We welcome, connect and foster fellowship in the parish community
within ministries and beyond our liturgies.
Parish Life is the very essence of Christ in action - loving,
serving, praying and building God’s kingdom through each other and
the family of St. Mary Parish.
Parish Council Parish Life
Chair: Vicky Kopcak vicky265g@yahoo.com
Mission:
To bring Irish Heritage, culture and traditions to the forefront
and support several Irish, Catholic local area charities and
local Catholic education.
Our motto is “Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity”.
Time:
Monthly meetings. Additional charitable and community events are
held throughout the year.
Special Skills:
Irish Catholic men, 18 years or older seeking friendship in
Christian charity.
Coordinator:
Jeff Fitzpatrick,
fredredva@yahoo.com
(St. Mary
representative)
Note:
Our membership represents four parishes: St. Patrick's,
St. Jude, St. Mary and St. William of York Catholic Churches.
Time:
Meetings held monthly.
Coordinator:
Kathleen Mahoney,
bmah761569@aol.com
Mission:
To build community among the women in the parish through
service, education and social activities.
Time:
Monthly meetings and participation in a variety of activities.
Flexible.
Special Skills:
Friendly and kind-hearted.
Coordinator:
Note:
All women registered in the parish are automatically members of
the CCW.
Time:
The Chapter meets as a group once a month. Individuals can
cut fabric or sew in their homes as often as they like.
Quilt sitters need to be available after Masses on Sundays.
Special Skills:
There are a variety of roles to fill in this ministry; many do
not require any special skills. We need people to sit with
the quilts on Sundays to assist parishioners with the knotting
(no special skills), we also need people with sewing and fabric
cutting talents.
Coordinators:
Barbara Walor,
dhs321@comcast.net
or
Mission:
To provide assistance to parishioners in need of transportation
to/from medical appointments, shopping, errands etc.
Time:
Flexible.
Special Skills:
A desire to help others. Patience and kindness. (Must have valid
driver’s license and own vehicle.)
Coordinator:
Denise Erwin,
denmom14@verizon.net
Mission:
To inspire one another creatively as we joyfully work on various
crafts.
Time:
Weekly crafting session 2-3 hours or work at home.
Special Skills:
Creativity and fun! Our group has lots of fun and we welcome new
participants who enjoy chatting while “working”. Our
masterpieces are sold annually with proceeds benefiting the CCW.
Coordinator:
Wanda Cushing,
wcushing@cox.net
Time:
Cursillo begins with a three-day retreat and continues with
weekly and quarterly group meetings.
Special Skills:
A desire to grow stronger in your faith.
Coordinator:
Laura Lyon,
laurajoelyon@cox.net
Time:
As needed when funeral occur.
Weekdays or Saturdays.
Special Skills:
A desire to support a family in grief.
Co-Coordinators: Mary Ellen Wheeler, melonqu@aol.com or Ann Duhamel, twoduhamels@aol.com
Mission:
To enhance the gardens and landscape of St. Mary and
Time:
Seasonal. Specific activities in late spring, summer and early
fall.
Special Skills:
Enjoyment of gardening. Plant knowledge is helpful.
Coordinator:
Susan Hohenberg,
bsgreenscape@aol.com
Coordinator:
Ann McGroarty,
Mission:
To live by the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and
patriotism within the community of St. Mary Parish.
Time:
Meetings held monthly. Additional charitable and community
events are held throughout the year.
Special Skills:
Catholic men over 18 years of age seeking fellowship and having
a desire to grow in their faith and community outreach.
Coordinator: Warren Kimmerly, Grand Knight, warbets89@gmail.com
Knights of Columbus –Squires (see
youth ministry)
Mission:
To provide spiritual, cultural, civic, social and physical
improvement of young men and to develop their leadership
qualities.
Time:
Meetings help Sunday afternoons with various events throughout
the year.
Special Skills:
Catholic young men 10-18 years of age.
Coordinator:
Time:
Weekly meeting with additional apostolate visits assigned as
able.
Special Skills:
Desire to grow in your faith and reflect Christ’s goodness
through visits with the lonely or sick.
Coordinator:
Fr.
Monday Morning Coordinator:
Mary Owen,
hmowen@cox.net
Wednesday Afternoon Coordinator:
Pam Biedenbender,
Junior Coordinator:
Catherine Loughlin,
stmary@stmaryfred.org
Spanish Coordinator:
Luisa Slaughter,
stmary@stmaryfred.org
Mission:
To pray for the deceased members of our parish.
Time:
As needed, when funerals occur. Weekdays or Saturday mornings
Special Skills:
A desire to support families in grief.
Participate in funerals and vigil through prayer.
Coordinator: Susan Huthmaker, shuthmaker@hotmail.com
Time:
Meetings held monthly.
Special Skills:
A desire to meet other parishioners and grow in your faith.
Coordinator:
Matt Muggeridge,
mmuggeridge@yahoo.com
Mission:
To strengthen and support women in their vocation as Catholic
wives and mothers through prayer, education and fellowship.
