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Spring 2015Friends of St. Mary Parish Pastor: Rev. Msgr. G. Warren Wall

Around the Parish: Lent St. Mary DevelopmentsCalendar of EventsINSIDE THIS EDITION

Lift up Your Heads, OGates! Psalm 24:7“Lift up Your Heads, O Gate! And be lifted up, O ancient Doors, thatthe King of Glory may come in.” Psalm 24:7. As the CapitalCampaign projects in the church were recently completed, there arestill items that need to be accomplished. The church doors are old,worn and need to be replaced. A landscaping plan is needed for theentire campus. Our historic church, built in 1926 will need to bemaintained and in order to do that, St. Mary has begun the “Lift UpYour Heads, O Gates!” weekly collection for building improvementsand maintenance. In order for our church to not become anothercapital campaign project in years to come, this collection allows us tocontinue to improve our facility as well as preserve our recentinvestments in the church. Through the generosity of donors, over$6,000 has been collected to date. Please contact the church office at(251) 432-8678 for additional information.

Mobile’s Excelsior Band leads parishioners and guests from St.

Mary’s December 7, Grand Celebration with the backdrop of the

bell tower. Photo by Shane Rice.

St. Mary Catholic Schoolfifth grade teacher,Kristy Martin, hasbeen awarded the 2015NCEA ElementarySchools DistinguishedTeacher Award. Thishonor from the NationalCatholic EducationalAssociation is given toonly nine teachersnationwide for 2015. Kristy has been a teacherat St. Mary CatholicSchool since 2003. She has served as a mentor and role model forfellow teachers across the Archdiocese for the past 11 years. Shealso runs the After School Care Program for St. Mary CatholicSchool. She and her husband Larry, have two children, Grace, aSt. Mary alumna now at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, andJack, currently in St. Mary’s eighth grade. Kristy will receive heraward on April 7, 2015 in Orlando.

St. Mary Catholic School’s KristyMartin, NCEA Teacher of the Year!

Volunteer AppreciationFamily Spaghetti Dinner!Thursday, April 23, 6 p.m.in Sisters of Mercy BuildingIn appreciation for all those who so generously share their time andtalent with St. Mary Parish to include St. Mary Church and St. MaryCatholic School. Door prizes! All volunteers (and you know who you

are!) please RSVP by contacting St. Mary’s Volunteer Coordinator,Millie Dixon, at (251) 432-8678, ext. 5

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Around the Parish: Lent CHURCH / SCHOOL / DEVELOPMENT

St. Mary Parish FridayNight Fish Frys!Every Friday during Lentthrough March 275:30 p.m. St. Mary GymDinners Include: Your choice of fried fishshrimp, and oysters. Sides include coleslaw, baked beans and roll. Please seeoptions and prices below. Dinner includesiced tea. Adult beverages are available for a donation.

Adult DinnersFish Dinner: Fried Fish with sides - $7Shrimp Dinner: Fried Shrimp with sides - $8Oyster Dinner: Fried Oysters with sides - $8Combo Dinner: Fried fish, fried shrimp,

fried oysters with sides - $9Children’s Menu (smaller portions)Fish Dinner – Fried fish with side- $5Shrimp Dinner - Fried shrimp with sides - $6

Oyster Dinner – Fried oysters with sides - $6Please join us before dinner for stations of the cross at 5 p.m.& Mass at 5:30 p.m. each Friday of Lent in St. Mary Church.

