The Catholic Church serves many through the service of others. At St. Mary's, there are ample opportunities for you to get involved in our varios ministries.
Assisting in the Liturgy is a way the laity can grow in a relationship with Christ. Check our our Liturgy Ministries page to see what you can do to participate in the Mass.
The Church has a special desire to minister to the Youth and Young Adults because they are the future leaders of the Church. Through community involvement and social fellowship, all youth and young adults are encouraged to be engaged with our outreach.
The Church also has a mandate to serve those who are not as fortunate and those who need help. Through St. Mary's, you could get involved in our Social Outreach through the Food Pantry, visits to local senior living homes, care for the elderly, and much more.
The Church finds the source of her life in Jesus and the Holy Spirit. As members of the Church, all of us have a part to play in her mission to bring Christ into our homes, schools, and places of work.
Within the context of the liturgy, the laity have several roles they can play to help facilitate the Mass. As the Second Vatican Council set forth the way the faithful experience the Mass, it also paved the way for deeper involvement in the liturgical ministries. Below is a list of the ministries that the laity are encouraged to discern. Click on a ministry to learn more about it and how you can get involved:
Lectors
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Altar Servers
Music Ministers
Ushers
Our faith is not just about quiet prayer and study, it's also about having fun! Our youth groups incorporate fun events to build quality relationships and foster growth while focusing on our relationship with God. Some events are both middle school and high school and some events are specific. Please see each page for a list of upcoming events.
March
Youth Group Events
For 6th-12th Grade
Join the Saint Mary's Youth Group for our upcoming events for all those
in 6th-12th grade!
Tuesday, March 8th—Youth Group Family Feud! 7:00-8:30pm.
Join us in the school for a competitive game of Family Feud! Bring a friend!
Friday, March 11th—Stations of the Cross and Ice Cream 7:00-8:30pm
We will be joining the parish community for Stations of the Cross in the church. Then we will go downstairs in Bermingham Hall for some ice cream and fellowship!
Tuesday, March 22nd—Youth Group 7:00-8:30pm
Join us in the school again for some games and snacks!
Saturday, March 26th—Roller Rink Trip 1:00-3:00pm
We will be taking a trip to the Florham Park Roller Rink (192 Ridgedale Ave, Florham Park). The cost of the trip is $14.75, which includes admission and skate rentals, as well as our reserved spots. Please return the attached permission slip and fee to Sarah or place in the rectory drop box no later than March 22nd.
PDF Permission Slip
Feel free to reach out with any questions!
-Sarah Robinson
[email protected]
Want to be part of an awesome community that will inspire you in your faith? JOIN US! Our group is for anyone aged 21 (out of college) to 35, and meets just about every monday night at the Religious Education building (White Building across the parking lot from the church, directly next to the school). We have a wide and exciting variety of activities going on, including small group bible/book studies, pub nights, game nights, prayer nights, talks, and many others! But most importantly, we are a group committed to real discipleship of Christ and authentic friendship with one another. If you'd like some more info, fill out the contact form below and a Young adult (YA) Leader will get in touch with you! If you'd like to get signed up for emails/texts with what's happening, sign up is at the bottom of this page. Thanks for checking us out, and hope to see you soon!
All seniors 55+ are invited to join us on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 1:00 p.m. in Bermingham Hall (the basement of the church).
Please contact Chris Kimker at [email protected] for more information. Please bring a friend!
St. Mary's Food Pantry
Each week, our Food Pantry serves people of the area. It is stocked through donations from local companies, such as Walmart and Panera, as well as through donations from our parishioners throughout the year. We are extremely grateful for these companies that make up 80 percent of our weekly donations, and for the continuous support of our parish. Each year around Thanksgiving, our Food Pantry prepares baskets to make up a Thanksgiving Dinner.
The following items are always needed to help keep the Food Pantry stocked:
Soups, Canned Meat and Fish, Pastas and Jarred Sauce, Cold and Hot Cereals, Coffee, Tea, Dry Milk, Sugar, Peanut Butter and Jelly, and Canned Vegetables.
To volunteer to work the Food Pantry, please contact the Parish Office. We are always looking for help on Tuesdays from 10AM to Noon to help distribute goods.
Support for Our Armed Forces
St. Mary's is grateful for all of those who serve in the military at home and oversees. Throughout our Parish History, we have had many brave men and women wear the uniform from our Parish. As a token of our appreciation, we pray for those away from home and send them letters and care packages at various times throughout the year. For more information on how you can get involved in this outreach, please contact the Parish Office.
Visiting the Senior Homes
Many senior and assisted living homes surround the local area around St. Mary's. Groups within the parish often visit these homes to provide a ministry of presence to those who live there. Whether its bringing the Body of Christ or singing Christmas carols, this outreach ministry is a great way to volunteer your time and talents to those who could always use a little pick me up.
Hand in Hand Caregivers Ministry
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal service organization of Catholic men who are committed to Catholicism through "the principles of charity, unity, and fraternity." The worldwide organization is comprised of local councils who support the local community. The Knights promote several causes and host events each year. Their Pro-Life support is endless as they are one of the principle supporters of the March for Life each year in Washington, DC. Some of their other efforts include funding raising for Catholic Charities and an annual Free Throw Shooting contest for boys and girls. Lafayette Council #514 is connected with St. Mary's. Please contact the Parish Office or Mr. John McBride for more information on how you can join or support the Council.