VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
All Volunteers are required to meet our Safe Environment policies.
Several Protecting God's Children (PGC) training sessions are available across the Diocese, with many Zoom options for convenience. Register at virtusonline.org (registration instructions) for a session that fits your schedule.
Upcoming Dates: March 16 • April 13 & 30th* • May 11 • June 3 & 13
*This date will be offered in-person at St. Mary's!
Fuel Our Youth Ministry!
Ongoing | Sunday evenings
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Help nourish our teens on Sunday evenings by providing a meal for about 40 students. Sign up for a date that works for you and drop off your meal at 5:30pm in the gym. Alison will share details as your date approaches. Your support makes a big difference!
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Saturday, March 14
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Join us for an hour this Lent to crochet or knit prayer shawls. Prayer shawls (also known as Comfort Shawls, Peace Shawls, or Mantles, etc.), are begun and crafted with prayers and blessings for the recipient of your choice. Materials and patterns will be provided–or bring your own!
We will meet on Saturday, March 14th at 3pm on the 3rd Floor of the parish office.
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Festival Leadership
Monthly Meeting and Festival Dates​
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Our Parish Festival doesn’t run on luck! It runs on faithful, capable people who are willing to lead. We are currently looking for parishioners to step into a few key roles:
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Ticket Sales Director: Oversee and organize festival ticket sales.
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Kid’s Courtyard Director: Coordinate activities in the front children’s area and help create a joyful, family-friendly space.
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Food Tent Supervisors: Be present during the festival to oversee operations (no planning meetings required).
These roles are manageable, meaningful, and essential to making our festival a success. If you love this parish and want to see our biggest community event thrive, this is your opportunity.
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Interested? Contact festival@delawarestmary.org. Let’s not assume someone else will do it. If you can lead, now is the time.
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Full dates of meetings/events include: Thursdays at 6:30-8pm (March 19, April 23, May 14, May 28, June 11) and Festival Setup/Dates (June 18th, 19th and June 20th at 5-11pm)
Bakers & Table Sales
Fridays throughout Lent​
The Women of St. Mary will once again host bake sales during the Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Frys from February 20 through March 27, and we need your help! Bakers are invited to sign up for one or more Fridays and indicate the baked goods they plan to contribute. Volunteers are also needed to help serve at the bake sale table.
Per health regulations, all items (cookies, brownies, etc.) must be packaged in zip-lock bags. Pies and cakes will be served by the slice on paper plates. Please include a brief description of your item, noting if it contains nuts or is gluten-free or dairy-free. Items will be priced in $1 increments.
Please drop off baked goods around 5pm in the Commons, where tables will be set up near the stage. Enjoy the baking, support a wonderful parish tradition, and don’t forget to enjoy the homemade treats—and coleslaw—along with your fish dinner!
Thank you for helping keep this beloved event going strong.
Family Promise Week
April 5-11
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As a partner church with Family Promise of Delaware, we provide evening meals for several weeks during the year. We also provide groceries for breakfast and lunch, plus other supplies during our week. These groceries and supplies are bought through generous donations from our parishioners who support our St. Vincent de Paul Conference. Thank you!
If you would like to help with meals, please send your email address to Jennifer Schmidt (jschmi14@gmail.com). You will receive emails prior to our weeks with the link to sign up. We have the sign-up split into three options - main dish, side dish and dessert. Dishes are dropped off in disposable containers at the house. The number of people served ranges from 15 to 20 or so depending on how many families are in the house during our week.
Our next Family Promise Week is April 5 through 11. Thank you for sharing your time and talent!
Support Local Foster Families: Alicia's Closet
Ongoing | First Sunday evenings
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Foster families depend on strong community support, and Alicia’s Closet provides exactly that for foster parents in Delaware. This monthly support group offers a safe, welcoming space where foster families are nourished both emotionally and practically—with dinner and childcare provided. Our parishioners Kate and Ray Yonkura share that this group has been a true lifeline in their fostering journey.
Alicia’s Closet relies on community volunteers to provide meals and childcare. The group meets on the first Sunday of each month from 4:10–6:45pm at Delaware City Vineyard Church. No training or certification is required, and even a few extra volunteers make a meaningful difference.
To help with meals or childcare, please sign up using the links below (select Delaware City Vineyard Church – first Sunday):
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Thank you for supporting those who care for our most vulnerable children.
OCIA Sponsors
Ongoing​
We are seeking faithful parishioners to serve as sponsors for our OCIA candidates as they prepare to enter the Catholic Church. Sponsors walk alongside candidates as witnesses of faith, offering prayer, encouragement, and personal support during this sacred journey.
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If you are a fully initiated Catholic, active in parish life, and at least 16 years old, you may be called to this meaningful role. Sponsors are asked to attend the Easter Vigil and select rites beforehand, and to remain a source of support even after the Vigil. Serving as a sponsor is a beautiful way to share your faith and help welcome new members into the life of the Church.
