St. Mary Magdalen Parish Directory
Welcome to Saint Mary Magdalen Parish! As you will soon discover, SMM Parish is a vibrant Roman Catholic community of faith in the Brandywine Hundred region of North Wilmington. We pride ourselves on a high level of parishioner involvement in all areas of parish life, ministry, worship, and community service. Of course the focus of our faith is our Sunday celebration of the Eucharist what begins in the heart of our worship together at Mass we strive to carry out in our parish and community. Saint Mary Magdalen Parish is home to a very successful Catholic Elementary School. It has been in operation since 1953 and continues to be an integral part of our parish. Through our school program as well as through our extensive Religious Education program we seek to develop in each of our students a deep sense of faith and an understanding of our personal responsibility to all members of God's family. In addition to our school and Religious Education programs we strive through our comprehensive Youth Ministry program to teach and encourage our young people to live lives that are conformed to Christ in all aspects of their lives. As you peruse this booklet you will notice the many and varied opportunities that are available for our parishioners to involve themselves in the life of our parish and school. We hope that you will join us in your embrace of one of these ministries or services. Be assured that you and your loved ones are included in our daily prayers. Yours in Christ, Fr. Joseph R. McMahon Pastor Fr. James T. Kirk Associate Pastor
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Office Hours Monday through Friday 9am-4:00pm 302-652-6800 www.smmchurch.org smmparish@smmchurch.org Parish Staff Father Joseph R. McMahon, Pastor Father James T. Kirk, Associate Pastor Father Philip P. Sheekey, Resident Deacon Joseph C. Romans Deacon Richard Recce (retired) Dr. Serena Brasco, School Principal Anne Sweeney, Administrative Assistant Kathleen Hope, Director of Financial Operations Karen Yasik, Director of Religious Education Matthew Jewell, Director of Music Theresa Stamegna, Coordinator of Youth Ministry
Table of Contents Parish and Family Life Adult Center 1 Home and School Association (HSA) 1 Knights of Columbus 1 SCRIP 1 The Littlest Christians (TLC) 1 Liturgy Altar Servers 2 Children s Liturgy 2 Environment 2 Extraordinary Ministers for the Sick 2 Lectors 2 Music Ministry 3 Adult Choir 3 Children s Choir 3 Cantors 3 Sodality 3 Ushers 3 Formation Adult Formation 4 Christian Formation Committee (CFC) 4 Religious Education Component 4 School Component 4 Right of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) 4 Religious Education 4
Youth Ministry Athletic Association 5 Boy Scouts 5 Cub Scouts 5 Girl Scouts 5 Junior High Youth Ministry 6 High School Youth Ministry 6 Youth and Family Mass 6 Social Concerns Emmanuel Dinning Room 7 Faith Support Group 7 Fall Food Drive 7 Guatemalan Solidarity Partnership Committee 7 Meals on Wheels 7 Nursing Home Visitation 7 Respect Life 8 Samaritan Center 8 Supportive Transitional and Emergency Housing Ministry 8 Hospital Visiting Ministry 8 Advisory Boards 9 For the Sake of God s Children Program 9 For contact information not listed, please call the Parish Office at (302) 652-6800.
