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St. Tom's welcomes ALL who wish to meet life's challenges through lived faith in Jesus Christ. In keeping with our mission, we seek accommodations for those who may face a challenge in worshipping and receiving the sacraments with us. Below are some accommodations for greater access to St. Tom's. If you have a need that is not addressed, please let a St. Tom's clergy or staff member know or contact the Parish Office at (765) 743-4652 or email [email protected].
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LOOP Sound System
St. Tom’s is equipped with a Loop sound system, which allows those wearing hearing aids to listen to the Mass more easily. The wearer switches their hearing aid to the T or MT position to enhance the sound.
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Low Gluten Hosts
For those who are sensitive to gluten, a low-gluten host is available. Let the sacristan know when you arrive at Mass. You will be seated where the celebrant distributes the consecrated, low-gluten hosts.
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Incense Protocol
In the Roman Catholic Church, as well as the Eastern Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican Churches, the use of incense in worship services is a long-standing tradition with roots in the Old and New Testaments (Psalm 141:2, “Let my prayer rise like incense before you…” and Luke 1: 10, “…when the whole assembly of the people was praying at the hour of the incense offering…”).
The incense used at St. Thomas Aquinas is of the highest quality and contains no added chemicals. Still, we are aware that some people have respiratory problems that are exacerbated by incense use. Therefore, we have established a protocol regarding its use at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue.
- Incense may be used at any Sunday liturgy and Holy Days of Obligation; all Christmas Masses (except the “Family Mass” on Christmas Eve), Holy Thursday; and Easter Vigil. One Easter Mass will be designated “Incense Free” and announced beforehand.
- Incense will NOT be used at the Saturday evening Vigil Mass at 5:30 p.m. or any Solemnity Vigil Mass, except for the Easter Vigil.
- According to the Order of Christian Funerals, these celebrations will normally have incense.
- In addition, the cantor will announce the use of incense at the beginning of the Mass so any person who cannot be exposed to incense will have the opportunity to relocate to the back of the Church or choose to attend another Mass.
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Building Access
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A wheelchair-accessible ramp into the church and reserved handicapped parking spaces are located on the back side of the church from a paved parking lot. Use the Marsteller or Sheetz Street entrances to the adjacent gravel parking lot to access the paved lot behind the church. Once you have entered the church, the restrooms and sanctuary are on the ground level. See the arrow on the building map pointing to the elevator's location from the main lobby ("Gather Space").
PARKING
You must have a St. Tom's parking permit to park in the church-designated parking spaces on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Please see our parking instructions page for information on how to obtain one.
CONFESSION
The Confessional is currently located up one step. If this makes confession inaccessible, please call the Parish Office. St. Tom's clergy will schedule a confession time with you in a private, accessible space. Note: The church is pursuing a plan to make the back of the church, including the Confessionals and Baptistry, accessible.
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