Parish Ministries

Our Parish Ministries & Services

Active organizations in our Parish as well as Catholic projects which are of interest to us all.

If your St. Mary's Parish Lindsay organization or project is not listed here, please email us the details for approval to have it added.

We have plenty of interesting information and resources from these local St. Mary's Parish Lindsay organizations for you to choose how you can volunteer and be a part of your community.  See the list below.

C W L

K of C

SSVP

D & P

Others

Parish Services

Don't forget that you can become a valuable member of your parish by volunteering in one of the many groups and organizations listed here. Every parish runs on the dedication of its volunteers. Please contact us or one of these groups below to share your talents.

Catholic Women's League Meets first Thursday each month in St. Mary's School at 5:30 pm.
President Glenda Klein 705-340-5357 ~ Email
Funeral Lunches Marg Johanson ~ Email
?Children's Liturgy ?Contact Parish Office 705-324-4828?
Coffee Sunday Contact Parish Office 705-324-4828
Communication Peter Robson 705-328-0918 ~ Email
Development & Peace Dorothy Carrol 705-324-7750
Finance Zita Devan 705-878-6338 ~ Email
Fundraising Brian O'Neill 705-324-4828 ~ Email
Guy Mills Court
President Gloria Broad 705-324-2290 ~ Email
Manager ?Karen Quinn ?705-324-4828
Knights of Columbus
Third Degree Meets 2nd. Thursday of month in K of C Hall 40 Russell St. East at 7:45 pm.
Fourth Degree Meets 2nd. Wednesday of month in K of C Hall 40 Russell St. East at 7:45 pm.
Grand Knight Mike Perrault 905-862-8327 ~ Email
Faithful Navigator Wylie Suggitt 705-324-0225 ~ Email
Religious Supplies & Books Norma Codarin & Andrea Poloni 705-324-4831 ~ Email
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Joanne Hough 705-340-3001 ~ Email
St. Mary's Cemetery
Chairperson Wylie Suggitt 705-324-0225 ~ Email
Vice Chairperson Mary Catherine Darroch
Secretary Treasurer Peter Robson 705-328-0918 ~ Email
Custodian Brian Drinkwalter 705-879-5204 ~ Email

Catholic Women's League

Saint Mary's CWL in Lindsay has 142 members. We welcome women over 16 to join and strengthen our League. The officers meet on the last Tuesday and the general meetings are held on the first Thursday at 5:30 pm with exceptions. Due to increased costs at all levels, our membership has increased to $40 per year with our 2023 membership. Please join and offer to share your skills. If you don't know what they are, we will help you identify and use them. Each year we have one major fundraiser enabling us to donate to the church and other charities.

As a group we are focused on faith, service and social justice. 

  • For faith, we encourage personal spiritual growth by participating in prayers and reflections at our meetings; praying for each other; supporting our Church and Catholic education; serving in various church ministries; and attending our annual retreat.
  • For service, many of our members belong to other groups and we financially support some local, provincial, national and global charities. To become better informed we attend conventions and participate in League workshops. We have a very active funeral ministry where we host receptions to ease the stress of grieving family members.
  • For social justice each of us tries to adhere to the seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching. If we witness an injustice, we are encouraged to take action. The League promotes various requests for change through resolutions and many of our members write letters and/or consult with politicians, follow the resolution action plan and also often sign petitions. We are encouraged to protect and care for the environment. We promote truth and reconciliation with Canada's Indigenous Peoples.

The Catholic Women's League of Canada calls its members to grow in faith, and to witness to the love of God through ministry and service. The Catholic Women's League of Canada is a national organization of women who are Catholic and living it! In Canada, over 63,000 members belong to 1,125 councils. Through our membership fees, we are also affiliated with the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations uniting 32 million women in 66 countries.

Please contact Glenda Klein at 705-340-5357 or email to 27POCWL@gmail.com for further information

Knights of Columbus

The Knights offer an opportunity for fellowship with people who share the same beliefs and who recognize the same duty to God, to family, and to the people down the street.

If you are looking for an organization that can enrich your family’s life in every way –why not contact us today. Phone Mike Perreault 905-862-8327, Wylie Suggitt 705-324-0225, Dennis Callaghan 705-328-0568, John O’Reilly 705-324-5400.

The Knights stand for a world of good things: God, family, and community –these are the priorities of the Knights of Columbus. K of C programs and projects make a difference in our community and in every country they can be found.

