PARISH LIFE COMMISSION

Contacts—708-447-1020

Bowling—Nancy Varga
Boy Scouts—Michelle Brown
Bridge Club—Julia Keehn
Council of Catholic Women (CCW)—Deb Jensen
Counters—Steve Marshall
Covenant of Churches—Bernadine Nawara
Cub Scouts—Christine O'Connor
Deanery Representatives—Steven Kubiczky/Bob Keehn
Garden Ministry Committee—Sallie Boge
Girl Scouts—Gail Lovero/Jane Birmingham
Holy Name Society—Jac Cotiguala
Hospitality/Donut Sunday—Bob Keehn
Market Day—Cynthia Nikischer
Men's Club—Michael Cronin
Nursery: Saturday/Sunday—Chris Flasza
Wedding Coordinator—Marilynne Higgins

Bowling
• Women’s social group (St. Mary Belles) participates in a relaxing, competitive sport developing friendship and community spirit through enjoyment and recreation.

Boy Scouts
• To foster individual growth and maturity, develop leadership, instill spiritual values and promote national pride and loyalty.

Bridge Club
• A social group that plays 2-couple Bridge in participants’ homes.
• Monthly schedule is set by club members annually.

Council of Catholic Women (CCW)
• Organized for the purpose of creating friendly and close harmony among the women of the parish; promoting development and growth of a spiritual lifestyle, and raising funds to aid in the maintenance of church and school property.
• Events include fall party, Christmas Boutique, Spring Brunch/Luncheon and other events as opportunities permit.

Counters
• Parishioners who are responsible for the counting and depositing of St. Mary Parish weekly, Holy Day, Christmas, Easter and special collections. This includes providing a detailed recap of collections to the Business Manger for financial recording and to the Pastor.
• Activities are segregated into three main categories: cash counting and banding, envelope opening and check summarization, and computer input and recap.

Covenant of Churches
• Work primarily with other Riverside-area churches to foster respect and understanding among the various religious communities.

Cub Scouts
• To foster individual growth and maturity, develop leadership, instill spiritual values and promote national pride and loyalty.

Deanery Representatives
• Two members represent the parish at the Deanery meetings of the Archdiocese of Chicago during the year.

Garden Ministry Committee
• This committee plans and cars for the flower and shrubbery plantings around the church and adjoining parish property.
• The purpose is to executive and care for the planned landscaping of the parish grounds and to bring together people who can share an interest in gardening.

Websites:  St. Mary Garden Club    -   The Garden of Eden Project

Girl Scouts
• Informal educational programs designed to help girls develop individual potential and self respect and be understanding of others. Fosters Christian values as a basis for sound decision-making, service to the community and an understanding and concern for the world. Small groups with adult leadership, provide a wide range of activities developed around their interests and needs.

Holy Name Society
• This group meets to promote the spiritual growth and social development of men in the parish and to provide opportunities for social interaction.
• Events include baseball outing in summer and golf outing.

Hospitality/Donut Sunday
• Donuts and coffee are served on the first Sunday of every month after all the Masses. It is sponsored by the various ministries i.e., Pastoral Council, Right to Life Committee, or Religious Education Dept. This is an opportunity for parishioners to meet and greet old and new members of the parish.

Market Day
• These volunteers run a fundraising food sale each month by taking orders for the Market Day Company.
• The purpose is to raise funds for St. Mary School and organize and distribute food orders.

Men's Club
The St. Mary Men's Club was founded in 2008 in response to an unmet need within the parish - namly, an outlet for the spiritual, social and service focused energies of the men of the parish. It provides outlets for the service, spiritual and social dimensions of the men of the parish. The members participate in the life of the church, are involved in the projects and ministries of the parish and provide physical, emotional, spiritual and financial resources where and when they are needed. Members are active family men, committed partners, loving sons, and devoted fathers. The Club reaches out to the community, the archdiocese, and to society at large through service that reflects our role as disciples of Christ.

Our values are simple and enduring:
• Committed to Christ, our families and community
• Generous in spirit and deed
• Willing to work and guaranteed to have fun
• Open and welcoming to all men of the parish

Website:  St. Mary Men's Club

Youth Group
• Purpose is to connect students with each other, the parish and community.
• Social and fun times, along with opportunities to explore one's faith and future goals.

Wedding Coordinator
• Wedding Coordinators reconcile the wishes of the bridal couple for the wedding ceremony with the requirements of the parish.
• Functions include consult with the bride and groom, as well as other service providers; handle the rehearsal, if necessary, to document decisions made and help satisfy wishes of all concerned; be a personal attendant and assist bridal party; and help restore church to a condition appropriate for the celebration of the next service.