St. Thomas More is given 450 names from the Salvation Army to put on the giving tree. Names of our own children are added. Sister Judy contacts the families to see if they need any help for Christmas. Parishioners may take a tree tag and purchase a gift for a child to make their Christmas brighter.

Contact	Sister Judy Baldino (941)-923-1691 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

STM Parish was looking to adopt a needy sister parish. The sense of parishioners was that rather than adopt a needy parish in another country, there are needy parishes in our area that could use our help. St. Paul’s Parish in Arcadia, which is composed of predominantly migrant worker families, was identi­fied as such a parish. We agreed to work with St. Paul’s and Catholic Charities in Arcadia to identify needs to which we could contribute.

Contact	George Forcier 941-918-1384 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Description: The group members attend funeral Masses to offer support to the deceased family mem­bers and loved ones. This is an important ministry and interested parishioners are asked to become a part of this group. This group also reaches out to family members of the deceased to offer comfort and consolation.

Contact	Irene McGarry 941-408-4737

This wonderful group assembles the church bulletin each week and has them ready for Mass. The group meets on Friday mornings at 10:00am in the Parish Life Center. Volunteers are urged to attend.

Contact	Joe Waterman 941-923-4073

The Chelsea Cooks are a group of parishioners that love to cook under the direction of Ken Perry. Primarily they plan, cook and serve the visiting priests for our Advent and Reconciliation services. The group also, at the request of Fr. Henry, handles smaller private events.  Food, Fun and Laughter.

Contact	Ken Perry 941-927-0652 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Death & Penalty Commission gathers information on death penalty laws and follows death penalty cases signed by Governor Rick Scott to ensure all laws are followed and prisoner rights are protected. The ministry holds prayer vigils in Mary’s Garden. They meet from 3:00 to 4:00 on the first Wednesday of the month.

Contact	Shane O’Neil 941-927-6313

Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound are specially trained to take the Eucharist from church out to those Catholics and parishioners who, due to sickness or aging, are unable to join us for the celebration of the Mass. The ministry consists of 63 ministers who travel to 9 different nursing homes and Hospice to share the Word and to offer Communion to all Catholics residing there. They also visit recently dis­charged and shut-in parishioners to offer Communion and to read Scripture with them weekly. Twice a year a member accompanies the Priest to nursing homes for The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

Contact	Mary Jo Drantel 941-343-0522 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Are you, or someone you love, seriously ill, anticipating or recovering from surgery, overwhelmed and struggling to cope? As Christians, we are called both to ask for help and to provide help. In this loving community of believers, we have a large number of people in need and a large number of people desir­ing to respond. Our ministry’s purpose is to bring together those in need with those who can help. The need can be simple and short term or complex and lengthy.

Contact	Bob Ferkenhoff 941-483-4165 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it