Parish and Family Life Adult Center A group of seniors from SMM and the surrounding area who gather for bingo, cards and light refreshments. The group meets on Thursday from 12:30pm - 3:00pm in the Church Hall. Dues: $4.00 from September - May Home and School Association (HSA) A cooperative, non-profit organization that promotes the welfare of our school children and families in the home, school, and community. HSA has numerous committees that work with the SMM School. Knights of Columbus A fraternal organization for men aged 18 or older that are practicing Catholics. St. Mary Magdalen is part of the Bishop Curtis Council. They provide activities year around that support our parish and surrounding community. New members are always welcome. SCRIP SCRIP is fundraising while you shop. The beauty of SCRIP is that you don't have to spend any more than you're already spending. SCRIP fundraising gift cards are the same gift cards you would normally purchase from your local retail stores, and they work the same way. Instead of paying with credit cards or cash, you can get in the habit of paying for everyday purchases with SCRIP gift cards and earn revenue for various organizations in SMM parish. To purchase SCRIP simply go to www.shopwithscrip.com. The SMM enrollment code is A17F8175625. The Littlest Christians Group (TLC) The Littlest Christians Group consists of parents with children from Baptism to age five committed to helping each other raise their children with Christian values. The group meets Tuesday mornings during the school year from 9:30am - 11am. 1
Liturgy Altar Servers Altar Servers serve the congregation, the priests and one another in celebrating the Mass and helping to lead the congregation in prayer and worship. Young people in grades 5th through high school are eligible to be trained as Altar Servers. Children s Liturgy Provide special liturgies for children twice a month. Liturgies include readings, prayer and music for children of all ages, especially preschool-6th grade. Environment Create environment for our Masses, in addition to regular Sunday liturgies, responsible for wedding decor, holidays, and sacraments, etc. Extraordinary Ministers of the Sick A group of parishioners who are Diocesan certified for this ministry through the Office of Worship. They are responsible for bringing Eucharist to the sick, infirm and homebound. Lectors Lectors proclaim the Word of God during liturgies. Any parishioner who has received the sacrament of Confirmation and has a good speaking voice is eligible to be trained as a lector. 2
Music Ministry Adult Choir The Adult choir rehearses Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:30 in the choir loft. This group sings during the 11:00 a.m. Mass each week typically from mid-september through the end of May. There is no audition required to join. Children s Choir The Children s choir is open to all parish children grades 3 through 8. This group rehearses Wednesday afternoons from 3:15-4:00 in the choir loft. The Children s choir sings for 9:00 a.m. Sunday Masses once per month, for all School Masses, and for other holiday and special liturgies throughout its season, typically October through mid-june. There is no audition required to join. Cantor Cantors are both singers and facilitators of congregational song. A cantor must be able to sing in tune, and possess an understanding of the order of the liturgy, as well as different styles of liturgical music and singing. Previous experience is helpful, but not necessary. An informal interview and audition is required. Contact for all Music Ministries Matthew Jewell 302-652-6800 x125 mjewell@smmchurch.org Sodality Sodality promotes the Fatima First Saturday devotions requested by the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus. Assistance to our pastor in service to the parish is also a priority. This group meets following 1st Saturday Mass and Rosary, September through May. Ushers Assist the congregation with Mass participation (i.e. seating, assisting physically challenged individuals, and providing emergency help when necessary). An individual can begin participating in this liturgical ministry as early as their freshman year in high school. 3
Christian Formation Adult Formation This committee was formed to plan and coordinate programs pertaining to adult spiritual formation. Contact: Karen Yasik 302-652-6800 x136 karen.yasik@smmchurch.org Parish Advisory Council Ensures that effective programming exists at SMM for initial and continuing Christian formation for parishioners throughout their life journey. Religious Education Advisory Council This component utilizes parents from all areas of the parish and advises the Office of Religious Education to ensure that all formation needs for the parish are being met. Contact: Karen Yasik 302-652-6800 x136 karen.yasik@smmchurch.org School Advisory Council This component acts as a school board for the St. Mary Magdalen School. The committee also sponsors various programs throughout the year for the school community and is responsible for publishing the CFC newsletter throughout the school year. Right of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) RCIA is a program for individuals who are interested and/or would like to prepare for initiation into the Catholic faith. Classes and formation activities are held September through April. Contact: Karen Yasik 302-652-6800 x136 karen.yasik@smmchurch.org Religious Education The SMM Religious Education program provides catechetical formation for children in grades pre-k through 8th grade. The program also provides sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation. Contact: Karen Yasik 302-652-6800 x136 karen.yasik@smmchurch.org 4
