Golden Jubilee Celebration
Father Kunkel was ordained to the priesthood in May 1970. This year marks the 50th anniversary of that happy event,a milestone in the life of the longest-serving pastor in the history of the parish. Given the the complications of gathering together during this time of pandemic, St. Mary's is planning to mark the occasion at a distance in May and with a weekend of public events in October. Please participate throughout the year in our celebration.
May Activities
- Send Father Kunkel a card or note to congratulate him and thank him for his generous service to St. Mary's and to the people of God. Use the Parish Office address: 1021 St. Mary's Road, Pylesville, MD 21132.
- Submit no more that three photos of memorable occasions you have shared with Father Kunkel. Send photos in your card or directly to the parish office so they can be included in a keepsake album. We may include a few of the photos in the 50th Anniversary slide show presented at the Celebration Dinner on October 2 and the Parish Reception on October 4. MARK any photo that you DO NOT want included in the slide show with an X on the back. Be sure to list the names of those pictured with the occasion and date on the back of the photo.The photos you send will not be returned.
- Join us for a Drive-by Car Parade on Sunday May 17 to wave at Father. Please arrive at the church between 11:30 and Noon. Attach a sign with your family name and any message to the exterior of the passenger-side door. Follow the directions to drive around the church and greet Father from afar. Attendees must observe social-distancing norms and must remain in their cars at all times. The goal is to give Father a bit of joy without risking that he or anyone else might catch or spread the virus inadvertently.
The Planning Committee sent a letter to those who made reservations for the Celebration Dinner. If you made a reservation and have not received a letter, please contact Barbara Sadler at the Parish Office (barbara_stmarys@yahoo.com or 410 452-5166 ext.22).
Ways to Help
Our Daily Bread (ODB)
Our Daily Bread
This week 82 casseroles, 8 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and 75 homemade face masks were collected and delivered to ODB. Close to 40 families participated.
For next week, we're going to do peanut butter and jelly sandwiches again. The only instructions are to put the sandwiches into individual sealable bags and to label them PB+J and date them.
If you'd like to join in this effort, please bring your sandwiches up to St. Mary's on Tuesday (4/28) between 10:00-11:00am. Just pull around behind the church. We'll be waiting near the Carry-out area. You won't even need to get out of your vehicle.
We'll also collect any homemade face masks that you'd like to donate.
Thanks for helping the ODB workers and their clients.
If you have any questions, contact Bob at crhoopert@zoominternet.net
St. Mary's Food Pantry
The Food Pantry is open on May 16 at 10 AM. Monetary donations may be mailed to the Parish Office and labeled for the Food Pantry.
Around St. Mary's
Submit your ideas for ways to help: jackieseneschal@gmail.com
Mourning in a Time of Pandemic
Please contact the parish office if there is a death of a parishioner or family member. Right now when someone dies, only graveside services are permitted with attendance limited to a total of ten people, including clergy. All the ordinary rituals: visitation and viewings at funeral homes, funeral services and Masses, family gatherings in homes or at restaurants, are not permitted and ill-advised. Father Kunkel and Deacon Phil are conducting graveside services and can help plan an appropriate service when we are able to gather again. You need not go through this loss alone.
Coronavirus Memorials Website
The Archdiocese of Baltimore and Catholic Review are launching a coronavirus memorial page on the archdiocesan website. Click here for a link to the article that explains it and the link to the submission form.
Spiritual Resources
Magnificat
Daily Mass
You are invited to join online for daily Mass from Bishop Barron's chapel, celebrated by either Bishop Barron, or by Father Steve Grunow.
Breaking Bread Missal with Readings
You can buy a personal copy of the missalette used at St. Mary's and follow along with the Mass, readings, and music at home. OCP, the publisher, is offering a 50 percent discount on purchases for individual use (1-4 copies). Use the coupon code 50off.
