Ministries
Stewardship and Ministry Opportunities
At St. Mary's, we believe that serving others is at the heart of our Catholic faith. You’ll find a variety of opportunities to get involved, grow spiritually, and form lasting friendships.
Social Welfare
This mission encompasses preserving the dignity and rights of each person. The goal is to reach out beyond the parish community both in word and in deed.
St. Mary’s Thrift Shop
Located at 26 E. College Ave., is operated by volunteers. We offer new, nearly new, and gently used clothing, accessories, household items, jewelry, and more for sale to the general public. Proceeds go directly to the General Operating Fund of St. Mary’s Parish. We partner with local social service agencies to provide, at the recommendation, clothing free of charge to those in need.
To donate or volunteer, call the store at 717-812-9999.
Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen
Located next to St. Mary’s, Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen provides a nourishing meal for the poor and underprivileged people of the community. During the assigned month, St. Mary’s parishioners are asked to provide specific food items. Check the bulletin for details.
If interested in volunteering or donations, call 717-848-1674.
Catholic Harvest Food Pantry
Located at 628 E. Market St York. St. Mary’s collects non-perishable food and personal hygiene items on a quarterly basis for needy families in the York area. Volunteers are frequently needed to assist in stocking the pantry shelves and distributing food to clients.
Contact: 717-846-8571
Women's Care Center
Previously known as Pregnancy and Family Resource Center.
Located at 40 S Richland Ave, York. This center provides positive supportive services and financial assistance to women in crisis pregnancy.Volunteers are needed and training is provided.
Contact: 717-854-6285
St. Vincent de Paul Society
In addition to providing direct assistance to those in need, caring for the homeless, providing social housing, operating holiday homes and other social support activities, the Society promotes community self-sufficiency, enabling people to help themselves. St. Mary joined St. Patrick’s team created a joint effort to help those in need.
Contact St. Patrick’s Church at 717-848-2007.
Off the Streets
Off the Streets is a nondenominational charitable organization, 501(c)(3), that provides the homeless with the financial resources to secure and furnish a home, giving respect, dignity, and hope to the homeless in York, PA. Volunteers are needed to help load and unload furniture.
Email Deacon William Autrey at ofsiena429@yahoo.com or call the Parish office at 717-845-7629.
Pastoral Ministry
This mission involves all of the programs and activities of the parish that strengthen our sense of being a family of believers, a Christian Community.
Catholic Women’s Club of York
Founded in 1922. The objective of the club is the promotion of educational, literary and welfare work. It was established to stimulate a feeling of fraternity among its members. We offer the Anna Dill Gamble scholarship every year to Catholic senior girls in high school who are pursuing a college education. Any Catholic woman who is a member of the parish in the Diocese of Harrisburg can become a member. We encourage guests to attend events to see what we are about. Events are from September through May.
Contact Club President Roxanne Castellanos at roxannec2@comcast.net.
Good Shepherd Perpetual Adoration Chapel
Visit WebsitePerpetual Eucharistic Adoration for the York Deanery is coordinated through the Good Shepherd Perpetual Adoration Chapel at St. Patrick Church. Located at 231. S Beaver St.
To volunteer for an hour of Adoration please contact St. Patrick Church at 717-848-2007 or Katherine Detwiler at 717-332-1153.
Knight’s of St. Paul Roman Catholic Beneficial Association (St. Paul R.C.B.A.)
Consists of Roman Catholic men in any deanery parish between 16 and 74 years of age who are of sound body and mind and who reside in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The association provides illness and death benefits for its members, financial assistance for worthy students attending the Roman Catholic parochial schools in the York Deanery, and stipends for men of the York deanery studying for the priesthood or diaconate.
If interested in membership, call James Schneider at 717-755-0206.
Knights of Columbus (Spanish)
The Knights of Columbus offer men of the parish an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their parish and community through programs meant to strengthen their faith, strengthen their family, serve the community, and defend life at every stage.
Call Parish Office if interested at 717-845-7629.
York Deanery Prayer Chain
Parish members pray for those with special needs due to illness, bereavement, or special family circumstance.
Contact JoEllen Dodson at 717-309-2910 or email at mjdmusic1@comcast.net.
Women’s Society
Membership is open to all women of the parish age 17 and older. The purpose of the St. Mary’s Women’s Society is to promote and encourage spiritual, educational, and social programs of the parish through togetherness, friendship, and charity towards all members, and to provide a channel through which the Pastor may reach the women of the parish as an organized group. The women’s society sponsors events such as an Annual Holiday Bazaar, and an Annual Holiday Sale following the Bazaar.
Contact Lin Huber at 717-887-4034.
Immaculate Conception Youth Group
Immaculate Conception Youth Group is a group of young disciples of Christ who gather to share their faith in Our Holy Savior.
The group is open to youth ages 12-17 and meets each Wednesday from 6:30-8:00 p.m. You will experience “Sports Nights”, “Prayer, Planning and Pizza Night.” There is no invitation required.
Contact Mrs. Marisa Starceski at 717-846-6001.
Spanish Prayer Group- Maria Puerta del Cielo
Prayers and devotions in the Spanish tradition are recited. This group meets every Friday at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.
