To assist and support the "Liturgical Rites" of the Holy Catholic Church implemented in the Parish and its Mission Church by the Pastor. To be of source to the parish's Clergy of Vicar(s) and Deacons, and to administrate as the Worhip Director over the various Liturgical Ministries and their Head Ministers. Associated with this duty in the "Head position as Director of Music and Organist", to provide professional, quality and spirit-filled music to the Parish Music Minisry that will make a "spiritual impact" in the Worship of the Mass for reverent and devout Worship in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and its special liturgies.
Knights of the Altar are trained to serve in Sunday Mass Liturgies. Children ages 6th grade and above are eligible to enter as novices and after a year of service become full-fledge knights. High schoolers, 9th through 12th grades, are additionally trained for the weekly Sundays Solemn High Masses and the Special Feast Day High Masses.
Coordinator: Cindy Keaveny
Contact: (505) 203-6720
Lay men and women decorate the altar and the church for major liturgical feast days (i.e. Easter, Christmas, etc.)
Chairperson: Wendy Rakes
Contact: (505) 994-2547
Pastorally appointed lay men and women are trained to assist the Priest and the Clergy at Holy Communion in the weekly and daily mass liturgies and the daily and solemn mass liturgies, as needed.
Coordinators: Doug and Karen Taylor
Contact: (505) 896-7985
Home and Hospital Ministry is composed of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion trained to bring Holy Communion to the homebound after the homebound have received sacramental confession.
Coordinator: Eileen Walling
Contact: (505) 891-1775
Lay men and women are trained to proclaim the first two scriptural readings at the weekly Sunday Mass liturgies.
Coordinator: Eileen Walling
Contact: (505) 891-1775
Parishioners are scheduled to spend an hour a week in the Adoration Chapel. Click here for more details.
Coordinators: Ben and Gaylene Bitonel
Contact: (806) 676-0333
Sacristans are lay men and women who make preparations for the daily and weekly liturgies.
Head Sacristan: Ann McClusky
Contact: (505) 892-1511
Lay men and women assist in greeting and ushering at the Sunday Mass liturgies.
Coordinator: Deacon David Little
Contact: (505) 890-6574
The Music Ministry of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish is a highly dynamic part of worship here and welcomes all who have a desire to sing or play an instrument to the honor and glory of God at Mass. We have six different choirs in the music ministry and reading music is not a requirement (except for Instrumentalists). Not every mass has a choir, so we use Song leaders (cantors) at 5:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M
To fit our parish's dynamic orthodoxy, the Instrumental music for worship is "Organ-based" with the exception of the 12:30 P.M. Spanish Bilingual Mass and the 6:00 P.M. Life Teen Masses. These are a mixture of other instruments such as guitar and rhythm to praise our Lord in song.
Below are descriptions of the six choirs. Some choirs require mandatory, but flexible, rehearsal attendance. If you have a strong desire to join any of the choirs listed below or you are an experienced Instrumentalist, please call Steven Woodbury, Director of Worship & Music at (505) 892-1511 Ext. 105. We hope to hear from you to SING AND MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE LORD! (Psalm 150)
Traditional hymns, sacred choral/chant music are sung to it’s highest standards in English and Latin for the 9:00 am Solemn Sunday Mass and all of the Feast day Solemn Masses of the church year. Commitment to weekly rehearsals held each Wednesday at 7:30 pm in the church. Voice placement/audition is required. Robed choir.
Children, ages 3 years old through 8th grade, will learn and begin formation to participate in the worship unto our Lord at the 11:00 am Sunday Mass on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. Rehearsals are held the first three Wednesdays of the month from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm in the church. A schedule is given for the Fall/Winter/Spring rehearsals and Mass singing for the school year. No pre-sign or vocal audition is required just show up at the rehearsal and commit your child to sing on the indicated Sundays.
Blended traditional/contemporary hymns of simple music are sung at the 11:00 am Sunday Mass and the choir only sings on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. There is no commitment to weekly choir rehearsals and the vocalists meets 1/2 hour before the 11:00 am Mass in the choir room.
Spanish and bilingual hymns and music are sung for the 12:30 pm Sunday Spanish/Bilingual Mass. No audition is required, just a willingness to have a good heart to sing. Instrumentalists are welcome but must call he Music Director for an interview/audition. Members should be able to attend special rehearsals scheduled throughout the year.
Contemporary worship music with a rhythm section of instrumental-Guitars/Drums/Keyboard and more provide music for the 6:00 pm Life Teen Sunday Mass. Open to 9th grade and up and must be able to arrive early on Sundays at 4:30 pm for set up and rehearsal. *voice placement/ audition is required. Adults or Instrumentalists interested must call the Music Director for an interview.
The Requiem/Resurrection Choir sings for Funeral Masses in the parish. Simple hymns and music are sung. Open to all who have the time during the day to sing and help lead the spoken prayers of the Mass. No vocal experience is necessary. Just come and participate in this beautiful corporal works of mercy. To be placed on the call list please contact Doris at
896-6182.
Trained Cantors are often needed for liturgies. If you have training as a Cantor and would like to volunteer your time and talent please contact the Director of Worship & Music.
Trained Instrumentalists are often needed for liturgies. If you have training as a instrumentalists and would like to volunteer your time and talent please contact the Director of Worship & Music.