English Speaking Groups
Liturgical Ministries
Sacristans
Coordinator: Calvin Ogden
Contact: calogden@aol.com
Mission: The sacristan is responsible for the magnificence of the Mass by tastefully and beautifully adorning the altar and arranging the sacramental books and sacred vessels. The sacristan contributes to maintaining the sanctuary in an awe- inspiring manner for all to worship, adore and revere the Lord.
Altar Servers
Coordinator: Fr. Joe Heisey
Contact: 301-990-3203 x202
Mission: Altar servers assist the priest in the sanctuary and at the altar in the celebration of Mass and special liturgies. Girls and boys active in their faith in 4th thru12th grades, and who have received First Holy Communion, are invited to serve. Training is in October.
Lectors
Coordinator: Martha Chacon
Contact: gaviota.u16@gmail.com
Mission: The Lector Ministry is an opportunity to proclaim God’s Word in the Liturgy of the Word at parish liturgies. After prayer and preparation, lectors proclaim the Word of God so that the faithful may hear and act on it. Serving as a lector provides an excellent opportunity to gain a better understanding of the Scriptures.
Ushers
Coordinator: Peter C. Meze
Contact: pcmeze@yahoo.com
Mission: Ushers are the first level ambassadors in our parish during worship. Our stewardship to God and our parish consists in ensuring that worshippers are comfortably seated, assisting in the offertory collection and procession and passing out bulletins.
Sanctuary Décor
Coordinator: Eneida Sanchez
Contact: eneidamsanchez@gmail.com
Mission: This team of volunteers assures that the altar is beautifully adorned at every liturgical celebration the parish offers.
Arimatheans
Coordinator: Barbara Kuhn
Contact: 301-990-3203
Mission: We serve on behalf of the parish family at funerals as altar servers, offering comfort and prayers to the grieving family in the example of Joseph of Arimathea, who must have comforted Mary with his care of the body of Jesus. Any adult Catholic who feels called is welcome to serve. This ministry is ideal for those with a flexible schedule or retirees
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Coordinator: Astra Plucis
Contact: Any of the priests or aplucis@aol.com
Mission: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are lay members of our parish who assist in distributing Holy Communion to the faithful during Mass. They may also be trained to bring Holy Communion to homebound parishioners and to those in hospitals and nursing homes.
Music Ministries
English Choir
Coordinator: Greg Gannon
Contact: 301-990-3203
Mission: The music ministry is an integral part of the liturgy that enhances the worship experience by leading the parish in sung prayer. The choir is open to adults ages 18 & up. Rehearsals are on Wednesday at 7:30pm in the church. The choir sings at the 9:00am Mass on Sundays and other major liturgical celebrations throughout the year. All are welcome to join.
Pastoral Care Ministries
Dominican Sisters of our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima
Contact: Sister Yelitza or Sister Providencia
Phone: 301-990-3203
Mission: Our charism is the evangelization of families, the basic unit of society. In this apostolate we serve all people in the church, particularly caring for those most in need, visiting the sick and the poor, including material and spiritual poverty, evangelizing children, youth and adults by religious social work.
In addition to guidance and counseling of individuals, couples and families, the sisters serve in the parish in a variety of capacities such as offering talks and workshops, serving as catechists, coordinating baptisms, offering pre-marriage classes and training altar servers.
Stephen Ministry
Coordinator: Barbara Kuhn
Contact: 301-990-3203
Mission: The Stephen Ministry is one-on-one grief counseling that is offered by trained parishioners to bring Christ’s healing to people who are suffering and who are in need of prayer and support. If interested in becoming a Stephen Minister or receiving care, do not hesitate to reach out.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Coordinator: Doreen Olson
Contact: olsondoreen@aol.com
Mission: We are a group of women who knit/crochet prayer
shawls for people in need. We give the shawls to people in
physical or emotional distress
St. Jerome's Counseling Program
Contact: counselingadmin@stjeromes.org
Mission: Marriage, Family & Individual Catholic Counseling. Rates
are based on a sliding scale based on income
* IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF MORE FORMALIZED COUNSELING FROM PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, PLEASE CONTACT THE PARISH OFFICE FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
Social Concern Ministries
Food Pantry
Coordinator: Lucy McCallion
Contact: lcm1127@aol.com
Mission: In service for over thirty years, at present each week we receive and sort some four tons of food for distribution to over 200 families at our Monday morning distribution. Donations arrive seven days a week, which requires sorting and packaging. Monday morning distribution is from 6am-12pm.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Coordinator: Julie Sanchez
Contact: juliecs2009@gmail.com
Mission: Inspired by gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.
Pro-Life Ministry
Coordinator: Diana O’Keefe
Contact: parish@stmartinsweb.org
Mission: We defend life through prayer and sacrifice, and offer
solutions for women with an unplanned pregnancy.