Youth Ministry The St. Mary Magdalen Youth Ministry program is a vital asset to our parish. The goal of youth ministry is to empower young people to live as a disciple of Christ and to draw young people into responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the Catholic faith community. We value each and every young person of St Mary Magdalen and hope that they will find themselves welcomed and encouraged to get involved in liturgy, scouting, athletics, and junior high or senior high youth ministry. Athletic Association Organizes all efforts to provide our athletes (grades 3-12) with an opportunity to play a variety of sports that focus on respect, Christian values, sportsmanship and a love of the game. SMM offers the following sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Wresting, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, and Volleyball. Please visit the St. Mary Magdalen Athletic Association website in order to get more information about registration, tryouts, and schedules. www.smmbulldogs.com Boy Scouts An organization for boys 11-18 years of age focused on promoting Christian values, character, service, and advanced outdoor skills. Cub Scouts An organization for boys in grades 1-5, which focuses on building character, Christian values and learning basic outdoor skills. Girl Scouts The Girl Scouts is a worldwide organization where girls can build character, Christian values, and skills for success in the world. In partnership with adult volunteers, girls can develop strong leadership skills, social consciousness and conviction for their own potential and self- worth. Our parish Girl Scout program is open to girls ages 5-17. 5
Junior High Youth Ministry This program provides young people in grades 6-8 with opportunities for faith development through social and catechetical opportunities as well as trips and service. This group meets every first and third Friday of the month September through May in the Church Hall. High School Youth Ministry Our High School Youth Ministry program provides opportunities for ongoing faith formation as well as adolescent catechesis. Young people in grades 9-12 are welcome to join us for our weekly meetings, held every Sunday evening (year around) from 7:30-9:00pm in the Church Hall. High school aged youth can also participate in service projects, work camps, retreats, conferences, liturgical ministries, and much more. Youth and Family Mass We offer a monthly opportunity for young people and their families to gather for liturgy and fellowship. This Mass is celebrated every third Sunday at 5pm, September through May. All ministries during this Mass are coordinated by the young people of our parish. This Mass also features our Youth Band. After Mass, we invite all families to join us for dinner in the Church Hall. 6
Social Concerns Emmanuel Dining Room The Emanuel Dining Room committee cooks and serves lunch for Emmanuel East Soup Kitchen on the 27th of each month. Emmanuel East Soup Kitchen serves 180-250. Faith Support Group Meets the spiritual needs of parishioners who have faced a serious illness. This group meets on a regular basis to listen and share the meaning of the Scriptures in relation to challenges and to also pray for those parishioners facing the difficulties of serious personal illness. Fall Food Drive The last weekend in September the group distributes paper bags to parishioners for food donations and then collects the bags of food the first weekend in October. The project is a collaborative endeavor with our Christian brothers and sisters at Aldersgate Methodist Church and benefits the local food closets in our community. Guatemalan Solidarity Partnership Committee Our parish is committed to carrying out our Diocesan Partnership with the San Marcos Diocese in Guatemala. The group s goal is to incorporate education, prayer, relationship-building and funding elements into this solidarity partnership with our Guatemalan brothers and sisters living here in our own Diocese and in the San Marcos Diocese. Meals on Wheels A dedicated group of parishioners who pick-up and deliver a lunchtime hot meal to the homebound in a local area. Time needed is about one and half hours. Nursing Home Visitation Communion is taken to the following aging care facilities in our parish boundaries: Foulk Manor South, Rockland Place and Sunrise. Volunteers are needed to assist with this program, which includes distributing Communion and sharing a brief visit with the residents. 7
Respect Life This committee's purpose is to the make the parish community aware of life issues from conception until natural death. Samaritan Center Parishioners experiencing financial hardship may call for short term assistance. Contact: Parish Office 302-652-6800 Supportive Transitional and Emergency Housing Ministry (STEHM) Provides emergency housing in motels for any needy person and longer term transitional housing with supportive counseling for women and children in Martha House I and II. Hospital Visiting Ministry This ministry offers visitation to parishioners in the hospital in order to offer prayers of encouragement, healing and support. 8
Pastoral Council The Parish Pastoral Council works in conjunction with the Pastor to develop a set of Pastoral goals for the parish and to evaluate existing programs and policies for effectiveness. The Council promotes communication and understanding among parish organizations. Pastoral Council members are elected and/or appointed by the Pastor. Finance Council The Finance Council serves as an advisory council to the Pastor regarding parish financial matters. Among other things, the Finance Council reviews and approves budgets for the parish and the school and monitors parish and school income and expenditures. Finance Council members are appointed by the Pastor. For the Sake of God s Children Program In response to the United States Conference of Bishops Charter for the Protection of Children, our Diocese developed a safe environment program entitled For the Sake of God s Children. The Bishop, all priests, deacons, seminarians, religious brothers and sisters and all lay employees and volunteers participate in the program to assure that a comprehensive safe environment exists in our parish, school and institutions. 9