Parish Activities and Organizations


  • SERVERS - Altar servers assist in the celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy and other sacramental celebrations such as weddings and funerals. This is a ministry open to youth grade 5 and older. Training is required prior to being scheduled for this ministry. Anyone interested may contact Ariel Haytas at 443-4977.

  • ALUMNI PRESERVATION- The Alumni Preservation Committee grew with the need to keep in touch with the former alumni. We have created an archive exhibit that includes many historical artifacts gathered and saved over the years, related to the history of both the church and school. We are in need of volunteers with internet experience to search for missing alumni, keep our census updated, and to develop a website. To help contact Bill Lenkey at 443-3678.

  • ATHLETIC COMMITTEE - The athletic committee works to provide uniforms and equipment for athletes in numerous sporting events, recruit and name coaches for all teams, and support St. Mary parish/school athletics. This committee sponsors the St. Mary Invitational Basketball Tournament held each year in March. The Athletic committee also staffs volleyball and basketball games held in St. Mary gym. Call David Oddi, 561-5415 .

  • BAPTISMS - Baptisms are scheduled during or following a regular Saturday/Sunday Liturgy (except the Sundays of Lent). Parents seeking baptism for their children are expected to attend Baptismal preparation known as a Jordan Conference. Jordan Conferences are normally conducted 4 times each year. Preparation consists of a one-time session discussing the meaning of baptism and preparing you for the day of your baby’s baptism. Please refer to the bulletin for specific dates and call Cindy Oddi at 445-9668 to register. A date for your child’s baptism will be scheduled after the Jordan Conference is completed. If you have already attended a Jordan Conference, please contact Deacon Roger Minner at 444-1265, or email him at rogerminner@stmarygv.com for instructions.


  • BINGO is held weekly on Sunday nights. Due to increasing parish expenses, the bingo profits have become even more important to both the church and school. Volunteers are necessary to make this fundraiser a success and are always needed. Just show up at 5:30 p.m. or call Dick Hilsheimer at 449-1018.

  • CHOIR (9 a.m.) - As a group, we strive to provide musical leadership that will encourage full, active participation of the assembly in sung worship. We learn more about the liturgical life of the Church, and enjoy music that expresses our faith, and hopefully, helps foster the growth of faith in the community. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m., and we warm up on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. Several members also serve as cantors at the 4 p.m. Saturday liturgy. Seasonal participants, Advent, Christmas, and Easter Triduum, are always welcome. Contact Joy Seipp, 871-4487.

  • CHOIR (11:30) - We act as the prepared voice of the assembly, and we lead the people of God in praise and worship through music at the 11:30 a.m. Sunday liturgy. This group is made up of singers and instrumentalists. You need not read music to join the choir. We practice every Monday evening from 7:30 to 9 p.m. and have a 1 hour preparation time before the Sunday Mass. Contact Joy Seipp, 871-4487.

  • CHOIR (FUNERAL) - These men and women provide music for parish funerals. Funerals are usually at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Choir members are contacted as soon as the funeral is scheduled. To help call Martha Goodwin at 444-5182 .

  • CHOIR (HANDBELL) - Bell-ringers participate at special liturgies during the year. Bell-ringers are not required to read music. Participants must be in the 3rd grade or older. Practices are scheduled in advance of each liturgy. Contact Amanda Walker at 444-1919.

  • COFFEE AND DOUGHNUTS - This ministry involves hosting the Sunday morning coffee and doughnuts, 10-11 a.m. The host persons pick up the doughnuts, prepare the coffee, serve, and clean-up. This service was originated by the Women's Club over 20 years ago. Currently there are 11 teams on a rotating schedule. Call Marge Smigelski at 871-8142 to join this Ministry.

  • EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS - Men and women involved in this ministry assist the presider in distributing the Body and Blood of Christ. New Eucharistic ministers need to be trained and prepared for this ministry. All Eucharistic ministers are commissioned in the fall of every year. Eucharistic ministers are scheduled once a month. To be involved in this ministry call Deacon Roger Minner at 444-1265 or email him at rogerminner@stmarygv.com.

