Saint Mary Catholic Church

St. Mary's Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Baltimore are committed to maintaining the trust of the faithful by providing our children and youth with safe environments characterized by healthy relationships. With our longstanding commitment in mind, all parishes and archdiocesan Catholic schools use VIRTUS, a compliance management system that allows all parishes and schools to facilitate compliance with archdiocesan child protection requirements for all volunteers who work with minors, employees, and clergy.

The current and effective version of the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Child and Youth Protection Policies and Procedures, including the Statement of Policy for the Protection of Children & Youth and the Code of Conduct for Church Personnel of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, which incorporates any revisions to the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Child and Youth Protection Policies and Procedures that may be made from time to time, is available on the Child and Youth Protection page of the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s website (www.archbalt.org) and on the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s online compliance management system, VIRTUS. Because paper/printed copies of the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Child and Youth Protection Policies and Procedures may be inaccurate or out of date, only the version of the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Child and Youth Protection Policies and Procedures posted on the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s website and VIRTUS may be relied upon.

All new volunteers at St. Mary's should register complete the process as soon as possible: http://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/

If you have any questions or concerns, then please contact Donna Kelly, our screening coordinator, at krock@saintmarysonline.org or (301)739-0390.

Religious Education Ministries: CCD, RCIA, and Sacramental Preparation

Teachers, team teachers, discussion leaders, classroom helpers, group supervisors, and speaker coordinators are roles that teens and adults can fill in education ministries. First, decide what age group you might like to help with:

CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine)

The classes for instruction about the Catholic faith for children from the ages of Preschool to 8th grade are known as CCD.

This instruction is held from September until May. To enable all to attend Mass, CCD takes place at 10:15 -11:15 AM. All CCD sessions are held in St. Mary School. Parents who are members of St. Mary's may register new students by contacting Jordan Tippett at 301-739-0390, ext. 3227.

Sacramental Education

Prior to receiving any sacrament in the Catholic faith there are classes to prepare the recipients, or their parents. Classes are held each month for parents baptizing their first child in the Catholic Church. Baptism Class is scheduled the first Sunday of each month in the Aquinas Room of the Parish Center from 12:30 to 1:30pm

St. Mary’s offers the gift of baptism on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month at 10:00 AM.

First Holy Communion, Reconciliation & Confirmation

Prior to receiving any sacrament in the Catholic faith there are classes to prepare the recipients. Children receiving Sacraments and their parents must attend these preparatory classes. Those in second grade may be eligible to receive their 1st Penance (Confession/Reconciliation) and 1st Holy Communion. Contact Jordan Tippett, jtippett@saintmarysonline.org or (301-739-0390 ext. 3227) for more details.

Those in eighth grade may be eligible to receive Confirmation. You must attend Classes for Confirmandi. Contact Jordan Tippett, jtippett@saintmarysonline.org or (301-739-0390 ext. 3227) for more details.

Marriage Preparation

Prior to receiving any sacrament in the Catholic faith there are classes to prepare the recipients for the reception of the Sacrament.

If you are getting married, please contact Reverend Ernest W. Cibelli, Pastor, Email or call Paula at extension 110 at least six months prior to your wedding date.

There are several ways to spiritually prepare for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony:

Contact Paula Bowers at the Parish office (301-739-0390) with any questions.

Musical Ministries

Music ministry is an important part of Parish life at St. Mary's. The Second Vatican Council teaches that

“The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, §112).

At St. Mary's, we strive to follow all the directives on sacred music given to us by Holy Mother Church, and where these lack we look to Her Sacred Tradition for guidance. Below, you will find a list of the various music ministries at St. Mary.

If you are interested in joining any of these groups, please contact 301-739-0390.

St. Cecilia Choir

The foundation of sacred music in any Parish, aside from the priest and the faithful singing their parts, should be the Parish choir. The main choral ensemble at St. Mary's is the St. Cecilia choir and is a mixed choir (men and women), open to anyone highschool-aged or older. Most of the repertoire is drawn from the Church’s rich patrimony of sacred polyphony, as well as modern compositions in the sacred style.

The choir sings the proper antiphons (Entrance and Communion) for each Sunday, a harmonized Responsorial Psalm, as well as sacred motets at Offertory and/or Communion for the 11:30am Mass every week, from the Sunday after Labor Day until Corpus Christi Sunday.

Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 7:15-8:30pm in the John Bosco room in the Parish Center.

Sacred Heart Children's Choir

Men’s and Women’s Scholae

The Second Vatican Council also teaches that “The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services” (SC §116), and that “steps should be taken so that the faithful may also be able to say or to sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them” (SC §54). To this end, we have formed a men’s schola and women’s schola (from the Latin schola cantorum, meaning “school for singers”) to sing primarily Gregorian chant at Ordinary Form Masses.

The Men’s and Women’s Scholas sing for the 7:30am Sunday Mass from the beginning of September through the end of May, alternating every other week.

Sunday warm-up starts at 7:00am in the John Bosco room in the Parish Center.

Contact 301-739-0390

Cantors

The cantor is traditionally a member of the choir who leads both choir and congregation by intoning and by singing more difficult solo repertoire. Cantors should be able to read music and sing confidently by themselves. Although cantoring is far from performance, cantors should be able to lead the congregation in singing, as well. Cantors meet with the director once during the week that they sing, as well as half an hour before Mass.

