Saint Thomas Aquinas, Camas, Washington


Our Parish for the Week of July 7:

Saint Thomas Aquinas, Camas, Washington

We are heading into Washington to highlight Saint Thomas Aquinas in Camas! Here’s a few things to know:

  • Thomas Aquinas Parish is a faith-filled and vibrant Catholic community across the Columbia River in Camas, Washington. We received a glowing nomination from a parishioner!
  • Adult and Children’s Choirs provide beautiful music at weekend Masses. During Advent, they performed at the “Festival of Lights” at the Grotto in Portland, and another concert at the Church.
  • Beautiful Adoration Chapel inside the church, open 24/7, which was beautifully remodeled in 2017 by a local artist.
  • Also runs Our Lady, Star of the Sea Mission in Stevenson, WA

History

  • Began in 1881 when the first church was built just south of Lacamas Lake, which was a mission of St. James Church in Vancouver.
  • A second church was built in 1901-02 in Camas and given the name St. Thomas Aquinas.
  • Present church was built in 1949 and dedicated in April 1950.
  • During this time, the church in Stevenson, Washington – Our Lady, Star of the Sea – became a mission church of St. Thomas Aquinas.

School

  • Thomas Aquinas School began 2023, which is enjoying much interest and growth, and is now enrolling for the 2024-25 school year.
  • Some special events this year were:
    • making apple cider with an apple press at a Johnny Appleseed event in September;
    • performing a Christmas Program in December;
    • visiting the Oregon Zoo and hosting Grandparents’ Day in May.
    • School participated in the “Got Sneakers” recycling campaign and fundraiser and collected more than 200 used tennis shoes.
    • In June returned to the Camas Farmers Market to make seed bombs.

Faith Formation

  • Children from kindergarten through high school participate in the parish children’s faith formation program during the school year.
  • A “Balloon Rosary” prayed outside in October and a Christmas Program in December are annual special events for the elementary grades.
  • We have Sacramental Preparation classes for Baptisms, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation.
  • We have an active Youth Group that meets monthly for social events.
  • Also, Theology of the Body and Body Literacy classes are offered for teens and parents.

Summer activities include: 

  • Annual Corpus Christi Procession and Parish Picnic on in June;
  • Catholic Classic Car Ride from Camas to Stevenson in late June;
  • Parish Respect Life Booth at Camas Days July 26 – 27;
  • Summer Games and Movies on the Field: July 11 & August 15;
  • Altar Server Training Camp;
  • August Holy Hikers Camping Trip in Mt. Hood National Forest with hikes, Vespers, Sing-a-long and Skits, sponsored by the Be Not Afraid Prayer Group;
  • Vacation Bible School August 19 – 23.

Outreach ministry:

  • to support both prayerfully and financially the church of Mary, Mother of the Church at Nyamwegabira, Uganda
  • Annual celebration on a Sunday when their pastor visits
  • In 2018, several parishioners visited the parish in Uganda and had a great mission experience
  • active group which helps parishioners to be in touch with this important ministry.

MANY organizations and ministries at St. Thomas Aquinas:

  • Active Knights of Columbus Council, which hosts monthly breakfasts and woodcuts, and recently launched a Cor Men’s group in the parish.
  • Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court hosts Coffee Hours, scholarships to graduating high school seniors in the parish, monthly BINGO at Prestige Rehab Center, and recently, a Mother-Daughter Tea.
  • Aquinas Guild hosts Coffee Hours, 3rd Thursday Potlucks, lunches for funeral receptions, recent annual rummage sales, and more.
  • Boy Scout troop meets on Monday evenings.
  • Grief Recovery
  • Wednesday Bible Study
  • Drama Club for all ages
  • Balance and Mobility Group
  • Discipleship Gathering
  • Prepares’ “Play with Love” play group for children from birth to age 5
  • Vincent de Paul
  • Be Not Afraid Prayer Group
  • 40 Days for Life
  • Natural Family Planning Instruction
  • Prayer Shawl Ministry (which provided prayer shawls to Mater Dei Radio’s last 3 Sharathons)

Special annual events at the parish include: 

  • Nicholas Day on Dec. 6th;
  • Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12th;
  • Thomas Aquinas feast day on January 28th;
  • Friday soup suppers during Lent;
  • Easter Vigil reception for those who received Sacraments of Initiation
  • Divine Mercy Sunday prayer service and reception
  • This Easter Sunday they added an Easter egg hunt on the field for children (with a special visit from the Easter Bunny) after the 8:30 am Mass.

Find out more through their webpage!