Parish Organizations
All baptized Catholics are called to a life of radical Christian discipleship in which we love the Lord above all things and love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40).
St. Mary’s Church offers a multitude of opportunities to serve Christ, his Church, and our neighbors in need. Listed below are some of the many ministries, apostolates and organizations at St. Mary’s.
Altar Guild
Members of the altar guild care for the implements of divine worship, including cleaning the sacred vessels used in the celebration of Mass. The Altar Guild meets each Friday morning in the church sacristy from 9 to 10 am. To volunteer or for more information, please contact:
Nancy Criss
864.834.1849
210.386.8970
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Altar Servers
The boys and young men who assist in the celebration of the sacred liturgy are members of the St John’s Guild for Altar Servers. Boys who are at least ten years old, from fifth grade to college age, are welcome to apply. For more information or to volunteer for service at the altar, please contact:
Father Duncan
817.475.6909
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Bible Study – Friday Morning
The Friday morning Bible Study Group meets at 10:00 in Sacred Heart Hall. Each person tells the group their prayer request (in brief form) then we say the rosary together. This is usually followed with a video and structured study of a bible book with a workbook. We conclude with a recitation of the Angelus, and we are finished by noon. For more information, please contact:
Pat Webb
864.419.0467
Nancy Criss
864.834.1849
210.386.8970
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Bible Study – Sunday Evening
The Woman of Grace Bible Study affords adult women of St Mary’s the opportunity to study the Scriptures, pray the rosary and engage in spiritual discussion with other women of the parish. We meet on the first & third Sunday of each month from 6 to 8 pm in Sacred Heart Hall, upstairs in the conference room. Women of Grace does not meet during the summer (June-August). For more information, please contact:
Dorothy Whalen
864.363.4483
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Wiletta Pennington
864.608.5619
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Bible Study – Sunday Morning
We do a detailed study of individual books of the Bible, and we meet at 9 am on Sunday mornings in Sacred Heart Hall, upstairs in the conference room. For more information, please contact:
Joe Beauchemin
864.710.0717
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Bible Study – Wednesday Morning (Women)
A group of women who seek to grow in faith through prayer, reading scripture, study (usually one video series with workbook guides for greater understanding per semester), and spiritual discussion. Wednesdays 9.15 am in Sacred Heart Hall.
Carla Burkhardt
Catholic Fellowship Groups
In a large parish like St Mary’s, it can be difficult to form friendships with other parishioners, and our Fellowship Groups provide a casual social setting so that we can get to know each other. Groups of adults, both married and single, meet monthly (except for the summer) in homes for fellowship and a covered dish dinner.
Kedric Chamberlin
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Choirs » more info
For more information about the Adult Choir, the Youth Choir, and the several small ensembles that provide sacred music at Mass, please contact:
Arlen Clarke
864.901.1250
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Church League Basketball Program » more info
Youth teams (grades k-5 thru 8th) and adult teams form each year. For more information, please contact:
Megan Holliday
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Council of Catholic Women » more info
All women of the parish are cordially invited to join St Mary’s Council of Catholic Women. We meet the second Tuesday of the month September - May at 10.30 am preceded by a Rosary at 10.00 am in Sacred Heart Hall. Even if you cannot attend the meetings, you can still participate in our activities. For more membership information, please contact:
Marge Scieszka, Membership chair
Or Lori Grant, President
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion » more info
Men and women of the parish are commissioned for the distribution of Holy Communion to those who are hospitalized, homebound, or reside in an assisted living community or nursing home. Catholics in full communion with the Church who have been registered and active parishioners for at least six months are eligible to volunteer for this service. For more information, please contact:
Deacon Tom Whalen
864.679.4108
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High School Ministry » more info
Our high school youth group meets each Sunday evening from 6 to 8 pm in Pazdan Hall. For more information, please contact:
Chris Ortiz
305.216.6010
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Hispanic Ministry
Ministry to those at St Mary’s whose primary language is Spanish.
