| Parish
Organizations |
|
Adult Education -
The goal of parish adult education is to present challenging
programs in scripture, sacraments, Catholic doctrine and the
family that intensify our personal relationships with Jesus.
For suggestions or questions about periodic or ongoing adult
education programs, contact Fr. Tom or Sr.
Karolyn at 656-4857.
|
| Bible
Study/Catholic Scripture Study (CSS) - Enrich
your faith journey! Would you like to learn more about the Catholic
Faith? Read the Bible and see what it means to you as a Catholic
Christian? CSS is for you! Catholic Scripture Study is an Adult
Bible Study at St. Mary's. We meet on Tuesday mornings and new
members are always welcome. We meet in the Smart Art Room from
9:00am-10:30am. Enrich your spiritual journey with a weekly
Bible study that incorporates God's word with contemporary thought
and fellowship. The purpose of CSS is to "Grow in grace
and in knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him
be the glory both now and evermore!" (II Peter 3:18). For
more information, check out the CSS webpage
or call Laura at (618) 288-0590. |
| Bible Study - This group meets every other Sunday evening at 7:00 pm in the teachers' lounge. For more information, contact Clyde Nosser: 659-0548. |
| Building
& Grounds Committee -
St. Mary's Building and Grounds Committee takes care of the
church and school campus. |
| Children's
Liturgy - Also
called "share the word" at other parishes, the Children's
Liturgy takes the 4 through 12-year-old children out of mass
during the readings. They are read the same readings, yet in
words they understand. The children then discuss the readings
and what they understand the meaning of the readings are to
them. The children re-enter church after the gifts are collected.
(The children give their gifts in a collection during their
program.)
Want
to help? We can always use volunteer leaders for Children's
Liturgy. Many people think that you must be a theologian to
read the readings and guide the children in discussion. That
simply is not true. If you can read aloud and enjoy children,
you can help with the Children's Liturgy program. Each parent
who helps is given a book with the readings and the publisher
of the book kindly supplies you with suggestions for discussion.
You may find that you actually understand the readings better
and be inspired by the statements from the children. It is
amazing to hear them talk about helping others and being good
people. The leaders get a spiritual benefit as well as the
children.
What
do the children get out of Children's Liturgy? Your
child will actually understand the reading and understand
what it may mean to them in their daily life. Ask your child
what the readings were about after church, they may surprise
you with what they heard. They get to participate in the mass
and talk about what the readings mean to them. They often
get to offer petitions and prayers for their families, friends,
and even pets. The kids love to give specific petitions. Children
are also selected to bring up the gifts at mass and pass out
special bulletins at the end of mass.
For more
information or to volunteer to help out, contact Janet Foehrkolb
at 656-0902.
|
| Cub Scouts
- Our youngest
active boy scouts, Cub Scout Pack #72 has membership from grades
1 through 5. For more information, contact Tom Ware at 288-7351
or check them out at www.pack72.com. |
| Daughters of
Isabella -
The D of I is an organization of Catholic women whose purpose
is to support, empower and educate all Catholic women in spirituality,
leadership and service. Membership is open to practicing Catholics
over the age of sixteen. New members are welcome. For more information
contact Sharon Hengehold at 656-2550 or visit http://.home.catholicweb.com/daughtersofisabella218. |
| Girl Scouts
- Our active
Junior Girl Scout Troops #519, #646, #713, #1060 and Brownie
Troops #39, #193 and #1613 meet throughout the school year.
For more information, contact Sue Zimitsch at 655-1352.
|
| Knights of Columbus
- K of C
Council #1143, located on Marine Road is the local organization
of the larger affiliation for Catholic men who are 18 and older.
The Knights are dedicated to Christian leadership, fraternity,
and charity. Meetings are held at the hall on the 2nd and 4th
Mondays of the month. For more information, please call the
Knights of Columbus Hall at 656-4985 or visit their website
at www.kofc1143.com. |
|
Ladies' Guild -
All ladies in the parish are invited to attend monthly meetings
(see Calendar). The Ladies' Guild
is an organization for all women of the parish. Meetings are
held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm in the
cafeteria. They provide services such as: Funeral Lunches
and receptions after First Reconciliation, Confirmation, and
the Easter Vigil to celebrate the initiation of new Catholics.
The ladies also give groceries at Thanksgiving and Christmas
to a needy family of the parish. The Ladies' Guild welcomes
all ladies and any suggestions that would benefit the St.
Mary's parish family. To
request funeral luncheon, contact Helen Daniel at 656-6720
or the church office at 656-4857. For information about the
Ladies' Guild, contact Kay Maynard at 288-2867.
|
Life Teen -
We will be starting this dynamic program on February 21, 2010 to serve the high school students of the Metro East area. Every Sunday evening will consist of a Teen Mass at 6pm in the Church immediately followed by Life Nights in the school from 7-9:30 pm. All high school students are welcome to attend for an evening of fun, friendship and spiritual growth. There is no registration necessary for the program. We are always looking for adult volunteers, musicians and donations. If you have any questions, please contact our Youth Minister, Steve Chapman: 659-0309 or schapman@ecusd7.org.
Follow St. Mary's Life Teen on Facebook (search "St. Mary's Life Teen - Edwardsville, IL"). |
| St.
Mary's Moms' Ministry -
All mothers in the parish are invited to join St. Mary's Moms'
Ministry. The group meets regularly to socialize and pray together.
We discuss and share advice with each other concerning issues
that are important to us as Catholic moms. Moms also have opportunities
to participate in charitable service and fundraising activities. |
| Parent/Teacher
Club -
St. Mary's School parents and teachers meet during the school
year to organize fundraisers to help with school needs. For
more information, visit
the PTC website... |
| Right-to-Life
- Supporting
the sacredness of life from the moment of conception until natural
death, the Right-to-Life group is open to all. For more information,
contact the church office at 656-4857. |
| Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) - RCIA invites all who are interested in learning about the Catholic Church to a program beginning in September, and running through the Easter Season. Interested adults are invited to join in inquiry sessions in September. Those who indicate an interest in joining the Church begin the Period of the Catechumenate in November, and proceed toward full reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil. The program is for the unbaptized, as well as baptized Protestants, and those baptized Catholics who have never been catechized, and have not received the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. The program currently meets on Tuesday evenings, and includes the pastor and team members, as well as those who are interested in learning more about the Church. Please call the Parish Office for more information: 656-4857. |
| School
Board -
Called by the parish to serve as consultant to the pastor in
establishing the policy relative to the school and to advise
the Principal in the implementation of the policy, the Board
considers all aspects of the educational programs of the school,
such as the class size, departmentalization, admissions policy,
tuition, and athletic policies. |
| Social Committee
- This group
is responsible for promoting a spirit of fellowship by planning
social events for the parish. For more information, contact
Kim Fremont at 692-0005. |
| St. Vincent DePaul
Society -
This society is a local branch of the larger St. Vincent DePaul
Society. They offer emergency services and they conduct programs
to assist the poor. The Society meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays
of each month at St. Boniface. For assistance, call 1-800-775-0712,
Ext. 7777. |
| Welcoming Committee
- Organized
to welcome new families into our parish, this committee contributes
to the fellowship of St. Mary's. For more information, contact
Chris Rimkus at 692-6096. |
| Youth
Group
-
This group gives the youth of our parish the opportunity to
join together in fun, parish service projects, and time to reflect
on their part of the religious family at St. Mary's. Open to
grades 7 through 12. For more information call the Parish Office at 656-4857. |