St. Mary Parish presents Vino and Values, An evening with Rose Sweet!For all women, Thursday, March 19 at 6 p.m.Rose Sweet is a Catholic speaker and published author featured on NBC, EWTN, Catholic Answers LIVE,Woman’s Day, and Focus on the Family. Rose loves to share rich insights and new ways of looking at thescripture’s “spousal analogy” pointing out the mystical marriage of Christ and the Church. The “Way of theBride”, one of Rose’s most popular topics, reveals how the soul is the Beloved of her Bridegroom. Theevening will focus on “The Way of the Bridegroom” revealing how “he first loved her” and the four marks ofhis perfect love. Drawing from Scripture and Pope St. John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body”, Rose notesthat these four marks are easy to remember and can, and should be taught to your children. Attendees willlearn how to know if they are loving someone or using them; how to know if they are being used; What’s goodand not good about dating after divorce; what distinguishes authentic marriage from other relationships; whatmust be present for a marriage bond to be considered “valid”; how the Catholic Church can declare anattempted marriage as “invalid” (annulments); and the basic “whys” of Catholic Church teachings on love,intimate relationships, and marriage. Guests will enjoy wine, heavy hors d’oeuvres, great fellowship and a chance for fabulous door prizes and raffle items including a KitchenAidstand mixer donated by Mobile Appliance! The evening is for all women: single, married, divorced and widowed. The suggestedoffering is $10. The program is presented by St. Mary’s Moms’ Prayer Group. The event will take place in St. Mary’sSisters of Mercy Building located on the St. Mary Parish Campus, 106 Providence Street, MobileFor more information, visit www.facebook/vinoandvalues or contact the church office at (251) 432-8678, ext. 1.

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner!Tuesday, March 17, 6 to 8 p.m.Parish will provide corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes.Parishioners are asked to bring side dishes according tothe first letter of your last name and WEAR GREEN!A-G: Macaroni and Cheese, Pasta Salad, CornH-L: Green beans, green salad, fruit saladM-Z: Dessert of your choice.

In St. Mary School Gymnasium.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE! through March 29Join the Archdiocese of Mobile for a Lenten vigil of prayer, fasting, and participation to end abortion. St. Mary’s gatherseach Monday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. during Lent at the Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinic located at717 Downtowner Loop. Father Wall leads the rosary each Saturday morning at 9 a.m.. For more information or to signup, call (251) 432-8678, ext. 1. or log on to mobile40daysforlife.ArchMob.org

St. Mary Valentine Tea!Sponsored by theSt. Mary eighthgrade class eachyear, the ValentineDay’s Teaconnecting oursenior members ofthe parish with thestudents was heldon February 14.Great food and funfor all!

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CHURCH / SCHOOL / DEVELOPMENTAround the Parish:Lent

First Communion: Congratulations to oursecond graders in the parish who will be receivingFirst Holy Communion May 10 at 5 p.m. Thanksto teachers Donna Anderson, Amy Duncan andGina Naman McPhillips.

Sacramental Preparation

Newest Members of the Church:St. Mary Parish is proud to welcome newcandidates into the Catholic Church during theEaster Vigil Mass Saturday, April 4. Allparishioners are invited to attend RCIA classes foran exploration of the Catholic faith. Classes willend for the year at Easter and will begin again inSeptember. Thanks to teachers, Joe Arensberg,Mike & Gina O’Neill, Rev. Msgr. G. WarrenWall, and Rev. Saleth Mariadoss DeaconErnest Johnson.

Parish Seder SupperSaturday, March 28following the 5 p.m. MassA celebration of the Passover Meal as celebrated inthe Jewish Community at the time of Jesus. Allfamilies are invited to attend this event on the Eve ofPalm Sunday. Middle school age students andadults will participate in the traditional Seder Dinnerand younger children will have a Seder Dinner in theside reception room explained in a moreunderstandable way. Parishioners are asked tobring a dish to share: A-G are asked to bring a maindish (ham, fried chicken, meat, casserole, etc); H-Lare asked to bring a vegetable side or green salad;and M-Z or asked to bring dessert or fruit.Reservations are required and will be acceptedthrough March 13. Please contact the churchoffice at (251) 432-8678, ext. 1 for reservations.

Spiritual OpportunitiesBible Study: Each Monday at 12 noon in theSisters of Mercy Building. Contact Gina O’Neillat gina5@icloud.com for more information.Men’s Prayer Group: Each Tuesday, 6:30a.m. in Sisters of Mercy Building. Start your daywith fellow parishioners in prayer and reflection.St. Mary’s Rosary Prayer Group: EachTuesday at 1 p.m. in St. Mary Chapel. For moreinformation, contact Millie Dixon, (251) 709-8330 or mildreddixon@att.net.Mothers of Young Children Prayer Group: EachWednesday at 9:45 a.m.. at a different homeeach week. Children are welcome! Please contactEmily Montague, 251-295-3878(EOMontague@gmail.com).Men of St. Joseph Outback Retreat: at beautifulCamp Grace March 20-22. The cost is $295 percouple; however, scholarships are available, andno one is ever turned away. To register, visitwww.mosjoutback.com

Living Stations of the CrossWednesday, April 1, 6 p.m.Holy Thursday, April 2, 10:30 am.

