Ministries, Missions, PPC
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This mission is chaired by Don Peris / PPC
For more information or to join any of the beautiful Liturgical ministries including Music, Cantors, Video Broadcast, Altar Serving, Decorating, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, Lectors, Sacristans, and Ushers, St. Michael's Guard, Altar Linens, website click hereEducation
This mission is chaired by Elaine Allen / PPCAt St. Mary’s we are dedicated to educating our family in the faith. This takes on the form of our Catholic school system as well as Religious Education, the Youth Ministry and Adult Formation. We also encourage those interested in learning more about our faith to join us for RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). Listed are the contacts for each of these areas:
Resurrection Catholic School - Mrs. Ellen Amarante
Lancaster Catholic High School - 717.509.0315
- Religious Education - Keri Kiefer
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - Anne Barnes and Elizabeth Masciale-Walmer
Youth Ministry - Bob Cybulski - 717.385.9268
Adult Formation - Joe Clupp
RCIA - Brian Eltz - 215.805.5335
Women’s Bible Study - Robyn Visneski 717.464.6953
Family Life
This mission is chaired by Joe Clupp / PPCThe goal of Family Life Ministries is to strengthen marriages and families in the parish by providing opportunities and resources to assist families in the living of their vocation and faith. Areas of Family Life include:
Family Life - Joe Clupp
Marriage Preparation - Marika and Andrew Ellis
Respect Life -
The Cenacle Young Adult Group - Mary Amidon and Mary Grace Soper: thecenaclelancaster.org
That Man Is You - Joe Clupp
Men’s Group - Joe Clupp
Well Read Mom's Group - Hannah Couch
Men's Gospel Reflection Group - Joe Clupp
Exodus 90 - Sean Couch
Women's Bible Study - Robyn Visniski
Church Social Group - Phil and Teresa Neff
Adore and More - Clarissa
Welcoming Committee - Derek Nowak
Parish Pastoral Council
The roles of the Parish Pastoral Council:
to focus on the Church’s mission, in particular evangelization and spiritual renewal.
to support the parish/diocese relationship.
to share responsibility for life and welfare of parish in union with the pastor.
to advance pastoral mission.
to seek and draw forth talents, energies and insights of parishioners.
Requirements to be a member:
practicing Catholic in good standing.
parishioner of St. Mary’s Church.
a willingness to grow in knowledge of faith.
be able to work with others in spirit of openness and trust.
accept role of service to people of God.
uphold teaching of the Church and norms established by diocese and council.
Current Members:
- Fr Brian Olkowski , Don Peris (Ex-Officio), Joe Clupp (Ex-Officio)
Mary Lynn Devine - Chair, Joel Young - Co Chair
Cheryl Mills, Susanne Scott, Rick Camden, Rick Kiefer
Phil Neff, Amy Soper, John Spiziri
Rebecca Zuber, David Zuber, Elaine Allen, Sean Couch
Barb D’Ercole, Andrew Ellis
Meetings: usually the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Assumption Hall, except for summer months.
Pastoral
This mission is chaired by Mary Lynn Devine / PPCThis mission fosters a sense of belonging among the members of the parish. It encompasses all the programs, ministries and activities that support and strengthen the parish as a Community of Faith.
Archives - Betty Anne O’Brien
Bereavement - Darlene Labezius-Driscoll
Buildings and Grounds - Ron Medlock
Funeral Luncheon Committee - Angie Lead
Gardening - Janet Purcell
Homebound Ministry - Fran Sescilla
Hospitality Ministry - Jeanne Claus
Office Support - Mary Lynn Devine
Prayer Shawl Ministry - Joan Valentin
Respect Life
The dignity of a person must be recognized in every human being from conception to natural death. This fundamental principle expresses a great “yes” to human life. . . .
–From the Instruction Dignitas Personae of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the FaithFor more information about pro-life activities at St. Mary’s Church, please contact Fr. Olkowski
Ecumenism
This ministry is chaired by Fr. Olkowski / PPCThis mission encourages unity and understanding within the Christian community and reaches out to those non-Christians who share with the us the faith in God the Father. An understanding and appreciation of the beliefs of others can enrich our own faith as we share spiritual insights with those of other traditions.
