St. Thomas More Catholic Community

Parish Identity and Overview

St. Thomas More Catholic Community is a large parish in Henderson, Nevada, with over 7,000 registered households. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Las Vegas and offers programs, ministries, and organizations for all ages. The parish describes itself with the tagline "Celebrating the past, committed to the future."

Our History

From a 1983 lay-led mission in a Hallmark pre-school to a 7,000-household parish with its own church and Community Center, the parish's story is one of steady growth under Viatorian leadership, a transition to diocesan governance in 2019, and the construction of its present church, dedicated September 26, 1996. Major milestones include the 1989 dedication of the first multi-purpose center, the 1999 addition of a daily Mass chapel, the 2001–2002 Community Center expansion under Fr. Pat Render, CSV, the 2011 25th anniversary, and the May 2023 elevation of the Diocese of Las Vegas to an Archdiocese.

• 1983 — Mission of St. Peter's Church begins in Hallmark pre-school.
• July 1984 — Worship moves to Palm Mortuary chapel; Clerics of St. Viator (CSV) accept the mission and send Fr. Thomas Long, CSV.
• August 1, 1986 — Officially established as St. Thomas More Catholic Community by the Diocese of Las Vegas.
• July 17, 1988 — Groundbreaking for the first multi-purpose center.
• July 1, 1989 — First Mass in the new multi-purpose center.
• 1992 — Fr. James Crilly, CSV, arrives as Associate Pastor.
• 1993 — Fr. Dan Nolan, CSV, succeeds Fr. Long as pastor.
• October 6, 1995 — Groundbreaking for the present church.
• September 26, 1996 — Dedication of the present church.
• 1999 — Daily Mass chapel and parish offices added.
• July 2001 — Fr. Pat Render, CSV, appointed third pastor; Community Center expansion begun.
• 2002 — Pastoral Council restructured.
• 2011 — 25th anniversary celebrated; over 6,000 households registered.
• July 2019 — Parish becomes diocesan; Fr. Bede Wevita named pastor.
• January 2022 — Fr. Bede resigns; Fr. Edmund Nnadozie, MSP assigned Administrator.
• May 30, 2023 — Diocese of Las Vegas elevated to Archdiocese.
• July 2023 — Fr. Edmund assigned Pastor; installed May 19, 2024.

Clergy and Staff

The parish is currently shepherded by Fr. Edmund Nnadozie, MSP (Pastor), with Fr. Mark Lam Tran, C.Ss.R., serving as Parochial Vicar and Fr. Luis Van Dam, C.J.D., and Fr. AJ Sales listed on the staff page. Five ordained deacons — Deacons Bob Rudloff, Dan Maier, Glen Heffernan, Loren Keim, and Aaron Blum — minister within the community. A professional lay staff leads parish ministries, faith formation, music, communications, finance, and facilities.

• Pastor: Fr. Edmund Nnadozie, MSP
• Parochial Vicar: Fr. Mark Lam Tran, C.Ss.R.
• Parochial Vicar: Fr. Luis Van Dam, C.J.D.
• Fr. AJ Sales
• Deacon Bob Rudloff (also leads Altar Teams)
• Deacon Dan Maier
• Deacon Glen Heffernan
• Deacon Loren Keim
• Deacon Aaron Blum
• Executive Assistant to Pastor / Office Manager: Karen Schwaner Sheehy
• Business Manager: Donna Kelly (also Community Center Associate & Safe Environment Coordinator)
• Director of Children's Faith Formation: Lisa Bureau
• Director of Music & Liturgy, Stewardship, and Community Building: Liza Cartlidge
• Pastoral Associate for Youth & Young Adult Ministries: Rolyssa Sánchez
• Director of Communications: Anna McGovern
• Director of Outreach Ministry & Gift Shop Manager: Cheryl Schwarz
• Coordinator of Spiritual Direction and Scripture Studies: Karen Sheehy
• Ministerial Support / Adult Faith: Juliann Dwyer
• Administrative Assistant & Baptism Ministry: Stacey Swiercinsky
• Music Ministry Assistant & Wedding Coordinator: Alicia Ortega
• Bulletin & Website/App: Amanda Dwyer
• Staff Accountant: Miguel Maldonado
• Lead Building & Grounds: Sujantha "Ferdy" Fernando
• Building & Grounds Office Assistant: Regina Comple

Faith Formation and Religious Education

Faith formation at St. Thomas More spans the whole life span. The Children's Faith Formation office serves students in Grades K–8 (702-361-8840). Teens are served through Life Teen youth ministry and Confirmation preparation, and adults journey toward full initiation through OCIA ("Becoming Catholic"), with separate Confirmation preparation also offered for adults. Adult faith programming, Bible study, Scripture study, spiritual direction, and Small Church Communities round out the formation offerings.

• Children's Faith Formation (Grades K–8)
• Life Teen Youth Ministry and Confirmation (Teens)
• Becoming Catholic / OCIA for adults
• Confirmation for Adults
• Adult Faith Programs
• Bible Study / Scripture Study
• Spiritual Direction
• Small Church Communities

Music and Liturgy

Music and liturgical ministries are coordinated by Lisa Fairweather (Music Ministry) and Liza Cartlidge (Director of Music & Liturgy, Stewardship, and Community Building), with Alicia Ortega assisting as Music Ministry Assistant and Wedding Coordinator. Lay liturgical roles include lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, hospitality ministers, and altar teams led by Deacon Bob Rudloff.

