SACRAMENTS
BAPTISM
For infants, the Sacrament of Baptism should be celebrated as soon as possible after the birth of the child. If this is your first child, you should contact Fr. Jeff as soon as possible during your pregnancy in order to complete your formation before birth. Baptisms are regularly celebrated for adults through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Contact Fr. Jeff for more information about infant baptism, or Deacon Dan for information about adult baptisms.
St. Tom's celebrates the Sacrament of Confirmation every other year for those students in 7th & 8th Grade. Students should enroll in the Sunday School program for both these years if they wish to celebrate the sacrament. Teens and adults who are seeking Confirmation will generally participate in RCIA. Contact Deacon Dan for more information about becoming Catholic through RCIA.
CONFIRMATION
HOLY EUCHARIST
The celebration of the Holy Eucharist is the Source and Summit of our Catholic faith. Holy Mass is offered every day here at St. Thomas More at times convenient to a college student population.
Though all are welcome to join us in prayer at Holy Mass, because Catholics believe that Holy Communion is a sign of the reality of oneness in faith, life, and worship, Christians not in union with the Catholic Church are not admitted to Holy Communion. Members of the Orthodox Church, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are welcomed by the Catholic Church to receive Holy Communion, but are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches.
Baptized Catholics ordinarily receive their first Holy Communion in 2nd Grade. Children should enroll in Sunday School at St. Tom's in order to prepare for their First Holy Communion. Children, teens, and adults older than 7 years of age should contact Fr. Jeff about receiving their first Holy Communion.
HOLY ORDERS
Every young, Catholic man should ask the question: "Is God calling me to be a priest?" For most, the answer will be "No." For some, the answer will be "Yes." Everyone will benefit from asking the question and discerning the answer. A monthly men's discernment group is held at St. Tom's to help men at BGSU discover their vocation in life. Contact Fr. Jeff about discerning a vocation to the Priesthood.
Men from our permanent community may feel the Lord's call to discern a vocation to the Diaconate. As ordained ministers of the Church, Deacons serve the People of God in Sacrament, Word, and Charity. Contact Deacon Dan about discerning a vocation to the Diaconate.
A rosary for Vocations is prayed every Thursday at 5:00pm in Church.
RECONCILIATION
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is an important part of ongoing conversion. Regular celebration of this sacrament is an essential component to living a Catholic way of life. Confessions are heard every day here at St. Thomas More during the academic year. More information on the Sacrament of Reconciliation at St. Tom's, including a guide to preparing for and celebrating the sacrament, is available for you HERE.
HOLY MATRIMONY
Many of our students find themselves preparing for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony while attending St. Thomas More. Both students and permanent community members are welcome to schedule their Catholic wedding ceremony at St. Thomas More. Students who plan to get married at their home parish may complete their sacramental preparation while at St. Thomas More as well, with permission of their home pastor. If you are recently engaged, please contact Fr. Jeff or Deacon Dan as soon as possible to begin preparation. A minimum of six (6) months are required for marriage preparation in the Diocese of Toledo.
A rosary for Vocations is prayed every Thursday at 5:00pm in Church.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
The Anointing of the Sick is available for anyone who is in danger because of a serious illness or old age. This Sacrament is usually celebrated privately at St. Thomas More and is available upon request. If there is a medical emergency, please contact the St. Thomas More Emergency Line at 419.515.5790