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If you are interested in any of the following organizations, please call the Rectory Office at 382-2118 for further information.

The Parish Assembly is not really an organization, but an event. About once a year the Pastoral Council organizes a time for representatives of the numerous parish organizations to meet and give a brief review of their activities. The Assembly is a time to hear about the many varied groups in our parish that are doing God’s work. Many of these groups work quietly out of the spotlight and the Assembly is a time for their work to be recognized and appreciated by others. The Assembly allows the various organizations to compare programs and ideas and to network among each other. Watch for bulletin notices for the date and time of future Parish Assemblies

The Pastoral Council is a group of about 15 members of the parish who serve a three-year term. New members are nominated by the parish and members suggestions. The Council is a sounding board for various parish organizations and advises the Pastor and his staff on parish activities and issues. The Council also participates in long-term planning and visioning for the parish. The Council meets on the third Thursday of each month, except in July and August. For information, please contact Dean Jacob at 389.2977 or the Parish Office.

St. Mary Finance Council advises the pastor on matters related to the financial and administrative affairs of the parish. They assist the pastor with planning and administering financial matters and in setting policy and procedure that will bring about effective management of parish assets. A Finance Council is mandated by Canon Law 537. Meetings are scheduled when matters such as the annual budget review need to be considered. Other meetings are held at the call of the pastor. Contact Bill Your 389.3277.

Cemetery Board is dedicated to making St. Mary Cemetery a place of beauty and peace for our loved ones as well as make sure the cemetery and the grounds are maintained, kept neat and well groomed. Ongoing problem solving includes replacing fences, tree trimming and removal, road paving, flooding, resetting grave stones, updating the rules and regulations regarding plantings, stone designs, etc.   Any suggestions and ideas are helpful. We encourage all parishioners to make a donation to the St. Mary Cemetery maintenance fund as the funds are used wisely for regular maintenance. Contact David Hartline 389.5345.

Bereavement Committee attends to the grieving members of our community, helps them prepare the funeral liturgy, and attends to the ongoing needs of the grieving persons through cards, home visits, programs, and an annual Memorial Mass for the Parish. Meetings are usually the second Tuesday of each month. Contact Marilyn Roseberry 387.9845.

Community Outreach Committee was formed in 1998. Our mission is to “tend to the concrete social needs of people in Marion.” The group coordinates the Harvest from the Heart, the Lenten Gathering program, and the Crop Walk fundraiser. Meetings are usually the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Commons or meeting information can be found in the bulletin. Contact Madelyn Litzenberg 389.1582 or Marty King at 389.1458.

St. Mary Parish Festival on the Green Committee is the one parish activity which solicits funds from the Marion community as a whole and supports both of our schools along with the religious education program. The success of the Festival on the Green is directly related to the commitment of all our parish members’ willingness to volunteer in the planning and/or working of the festival. Anyone interested in helping to continue the success of the Festival on the Green should contact Dave or Diana Trefzger.

Hospitality Committee finds ways to make the parish more welcoming to newcomers, visitors, and parishioners. The most noticeable activity is Hospitality Sunday where coffee and donuts are served after each of the masses. Different organizations within the parish are scheduled to serve as “host” for their weekend. Contact Carol Cottom 387.1840.

Men's Prayer Group meets every Friday from 7:15–8:30 a.m. in the Life Teen Office. The goal is for personal growth as men of God in all aspects of life. Meetings include prayer, study of the Sunday’s Scriptures, Church teachings, and coffee and donuts. Contact Mark Starrs 387.6225.

Neighborhood Soup Kitchen. Currently there are six area churches involved in the program. Each Tuesday evening at 5:15 p.m. the churches provide a supper for the needy at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. St. Mary is responsible for organizing, preparing and serving a supper on the third Tuesday of every month. The meal is funded or furnished by members from our parish. Approximately ninety parishioners are contributing to the program as coordinators, who plan and prepare the meal, as dessert suppliers or as set-up and clean-up personnel.

Additional helpers for the supper are needed, so if you are interested in becoming a part of this program, please call Jan Kraschinsky 389.1908 or Dortha Miller 389.1908

Respect for Life Actively promotes a renewed respect for human life is the responsibility of every Catholic. The parish Respect Life Committee assists in a special way by helping to make the parish a center for life. The committee provides educational materials on life issues facing today’s world, i.e. mothers and unborn babies, the seriously ill, the handicapped, stem cell research, and the death penalty. The committee works for special feast day prayer service for life and maintains Eucharistic Exposition and Adoration on the first Friday of each month.

Saints Alive is a monthly parish newsletter sent to all registered parishioners. Regular features include an inspirational article from one of the pastoral staff, an article highlighting the life of one of our parishioners, the baptisms and weddings from the previous month, a list of the monthly Sunday readings, school news, and other pertinent parish information. The newsletter is composed by a volunteer group of parishioner. Contact Jean Reas 389.1929.