Your local council is involved in:
Helping to support church repairs
Helping with rectory repairs- physically and financially
Helping our priests at times of transfers and retiring priests to relocate and get settled
Acting as pallbearers as needed
Supporting the youth ministry
Participating in church celebrations, anniversaries, and retirements
Supporting local Christian charities

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Mission Statement

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is a lay Catholic organization whose mission is:
To live the Gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice and joy.

Values: As Vincentians we see Christ in anyone who suffers; come together as a family; have personal contact with the poor; and help in all possible ways.

Who We Are: Currently we have 42 active members and 18 auxiliary members. Members who are involved in active ministry are screened.

How to Contact Us: By email at ssvplindsay@gmail.com phone 705-340-3001.
Our mailing address is 40 Russell St. E., Lindsay, ON K9V 2A4. We have no physical address or property.

Where We Serve: Our parish boundaries are North to EW Line south of Cameron, East to Ops Emily Line, South to Manvers Ops Line, and West to NS Line through Manilla with some flexibility.

Who We Serve: People from our community who request help through our helpline or apply for our Christmas basket program. They do not need to be Catholic.

How We Are Funded: Donations and collections of money (and food) at church plus some corporate sponsorship and occasional bequests.

How We Serve

Phone Assistance: Year-round except for eight days off at Christmas, members monitor calls from the SSVP answering machine to assist with food, medical, dental, glasses, utilities, rent, mattresses, clothing, boots, transportation, etc. From calls, neighbours in need are visited in homes by two members for evaluation and to provide assistance. For most food requests, clients are referred to Lindsay Community Food Market where many members work as volunteers.

Community Involvement: Financial assistance is given to Lindsay Community Food Market, St. Andrew's Ecumenical Soup Kitchen and Lunch Program, A Place Called Home and Kawartha Lakes Pregnancy Centre. Many of our members volunteer at the Lindsay Community Food Market and will resume working at the ecumenical soup kitchen once it is reopened.

Parish Schools: We work in partnership with our four Catholic schools. Two bursaries (Trials & Triumph Award) are presented at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School annually. Financial assistance as requested is given to purchase glasses, clothing, etc., for elementary and secondary school students in St. Dominic, St. John Paul, St. Mary and St. Thomas Aquinas schools. Each of the schools adopt families and collect food and/or funds for our Christmas program

Development & Peace

Development and Peace is a democratic international solidarity movement that supports partners in the Global South.

Development and Peace builds awareness in Canada about the causes of poverty in the world and invites Canadians to participate in actions to bring about change.

For more information or to join contact Dorothy Carrol at 705-324-7750.

Other Parish Ministries

Alpha
Alpha is a series of interactive sessions that freely explore the basics of the Christian faith. Each session looks at a different question and is designed to create conversation.
There’s no pressure, no follow-up and no charge; it’s just an open, informal, and honest space to explore together and discuss life’s big questions. Contact Helena Lessard at 705-878-0569 or email.

Catechism Program
Catechists provide Sacramental preparation for Public School children for First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation. These catechists really work to engender in our young people their love of God and participation in the Sacraments in the Church.

Cemetery
St. Mary's Cemetery has been an on-going ministry to the Church community for over 150 years. Our cemetery is one where our beloved dead are interred and cared for with honour, dignity and respect. Each year we have a cemetery Mass close to the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady on August 15 and family and friends of the deceased are warmly invited to attend. Our Cemetery Board takes great pride in the respect shown for the deceased. More information is here.
Contact: Wylie Suggitt 705-324-0225 ~ ?Email

Coffee Sunday
After the 9 and 11 o'clock Masses on the first Sunday of the month, the parishioners are invited to get to know each other at Coffee Sunday. Thanks to these faithful volunteers, there is coffee and hot chocolate and some goodies to nibble. Those who participate appreciate the team's hard work.
Contact: St. Mary’s Rectory 705-324-4828 ~ email

Decorating Team and Sacristans
The liturgical seasons of the year have their own colours and themes and the many events in our Church call for skill and dedication in arranging flowers and preparations for the Sacraments. We are grateful for all the time spent by our decorating team. Their efforts bring much joy and beauty to our liturgies.
Contact: Marie and Barry Harper ~email