In its 14th year, St.Mary Catholic Schoolstudents present TheLiving Stations to beheld in St. MaryChurch. Please joinus for this verypoignantperformance withcostume and stagedesign by St. Maryteachers, parents,and students.

Easter Egg Hunt! Sunday, March 29for St. Mary’s smallest parishioners, following 9 a.m. Mass,

St. Mary’s Thompson Field. Coffee, juice, and treats! Easter Bunny!

Confirmation: St. Mary Parish will hold its firstConfirmation under the new Archdiocesan programwhere students are confirmed as high school juniors.The Confirmation Mass will take place March 15at 2 p.m. with reception following in Sisters of MercyBuilding. Special thanks to ConfirmationCoordinator, Maggie Twigg.

See Full Lenten Mass andService Schedule, page 5

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St. Mary Developments CHURCH / SCHOOL / DEVELOPMENT

Stewardship 2015Total Dollars Pledged: $590,796Total Number of Pledges: 338If you have not turned in your pledge for 2015,please drop in the collection basket or contact the developmentoffice at (251) 432-8678, ext. 3. Stewardship tithing provides theparish operational funds.

Welcome New Parish CouncilSt. Mary Parish welcomed the newest members of the parish councilthis past January at a Parish Council Retreat held Saturday, January31. The council welcomed guest speaker, Hoagy Kearns who hasserved the parish as past Parish Council Chair. The council set goalsfor the new year and will meet each month on the third Wednesdayat 6:30 p.m. Current Council members include: Sean Dudley,Council Chairman; Kelly Crooker; Milton Days; Vivian DeVivo; Julia Drey; Mary Keese Finnorn; Colleen Gould;Viola Henderson; Will Hewitt; Matt Laird; StuartLuckie; Danny McAleer; Joe Montague; Tori Oetken;Bryan Pape; Matthew Quinn; and Strickland Carson.Thank you to ouroutgoing membersfor sharing theirtime and talent withus: Bill Reece;John Kilpatrick;MarkThompson; andChris Carroll.

Annual Fund DriveThe annual fund for St. Mary Catholic School kicked off in October with agoal of 100% participation. To date, $16,418 has been raised. A great wayto honor loved ones, the brick campaign continues and has continued thefence campaign to name the fence panels eventually surrounding the entirecampus. This year’s Annual Fund Chair is Brian Blanchette. To make a gift,email the development office at mrnaman@stmarymobile.org or call (251)432-8678, ext. 3

Congratulations St. MaryCatholic Schools Week Honoreeswho received awards during St. Mary’s Annual Family Day and AlumniMass on January 31. Rev. Msgr. G. Warren Wall, 1958 graduate of St.Matthew’s Catholic School is St. Mary’s Outstanding Catholic SchoolGraduate; David Hyland, 1997 graduate of St. Mary Catholic School isSt. Mary Catholic School’s NCEA Distinguished Graduate, and Teresaand David Gill were honored as St. Mary Catholic School’s OutstandingBusiness Partners. Pictured right: Father Wall; St. Mary Principal,Debbie Ollis; David Hyland; Teresa Gill, and David Gill.

.

With a successful “Grand Celebration” on December 7, St. MaryParish was proud to celebrate the completion of the restorations madepossible by the “Our Faith, Our Hope, Our Future” Capital Campaign.We are thankful to all 430 donors and all of the volunteers, especiallythe members of our campaign building committee who saw theprojects through completion. As we still face $315,000 in remainingdebt to be paid by the campaign, we urge all donors to continue tocomplete their pledges. The debt began at $700,000 and was accruedfrom residual debt from the restoration of the Sisters of MercyBuilding in 2004 as well as the debt incurred for the growth of ourschool including renovation of the third floor of the Sisters of MercyBuilding allowing 6 middle school classrooms and the purchase of theMastro Art Center on Providence Street which is home to our school’sart program. We thank Millie Dixon, our campaign secretary forcontinuing to post and Dina Blankenship, our volunteer CPA forserving to reconcile our account each month. For all those whocontinue to pay and to all those who have completed their pledges, wethank you for your great generosity!