Spanish Worship Committee meets monthly to plan the Spanish Masses and address needs of the Hispanic community

Spritural Enrichment Committee encourages parishioners to develop their relationship with God. We provide opportunities for spiritual growth and enrichment through retreats, speakers, mornings of reflection, advent and Lenten booklets, and various other programs This commission meets on the second Thursday of the month. Contact Judy Bowe 389.1007.

St. Vincent de Paul meets twice a month to address concerns of those in need of assistance and sponsors the food pantry and clothing center. Members visit the hospital and area nursing homes and assist Community Action in serving noon meals. Contact Mike Bowe.

Telephone Prayer Line provides intercessory prayers for people who are ill or in need of prayer of any kind. Contact Elaine Kelly 389.1018.

Welcoming Circle welcomes new members of St. Mary Parish. This small group meets informally about every three months to assemble simple gift baskets for new members of the parish. To participate in the group or contribute items for the gift baskets. Contact Dean or Sue Jacob 389.2977.

Young at Heart is a senior-citizen group which provides social activities including luncheons, trips, speakers, and great food. The group meets the last Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. at various restaurants. Check the bulletin for notices. Newcomers are always welcome. Contact Lucille Corney 382.8377.

Parish-Related Organizations
Catholic Ladies of Columbia is a life insurance association open to Catholic women and their families. Women over 60 years of age may join socially, and those under 60 are eligible for insurance. The organization, which usually meets monthly, supports national and local charities.

Knights of Columbus is a fraternal organization that takes care of widows and children of deceased members. It is active throughout the entire Marion County where assistance is needed and helps support Marion’s Catholic Schools and athletic programs. Catholic men over the age 18 are eligible to join the K of C. For more information on the Fourth Degree give Lance Curtis a call at 726.2523.

St. Mary Boy Scouts of America Troop 50 is chartered by St. Mary Parish. The scouts provide programs that foster personal and faith growth, accomplishments in merit badge and mental achievements. Contact Stephanie Langley 382.4415.

St. Mary Cub Scout Pack 50 is for boys in grades 2-5, Tigers-Webloes scouts. Led by Paul Beickelman the program meets from September thru June with special events over the summer. Contact Paul at 382-2915.

If you are interested in any of the above organizations, please call the Pastoral Ministry Office at 740/382.2262 for further information.

St. Mary's Hispanic Ministry is an integral part of St. Mary Parish, that is committed to helping the Latinos in our community, both the newly arrived, as well as those who have been here for some time. We provide preparation classes in Spanish for First Communions and Baptisms, and the Masses in Spanish on the third Sunday of each month at 5:00 p.m. We also are involved in the spiritual formation through retreats and Bible study classes. Along with St. Vincent de Paul, we also offer help to families with inadequate resources. We supply interpretation when necessary. Contact Chantelle Blackburn 382.2262.

Worship Commission call the parish office for more details, 382.2118.

Alter Servers, boys or girls, assist the presider at all daily, weekly, funeral, and wedding Masses. They assist the priest and are role models for the congregation. New Server Training begins at the fifth grade level and serving continues through high school. Contact Bill Dichtl, 389.2510, for a schedule and training times.

Cantors lead the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation, as well as other music, at Mass. They meet individually with the Director of Music to prepare. Interested persons may contact Betsy Iacobucci at 387.6225.

Eucharistic Ministers/Ministers to the Sick distribute the Eucharist at a scheduled weekend Mass. This ministry may also involve nursing home, hospital, and home distribution of the Eucharist. Contact Joe Morman, 387.3147.

Greeters welcome parishioners at the beginning of weekend Masses. Greeters are scheduled about once a month for the Mass time of choice and need to be present at least twenty minutes before Mass begins. Contact Sr. Virginia at 382.2262.

Lectors proclaim one or two scripture passages, plus the Prayers of Petition at a scheduled weekend Mass and are dedicated to proclaiming, not simply reading, the Word of God. One may also volunteer for funerals and daily Masses. Contact Bill Thomas 389.3334.

Ushers, assist with seating; attend to anyone needing assistance during Mass; supervises offertory collection, the carrying up of the gifts, and the flow of communicants; and hand out bulletins after Mass.

Music Ministry, enhances the atmosphere of prayer and worship at Mass and other liturgical events by offering and encouraging singing and music. The Parish Choir meets on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. and the Handbell Choir meets on Wednesdays at 6:15 in the Church. The Memorial Choir sings at parish funerals. Interested individuals may join for any one particular season of the year. Call Bettsy Iacobucci for details, 387.6225.

Teen Mass Music Ministry is group of teens and adults who sing and play a musical instrument at the Teen Mass on the second Sunday of the month at 5:00 p.m. Call Mimi Berg for details, 382.2118.