Contact Deacon Catalino Gonzalez at 717-683-8752.
Bereavement Committee
The Bereavement Committee offers assistance to families suffering the death of a loved one by providing a luncheon in the parish hall the day of the funeral. The only charge is for food.
Contact the Parish office at 717-845-7629.
Movimiento Juan XXIII
This group of Latino parishioners practices the corporal and spiritual works of mercy and gathers for fellowship. They meet every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
Contact Rosa Pineda at 717-600-1278.
Movimiento de Cursillos de Cristiandad
The Cursillo Movement (MCC) is a worldwide ecclesial movement of the Catholic Church, originating in Spain, that seeks to evangelize social environments through its own method based on an intense three-day faith experience (the "cursillo"). This experience leads participants to a deep encounter with Christ, themselves, and others, promoting personal renewal and the spreading of the Gospel in their daily lives—known as the "fourth day"—through meetings (Ultreyas) and the "leavening of environments." The group meets every Wednesday at 7:30 pm in the Guadalupe Room.
Contact the Parish office at 717-845-7629 for more information.
St. Mary’s Men’s Group (That Man Is You)
Our men’s group meets on a weekly basis for the purpose of building relationships, growing in the Catholic faith, and becoming better leaders in our families, in our church, and in our society.
The program called “That Man Is You” has three distinct parts: social sharing, video presentation, and small-group discussion.
Schedule
• Spanish Group: Meets on Thursday evenings
• English Group: meets on Thursday evenings or Saturday mornings
Contact
• Spanish: Deacon Catalino Gonzalez at deacon_gonzalez@hotmail.com
• English: Deacon William Autrey at ofsiena429@yahoo.com or Deacon Steve Pichler at DSPPichler@hbgdiocese.org
Archives
Archivists prepare artifacts of St. Mary’s and display historical information.
Contact the Parish office for more information at 717-845-7629.
Liturgy
Catholic liturgical ministries are all working to facilitate the smooth, reverent, and active participation of the entire Body of Christ in public worship.
Altar Servers
Students in grades 3 through 12 who have received the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and Holy Communion are eligible to assist at Mass by being altar servers. Training is provided and is mandatory.
Contact
• English: Angie Pennell at 717-487-8519
• Spanish: Maria Aguilar at 717-804-8970 or the Parish Office at 717-845-7629
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priest at Mass in the distribution of Holy Communion and also bring Holy Communion to the elderly and home-bound members of the parish.
Contact the Parish office at 717-845-7629 for more information.
Lectors
Lectors proclaim the word of God at Mass. Interested individuals must be high school age or older. Training is provided and mandatory. Trained lectors are provided with a workbook with the annual readings to allow for preparation of the readings prior to Mass.
Contact the Parish office at 717-845-7629 if interested.
Ushers and Greeters
Ushers and greeters assist Mass by welcoming parishioners and visitors, passing out bulletins, taking up collections, and straightening up the church after Mass.
Contact the Parish office at 717-845-7629 if interested.
Cantors
Cantors lead the congregation in song at weekend Masses. A short audition is required and training is provided.
Contact Melissa Schneider at 717-755-0206 if interested.
Adult Choir
Adult choir (age 14+) meet Thursday nights at 7 p.m. in the choir loft from September through May. No audition required.
Contact Melissa Schneider at 717-755-0206 if interested.
Instrumentalists
Instrumentalists are needed to accompany the choir for special liturgies and occasionally for weddings.
Contact Melissa Schneider at 717-755-0206 if interested.
Spanish Choir
The Spanish Choir sings every Sunday for our 11:30 a.m. Spanish Mass. Rehearsals are Monday nights at 7 p.m.
Contact: Luis and Janet Perez at 717-855-0163 if interested.
Fellowship
Catholic fellowship ministries build community and spiritual growth outside Mass through shared activities like coffee hours, small groups, retreats, and service, fostering mutual support, faith sharing, and deeper connection with God and fellow parishioners, helping people feel belonging and encouraging them in their Christian walk.
Iris Dramatic and Social Club
St. Mary’s parishioners who belong to the Iris Dramatic and Social Club host social and theatrical events throughout the year.
Contact Jennifer L. Miller at tenornifer@yahoo.com or Shelly Williams at mwilliams385@comcast.net.
Cultural Festival
The Annual St. Mary’s Cultural Festival provides an annual event to highlight the cultural diversity of St. Mary’s and the large number of Hispanic parishioners and to raise funds for the ongoing financial needs of the parish.
Contact the Parish Officer at 717-845-7629 for more information.
Lenten Meal Team
Lenten Meals are provided to the public and parishioners on Fridays during lent. Organized by the parish council, volunteers are welcomed to help in different roles.
Contact Angie Pennell at 717-487-8519 to volunteer.
Crafters
A variety of craft items are made throughout the year to be sold at the Holiday Bazaar.
Contact Lin Huber at 717-887-4034 if interested.
Oldtimers Basketball
St. Mary’s hosts a recreational basketball group for people 35 years of age or older.
The group plays at St. Mary’s School gymnasium on Sunday afternoons from 1:30-2:30 p.m. New members are welcome.
Contact Ed Mann at 717-903-8281 if interested.