Pastoral Ministries
Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care ministers are caring people who demonstrate the presence of Christ to others in need through active listening, reflection and prayerful support.
Pastoral Care ministers visit parishioners who are in the hospital, are shut-in either in their own homes or are living in one of the many continuing care homes within our Parish boundaries.
Many Pastoral Care members are ministers of Holy Communion but that is not a requirement. Some visit homes and pray the rosary, others bring the Eucharist, visit, and/or conduct prayer services, all with the help of members of the team.
How do I become a Pastoral Care Minister?
While there is no formal training, days of reflection and time spent with others in the ministry provide help, support and insight. Your commitment to the pastoral care team ministry is varied depending upon your availability.
If you have need of a Pastoral Care Minister or are interested in becoming one:
Please contact our Pastoral Assistant, Trish Reagan
We will gladly accept donations of yarn! It can be left on the counter outside of kitchen in the Parish Center or dropped off at the Parish Office on Man Street.
Our parish is blessed to have two prayer shawl ministries. Please contact Marge, Gail or Chris if you would like to join a group.
Marge’s group meets each first Wednesday 10:30am in the Parish Center at St. Thomas.
Gail and Chris’ group meet on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 (contact for location) and knit in special remembrance of Jane Brady.
If you or someone you know would benefit from the gift of a shawl, or if you want more info about the groups, please contact:
Marge McKay marjoriemckay31@gmail.com
Gail Reynolds gailmreynolds48@gmail.com
Chris Thomas miss-chris@comcast.net
Newcomers are always welcome.
NEW DAY BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP
A JOURNEY FOR PEOPLE COPING WITH THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE
A Bereavement Support Group is being formed at St Thomas and St Timothy Parish for the spring of 2026 beginning on Tuesday, April 14th.
The Parish of St Thomas & St Timothy, and St Peter Claver are working collaboratively to provide Bereavement Support for anyone in the West Hartford area.
Grief is the process by which we adapt to any significant loss in our lives, and it requires honest work to make the journey to a new and hope filled day. We offer an in-person bereavement support group utilizing the New Day Journal: A journey from grief to healing, developed by Sr. Mauryeen O’Brien, OP.
During each meeting participants will work through an element of the grieving process using prayer, reflection and sharing. The facilitators and other participants are present to support each other. Everything that is shared during the meetings is completely confidential.
The group facilitators are not licensed grief counselors and cannot offer counselling services. They have received training. They accompany participants on their grief journey and will offer referrals if a participant’s needs are beyond the scope that can be addressed by the group.
While our group of facilitators are Catholic Christians, anyone who is at ease with Christian Scripture and prayer is welcome and can participate fully.
Enrollment is required to attend. For more information and to enroll, please contact Ellen Gilhooly: 860-233-4580 ext 211 or
elleng@stastm.org.