The Church holds persecuted Christians around the World in our prayers. This ministry is currently learning how to best support the spiritual needs of our persecuted brothers and sisters and refugee population from the Middle East.
This mission includes Lancaster County Food Hub (formerly Lancaster County Council of Churches) and Downtown Ministerium.
Addiction Resources
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Lancaster County Drug & Alcohol Commission
150 N. Queen St., Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 299-8023
www.co.lancaster.pa.us/140/Drug-Alcohol-CommissionRASE Project of Lancaster
131 E. Orange St., Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 295-3080
www.raseproject.org/rase-program-of-lancasterCompass Mark, County Prevention
1891 Santa Barbara Drive, Suite 104, Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 299-2831
www.compassmark.orgProject Lazarus Lancaster
515B Hershey Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 340-4901
www.projectlazaruslanco.org
provides Narcan training and free Narcan dosesSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857
(877) 726-4727
www.samhsa.govGlobal Outreach for Addiction Leadership and Learning (GOAL Project)
313 W. Liberty Street, Suite 260, Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 824-3310
www.goalproject.orgLOCAL AGENCIES
TW Ponessa & Associates Counseling Services
410 N. Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 560-7917
www.twponessa.comPennsylvania Counseling Services
40 Pearl St., Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 397-8081
www.pacounseling.comNuestra Clinica
545 Pershing Ave., Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 392-4150Naaman Center
436 N. Lime St., Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 394-5495
www.naamancenter.com
Social Justice
This mission is chaired by Cheryl Mills / PPC
Social Welfare and Justice
“. . . can be a dynamic response to the Church’s call to proclaim and build the kingdom of God in our midst.”Two values shine forth:
The dignity and freedom of each individual
Necessity for peace and justice in our communities
mission to reach out beyond the parish to the civic community both in word and deed.
This mission includes:
St. Vincent De Paul Committee - Amy Patton
Prison Ministry - Fr. OlkowskiParish Advocate for People with Disabilities - Yvonne Devosa
Food Bank Committee (Quarterly) - Mary Lynn Devine
Panera Bread DoughNation - JoAnn Fabian
Catholic Worker House - Tara Hauber
Community Meals - Bryson Velletri
Community Meals:
The Community Meal is for anyone in need of a meal. It occurs every Friday night at St. Mary’s Church in the school cafeteria (entrance on Beaver Street). Doors open at 4:30 p.m., and dinner is served at 5:30 p.m. To volunteer, please call the rectory office, 717.392.2578.Other weekday Community Meals provided free of charge at the following locations:
Breakfast
Monday through Friday: St. James Episcopal Church, Duke and Orange Streets at 8:45 a.m.
Saturday: First Reformed Church, 40 E. Orange Sreet at 9:00 a.m.
Sunday: Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, 31 S. Duke Street at 8:30 a.m.Lunch
Monday through Friday: St. Anne’s Church, Liberty and Duke Streets, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Dinner
Monday: East Chestnut St. Mennonite Church, 434 E. Chestnut Street at 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday: First Reformed Church, 40 E. Orange Street at 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday: Grace Lutheran Church, James & Queen Streets at 5:30 p.m.
Thursday: Christ Luthern Church, Manor and King Streets at 5:30 p.m.
Friday: St. Mary’s Church, Vine and Beaver Streets at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: Crispus Attucks Center, 407 Howard Ave. at 5:30 p.m.
St. Vincent De Paul
This group, made up mostly of volunteers, attempts to meet some of the basic living needs of parishioners and community members. Assistance can be given for some immediate needs such as rent and utility bills. For assistance, please call 392-2578.
For parishioners to refer other members of St. Mary’s or those in the community who have urgent needs, please complete the referral card and send it to St. Mary’s Church, 119 S. Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17603, or email the rectory office in confidence.
For more information on volunteering, please call 717.392.2578.
Evangalization and Stewardship
This mission is chaired by Rick Camden / PPCTime and Talent Book 2022-23: Descriptions of all ministries
Time and Talent Signup Sheet for Kids: Print and keep
The stewardship committee, in cooperation with God’s grace, is committed to learning about stewardship and bringing the message of grateful caretaking to the people of St. Mary’s.
All is Gift
Each time that we receive the Eucharist, we are reminded that Jesus has given us the Gift of eternal life through His suffering and death. He has given this Gift and many others, and our initial response should be one of thankfulness. This ultimately should lead to the recognition of our complete dependence on the Lord. It is not through our own actions but through His that we receive.