  • EVANGELIZATION COMMITTEE- The mission of the Church is to evangelize: that is, to communicate, share, and deepen, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the message of God's love. Evangelization takes place both inside and outside the parish community. The Evangelization Committee follows its mission by providing spiritual and educational programs which foster a deeper awareness of our Christian way of life. Anyone is welcome to be a part of this ministry. To help contact Jason Shanks at 445-9688.

  • GREETERS - Along with ushers, they are the first smiling faces worshipers see upon entering the church. They set a welcoming tone for the arriving Christian family. Greeters are expected to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of mass. They welcome parishioners and visitors with a smile and a worship aid. They are available to answer questions and provide seating. Greeters are scheduled once a month. Contact Eric Gresak at 264-3129.

  • GROUNDS UPKEEP - The purpose of this organization is to beautify the parish grounds for our congregation and our German Village community. The obligations include preparing plant beds, planting flowers around the parish grounds, and maintaining plants by watering, trimming, weeding throughout the summer. The commitment is determined by your schedule. We are happy to have one day or scheduled help. Contact William (chip) and Gail Hirn at 801-9303 to lend a green thumb.

  • HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION - The purpose of this organization is to be fun and a fundraiser for St. Mary School. Activities include a Halloween Fun Party, Santa Caroling, Mardi Gras Party, and Fish Fry. Contact the school office for more information at 444-8994.

  • HOMECOMING - This is the largest single event conducted by the parish to support the community and generate funds. This two-day celebration requires many hands to set up and tear-down, and staff. Contact John LaMotte at 469-0899 with questions.

  • KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, Council 5429 - The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal service organization which involves itself in church, community, council, family and youth activities. The Knights of Columbus were founded in 1882 on the principle of unity, charity, and fraternalism. It is the largest Catholic men's organization in the world with over 1.5 million members in 13 countries. Involvement in the Knights of Columbus requires participation in at least one meeting per month, service to a committee and/or holding a leadership position in the organization. Call Steve Skinner, Grand Knight, at 443-2184 for more information.

  • LECTORS - These ministers enhance the celebration of the Liturgy by proclamation of the word of God. Lectors are scheduled monthly. This ministry is open to men and women high school age and older. Lectors are scheduled following training session. To be involved in this ministry call Deacon Roger Minner at 444-1265 or email him at rogerminner@stmarygv.com.

  • MARRIAGE TEAM - Members of this team assist couples planning for marriage in identifying and highlighting important issues in their relationship as well as preparing for the wedding liturgy. Team responsibilities include quarterly sessions with couples. Anyone wishing to be a part of this endeavor may contact Bob & Lisa Hess, 764-0079.

  • PASTORAL COUNCIL - The Pastoral Council is the central coordinating body for nearly all parish activities, and is comprised mainly of chairpersons of the various committees and ministries, along with one or more appointed at-large members. Pastoral Council is headed by the pastor and meets monthly on the fourth Monday. Its purpose is to enable the pastor and the pastoral assistant to keep abreast of activities and plans of the various parish groups, and to ensure synergism wherever possible so as to maximize the effectiveness of the ministries of St. Mary Parish.

  • PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION - Includes: Preschool-K classes for children ages 3,4,5; & K; Elementary classes grouped grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. All classes are held on Sunday mornings from September through May. Teachers and aides are needed for all grade levels. Training will be provided. To volunteer your help in this catechetical ministry or to register a student call Jason Shanks at 443-3499.

  • PRESCHOOL – Offers a Catholic based education with a DAP (Developmentally Appropriate
    Practices) curriculum. Teachers are certified to teach the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd religious education program. We pride ourselves with offering varying experiences with your child, including the collaboration with St. Mary elementary school and their resources. We offer full-time and part-time classes for children ages 3-5. Call Marie Lessells with questions at 443-5307 or email preschool@stmarygv.com.

  • RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS - This is the process by which non-Catholic adults who are interested in becoming Catholic can begin or continue their faith journey and become familiar with the Catholic faith. This is also an opportunity for Catholics to learn more about there faith. Those desiring to become Catholic are responsible to get there own sponsor (16 year of age, active Catholic). Meetings are held at 6:30pm every Wednesday from August-Easter, with a few sessions following. There is no obligation to become Catholic and all are encouraged to learn more of what Catholics believe. To participate in the RCIA process in any way, call Julie Bango at 443-3316.

