St. Mary's Ministries

Members of the Peace and Social Justice Committee have a compelling desire to serve poorer members of our society. Through their actions, these parishioners advocate for a peaceful solution to the social challenges in the community of Saint Mary and the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Members work to complete this mission through:

• educating fellow parishioners about social justice issues.
• advocating to build a more peaceful and just society.
• joining with the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Saint Mary to coordinate the monthly “Van Outreach” to the homeless people of Baltimore.
• organizing the “Giving Tree” Project during the Advent season.

Started in conjunction with the 175th anniversary of our parish in 1999, the History Committee has organized the annual Founders Day Weekend each year on the first weekend in November. On the first Saturday in November, it joins with the American Legion ceremony at the cemetery to commemorate the four French Sailors who were buried there after World War I. On that Sunday the committee organizes the annual parish Anniversary Mass and reception. It collects and manages the parish’s archives and generally meets at 7 p.m., on the fourth Wednesday of each month. All interested parishioners are welcome to join this important group – the keepers of our heritage.

Parishioners use their talents by participating in the ministry of Our Daily Bread to serve the poor and needy in Baltimore City. They do this by:

• bringing frozen macaroni and cheese casseroles, twice a month (by noon on the Sundays before each first and third Mondays of the month), to the rectory for use by Our Daily Bread at their lunch
• serving as volunteers at Our Daily Bread as needed

If you are interested in this ministry and for more information, contact the parish office.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Saint Mary helps local people sustain themselves with housing, utilities, and other immediate needs as they work toward a better future. Our parish chapter of this international Catholic ministry to the needy uses poor box contributions and other donations to assist its clients and, whenever possible, visiting them in their homes. The group also conducts our parish’s monthly delivery of food and clothing to the homeless.

Consider making a monthly or bimonthly commitment to assist in this effort by contributing sandwiches, soft fruit, individually packaged cookies, or fruit drinks. Help with assembling food bags is also appreciated. Parishioners meet on the last Saturday of each month at 4:30 p.m. in the St. Mary’s parking lot next to the garages. Food contributions may be left at the rectory before noon or between 3:30-4:15 p.m. on the day of outreach. To learn more, please contact the parish office.

Saint Mary was one of the founding members of the Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO) in partnership with faith-based and community organizations. GEDCO provides affordable housing, supportive services, and emergency assistance to community residents. GEDCO is committed to a just society that respects the dignity and worth of all people and to fostering growth toward personal independence. GEDCO’s CARES program serves families and individuals in crisis by connecting them with resources that enable movement towards self-sufficiency. These resources include food and emergency financial assistance services. The CARES program operates from Saint Mary’s and is run by a dedicated team consisting of one full-time and one part-time employee, and over 100 volunteers.

One of the oldest Scout troops in continuous operation, Boy Scout Troop #133 celebrated its 76th Anniversary in 2013.The Troop welcomes all youth from the Govans and surrounding area and promotes traditional Scout values and skills. The troop meets every Friday evening at 7:00 pm. It offers a variety of activities such as camping, backpacking, canoeing and wilderness survival training. Anyone interested or for more information, please contact the parish office.