Finance Committee
Our Finance Committee is an exercise in stewardship. They oversee all the financial matters and Human Resources. The Committee ensures that your donations are used efficiently and in a transparent and accountable manner. It takes the things of the world to ensure that we can transform the world for God.
Contact: Zita Divan 705-878-6338 ~ email

Garden Ministry
Our parish rectory is a focal point. The flower gardens are extensive and beautiful. Do you have a green thumb? If you would like to volunteer your gardening talents we would love for you to join us.
Contact: Joy Hannon 705- ~ email and Jeff Layton 705- ~email

Guy Mills Court
Guy Mills Court is a 33-unit life-lease building associated with the parish. The Board helps to oversee the upkeep and future direction of the building so as to assist in forming a community for all the residents.
Contact: Al Tero 705-324-1167 ~ email

Hospital Ministries
Every week a team of committed Hospital Visitors brings Holy Communion and/or prays with those who are in the hospital. They also inform us of those who wish to be visited by a Priest for the Sacrament of the Sick. If you feel you would like to a part of this important Ministry, please call the Rectory. N.B. If you, yourself, are in the hospital or you know someone who is a patient, please register as a Catholic so that we can be informed to visit you.
Contact: St. Mary’s Rectory 705-324-4828 ~ email

Lighthouse Ministries
A wonderful gift to the parish is the Lighthouse Ministries run by Lorie and Bob Milton. They provide many CDs on a wide range of engaging topics which are changed regularly. These CDs are very affordable and can be found at the back of the Church.
Contact: Lorie and Bob 705-320-9913 ~ email

Media Ministries - San Marco Distribution
We are very lucky to have in our parish an excellent Media Ministry under the auspices of Andrea Poloni and Norma Cadorin. Rosaries, medals, religious books, DVDs, gifts for Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion and many other items are for sale at Coffee Sunday. Norma and Andrea are most willing to order anything for you if they do not have it.
Contact: Norma Cadorin and Andrea Poloni 705-324-4381 ~ email

Ministries to the Sick and Shut-ins
Every week a group of dedicated lay people bring Holy Communion to those who are sick or shut-ins and cannot leave their homes. As well, a Priest visits them once a month for Holy Communion and Reconciliation. If you know of someone who is sick and would like Holy Communion brought to them please reach out.
Contact: Lillian O’Connell 647-884-1882 ~ email

Music Ministry
Folk Choir ~ Saturday 5 p.m.   Mike Hannon 705-324-5467
Choir ~ Sunday 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Shannon Fiedler 705-324-4828

Nursing Home Ministries
This ministry plays an important part in the spiritual life of our parishioners who are in Nursing Homes. It is our volunteers who are a great support for this ministry. Several teams of volunteers set up for Mass, bring patients to Mass, and return patients to their rooms afterwards. More volunteers are needed!
Contact: St. Mary’s Rectory 705-324-4828 ~ email

Property and Maintenance Committee
A Heritage Church and a Heritage rectory means a lot of upkeep and oversight. Our Property and Maintenance Committee has been instrumental in our monumental restoration in 2017. They also keep many urgent and ordinary problems under control. It takes a lot to "keep the lights on" and they do it selflessly.
Contact:

St. Joseph Cleaning Team
Thanks to these women, our Church is always spic and span. Once a month, under the guidance of the Team Leader, Catherine McGrory, the Church is swept, dusted and polished providing a fitting place for worship each Sunday.

Schools
We have 3 elementary schools - St. Mary's, St. John Paul and St. Dominic's and St. Thomas Aquinas High School. We provide monthly Masses, confessions, Sacramental preparation, and class visits. We co-ordinate with the Religion programs as well as special catechesis.

St. Joseph Workers
These men, under the leadership of Larry Allen, truly provide a great service to the parish and the Church. Countless hours have been spent repairing, painting, restoring and fixing-up the Rectory and the Church. Their volunteering has saved the parish thousands of dollars in repair bills and keeps us going. We are very grateful for their hard work. More members on this team would be very welcome.

Welcoming
The welcoming committee are among the kind faces greeting you as you enter the church during masses. They provide welcoming packages to new and visiting parishioners.
Contact: Elena Drury ~ email

Young Adults 
The St. Mary’s Young Adult Group holds events, and volunteers within the life of parish activities and is for those from the ages of 18-39.
We strive to support growth in faith, fellowship, and fun as young adults navigate and encounter the secular world today.
For more information or to join our contact list please contact Tino or Michelle Minielli at 647-403-8063 or email.

St. Mary's Parish Community