Service Ministries

The mission of the Altar Rosary Society is to enhance the spiritual and social life of its members, both MEN and WOMEN. St. Mary's Altar Rosary Society has been in existence for over 90 years.  The society consists of men and women who are members of St. Mary Cathedral parish.  Activities include Sunday Coffee & Donuts in May and June, Lenten Fish Fry Pie Sale, Anointing of the Sick luncheon, Soups to Go sales, prayer chain, among many others. Funds raised through these activities are used to purchase liturgical items for the Cathedral, care and upkeep of the rectory, and other worthy opportunities for support throughout our Christian community. 

Over the years, the society has been able to purchase or donate many needed items for the parish and school, some of which include:

Large crucifix, currently located in the Chapel

Purchased vestments for the priests

Contributed over $20,000 to the Capital Campaign and Beginning Anew Debt Reduction Campaign

Altar Server Cassocks

Chairs for the parish hall

Dishwasher for parish hall kitchen

Expenses to repair the church bells

Rectory improvement project

New Kitchen flooring in church kitchen

Current working to raise money to redo Women’s restroom in the church

Annual contributions are also made to:

Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters

Baraga Broadcasting Catholic Radio

New Life Pregnancy Resource Center

Otsego Country Food Pantry

Right to Life

Christmas gifts for the Priests

Meeting Times:

We meet the 1st Sunday of each month at 12:30 p.m. in Meeting Room A

Meetings are held October through May.

Interested in becoming a Member?

If you are interested in learning more about the Altar Rosary Society or becoming a member, you are welcome to attend a meeting.  Meetings are held the first Sunday of each month from October to May at 12:30pm in the Cathedral Meeting Room A, unless otherwise indicated (no meetings June to September).

Please refer to this web page, the bulletin or monitors in the gathering space for meeting information.  Lunch is provided after meetings.

Membership dues are $10 per year. 

For additional information about the Altar Rosary Society, feel free to contact our President,  Teresa Cherry 989.732.7176

AOH is the oldest and largest Irish Catholic organization in the United States. The AOH is a place to meet like minded Irish Americans who share the same values and beliefs. For more information, contact the Monsignor Thomas Dowd Flannery Division of Gaylord, call Jerry Belanger at 989.858.2002. For additional information, please visit the National Website.

The mission of the Disciples of St. Mary is to provide service and assistance to parish initiated projects that directly support our parish and school community.

Interested in getting involved? Contact the parish office at parishoffice@stmarycathedral.org or call (989) 732-5448. 

Disciples who care for and beautify the interior of the church. 

Please contact Janet at 989.370.0841 if you are interested in helping with this ministry. 

Our Funeral Luncheon Ministry offers comfort and support to grieving families by providing a welcoming meal following a funeral. Volunteers serve fellow parishioners by preparing a homemade dessert or assisting with the luncheon.

We partner with our caterer, Betsy Smith, to provide a delicious and affordable meal, creating a warm gathering where family and friends can share fellowship and remembrance. Volunteers are typically asked to serve three to four times each year.

If you would like to be part of this compassionate ministry, please contact Sandy at 989.370.2954 for more information.

The Giving Angels Ministry spends the month of November in thanks"giving", preparing for the Christmas Community Giving Program.

Each angel tag represents a local community member in need. Children's tags are clothing wishes are are coordinated with the local Giving Tree program. Adult tags are wishes from residents at our local care facilities. At Christmas, we also provide gifts to our homebound St. Mary parishioners, delivered by our Eucharistic Ministers.

• Yellow Angel Tags – Girls

• Red Angel Tags – Boys

• Orange Angel Tags – Ladies

• Green Angel Tags - Men

Angel tags are available for selection in the Cathedral lobby throughout November. Unwrapped gifts should be returned by the final weekend in November.

Children’s Gifts: Unwrapped gifts are delivered to the Giving Tree Program for distribution.

Adult Gifts: Gifts are sorted and wrapped on the first Thursday in December, then delivered to the local care facilities before their Christmas parties.

Volunteers Needed!

Help make the Christmas season special for our community members in need. Volunteers are needed for the following activities:

Before and After Masses in November: Assist parishioners with selecting angel tags, restock tags and move unwrapped gifts to the Cathedral Meeting Room closet for sorting.

First Thursday in December: Assist with sorting, gift wrapping and delivering gifts.

All are welcome to join this ministry!

Questions? Contact Marlene Resch

marleneresch@comcast.com

248-330-1436

The Knights are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to making their community a better place while at the same time supporting their Church. Being a Knight is more than camaraderie; it's being involved with your community and supporting your local Catholic Church, while enhancing your own faith and family life.  Officially chartered on March 29, 1882, as a fraternal benefit society, the Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity. 

Interested in becoming a member of the Knights of Columbus?

Call (989)732-2651- if no answer, please leave a message with your contact information.

Imagine being part of an organization that fills your heart and your mind with the joy of giving to others and the feeling that comes with making a difference.

Knights are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to making their community a better place, while supporting their Church. Being a Knight is more than camaraderie; it is being involved with your community; it is supporting your local Catholic Church, while enhancing your own faith; it is about protecting and enhancing your family life.

Parishioners lending their time and talents within this valuable ministry assist the parish office staff in various areas of administration. Disciples typically are involved in one or more of the following areas:

Front Desk (phone & reception)

Offertory Counters

A group that counts the funds collected at Mass each week. Each group volunteers about once a month.

Contact the parish office at 989.732.5448  if you are interested in volunteering.

Various Catholic items and gifts can be purchased at our parish store located in the Cathedral gathering space. The store is open before and after all weekend Masses.

Please contact Janet at 989.370.0841 if you are interested in helping with this ministry.