The organizations and groups in this section are a group of dedicated individuals who believe in supporting the community through active service. Of course, that doesn’t mean they don’t spend time having fun and holding events just to build fellowship and enjoy each other’s company. If you have a talent to share, or just two willing hands, these groups will keep you busy as you help to build a stronger community.
NAMI (Nat'l Alliance on Mental Illness)
NAMI Family Support Groups, offered by NAMI Affiliates in communities across the country, are free, confidential and safe groups of families helping other families who live with mental health challenges. In NAMI Family Support Groups, families join a caring group of individuals helping one another by utilizing their collective lived experiences and learned wisdom. Family members can achieve a renewed sense of hope for their loved one living with mental health challenges.
FAMILY TO FAMILY
For loved ones of adults living with mental illness. Helps family and friends understand and support their loved ones with maintaining their own well being.
DATES: Staring Thursday April 4, 2024
TIME: 6 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: St Agnes Church
Call (860) 882-0236 or visit http://namict.org/find-support/family-to-family/
Precious blood Ladies' Guild
There will be no meetings this January & February 2024 or July & August 2024!
The ladies guild has a threefold purpose:
1. Spiritual
2. Social
3. Charitable
Officers:
President: Martha De Feo
Vice President: Margaret Byrne
Treasurer: Ann Carollo
Corresponding Secretary: Joanne Nesdale
John Rigely Food Pantry
The John Rigely Food Pantry at St. Mary Church continues to follow the mission of its founder Deacon John Rigely – to serve those less fortunate. Clients receive a variety of groceries and fresh foods on a monthly basis. It is through the generous support of the Precious Blood parishioners, Saint Mary school and community donations that the pantry is able to provide to our neighbors in need.
Our volunteers manage inventory, pack and distribute food weekly, and assist at the four food collections a year. If interested in volunteering, please contact us.
Please contact appointment coordinator Barbara Sommers for further information on the pantry.
John Rigely Shelter Program
The Shelter Program here at St. Mary Church helps these people in need quietly and confidentially. It is a program that is part of the John Rigely Food Pantry Program. While you, our very generous parishioners, give food to the pantry for those in need of groceries, monetary donations are also needed to build up the Shelter account.
Knights of Columbus
Welcome to Knights of Columbus Santa Maria Council #14546, the council serving St. Mary Church.
Haiti Ministry
The Haiti Ministry is a unique program that was launched in spring of 2007 and linked St. Mary with Ste. Therese Parish located in Marbial, a mountainous region in South Haiti.
HEALING TREE FOR HAITI
During Lent the Mission to Haiti Committee of Precious Blood Parish is conducting its annual Healing Tree fundraiser to help the people of St. Therese parish in Marbial, Haiti. The fundraiser begins on the first Sunday in Lent when a bare and lonely looking tree makes its appearance on the St. Mary Church altar. By the last Sunday in Lent those bare branches are covered in brightly colored ribbons, the color of the ribbon signifying the amount of each donation.
Haiti’s political unrest has forced the cancelation of our medical missions and container shipments. The airport and seaports in Haiti are closed and roads are blocked by insurrectionists. The people of Marbial are starving. A drought followed by torrential rains has destroyed their crops. There is some food available in Jacmel, the nearest city, but it costs money.
The church has been sending money to Father Errol, the pastor, on a monthly basis. With that money he has been feeding the school children what is their only meal of the day. Leftover food goes to local families in need.
The people of Marbial are starving. Please help by contributing to the Healing Tree. Donation cards are available in the church or you can send a check to St. Mary Church, 70 Gulf Street, Milford Ct. 06460. Please write Haiti in the memo. We will put a ribbon on the tree for you!
St. Joseph's men Society
Days: 1st Monday of each month (September through June)
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: St. Agnes Church
Activities:
The 2024 Annual Golf Tournament will be announced soon! Any questions, contact Jerry Farina at (203) 623-4461
Annual Picnic (2nd Sunday in September)
Lenten Dinner (1st Friday after Ash Wednesday)
Communion Breakfast (March or February)
St. Patrick's Dinner
CONTACT
Patrick Manley
Social Action Committee
Days: Meets as Needed
Time: 7 pm
Location: St. Agnes Church Conference Room
Activities: Christmas & Thanksgiving Gifts for Needy Families
CONTACT
Mary Bissell
Helping hands
Pictured below is a typical delivery that you give to needy, pregnant mothers, through our Helping hands outreach at Precious Blood Parish. Your generosity at our annual “Baby Bottle Fundraiser” has allowed us to continue this level of support in spite of rising costs.
Typically, a newborn would receive some new and used clothing for each season of their first year. Towels, bibs, creams, diapers, bottles, and receiving blankets would also be included. Most of the larger blankets and toys that we give are handmade by our wonderful knitting group. Usually, a mother also needs a bassinet and a car seat (these are dated and cannot be recycled)
We are ALWAYS in need of lightly used clothing, 0-12 months only. There are plastic bins in the back of St Agnes Church, should you have some you can donate. More Helping Hands are always appreciated! Our helpline is 203-878-8857. Besides individual mothers, we work with halfway houses and hospital social workers in our area. If you know someone who is pregnant without any means, please give them our number and know you are helping God’s little ones. Our warmest thank for your continued support!
CONTACT
Barbara deFlumeri
(203) 878-8857
Greeter Ministry
The Greeter Ministry at St. Mary Church was re-introduced in early September 2007 after a period of inactivity. The Greeter Ministry Committee recognizes its duty to welcome the congregation through the gift of hospitality which is shared with fellow parishioners as they come to worship at Saint Mary Church. Parishioners are warmly welcomed to our community celebration with fellowship, openness, genuine care and concern. This ministry of hospitality, by its actions and examples, reflects a sense of dedication and purpose as we prepare to worship together in joyous celebration of the mystery of our redemption. The participants of the Greeter Ministry help foster a true sense of belonging and comfort to all fellow believers as they come to the communal feast.
Christian Formation Committee
The Christian Formation Committee seeks to renew and revitalize the life and vigor of our Parish. Our Mission is to help create a deeper understanding and excitement for our Catholic faith as we seek to provide ways for our parishioners to grow spiritually, intellectually, and as a community. We desire to teach and inspire the faithful members in our parish but also to reach out to those who have fallen away.
Our Mission will be accomplished through the model of apologetics and the New Evangelization. We seek to provide vibrant, relevant adult education, inspirational speakers, parish missions, and life-changing retreats, among other things. Our goal is to set Precious Blood Parish on fire one parishioner at a time and to make our Catholic faith become a living faith!