Contact 301-739-0390

Liturgy & Liturgical Ministries

Traditional Liturgy is very important to St. Mary's Catholic Church. We follow the norms of the Roman Catholic Church administered by Pope Benedict XVI and the American Catholic norms administered by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The 3rd English translation of the Roman Missal was implemented on November 27, 2011, the 1st Sunday of Advent 2011. This new translation is based on the 3rd edition of the Roman Missal in Latin, which was published in 2000. All English-speaking people began using this new text of the Roman Catholic Mass on November 27, 2011, which includes nine English-speaking countries. You can read some of the new wording at http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal.

Msgr. Rob Jaskot wrote a great series in The Catholic Review about the new English translation of the Roman Missal. You can see his 7 part series and other great resources about the new translation at http://www.catholicreview.org/newmissal/.

Liturgical Ministries

Lectors – Lectoring requires a clear speaking voice and a love for God’s Word. Lectors don’t always get to read the happy passages, and it sometimes requires preparation work. Parishioners who have been confirmed may volunteer to be lectors on a regular basis. Please contact 301-739-0390

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion – This is the correct liturgical term for lay Eucharistic Ministers (because clergy are the ordinary ministers of Holy Communion). At St. Mary's, we have several ways for you to participate in serving communion. You can serve at Mass or be part of the Pastoral Visitation Team to give Communion to our shut-ins. You must be at least 16 years of age and confirmed in the Catholic faith to become an E.M.H.C. Please contact 301-739-0390.

Altar Servers – Serving the altar is open to children and youth generally age 10 and up. We ask that they have completed fourth grade before they be trained as altar servers. We need altar servers for the 8:30 am Mass Monday through Saturday and all weekend Masses. If your child is interested in becoming an altar server, please call 301-739-0390. New altar server group training occurs periodically and is announced in the Church bulletin.

Ushers – Ushering is an active service to parishioners and visitors of St. Mary's. It requires that you arrive to Mass early with a welcoming spirit and a hand eager to help others. Anyone who is over 15 years of age and a member of the Parish may become an usher. Please contact 301-739-0390

Prayer/Spiritual Ministries

The Legion of Mary Praesidium – The Legion of Mary is a group of people committed to spiritual acts of mercy and to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Anyone 18 or older may join. Meetings are every Wednesday at 6:30pm in the Aquinas Room in the Parish Center.

Padre Pio Prayer Group – Everyone is welcome to join this prayer group that meets every Thursday 9:00 – 10:00 am in the Church. Please enter by the side door by the courtyard gardens.

Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites – Within the Order of Discalced Carmelites, we are the Community of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Our vocation, our mission, in concert with the Friars, is both contemplative (To know God) and apostolic (that He may be known). Our meetings are held on the second Sunday of each month in Fatima Hall from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. If you are interested in finding out more about the Discalced Carmelite Seculars, please call the office 301 739 0390.

Youth, Young Adult, and Family Ministries

St. Mary Catholic Church recognizes the need for family spiritual enrichment and growth. The following activities are planned for families of all ages and types – grandparents, parents, young adults, teens, children, and single parishioners.

Please check for updates throughout the month for activities to nourish family life.

"Called to Greatness" Youth Group: ages Confirmed to Senior in High School, First and Third Fridays during the school year and every Monday during the summer months. CTG also hosts several yearly opportunities:

Outreach Ministries

Catholic Daughters of America – The Catholic Daughters Court 273 is open to all Catholic women 18 years and older who believe in the motto of unity and charity. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month (excluding summer months) in Fatima Hall of the Parish Center. Contact: Regent Linda Field: lindab.field@icloud.com

Knights of Columbus – Fraternal organization of Catholic men serving the community through various religious and family centered activities. Meets at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Leitersburg Pike at 8:00 pm on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. (Council Phone: 301-739-9019)

St. Vincent de Paul - The St. Vincent de Paul Society provides for the material and spiritual well-being of the poor and needy, as well as the visitation of the sick. Volunteers are always welcome. Meetings are held onthe second and fourth Tuesdays after the 8:30 am Mass, in the Conference Room of the Parish Center.

Mercy Committee – The Mercy Committee is designed to offer hospitality to grieving families at a time of loss. They help provide a luncheon at St. Mary following funerals, which is a comforting alternative to in-home or restaurant gatherings after St. Mary funerals. If you would like to be part of this committee or are interested in utilizing its service, contact chairwoman Peggy Hurd or Linda Field.

Respect Life Committee – Volunteers are needed. The Respect Life Committee is devoted to educating and making a difference for the right to life, especially the weakest: the pre-born. They are active in praying at the Abortion Clinic in town, as well as participating in the National March for Life in Washington, DC every January 22, and more.

Welcoming Committee- Serves to have a point of welcoming contact of parishioners with the parish. Parish Picnic, Lenten Suppers, Ministry Fairs and welcome receptions

Coffee & Donuts – Provides hospitality & refreshments most Sunday mornings for parishioners and visitors.

Opportunities to Serve

VirtusTraining

Religious Education Ministries

Musical Ministries

Liturgy & Liturgical Ministries

Prayer/Spiritual Ministries

Youth, Young Adult, and Family Ministries

Outreach Ministries

Support Ministries

Virtus Training

Religious Education Ministries: CCD, RCIA, and Sacramental Preparation

CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine)

Sacramental Education

First Holy Communion, Reconciliation & Confirmation

Marriage Preparation