• Music Ministry (Lisa Fairweather)
• Lectors (Jerry Fairweather)
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Lisa Fairweather)
• Altar Teams (Deacon Bob Rudloff)
• Hospitality Ministers (Janie Davis)

Parish Life, Groups, and Community Building

Lay-led community life is at the heart of St. Thomas More, continuing a tradition begun by the parish's lay founders in 1983. Active organizations and small groups include the Knights of Columbus, Women's Guild, Legion of Mary, M.o.M.S. (Ministry of Mothers Sharing), Single Seniors (55+), Small Church Communities, and a Marriage Encounter community, along with a Cancer Support Group and GriefShare bereavement ministry.

• Knights of Columbus (Allan Shockley)
• Women's Guild (Chris Soden)
• Legion of Mary (Natalie Galvan)
• M.o.M.S. — Ministry of Mothers Sharing (Kim Blanc)
• Single Seniors 55+ (Janet Goldfluss)
• Marriage Encounter (Bob Wiebers)
• Cancer Support Group (Patti Simmers)
• GriefShare Bereavement Ministry (Julie Gartell)

Outreach and Charity

Outreach is central to the parish's identity. The Food Pantry, led by Cheryl Schwarz, is open to those in need; donations can be dropped in the large gray bin outside the back doors of the Community Center. The parish also connects parishioners with the Allyfe Pregnancy Clinic, Nevadans for the Common Good, the Homebound Ministry (visiting those who cannot attend Mass), and a Safe Environment Ministry (Kit Lambert).

• Food Pantry (Cheryl Schwarz, 725-205-0606)
• Homebound Ministry (Patti Sabo)
• Allyfe Pregnancy Clinic Liaison (Cathy Main)
• Nevadans for the Common Good (Chris Wallace)
• Safe Environment Ministry (Kit Lambert)

Sacraments

The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates all the major sacraments. Baptisms are coordinated through Stacey Swiercinsky; Marriage Preparation ("Engaged Experience") is coordinated by Regina Comple; and Anointing of the Sick is available through the parish office. The parish also celebrates First Reconciliation, First Communion (through the Faith Formation Office), and Confirmation (both teen and adult tracks). Funeral arrangements are coordinated through Lisa Fairweather.

• Baptisms — Stacey Swiercinsky
• Marriage Preparation / Engaged Experience — Regina Comple
• Confirmation (Teens and Adults)
• First Reconciliation and First Communion (Faith Formation Office)
• Anointing of the Sick / Minister to the Sick — Parish Office
• Funerals — Lisa Fairweather

Facilities: Chapel, Gift Shop, and Community Center

The parish chapel is open daily for personal prayer outside of Mass and Adoration times. The Gift Shop, managed by Cheryl Schwarz as part of Outreach Ministry, has its own hours (Sundays 9:00 am–1:30 pm; Mondays–Thursdays 8:30 am–12:00 pm). The Community Center — built with the 2001 expansion — houses fifteen classrooms, meeting rooms, the enlarged kitchen, the nursery (no longer staffed as a nursery during Mass), and the gift shop.

• Chapel hours: Mon–Thu 7:00 am–4:00 pm; Fri 7:00 am–9:00 am; Sat 10:00 am–6:00 pm; Sun 7:00 am–2:30 pm and 4:30 pm–7:00 pm
• Gift Shop direct line: 702-445-7431
• Community Center with classrooms, meeting rooms, kitchen and gift shop
• Daily Mass chapel added in 1999

Visiting and Joining St. Thomas More

First-time visitors are welcomed personally by staff and volunteers wearing name badges. Newcomers are encouraged to register as parishioners (forms are available in the church foyer and parish office, or online through the parish website). The parish notes it does not currently offer a cry room or nursery during Mass, but families are invited to step out to the outdoor garden or inside foyer as needed.

• Located on Pecos Road between Wigwam and Windmill, next to the park.
• Register in person or online at www.stmlv.org.
• Park in the parish parking lot — please be respectful of neighboring businesses.
• Confession appointments available by calling the Parish Office.

Archdiocese of Las Vegas and Parish Governance

St. Thomas More is part of the Archdiocese of Las Vegas, which was elevated from the Diocese of Las Vegas by Pope Francis on May 30, 2023. The Most Reverend George Leo Thomas, Ph.D., serves as its first Metropolitan Archbishop. Pastoral decisions are supported by a Pastoral Council (currently presided by Anthony Washington) and a Finance Committee (presided by Mike Ryan). The parish also participates in the annual Catholic Stewardship Appeal (CSA).

• Archdiocese of Las Vegas (Metropolitan)
• Metropolitan Archbishop: Most Reverend George Leo Thomas, Ph.D.
• Pastoral Council President: Anthony Washington
• Finance Committee President: Mike Ryan
• Catholic Stewardship Appeal (CSA) — Lisa Fairweather