Mission

As an affiliate of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women, (https://accw.archchicago.org) our mission is to promote community for all women of the parish through spiritual growth opportunities, service projects, social events and intellectual programs and to educate and empower Catholic women in kindness, spirituality, leadership and service.

Organization

We host general meetings to provide an opportunity for the women of our parish to get to know one another and build friendships.  Our guilds, committees and events provide service to the parish and our parish community. Members pay dues annually and volunteer for guild gatherings, committee initiatives and special events.  These donations of time, treasure and talent support our outreach efforts.  The club publishes a directory of contributing members annually.

Our guilds are a smaller group of women that provide a social element and focus on a specific area of interest or service. Guild leaders are club members and typically organize meetings once a month.  Guild meetings are open to all women of the parish.

• St. Bridget guild– A social and support group for mothers of school age children and beyond (HS/College Students/Young Adults) that meets in the evening

• St. Monica guild – A social and support group for seniors that meets for lunch

• St. Lydia guild – A social and support group for professional women with a focus on service to the community that meets in the evening

Our committees meet year-round and are multifaceted.  Appointed members oversee the committees.  Members volunteer their time, treasure and talent to support these initiatives.

• Book Club – Members read and discuss books monthly

• Garden Club – Members support seasonal gardening activities for the church grounds   

• Hospitality – Members welcome women attending our general meetings   

• Prayer Group – Members promote prayer within the club and, as a group or as individuals, pray for club and parish intentions    

• Special/Fundraising Events – Members organize annual fundraising event and parish wide celebrations  

• Sunshine – Members provide services to Club members in need, such as home visits, meals, calls, letters, transportation.

Our annual events foster faith, friendship, and service among parishioners and our local community. Appointed members chair the events. Members volunteer their time, treasure and talent to support these services.

• Anniversary Mass – Members volunteer to help with Mass and Reception for Parish couples celebrating Wedding Anniversaries of multiples of 5 years the Sunday closets to February 14.

• Blood Drive -Traditionally the club sponsors a parish wide blood drive during January.   Members volunteer to help the day of the drive.

• Coat Drive – The club sponsors a parish wide collection of new coats for the St. Vincent DePaul and Sharing Parish communities during the months of September and October.  Members volunteer to collect donations and/or help sort and distribute coats the third weekend of October in conjunction with the St. Vincent DePaul food distribution.

• Giving Tree – The club sponsors a parish wide collection of Christmas gifts for the St. Vincent DePaul and sharing parish communities during Advent.  Club members volunteer to collect donations and/or help package and distribute gift cards the third weekend of December in conjunction with the St. Vincent DePaul food distribution.

• Inter-Faith Reception – Members volunteer to help organize and to serve at the reception following the Inter-Faith Thanksgiving prayer service traditionally on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

• Meals on Wheels - Members volunteer to deliver meals to the homebound during the month of January

• Meatless Meal – Members volunteer to prepare a meatless dish served after the Stations of the Cross on one Friday during Lent.

• PADS/USO – Club members volunteer to donate food or service hours to these two outreach programs.  Traditionally our club has provided service hours during the month of April.

Dear Women of Saint Mary Parish,

As we embark on another exciting year of fellowship, service, and spiritual growth, we invite you to renew your commitment to our community by becoming a volunteer and dues-paying member of our parish women’s club.

Your volunteer time and membership dues play a vital role in supporting our mission to promote community for all women of the parish through spiritual growth opportunities, service projects, social events and intellectual programs and to educate and empower Catholic women in kindness, spirituality, leadership and service. By contributing your time, treasure, and talent, you directly enable us to organize enriching events, fund essential outreach programs, and sustain our efforts to make a positive impact within our parish and beyond.

Why Join as a Volunteer and Dues-Paying Member?

• Support Our Mission: Your dues and volunteer time support the core activities and initiatives that define our club’s commitment to faith, fellowship, and service.

• Benefits: Enjoy social gatherings that foster friendships and deepen your spiritual journey.

• Make a Difference: Your financial contribution and volunteer time directly supports our charitable endeavors and outreach efforts in the community, helping those in need and spreading God’s love through service. Last year, the efforts of nearly 100 women volunteers and dues paying members provided over 450 new coats to children in need, over $21,000 Christmas gift cards to 130 families in need, over 20 pints of blood to aid 70 lives, a celebration of many milestone Wedding Anniversaries, distribution of meals for a month to homebound seniors, parish garden beautification year round, an infinite number of acts of kindness and compassion through our Sunshine committee and lots more! Just think what our impact could be with your help!

How to Join:

Joining as a volunteer and dues-paying member is simple:

• Complete the Membership Form: Download our form here and fill it out.

• Submit Your Dues: Enclose a check, payable to Saint Mary Women’s Club, for your membership dues with the completed form and return as directed on the registration form.

• Stay Connected: Once registered, you will receive email updates on upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved.

Your Support Matters:

As we look to the year ahead, your involvement as a volunteer and dues-paying member strengthens our ability to serve our parish and community with dedication and compassion. Together, let us continue to build a vibrant community rooted in faith, friendship, and service.

We sincerely thank you for your continued support and dedication to our parish. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to grow together in faith and fellowship in the coming year.