Immigration Ministry
Coordinator: Deacon Jorge Gatica
Contact: djgatica@stmartinsweb.org
Mission: Our mission is to attend to the spiritual needs of immigrants and their families through volunteers (prayer partners) who pray with our immigrant brothers and sisters and begin the healing process in their lives. We help to create a culture of encounter by being a prayerful and caring presence to
immigrants and their families by accompanying them and helping them through the difficult and traumatic situations they find themselves.
Prayer Ministries
Eucharistic Adoration
Coordinator: Marion Strishock
Contact: marianstrishock1@verizon.net
Mission: During Eucharistic Adoration, committed adorers have selected an hour each week when they keep watch with the Blessed Sacrament in response to our Lord's question, "Could you not keep watch with me for one hour?" (Matthew 26:40). They make sure the Blessed Sacrament is never left unattended, while they pray for the needs of families, the Church and the world while growing in love with Jesus.
Flame of Love Rosary
Coordinator: Elizabeth McConnell
Contact: emcconnell5@verizon.net
Mission: We follow the Flame of Love Movement, recognized by the Catholic Church, and meet every Wednesday morning after the 9am Mass to pray the Flame of Love Rosary, consecrate ourselves to Jesus through Mary, and help each other to live holy lives. We also meet virtually by phone on Saturdays at 11am.
English Legion of Mary
Coordinator: Martha Chacon
Contact: gaviota.u16@gmail.com
Mission: We are a group of lay Catholics that are organized under the direction of the pastor to assist in bringing Jesus Christ to each and every one in need. We minister to the needs of all parishioners under our Blessed Mother as her “army set in battle array” for the sanctification of souls. Meetings: Mondays, 7:15pm - 8:45 pm; St. Joseph's House
Online Bible Study
Coordinator: Dennis Galvin
Contact: agnes.galvin@gmail.com
Mission: To deepen our understanding of scripture with a weekly online bible study. Contact Dennis Galvin for more information
Formation and Youth Ministries
Religious Education
Director: David Guillen
Contact: 301-990-3203
Mission: Weekly religious education classes in English and Spanish for children in grades 1 – 12; designed to assist parents in passing on the Catholic Faith to their children. Religious Education classes also prepare students for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Registration begins in August 2023
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
Coordinator: Deacon Bill Vita/Barbara Kuhn
Contact: Barbara Kuhn 301-990-3203 X208
Mission: Instruction in the Catholic faith for adults interested in becoming full members of the Catholic Church. This includes Catholics not fully initiated, those baptized in another denomination and the unbaptized. Meetings: Contact the Parish Office for information.
Catechist
Director: David Guillen
Contact: Cristina or Barbara 301-990-3203
Mission: Share your faith with the children in our religious
education program by becoming a catechist. Catechists and
assistants are needed in all grades and sessions
Knights of Columbus
Coordinator: George Silva
Contact: 301-258-0377
Mission: A group of men serving the church, parish and community instilling and growing in the values of charity, unity and fraternity.
High School Youth Group
Director: David Guillen
Contact: 301-990-3203
Mission: Provides a loving and faith-filled environment for high school students to grow in community, faith and to deepen their relationship with Christ.
Meeting Time: During the school year, youth group meets on Fridays at 7:00pm until 9:30pm. During the summer, we meet on Tuesdays at 7:00pm.
Youth Group Adult Volunteer
Director: David Guillen
Contact: 301-990-3203
Mission: Witness your faith in real time to our parish teens, helping them to grow in Christ. Meeting Time: During the school year, youth group meets on
Fridays. We need volunteers to arrive at 6:30pm and stay until 9:45-10:00pm. During the summer, the group meets on Tuesdays, with volunteer times from 6:30 – 9:45pm
Scouts BSA
Coordinator: Greg Cooksey
Contact: gacooksey@gmail.com
Mission: The Boy Scout Troop of St. Martin's Parish provides boys ages 10-17 in the parish an opportunity to learn leadership skills, 13 spend time outdoors, and do service projects in the parish and around Montgomery County. We go camping about once a month. Meetings: Monday nights in the Parish Hall (or Fr Meyer Field, when appropriate) at 7pm during the school year.
Cub Scouts BSA
Coordinator: Manuri Perera
Contact: Pack926Chair@gmail.com
Mission: Pack 926 provides boys up to 5th grade an opportunity to learn new skills, spend time outdoors, and do service projects in the parish and around Montgomery County. Contact Manuri Perera for information on how to participate. Meetings: Monday nights in the school at 7pm during the school
year.
Girl Scouts
Coordinator: Julie Stinger, Emily Molloy
Contact: jstinger@smsmd.org/emilytroop274@gmail.com
Mission: Girl Scout Troop 274 provides scouting opportunities for girls in grades K-8. As a troop within Girl Scouts of the USA, the girls are supported in experiencing fun, service, leadership, and adventure.
CYO (Catholic Youth Organization)
Director: Brian Woodland
Contact: woodlandbrian@gmail.com
Mission: CYO welcomes all athletes from our Parish and School communities. Be a part of the largest growing athletic programs in Montgomery County. We have programs in Soccer, Track and Field, Basketball and flag football. Get Registered, get informed, get ready! Let’s go Crusaders