Around the Parish
Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries 2021. St. Mary’s 2021 Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries is off to a wonderful start. The early outpouring of generosity from so many families sustains the important ministries that help St. Mary, St. Edwards, our sister parish and all the other parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Thank you to all who have already made a pledge or gift. If you have yet to make a pledge or gift to the 2021 Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries, please do so by completing and returning your in-pew envelope, or give online at https://www.archbalt.org/appeal/give/. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Faith Formation Class Schedule
February 28: GIFT class, 10-11 AM
March 21: GIFT class, 10-11 AM
March 23: TUES class, 6-7 PM
April 18: GIFT class, 10-11 AM
April 13: TUES class, 6-7 PM
Looking for Lectors and Cantors
The pandemic has taken its toll on the cadre of lectors and cantors. If you can help us out as a lector, please contact Jackie Seneschal (jackieseneschal@gmail.com).
If you would like to lead the singing at Mass, please contact Nicholas Zurowski (nzurowski@stmstc.org).
New Email Addresses for Parish Staff
Pastor, Fr. Henry Kunkel hkunkel@stmaryspylesville.org
Administrative Assistant, Diana Weidner
Business Manager, Barbara Sadler
Coordinator of Religious Education, Karen Dietz kdietz@stmaryspylesville.org
Youth Ministry/Confirmation and Contemporary Music Coordinator Rachel Bittner rbittner@stmaryspylesville.org
Maintenance Larry Glos lglos@stmaryspylesville.org
RCIA Lenten Scrutinies During Lent, our Catechumen, Catie, and Candidates, Brad and Sean, are beginning the period of formal entry in to the Church. The parish becomes better acquainted with the catechumen through a series of rituals called scrutinies that take place at the 9:30 Sunday Masses during Lent.
Lent Opportunities
Lenten Reconciliation (Penance) Schedules
St. Mary - Monday March 29, 7 PM in the Parish Center, every Saturday 3:15 PM
St. Margaret - Mondays 6:00 – 7:00 pm; Fridays ~ after the stations at 7:00 pm
St. Mark - Saturdays 3:00–3:45 pm; Friday, March 5 6:30–7:00 pm; Tuesday, March 16th, 3:00–5:00 pm and 7:00–8:00 pm; Wednesday, March 24th, 3:00–5:00 pm and 7:00–8:00 pm
St. Joan of Arc - Saturdays, 4:15PM and March 9, 6:30pm -7:30pm
St. Patrick - Wednesday & Friday from 5:30pm to 6:15pm in the Ministry Building
St. Ignatius - Each Saturday from 2:00 - 3:00 PM; Wednesday, March 24th — 7:00 PM; Wednesday, March 31st — 1:30-3:00 PM
Operation Rice Bowl: Meet Trinh. Trinh's family are farmers in Vietnam who have been affected by climate change. What would you do if your source of nutrition was threatened? How can we support those whose livelihoods are vulnerable to weather? Visit crsricebowl.org for more.
Pray for Our Seminarians. All parishioners are invited to join in a prayer campaign for seminarians that began on Ash Wednesday. See Catholic Review coverage: https://catholicreview.org/parishioners-invited-to-pray-for-one-seminarian-a-day-beginning-ash-wednesday/.
The Man Up Philly Conference, March 6, 2021. Registration and information is available at the website: https://manupphilly.com/
Outreach
Respect Life
Take Action:
Maryland: Go to www.mdrtl.org and sign up for ACTION ALERTS. Contact your legislators and politely express your opposition to abortion. www.mgaleg.maryland.gov click on MEMBERS and Find My Representative.
Pennsylvania: Go to www.paprolife.org/join-one, scroll down and sign up. Contact your legislators and politely express your opposition to abortion. Pennsylvania: www.legis.state.pa.us On the General Assembly page, go to Find My Legislator
February – 4th month. The “Little One” posters displayed in the hallway of the Parish Center are of beautiful pre-born children at the various stages of development inside their mothers’ wombs.
40 Days for Life February 17 - March 28 Participants pray at the Belair Beltway Plaza at 7600 Belair Road, 7am-7pm. Whole Woman’s Health, the abortion center in the back corner of the plaza boasts “Abortion pill (at home).” Join in prayer, in person or at home, to close this and all abortion centers.
Let’s Pray: Each week, we’ll pray for a group of elected officials without including titles, states or party affiliation so we remember they are our brothers and sisters, children of God, sinners like us. This week, add these names to your prayers: Joe Manchin III, Shelley Moore Capito, Tom Carper, Chris Coons, Steve Daines, Jon Tester, Raphael Warnock, Jon Ossoff, Elizabeth Warren, Edward J. Markey, Bernie Sanders, Patrick Leahy, Michael Bennet, John Hickenloooper and Richard Shelby. Add also your local and state representatives. Pray they will submit to God’s holy will.
