharistic Adoration: Eucharistic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has been part of the Church’s tradition since the 6th century. The Adoration Chapel here at St. Thomas More was built for parishioners and others to have a quiet place to pray and adore the Lord in His Eucharistic presence. The chapel hours are 6 am - 7 pm (though you may adore at any time you wish). Volunteers are needed to commit to the same hour each week during chapel hours. Share an hour with Lord.

        Contact: Dorothy LeJeune

  • Holy Name Society: The primary mission of the Holy Name Society is to show love and reverence to the Holy Name of God and Jesus. The origins of this national society began 1274 at the Council of Lyons which asked the lay faithful have a special devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. Thus, this is the Church’s oldest men’s society. St. Thomas More’s Holy Name Society has been active for many years. Its primary objective is the honor and glory of God and the personal sanctification of its members by acts of love and devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. The group meets the 3rd Sunday of each month at 7:30 am in the Mother Teresa room beginning with the rosary. Members stay for 8:00 am Mass and then return to the Mother Teresa room for a brief meeting and fellowship. Other services include reciting the Rosary at funeral/wake services of parishioners, and taking part in a Corpus Christi procession in the diocese.

         Contact: Joe Macaluso

  • Prayer Line: The Prayer Line Ministry takes requests from the public for immediate and urgent prayers by telephone or email (prayerline@stmchurch.org). These requests travel by means of a telephone chain to spread the urgent requests among the volunteers in a matter of minutes. Anyone with a telephone and a few minutes of time can help. It’s very simple and life-giving.

         Contact: Sharon Hebert

  • Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena: Prayed on Tuesday evenings in the church at 5:45 pm before the 6 pm daily Mass.
  • St. Padre Pio Prayer Group: The Baton Rouge chapter of this prayer group meets on the first Saturday of each month at 8 am in the Adoration Chapel for the Rosary and prayer. All are welcome to join.

         Contact: Pat Mathurin

Lectors

This ministry is open to all parishioners ages 15 and older who have a desire to proclaim the Word of God and are willing and able to participate in training, practice and prayer in order to serve the ministry to its fullest during the weekend and/or weekday Masses.

Contact: Sarah Neau

STM Liturgical Ministers Web Terminal

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Eucharistic ministers prayerfully serve the people of St. Thomas More by distributing the Body and Blood of Christ during Eucharistic celebrations.

Contact: Sarah Neau

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priests and deacons of a parish in their service to the sick and homebound.

Contact: Elise Moran

Décor Committee

The Décor Committee is involved with the environment of the church in accordance with the liturgical season. The volunteers work directly with the Décor’s subcommittee, the liturgy coordinator and the pastor. The responsibilities of this team include banners, displays, plants and flowers.

Contact: Marian Kumse

Parish Choir

The parish choir helps lead and enhance the liturgical celebration at 10:00 am Sunday Masses, at other special Masses and events throughout the year. The ability to read music is not a requirement, but the heart to sing and love of music are definitely added benefits. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm and on Sundays at 9:30 am.

Contact: Mallory Sollie

To Guide. To Inspire. To Serve.