Our posture in receiving the Eucharist should remind us that we are receivers, not initiators, of the Gift. When we approach the Eucharist with out stretched hands, we are open to receiving His gift. We allow God tobe God in our openness to receiving the Gift and not grasping.
Our gifts are given so we can share with others of the Body of Christ. Our time, talents, and treasures are given, not simply for our benefit, but for us to serve each other. We are called, in turn, to reach out our hands and offer those gifts to others of the Body of Christ in our own unique ways. As we allow Christ to act through us, to transform us in service to others, we will be followers of Christ’s commandment – to love one another as I have loved you. We are called to serve, not be served.
Many times we don’t always recognize our own giftedness and abilities; perhaps even our disabilities are truly the gifts we are given to share. Prayerfully consider what special gifts you have that need to be shared with the Body of Christ. Each of us has our own individual talents and abilities. How is the Spirit calling you to use your time, talent, and treasure to bring about the Kingdom of God in this church and community?
If you feel impelled to use your gifts in any of the ministries at St Mary’s, please contact a member of the stewardship committee. A listing of the current ministries can be found here.
For more information, contact members of the Stewardship Committee:
Fr. Brian Olkowski, Pastor
Jeanne Claus co-chair
Tithing
Our parish formally embarked on the path of stewardship as a directive of our Parish Pastoral Council by forming a Stewardship Committee in 2005. Following a Stewardship of Time and Talent campaign in 2006, we spiritually embraced stewardship of treasure in 2007 by becoming a tithing parish. In that same year, in cooperation with our Finance Council, we made the commitment to tithe our own tithe by forming a Tithe the Tithe Committee that would distribute 10% of our ordinary income for the purpose of outreach locally, nationally and internationally. What a fruitful journey this has been.
Tithing in the Bible . . .
Tithing is mentioned more than 40 times in the Bible. Numerous Old Testament stories recount how God asked that the first ten percent of the land’s produce be set aside as a sign of gratitude for His goodness. The early Church had no tithing system, but as it grew, so did its material needs. Gradually, the Old Testament model of tithing was adopted. A number of regional Church Councils and finally the Council of Trent made the tithe Church law.
And today . . .
In our own diocese the practice of tithing, once almost forgotten, is again spreading from parish to parish. A vibrant spiritual renewal is unfolding, characterized by loving outreach and evangelization.
What is a tithe?
The word tithe means tenth. A tithe is the first ten percent of our income. It’s giving back to God something God gave us in the first place. Tithing is not any tenth; it’s the first tenth of our income—salary, dividends, interest, or income from any source.
How does tithing work?
Five percentof one’s income is given to God through the parish church. The other five percent can be used for the Lenten Appeal, Catholic school tuition, care of one’s parents, special collections, and private charities. The spirit of tithing, the most important part of this way of life, means giving to God, not to your pastor, or to this parish. And it means giving to a point of sacrifice, for the word sacrifice means “to make holy.” The spirit of tithing means not caring what anyone else gives; it’s spiritual giving in every sense. What you give to God is between you and God. The ideal tithe of five percent to God’s Church and five percent to His other works can be explained by example.
If your income from all sources before taxes is $300 per week, the five percent Sunday Mass offering would be $15. You might give the other five percent to private charities, parish school tuition, and diocesan extra collections. Tithing is really very logical. Everything we have comes from God, and when we give back the first ten percent of our earnings, we’re saying to Him, “Thank you, God, for letting me use the other nine-tenths!”
What are the benefits to the one who tithes and to the parish?
Since we have adopted tithing, our parish has been able to joyfully extend our outreach and evangelization in ways that we could never have imagined, wonderful opportunities to touch countless lives. Still we know we can do so much more. To understand the benefits for those tithing . . . well just listen to their stories quoted in the bulletin weekly and captured in the video this weekend. Tithing helps us spiritually to offer ourselves sacrificially with the offering of Christ. Sure, it tells us what God expects, but even more importantly it helps establish our values . . . that God comes before all else and that everything we have comes from Him.
Tithe the Tithe Committee Members:
Fr. Brian Olkowski, Pastor
Jim Klecko
Susanne Scott
Lynn Groff
Ray Bleistine
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