Please contact:
Deacon Diego Ferro
864.679.4112
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Introduction to Catholicism » more info
The Introduction to Catholicism meets from September through May each year on Wednesday evenings from 6.30 to 7.30 pm in Sacred Heart Hall. These classes are an introduction to Catholic faith and life for anyone who wants to learn more about Catholic Christianity, and those who desire to join the Catholic Church prepare for their reception into full communion with the Church. For more information, please contact:
Deacon John Heuser
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Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic Men’s Fraternal Organization built on the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity & Patriotism. Our service programs are Church, Community, Youth and Pro Life. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month from 7.00 pm in Pazdan Hall, and for more information please contact:
Tom Giambarberee
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Lectors
Adults Catholics who are in full communion with the Church and who have been registered and active parishioners for at least six months are eligible to volunteer for service as lectors who read the Scripture lessons at Mass. For more information, please contact:
Deacon Tom Whalen
864.679.4108
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Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Home School Association
For parents who home school their children, our homeschooling group offers co-op, field trips, and park days. We meet most Friday afternoons. For more information, please contact:
Heather Vreeman
864.650.1753
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Pillars of Christ » more info
Pillars of Christ is a men’s ministry led by a group of St. Mary’s men who are on fire with the love of Christ and His Church. Two groups meet every Friday morning in Sacred Heart Hall for coffee, fellowship, and study. The Early Morning group meets from 5.30 - 6.30 am. The Late Morning group meets from 7.30 - 8.30 am. For more information, please contact:
Early Morning Group
Robert Sullivan
864.561.9600
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Late Morning Group
Mike Munafo
864.313.5356
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Prayer Chain Ministry
Parishioners who offer intercessory prayer for those who are experiencing difficulty or illness.
To leave a prayer request:
864.271.8422, ext. 127
Michelle Moody
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Senior Life Ministry
Saint Mary’s Senior Life Ministry provides guidance to any who ask, regardless of age, in areas related to aging and end-of-life preparation. Our current focus is on safe living conditions for the elderly, senior services in the Greenville area, developing an “In case of Death or Incapacity" document, and documenting your Catholic Funeral Ritual desires. . If you are interested in joining our ministry, please contact:
Deacon John Heuser
864.679.4113
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Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction is a time-honored tradition of the Catholic Church in which a person listens and responds to God’s invitation to draw closer into a relationship. The Spiritual director is educated and experienced in the ways God may be moving, directly or indirectly in a person’s life. In this faith-based process, the spiritual director is present to help the directee develop a greater awareness of God’s personal communication, grow in closeness with God and live God’s desire for his/her life through prayer, discernment, and action. The director walks as a companion on God’s path, by offering holy listening skills and spiritual support. Spiritual direction is neither psychotherapy nor pastoral counseling that aims to solve specific problems.
St Anne's Stitchery
St Anne's Stitchery provides handmade hats, shawls, scarves, and other items needed for cancer patients comfort during treatments in upstate cancer centers. We meet once a month to share our crafting skills, hints and tips - and to share our joy in this wonderful ministry. Experienced and inexperienced members are welcome. Instructions available during meetings. The ministry is under the St Mary's Council of Catholic Women, but you do not need to be a member to participate. If you are interested in joining our ministry, please contact:
Judy Lema
864.884.9853
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St Mary’s Senior Fellowship
Parishioners who are 55 years and older gather to enjoy potluck luncheons, great conversation and fellowship on the Second Saturday of the month from October to May. We meet in the Msgr. Gwynn Room of Sacred Heart Hall, and new members are welcome. For more information, please contact:
Alice Ramos
864.430.7276
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Dee Goughneour
864.297.8428
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St Thomas Aquinas Lay Dominicans
This is a lay group dedicated to living out the charism of the Dominican Order. The group lives out its Baptism by focusing on the 4 Dominican pillars of prayer, study, community and preaching. We meet on the 4th Sunday of the month in the large conference room in Sacred Heart Hall from 2.30 to 5 pm. For more information, please contact:
Janice Carl, President
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Timothy Nielsen, Vice President
864.679.4114
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Ushers
At every Mass on weekends and holy days of obligation, several men are needed to assist people in finding seats in the church and to take up the collection and organize the offertory procession. For more information, please contact:
Deacon Joe Sanfilippo
Pastoral Associate
864.679.4119
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Wedding Committee
The women of the Wedding Committee serve in many capacities at all weddings and wedding rehearsals in the parish. For more information, please contact:
Deacon Joe Sanfilippo
Pastoral Associate
864.679.4119
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Young Adults
All Young Adults at St Mary's are welcome to join our ministry, while being as active as their time allows. Our aim is to bring together young professionals and build community through social gatherings, events and community service. Please see our GroupMe page for upcoming events (link below).
Andrew O'Steen
St Mary's Young Adults GroupMe