Special Events SchedulingFor weddings, meetings, parties, receptions and more, please contact Laurel Wallace at(251) 432-8678, ext. 4. or lwallace@stmarymobile.org. Laurel will be scheduling events in St. Mary Church

and Sisters of Mercy Building.

Campaign Projects Complete,Debt Retirement Continues

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March1 Sunday Coffee, after 9 a.m. Mass. Rite of Election for RCIA Candidates, 3 p.m. Cathedral6 St. Mary Fish Fry! 6 p.m., St. Mary Gym8 Daylight Savings Time begins13 Third Quarter Awards Ceremony, following 8:10 a.m. Mass St. Mary Fish Fry! 6 p.m., St. Mary Gym15 Sunday Coffee, after 9 a.m. Mass Confirmation Mass, 2 p.m.17 St. Mary Parish St. Patrick’s Celebration! 6 p.m.19 Vino and Values Welcomes Rose Sweet! 6 p.m.20 First Day of Spring20 St. Mary Fish Fry! 6 p.m., St. Mary Gym20-22 Men of St. Joseph Outback Retreat, Camp Grace mosjoutback.com23 Teacher Inservice Day, No classes25 Feast of The Annunciation, St. Mary’s Patronal Feast Day26 McGill-Toolen Jacket Jubilation, 6:30 p.m. Portier Center27 St. Mary Fish Fry! 6 p.m., St. Mary Gym28 Seder Supper, following 5 p.m. Mass, Sisters of Mercy Bldg29 Parish Easter Egg Hunt after 9 a.m. Mass, Thompson Field31 Chrism Mass, 11 a.m., Cathedral

April1 Living Stations of the Cross, 6 p.m. St. Mary Church2 Holy Thursday, see Holy Week Schedule this page Living Stations of the Cross, 10:30 a.m. in church Noon dismissal St. Mary School, Spring Break begins3 Good Friday, see Holy Week Schedule this page4 Holy Saturday, see Holy Week Schedule this page Church Clean Up -- 8 to 11 a.m., Volunteers Needed! Easter Vigil Mass, 7 p.m.5 Happy Easter! Masses, 6, 9, and 11:30 a.m.18 St. Mary KofC Crawfish and Bluegrass Extravaganza! 4 to 9 p.m, Rain or Shine!!19 Sunday Coffee, following 9 a.m. Mass23 Volunteer Appreciation Spaghetti Dinner! 6 p.m.24 St. Mary Catholic School “Little Field Day!”

St. Mary Events Calendar

Each MonthMONDAYLegion of Mary, 10 a.m. weekly, *SOM BldgCatholic Scripture Study, noon, weekly, SOM Bldg.St. Vincent de Paul, 2nd and 4th Mon, 6 p.m., SOM Bldg.TUESDAYMen’s Prayer Group, 6:30 a.m., weekly, RectoryRosary Group, 1 p.m. weekly, St. Mary ChapelWEDNESDAYMothers of Young Children Prayer Group, 9:45 a.m. weeklyChoir, 7 p.m. weeklySt. Mary School Advisory Board, 2nd Wed, 5:30 p.m.Confirmation Class, 7 p.m. 1st Weds.

CHURCH / SCHOOL / DEVELOPMENT

May1 Student Mass, 8:10 a.m. Crowning of Mary2 St. Mary Catholic School presents “An Evening in Paris!” 6 p.m. until...3 Sunday Coffee, following 9 a.m. Mass9 First Holy Communion, 5 p.m10 Happy Mother’s Day! Edge welcomes 5th graders to Edge! 4 p.m.17 Sunday Coffee, following 9 a.m. Mass20 8th Grade Completion Mass, 6 p.m.23 Last Day of School, 8:10 a.m. Mass, Happy Summer!24 Edge End of Year Party! 4 p.m. Life Teen End of Year Party, 7 p.m.

