• Support Groups

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Parish Life
Ministries

Community Support Groups

The ministries found in this section are St. Mary’s chapters of national/international Catholic organizations with strong ties to our parish. These groups are composed almost entirely of St. Mary’s parishioners and provide services or events for our community, but operate independently and follow the rules of their parent organization. Also included in this group is the Charles Carroll House, an independent foundation, located adjacent to the St. Mary’s property.

The vocation of marriage, and subsequent building of a family, is truly one that is both fulfilling and challenging in today’s world. These ministries provide support for parishioners in all stages of the journey. Whether it is a new family with young children who need someone to care for their young children while they attend Mass or a couple who is wants to put the spiritual and emotional spark back in their marriage, these groups provide a chance to come together with other St. Mary’s parishioners and focus on family life.

Local Chapters of National Organizations

List of 4 items.

  • Ancient Order of Hibernians

    An organization of Catholic men of Irish descent. The organization supports various Church sponsored service activities, including the Birthright program. Its primary charitable activity is support of the Northern Ireland Children's Friendship Project which brings pairs of children from Northern Ireland (one Catholic and one Protestant) to live together for six weeks with an American host family.
    LADIES ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS

    The Ladies Ancient Order Of Hibernians (LAOH) is an organization of Catholic women of Irish descent. Their mission is to promote friendship, unity, Christian charity and Irish history. The organization supports various Church sponsored service activities: the Father Colleran Scholarship Fund for St. Mary's Elementary School, the Notre Dame University Scholarship Fund, Birthright, Light House Shelter, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Columbian Missions, and the Carroll House. In addition, the LAOH, along with the men's AOH, supports the Northern Ireland Children's Friendship Project. The LAOH sponsors and conducts various fundraising activities to provide needed support to the sponsored organizations and activities.

    Contact 
    Jane Bannon
    410-507-1826 
    annapolislaoh@gmail.com

    Membership
    Patricia Slaughter 
    240-876-0360
    Read More
  • Catholic Daughters of America

    The Catholic Daughters of the Americas are women fostering a culture of life and love under the patronage of the Blessed Mother, united in faith and devotion to Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. They are a deeply spiritual group of women whose purpose is to support the needs of others through financial, emotional, physical, and spiritual means. They are made up of women from all walks of life - grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, friends, working, retired. They donate, with time and money, to many charitable organizations. Spiritually, they pray together, attend Mass together, and offer support to their fellow daughters and the community through our Circle of Love apostolate. Their monthly meetings provides time for prayer, discussion and socialization. All Catholic women over 18 are invited to join this group. 
  • Knights of Columbus

    The Knights of Columbus is the leading Catholic fraternal charitable and service organization in the world.  Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism have been the order‘s principles since their founding in 1882. The Knights of Columbus Annapolis Council has been providing much needed and appreciated financial and service since its founding in 1909.   In addition to local parish support to St. Mary‘s Church in Annapolis and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Edgewater, they have supported food pantries, homeless shelters, scholarships, victims of domestic violence, services to the mentally or physically challenged, and countless others in need.  Imagine being part of an organization that fills your heart and your mind with the joy of giving to others and the feeling that comes with making a difference. Knights are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to making their community a better place, while supporting their Church. Being a Knight is more than camaraderie; it is being involved with your community; it is supporting St. Mary‘s Parish, while enhancing your own faith; it is about protecting and enhancing your family life. 
  • Scout Troop #422

    Cub Scout Pack 422 For boys in grades 1-5. Pack meeting are the third Sunday of each month at 3:00 P.M. Location is St. Mary‘s Marian Hall.

    Boy Scout Troop 422 For boys at the end of grade 5 through age 18. Troop meetings are most Wednesday evenings at 7:00 P.M. in St. Mary‘s Marian Hall or West Annapolis Elementary School. 

    Venture Scout Crew 422 For teens and young adults 14-21 years of age, co-ed. Crew Meetings are the first two Wednesdays of each month in either St. Mary‘s Marian Hall or West Annapolis Elementary School. On the third Wednesday, they have their famous restaurant meeting at a local restaurant.

Family Life

List of 7 items.

