Catholic parishes throughout Grand Rapids and West Michigan offer many opportunities to grow in faith, serve others, and become involved in parish life. Whether you’re interested in joining a choir, helping with faith formation, serving at Mass, participating in the Knights of Columbus, or volunteering in your community, there’s a place for you to share your time and talents.
Explore the many ministries, organizations, and volunteer opportunities available through local Catholic parishes.
Thursdays, 7:00 pm–8:30 pm (Rehearsal.)Sundays, 11:00 am (Sings at Mass.)
September–May
Every other Tuesday, 7:00 pm–8:00 pm (Rehearsal.)Every other Sunday, 9:00 am (Sings at Mass.)
Late August–early June
ABVM Holiday Craft Show & Bazaar 2026
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Belmont
Holiday craft and vendor fair benefiting parish youth ministry.
9:00 am–3:00 pm (One-time event on 2026-11-07. The signup link is for vendors.)
Advent Angel Ministry
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Parish Advent Angel Tree outreach program.
Advent
Altar Servers
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Assist the priest at weekend and holy day Masses.
Rotating assignments. Training is offered in late winter and early spring.
Amazon Relief
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Parish outreach partnership supporting humanitarian and educational work in Brazil.
ARISE! Men’s Group
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Men pray Lauds and discuss how to live out the Sunday Gospel.
Saturdays, 6:00 am–8:00 am
Art and Environment
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Plans and prepares church décor for the liturgical seasons.
Flexible volunteer hours.
Cantor
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Leads singing at assigned Masses and attends periodic training.
Children’s Choir (Grades 3–5)
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Parish choir that sings at Mass.
Tuesdays, 6:00 pm–6:55 pm (Rehearsal. Sings monthly at varying Masses.)
September–May
Tuesdays, 6:00 pm–6:55 pm (Rehearsal. The choir sings five times per year at Sunday 9 am Mass or the Christmas Eve Children’s Mass. Dates are unpublished.)
September–May
Christian Service Ministry
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Connects parishioners with parish outreach and volunteer opportunities.
Community Dinners
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Community meals with volunteer roles in food preparation, hospitality, transport and cleanup.
Annual Thanksgiving Day dinner. Time unpublished.Annual winter dinner. Date and time vary.
November
Emergency Financial Assistance
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
The parish’s Direct Service ministry responds to requests for help with urgent expenses.
Call the parish office to leave a message for Direct Service.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Assist with distribution of Communion at weekend Mass. Open to registered parishioners who have received Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
Assigned according to Mass preference. Training is offered several times a year.
Family Meals Ministry Team
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Prepares short-term meals for parish households after a birth, adoption, bereavement, surgery or other emergency.
Arranged as needed. Contact Carla for online signup.
Funeral Ministry
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Parish Christian Service ministry that includes funeral luncheons.
Garden Club
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Belmont
Volunteers tend the gardens on parish grounds.
Wednesdays, 9:00 am–11:00 am (Weather permitting.)
God’s Kitchen Partnership
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Christian Service and Support lists God’s Kitchen as a community outreach partner.
Greenhouse Window Cleaner
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Washes greenhouse windows on a flexible schedule.
Spring or summer
Habitat for Humanity Partnership
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Christian Service and Support lists Habitat for Humanity as a volunteer outreach partner.
Handbells
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Seasonal handbell ensemble. Some ability to read music and rhythm is required.
Thursdays, 5:40 pm–6:55 pm (Rehearsal.)
Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter
Homebound Ministry
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Brings Communion to homebound parishioners and residents of assisted living facilities.
Sundays, 10:00 am–12:00 pm (Visit window. Individual volunteers typically serve one Sunday per month or as arranged.)
Hope for Haiti
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Parish outreach partnership supporting health, education and poverty relief in Haiti.
Hospital Ministry
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Volunteers visit and pray with hospitalized parishioners.
Visits are assigned by availability. The team meets annually for training and support. Call the parish office to request a visit.
Instrumentalist
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Offers accompaniment, supplemental music or solos at parish liturgies.
Knights of Columbus – Monsignor Raymond J. Sweeney Council #17970
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Catholic fraternal council that volunteers and raises funds for charitable causes.
2nd Wednesday of the month (Second Wednesday. Start time unpublished.)
Rotating assignments based on preferred Mass times.
Liturgy of the Word with Children
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Leaders, musicians and assistants help children engage with the Sunday readings and prayers.
Sundays, 9:00 am (During Mass. Volunteers serve on rotation.)Sundays, 11:00 am (During Mass. Volunteers serve on rotation.)
School year
Ministry Center Window Cleaner
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Washes glass doors and windows at the Ministry Center and school.
Weekly or every other week by arrangement.
Music Selection Committee
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Reviews liturgical readings and selects music.
Five or six meetings per year. Dates and times unpublished.
New Member Welcome Ministry Team
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Hosts receptions and helps newly registered parishioners get to know the parish.
10:00 am (Approximate reception time after the 9 am Mass. Dates vary.)
September–June
O.A.S.I.S. (Older Adults: Sharing. Inspiring. Serving.)
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Gatherings for older adults with Mass followed by lunch and a program.
11:00 am (Mass starts at 11 am. See parish bulletin for exact dates.)
September, November, March and May
Parish Gofer
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Helps with supplies, mail and errands for the parish office and kitchen.
On call.
Pastoral Care of the Sick
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
The parish office coordinates pastoral visits with a priest or deacon.
Prayer Line Ministry
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Prayer ministry listed under Christian Service and Support.
Regnum Christi Women’s Group
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Women meet for spiritual formation and encouragement in apostolic service.
Respect Life Ministry
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Organizes parish pro-life initiatives, educational opportunities and drives.
Meets twice a year. Dates and times unpublished.
School Outdoor Habitat Leaf Removal Team
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Adult volunteers clear leaves from the Schoolyard Habitat pond.
7:00 pm–8:30 pm (Rehearsals begin six to eight weeks before special Masses.)
Thanksgiving, Christmas and Holy Week
Social Justice Advocacy Ministry
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
The parish lists a JustFaith series on faith and poverty, including a retreat and immersion experience.
The published proposed session was January 2024. Current session dates are unverified.
Spring or Fall Yard Clean-up Team
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Teams clean up the grounds around the church, school, Ministry Center and gym.
Spring or fall
Summer Weed Pulling
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Helps remove weeds from parish gardens.
Summer
Sunday Hospitality Ministry
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Volunteers serve refreshments and welcome parishioners and guests.
Sundays (After Sunday Mass. Specific Mass and start time are unpublished.)
September–May
The Secular Franciscan Order
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Lay Franciscans gather for prayer and fellowship rooted in the Franciscan Rule.
Last Wednesday of the month, 7:00 pm–9:00 pm
Ushers
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Welcome worshippers and assist with collections, Communion flow and other practical needs.
Teams cover an assigned Mass for one month every three months.
VIRTUS Training
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Safeguarding training and background screening for volunteers who work with parish children and youth.
Volunteer Church Cleaners
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Clean the church’s main floor and areas between the pews.
Fridays (Friday afternoons on rotation. About three hours per shift.)
Weekend Snow Patrol
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Shovels and de-ices walkways before Mass on snowy weekends.
Sundays & Saturdays (Weather-dependent. Rotation depends on volunteer availability.)
Winter
Youth Choir (Grades 5–8)
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids
Parish choir that sings at Mass.
Every other Tuesday, 6:00 pm–6:55 pm (Rehearsal.)Every other Sunday, 9:00 am (Sings at Mass.)
September–May
Nothing matches these filters. Try removing one.