THURSDAYFinance Council, 3rd Thurs, 6:30 a.m. RectoryParish Council, 3rd Weds, 6:30 p.m. SOM BldgKnights of Columbus, 3rd Thurs., 6 p.m. SOM BldgR.C.I.A., (7 p.m. Sept. - Easter) SOM BldgFRIDAY Adoration Chapel, 24 hoursSUNDAYSunday Coffee 1st and 3rd Sunday, following 9 a.m. MassLadies Sodality, 4th Sun, 10 a.m., SOM BldgCCD, Sundays, 10:15 a.m. (Sept - May) School BldgEDGE Youth Group, 2nd and 4th Sunday, grades 6-8,4 to 5:30 p.m. followed by 6 p.m. Mass, St. Mary GymLIFE TEEN!, Every Sunday, for grades 9-12, 7 to 8:30 p.m.following the 6 p.m. Mass, *SOM Bldg , Adoration 4th Sun. *SOM Bldg = Sisters of Mercy Building

Lenten Mass Schedule and ServicesMASSES.Monday -Thursday: 6 and 7:25 a.m., 5:30 p.m. (Lent only)Friday: 6, 7:25, 8:10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (Lent only)Saturday: 7 a.m. & 5 p.m. VigilSunday: 6, 9, 11:30 a.m., and 6 p.m.SERVICES AND PROGRAMS

40 Days For Life Prayer Vigil: Through March 29. See pg. 2

Christian Meditation: Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m.,

St. Mary Chapel. By Frank Hurley. Through March 25

Morning Prayer: 15 minutes before Mass

Confessions: Saturdays, 4 to 4:50 p.m. and upon request

“The Light is On”, Confession Wednesdays through April 1

from 7 to 8 p.m.

Anointing of The Sick: At all weekend Masses March 14-15

(excluding Confirmation Mass at 2 p.m.)

Lenten Fish Fries, every Friday at 5:30 p.m. through March 27

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Tues, March 17, 6 p.m.

Vino & Values presents Rose Sweet, Thurs., March 19, 6 p.m.

Parish Seder Supper, Sat., March 28 following 5 p.m. Mass

Stations of the Cross: Fridays, 9 a.m.. 2:15 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Living Stations of the Cross: Weds April 3, 6 p.m and

Thursday, April 4, 10:30 a.m..

Adoration of the Lord in the Eucharist: Fridays 24 hours

Holy Week SchedulePalm Sunday Masses:, Sat, March 28, 5 p.m. Vigil and Sunday,March 29, 6, 9, 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.Holy Mon., Tues.& Weds Masses: 6, 7:25 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.Holy Thursday, April 2 : Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m.,Adoration at the Repository, 8:30 to 10 p.m.Good Friday, April 3: Stations of the Cross, 2:30 p.m. & 6 p.m.Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, Veneration of the Cross,Holy Communion, 7 p.m.Holy Saturday, April 4 Confessions, 2 to 5 p.m.,Easter Vigil, 7 p.m.Easter Sunday, April 5: 6, 9, and 11:30 a.m.

June: Summer Vacation Bible School!June 8 - 12 , 9 a.m. to 12 noon. K through grade 5. Contact AshleyThompson, (251) 471-8216 or thomp1999@att.net. Volunteers needed!

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106 Providence Street • Mobile, AL 36604

Feast on thousands of pounds of crawfish andenjoy some of the areas greatest bluegrass bands!

Adult tickets are $25 per adult in advance & $30 at the door. Children 12 and under are free!

on St. Mary campus located at 107 N. Lafayette Street.

Non-Profit Org.US Postage

PAIDPERMIT No.83MOBILE, AL

For more information or advance tickets to theseevents, contact the St. Mary Catholic School officeat 433-9904 or the Development Office at 432-8678, ext. 3. or log on to www.stmarymobile.org!

Saturday,April 184 - 9 p.m.Rain orShine!

Spring Fun and Fundraisers!...St. Mary Catholic School

Casino Nightpresents

An Evening in

All proceeds benefitSt. Mary Catholic School.

Sponsors and AuctionDonors Welcome! Formore info or advance

tickets, contact the schooloffice at (251) 433-9904.

6 p.m. until...6 p.m. until...6 p.m. until...6 p.m. until...6 p.m. until...General admission: $25

per adult in advance & $30at the door. Seniors, $25.Special Dinner tickets are$100 and admit two adults.

Saturday, May 2featuring live and silent auctions, games withcelebrity hosts, great food and entertainment,

and an opportunity to take home $10,000!