  • SACRISTAN - Sacristans maintain the worship space on a regular basis and prepare the vessels, vestments, bread and wine, and items for each weekend liturgy. To help call Jason Shanks, 445-9668.

  • ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY - This lay oriented organization assists the poor and needy through a variety of services. Funds for this ministry are gleaned through special collections. Personal visits are made to the homes of the needy and assistance takes many forms. The primary focus is immediate need in emergency situations. To help contact Frank Wickham at 464-2869.

  • SCHOOL - St. Mary School, and aftercare programs are dedicated to providing a well-rounded, Catholic education. It is in this environment, dedicated to the Blessed Mother, of which facilitates our children's development as students and as productive members of the community. Volunteers are needed for tutoring, fundraising, assisting in the school office and media center, and many other programs during the school year. Contact the school, 444-8994.

  • SENTINEL - The Sentinel is our parish newsletter, published monthly from August through May. The editors are Bob and Lisa Hess. The Sentinel includes news articles, calendar, and insights on people and happenings in the parish. To help with gathering news, photography, layout, etc. call Bob or Lisa Hess at 764-0079.

  • SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE- Volunteers are needed to give direction to our parish social concerns activities. They meet the second Monday of every month in the conference room of the Burkley Center at 7pm. To be a part of a committee call Julie Graham-Price at 444-5409.
  • USHERS – Ushers provide assistance with greeting, seating, collections, and bulletin distribution. Contact Leo Thurn with questions at 443-1183.

  • YOUNG AT HEART - The purpose of this organization is to meet the needs of older adults for friendship through social contact with their peers and to help them remain self sufficient and active members of the community. The group works to be well informed on matters of personal and community welfare. The group was started at St. Leo parish in 1974 for adults 50 and over. Besides monthly meetings, some with speakers and entertainment, at least two times a year we deliver clothing and household items to St. Francis Mission in Mac Arthur Ohio. To be a part of this dynamic group call Catherine Goodall at 443-1258.

  • YOUTH MINISTRY: If you are interested in helping with this important ministry please email Jason, or call him at 445-9668.


  • WELCOMING MINISTRY - Reach out to those who have just joined us! This is an outreach groups that welcomes and cares for the new members of our parish. This group takes parish literature, information, and gift baskets to new parishioners. They plan and coordinate new member cookouts, socials, and activities. They speak for and make sure that new members are engaged in the parish and put in contact with the right people so that they can get involved. Volunteers are needed. Please contact Ann Anderson at 614.208.5096 or email her at aaanderson@highlights-corp.com.


    • Adult Catechesis

  • Advanced Bible Study: We have two adult Bible studies currently being offered. The first is lead by John Clabeaux. The bible study meets on Wednesday nights from 7:00pm-8:30pm.

  • Beginners Bible Study: Jason Shanks, pastoral assistant, is leading a Bible Study on Tuesday nights from 6pm-7:00pm in the conference room in the Burkley Center. They are currently studying the Gospels having recently finished Matthew. This is a great opportunity to have a survey of the Scriptures and learning how to apply it in ones life. Call Jason Shanks at 445-9668 or email him at jasonshanks@stmarygv.com for more information.

    Charity And Justice

  • Franciscan Mission in McArthur, Ohio collections are made of household items, toiletries, food, and money as need arises.

  • Vincent de Paul Society (5th Sunday collection after all masses) - this organization provides emergency food and other emergency resources year round.

    Spiritual Growth

    Divine Mercy Prayer Group—    Call the office for more information.

    Corpus Christi Procession    — The Feast of Corpus Christi has become a big event for St. Mary's. Next year will be our third year processing through German Village. All of Columbus is invited and encouraged to participate. It will be on May 29    th at 3pm. We will have Eucharistic Adoration immediately following the 11:30am Mass until we process down around Schiller Park starting at 3pm. Mark your calendars.

    Marian Procession—The evening of August 15    th we process by candlelight around the street of German Village singing Marian hymns and praying the Rosary. It is a give opportunity to celebrate the feast of the parish patroness and mother. Look for more information in the bulletin.
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