Time:
Meetings held every Friday
Special Skills:
A desire to meet other mothers who aspire to grow deeper in
their faith and form bonds with fellow parishioners. All are
welcome!
Coordinator:
Note:
Young children welcome (babysitting available)
Time:
Neighborhood gatherings determined my group. Bi-Annual
gatherings recommended.
Special Skills:
A desire to bring the parish to your neighborhood and work
towards bringing parish life home.
Coordinator:
Fr. Don Rooney,
frooney@stmaryfred.org
Mission:
To support parish life by preparing food and/or desserts for
receptions throughout the year.
Time:
As needed.
Special Skills:
A love of baking and preparing finger foods.
Coordinator:
Margaret McMillen,
mcmillenf1@aol.com
Mission:
To pray for the needs of our parish community and the needs of
all those requesting and in need of prayer.
The Little Flower
Society of Prayer
Mission:
To pray “A Rosary for Priests”, especially for our parish and
diocesan priests.
Special Skills:
A desire to support our priests in prayer for all that they
sacrifice for us.
A commitment to pray “A Rosary for Priests” at least once
a week.
Coordinator:
Note: “A Rosary for Priests” prayer book is available in the
Rectory Office
Immaculata Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order
Time:
The Immaculata Fraternity meets each month for communal prayer,
ongoing formation in Catholicism and Franciscanism, and social
fellowship. Members of the fraternity are committed to daily
personal prayer and apostolic activity in the various parishes
to which the members belong. At St. Mary's, the fraternity
coordinates the Franciscan Prayer Chain and assists with the
coordination of First Friday and Divine Mercy devotions and
the annual Forty Hours devotion. The fraternity also supports
the pro-life apostolic work of the Paul Stefan Home of Our Lady
of Guadalupe in
Special Skills:
The fraternity welcomes all who may be interested to learn more
about the order and to discern whether the Lord may be calling
them to live for Him in the world -- but not of the world -- as
members of a recognized order in the Church.
Coordinator:
John F. Wagner Jr., SFO,
jfwagnerjr@gmail.com
Time:
Flexible, as able.
Special Skills:
A desire to support pro-life activities which include, the
Annual March for Life and local Life Chain among many other
opportunities.
Coordinator:
Birthright of
Special Skills:
Compassionate
Coordinator:
Note:
This is a non-denominational ministry
Catholic Charities
Time: Flexible.
As needed throughout the year.
Special Skills:
Organizational skills. Assistance in organizing, sorting and
cleaning our baby closest.
Coordinator:
Mary’s Shelter
Time:
Flexible. Any time that you are able to give is appreciated.
Special Skills:
Compassionate individuals who are willing to help with the many
needs associated with pregnancy, giving birth, early days after
birth and helping new mothers to become independent providers.
Coordinator:
Kathleen Wilson, (540)623-5778,
info@marysshelterva.org
Note:
Assisted in community by four parishes: St. Jude, St.
Rita, St. Matthew, and St. Mary Catholic Churches.
Time:
As scheduled, varies from 1-3 days/nights.
Special Skills:
A desire to take an opportunity to more clearly hear God’s call
and to seek God’s healing grace and thereby attain a degree of
spiritual renewal.
San Damiano Center
(Diocese of
Coordinator:
Fr. Don Rooney
frrooney@stmaryfred.org
Holy Family Retreat House,
Coordinator:
Coordinator:
Fr. Don Rooney,
frrooney@stmaryfred.org
Mission:
To create opportunities for the seniors in our parish to gather for
social interaction and fellowship.
Time:
Luncheons held
quarterly. Approximately 4-5 hours.
Special Skills:
A desire to serve others, organizing, cooking, and providing
transportation.
Coordinator:
Gonzalo Guacena,
stmary@stmaryfred.org
Note:
All seniors in our parish are warmly invited to attend these events
filled with great food, music and fun!
Mission:
To reach out to Spanish-speaking parishioners in the work of
evangelization and integration for parish unity.
Time:
Flexible. Various activities and events.
Special Skills:
A desire to assist our ever-growing Spanish-speaking parishioners to
grow in their faith and feel welcome at St. Mary. Bi-lingual skills
are helpful.
Coordinators:
Deacon
Alberto Bernaola,
berniespub@msn.com, Leticia Gonzales,
lettyg59@aol.com and Fr.
Time:
Monthly welcome meeting/reception 1-2 hours monthly.
Special Skills:
A warm and welcoming spirit.
Coordinator: Nell allen-Rollins, nallen6041@cox.net
Misison:
To foster spirituality and friendships for single and married
parishioners under 40 years of age.
Time:
Monthly meetings and activities/events as planned
Special Skills:
A desire to meet other young parishioners socially, to grow
spiritually and get involved in community events/outreach as a
group.
Coordinator: Fr. Ed Bresnahan, frbresnahan@stmaryfred.org