Celebrating Black History Month
Status of the Cause of Servant of God, Mother Mary Lange, OSP. In 1991, William Cardinal Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore, with the approval of Rome, officially opened the formal investigation into Mother Lange’s life and her union with God. In 2006, Mother Lange was officially declared as “Servant of God”. This was the first step towards canonization. In 2013, Mother Lange’s remains were exhumed and moved to the new Oratory located in the Motherhouse Chapel. In 2020, The Positio (the official document of Mother Lange’s life explaining her life of sanctity) was submitted to The Congregation for Causes of Saints in Rome. Covid 19 has certainly slowed down their discussion and acceptance of this document. Once accepted, Mother Lange could become Venerable Mother Mary Lange. Beyond this hallmark, two miracles are needed in order for Mother Lange to be proclaimed a saint.
Please join the entire Oblate Community and all who love Mother Lange in praying for her beatification and canonization. If a miraculous favor is granted, please notify the Oblate Community Motherhouse at 410-242-8500 or the Guild office at 410-242-6861. Until then, let us all pray the Prayer for the Beatification of Mother Mary Lange. More information on the Oblate Community and Mother Lange is in this PDF.
Early Black Priests and the Josephites. Father Charles Uncle, Father Father Augustus Tolton, and Bishop James Healy;, each holds a special place in the history of the Catholic Church in America. The Josephites, arrived in Baltimore in 1871 and became a separate American Order, in Baltimore, in 1930. Learn more in these PDFs.
Year of St. Joseph
"Joseph, then, teaches us that faith in God includes believing that he can work even through our fears, our frailties, and our weaknesses. He also teaches us that amid the tempests of life, we must never be afraid to let the Lord steer our course. At times, we want to be in complete control, yet God always sees the bigger picture."
Conditions for the plenary indulgence
The plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions) to Christians who, with a spirit detached from any sin, participate in the Year of St. Joseph on these occasions and manners indicated by the Apostolic Penitentiary:
- Meditate for at least 30 minutes on the Lord’s Prayer, or take part in a Spiritual Retreat of at least one day that includes a meditation on St. Joseph.
- Perform a spiritual or corporal work of mercy.
- Recite the Holy Rosary as a family or engaged couple.
- Entrust daily activity to the protection of St. Joseph, and invoke the intercession of St. Joseph so that those seeking work can find dignifying work.
- Recite the Litany to St. Joseph or any other prayer to St. Joseph proper to the other liturgical traditions, for the persecuted Church ad intra and ad extra, and for the relief of all Christians suffering all forms of persecution.
- Recite any legitimately approved prayer or act of piety in honor of St. Joseph, for example, “To you, O blessed Joseph” especially on March 19, on May 1, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, on St. Joseph’s Sunday (according to the Byzantine tradition) on the 19th of each month and every Wednesday, a day dedicated to the memory of the saint according to the Latin tradition.”
Amid the ongoing Covid-19 health crisis, the gift of the plenary indulgence is also extended to the sick, the elderly, the dying and all those who for legitimate reasons are unable to leave their homes. They too can obtain the plenary indulgences if they are detached from any sin and have the intention of fulfilling, as soon as possible, the three usual conditions and recite an act of piety in honor of St. Joseph, offering to God the pains and hardships of their lives.
Plenary Indulgence Pilgrimage. One special feature of this decree is an invitation to participate in a spiritual retreat that includes meditation on St Joseph and contemplation of the Lord's Prayer. Parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore that are dedicated to St Joseph are opening their doors to pilgrims throughout this Year of St. Joseph. Attached, you will find Archbishop Lori's letter and a list of these parishes and the times that they are available for personal prayer and retreat.
St. Joseph: Protector of Carmel, Virtual Reflection, March 18, 7 PM. Information in the attached PDF.
Weddings and Funerals
Masses for weddings and funerals are permitted outside, or inside with limited attendance. Please check with the parish office for further guidance.
Canceled Events and Activities
The parish buildings are still closed to the public except for religious services and education. All public events and most parish activities are canceled or postponed.
Sacraments
- Contact the Parish Office to arrange for Baptisms and the Sacrament of the Sick (Anointing).
- The Sacrament of the Sick for in-patients is available through the hospital chaplains.
Volunteering for the Parish
Volunteers are the backbone of the parish and we welcome new volunteers with open arms. However, in the world today we must do everything we can to protect all people of all ages, the church and also yourself.
If you are ready and willing to give of your time and talent to be a part of one or more of our many ministries, please contact Barbara Sadler, Extension 22 or bsadler@stmaryspylesville.org for the information and guidance of the required Virtus training. The training will provide insight for the protection of all age groups and the responsibilities. DON’T WORRY!! It is an easy procedure.
The 2021 Our Prayer Book, usually displayed near the altar, is not readily accessible for many parishioners to enter their own prayer intentions. St. Mary's Care Ministry is adding names and dates as you would like them to appear. Please send names and dates to peane13@verizon.net.
The Prayer Chain is a group of parishioners available to pray for your needs. Send intentions to Mary Washburn (410-937-5766 or email marywashburn123@zoominternet.net.
Contact Information
Parish Office: 410 879-4015
410 838-7471
410 452-5166
www.stmaryspylesville.org
1021 St. Mary's Road
Pylesville, MD 21132
Deadline for Submissions:
Thursday 12 Noon
Send to Newsletter Editor: