Music Ministry - Worship Through Music

Contact Martin Smith: stawh@comcast.net, Phone 860 233-8269

Liturgies at Saint Thomas strive for the enthusiastic participation and a warm hospitality to welcome all.  The Church on the upper level is a beautiful worship space built in 1951, adorned with stained glass and marble and terrazzo floors, enabling a wonderful acoustic for music.  The Chapel and Parish Center on the lower level are a renovation (1988) of the original church (1926).  The Chapel is an intimate gathering space, air-conditioned, for daily worship and prayer and Sunday worship during the summer months.

Sunday Eucharist - Church (after Labor Day through June)

•  5:00 PM Vigil (Saturday) - Music led by organ/piano and cantor.
•  8:00 AM Sunday - Music led by organ/piano and cantor.
• 10:30 AM Sunday - Music led by the Adult (and often Children's) Choir [September through mid-June] with organ/piano and cantor.
• 5:00 PM Sunday - Music led by organ/piano and cantor, with occasional guest musicians or choirs.

Weekday Eucharist

• 8:00 AM Monday through Saturday
• 7:00 AM Wednesday (for those serving in the military)
• 12 noon Monday through Friday [after Labor Day through mid-June]

Normally these are spoken liturgies with no music or singing.  On Holydays, music is led by organ/piano and cantor.

Holydays of Obligation

The Eucharist is celebrated at various times.  Please consult the parish bulletin the week prior to the Holyday

Music Ministry

"Those who sing pray twice." [St Augustine]

Music is an integral part of worship in the Roman Catholic tradition.  From the simple, chanted dialogue between priest, deacon or cantor and the assembly, the singing of the psalms, acclamations or hymns proper to the season or the appreciation for majestic organ solos, worship at Saint Thomas the Apostle is enhanced - even made possible by - music.

Special importance has been given to liturgical music by a continuity of Directors of Music, organists, choir directors and Cantors since the founding of the parish 90 years ago.  Nearly 60 years have passed since the building of the "super structure" (upper church) and the installation of the Austin (pipe) organ in 1951.  Choirs of adults and children have sung countless liturgies of praise and prayer in this beautiful space, renowned for its acoustic by our parish family and visitors alike.  The repertoire of music is varied: from the beautiful simplicity of Gregorian chant, traditional and contemporary hymn tunes, polyphonic music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, to anthems and spirituals from the last two centuries, and finally, contemporary compositions.

The liturgical ministers of the parish also meet people at times of joy and sorrow.  Baptisms, weddings and funerals are part of the liturgical life of a community and we offer those celebrating these events with the same hospitality as our weekly liturgies, helping to make them memorable for families and friends alike.

Concerts of sacred choral and instrumental music are offered by various school and professional groups, including Concora (Connecticut Choral Artists), Hall High School and the Choral Club of Hartford - to enrich the fabric of our human lives. These performances help to give us a glimpse of the heavenly realm through the talent and artistry of those in the wider community.