  • Divine Mercy Home School Support Group

    This group is an association of lay faithful established to promote homeschooling among Catholic families and to support those families who are engaged in providing their children's primary education at home. They seek to nourish Catholic families, to help build the Church, and to promote the blessings of homeschooling.
  • Marriage Encounter

    Marriage Encounter activities are designed to help couples deepen the joy and beauty of their marriage. The initial activity for couples is participation in a Marriage Encounter Weekend --a time for them to get away from the distractions of the world to renew the "spark" in their relationship. After that, there are a variety of follow-up activities during the year. The main goal of the group is to provide support and encouragement to married couples. Strengthening marriages helps strengthen families, our parish/church and our world.

  • Natural Family Planning

    Their mission is to provide Natural Family Planning instruction to all interested men and women. They want to share their view that abstinence (at the right time) is a normal and responsible part of marriage that can deepen the marital relationship while it performs the important function of helping plan pregnancies. A free orientation is given once each month and interested couples return for follow-up instruction throughout the next 4-5 months. They also provide assistance for those couples having difficulty achieving pregnancy.
  • Silver Saints

    The Silver Saints Ministry works to provide advocacy, resources, and assistance to our senior parishioners in every aspect of their spiritual growth and development. Breakfast meetings are held monthly at St. Mary’s Church on the third Wednesday, from 7:30- 9:00 am.
     
    Announcements of upcoming meetings and events are posted in the weekly bulletin. The Silver Saints sponsor two major activities during the year, and the Committee is always open to suggestions for more:
     
    1. Annual Facilities Accessibility Tour: a team of parishioners tour the campuses of St. Mary’s and St. John Neumann with a focus of physical accessibility issues for senior parishioners. Concerns that have been identified and have been corrected, or are still in the process of being addressed include: sound, lighting, railings, signage, crosswalk striping, automatic doors, and awnings over handicap entrances. After the tour and observations are compiled, we present our findings to the St. Mary’s Facilities Committee where projects are developed and added to either the annual Repair and Maintenance list or to the Capital Improvement Projects list. The Accessibility Tour is scheduled in the Spring.
     
    2. Annual Silver Saints Spiritual Retreat: This is a one day, in Parish retreat for senior parishioners and their caregivers. We schedule a guest inspirational speaker who will provide guidance and discussion on the spiritual challenges that are unique to those experiencing increased disabilities and other new challenges that come with aging. There is time for reflection and Confession, and the Retreat participants attend noon mass as a group. The Spiritual Retreat is scheduled in early Summer.
     
    New members are always welcome!
  • Special Gatherings

    Occasional Series featuring programs of parish wide interest (e.g. Civil War History and St. Mary’s Parish), lectures, demonstrations, holiday luncheons, etc.  Proposed events presented based on perceived appeal to an audience of men and women of the parish and their guests.  Volunteer serve ad lib or per presentation.  Expectation is 3-4 per year.
  • Walking with Purpose

    Walking with Purpose is a Catholic Bible study program that aims to bring women to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We offer personal study and small group discussion that link our everyday challenges and struggles with the solutions given to us through the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church.
    Walking with Purpose endeavors to meet women where they are, giving them practical Biblical teaching that is consistent with Church doctrine and uses the Catechism of the Catholic Church as an additional resource. Walking with Purpose has three elements: at-home study, parish-based or independently run weekly small group meetings, and a monthly talk on relevant Bible study material. Parish-based programs are offered during the daytime or in the evenings, and childcare is provided. All Bible study materials have received the imprimatur from the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and vary in length and depth of study in order to meet the varying needs of participants.
    Read More
  • Welcoming Committee

    The Welcoming Committee focuses on fulfilling the parish vision statement ―to be a warm and welcoming Community of Faith. Committee members call all new parishioners and welcome them to the parish, answer any questions, and encourage people to get involved in the many ministries and organizations that make St. Mary‘s such a vibrant community. The Committee also hosts a reception twice a year to give existing parishioners an opportunity to meet and welcome the new parishioners. This is a great time for new parishioners to meet the representatives from the ministries and organizations and find out more about how to fulfill their call to serve.