These are autonomous groups that individually determine how often they’ll meet and upon what special interests they’ll focus their efforts. In addition, the guilds also help with altar care and funeral receptions. All women are automatically members by being members of the Parish.
Guilds of the CCW:
Holy Family Guild – Their mission is to connect young moms in the church, both socially & spiritually. They have weekly newsletters that share parish activities, as well as encouragement to young moms. They also provide altar care and funeral luncheons throughout the year as needed. For more information, contact Carmen Tondo (240-477-6319).
St. Francis Guild – They provide support for funeral receptions, any parish wide activities, and altar cleaning. For more information, contact Judy Osucha (865-482-2582).
St. Gertrude de Neville Garden Guild – They help maintain existing decorative/display gardens outside main church, chapel, school, and Parish Office. They also help with semi-annual parish clean-up days and manage an annual spring plant sale to fund gardening expenses. Members also help and contribute to funeral receptions thru bereavement ministry. Guild members contribute to monthly altar care/cleaning. For more information, contact Betty Sloop (865-483-2009) or Joan Lane (865-483-7880).
St. Lucy’s Craft Guild – They are called to support the church through their creative & artistic endeavors. St. Lucy’s Guild conducts three craft sales each year. The proceeds from Spring & at Christmas sales are donated to the Saint Mary Council of Catholic Women in support of its work & ministries. The Fall Festival sale proceeds are donated in support of Saint Mary School & Saint Mary Church needs & programs. For more information, contact Cathy Lowden (865-463-8541).
St. Veronica Guild – They provide support for funeral receptions, any parish wide activities, and altar cleaning. For more information, contact Lynn Christ (865-407-9343) or Jo Ellen Iacovino (865-483-8330).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2499″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”St. Vincent de Paul Society / St. Joseph Food Pantry” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:32|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a lay Catholic organization of men and women who join together to grow spiritually by offering charitable services to those in need. We do not discriminate to those in need and we are currently focused on filling the needs of the hungry.
The St. Joseph Food Pantry provides food and a few household supplies to about 4500 people per year. Clients are provided with: eggs, meat, bread, canned chicken, beans, soup, macaroni and cheese, canned fruit, snacks, cereal, spaghetti, canned tomato sauce, beans and corn; diapers, dish and laundry detergent where needed. We also provide four weeks of extra holiday food for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The Food Pantry itself is open to clients Wednesday’s from 10 – 11:45 a.m. Our Society meets the 1st Tuesday of every month at 7p.m. in the School Library and the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Food Pantry, after it closes approximately 11:55 a.m.
For more information, contact Mary Ann Gubanc (865-964-5381).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2502″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”White Elephant Thrift Store” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:32|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]The Saint Mary White Elephant Thrift Store offers small appliances, clothes, knick knacks, and toys for sale. Most money goes back into the community and all staff are 100% volunteer.
If you have any specific needs or for more information, please feel free to call us during our business hours and ask any of us. (865) 766-8560
Hours:
Tues-Thurs 9 am to 4 pm
Saturday 9 am to 12:30 pm
Coordinator: Bob Benning (865-483-1696)
Respect Life Group – This group promotes the cause of life from conception to natural death. Respect Life operates strictly out of the Legion of Mary. Activities include fundraising for pro-life billboard and for Choices Resource Center, working at pro-life booths at festivals, etc., staying current on legislative issues, and sharing information with parishioners.
Coordinator: Maureen Fricke (865-679-4398)
Prayer Blanket Ministry – The CCW prayer blanket ministry makes & accepts blankets that are provided to those who request them for individuals who are ill/infirm or in need of prayer. These blankets have been distributed all over the world to Catholics and non-Catholics. The blankets have pockets attached, into which are placed prayer cards & rosaries (for Catholic recipients). They are blessed by our priests.
Coordinator: Anna Joldersma (865-272-3104)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2510″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Ulster Project of East Tennessee” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:32|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]The Mission of the Ulster Project is to help young, Christian based potential leaders from Northern Ireland and the United States become peacemakers by providing a safe environment to learn, by practicing the skills needed to unite people, when differences divide them.
We bring approximately 14 teens from Northern Ireland (half Catholic, half Protestant) to the East Tennessee for a month during the summer where they stay with host teens and families. The Teens from both countries participate in group activities that include Shared Worship, Service to the community, Times of Discover where they discuss the things teens face in the world today (mattering and marginality, working together, leadership development, conflict resolution, racism, sectarianism, and bringing this all back home) and finally lots of fun activities like white water rafting, Dollywood, hiking, overnight retreats, movies, swimming, etc. The teens go home with new friends from the other side of their communities that they may never have otherwise made. American teens finish the project with a new world view and a group of friends from both sides of the Atlantic that they will treasure forever.
Coordinator: John Hough (Board Member) 865-405-5929[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2514″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Social Groups” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:32|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Sunday Morning Coffee & Donuts – Join this group for fellowship and conversation every Sunday after the 8 a.m. & 10 a.m. Masses in the cafeteria, with the exception of the 3rd Sunday of each month when the Knights of Columbus offer breakfast after these Masses. (These are social too!!)
Coordinators: 8am Mass – Barb McFalls; 10am – Bobbette Audet (865-803-5926) and Annie Cacheiro
Senior Coffee – This group’s goal is to welcome and provide on-going social opportunities for senior members of Saint Mary Parish to come together in faith and fellowship. Senior Coffee meets every week and is open to any senior member of the parish & their guests. Participants join together in faith, friendship & fellowship to socialize. Men & women who attend enjoy the blessing of any priest in attendance, conversation, refreshments, & opportunities to recognize & support fellow seniors and the priests, seminarians & deacons of our diocese with get-well, sympathy, and birthday cards signed by all members in attendance. Each second Tuesday is designated “Celebration Tuesday” when the birthdays & holidays of the month are celebrated.
Coordinator: Fran Broome (865-483-7315)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3500″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Fall Festival Committee” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:32|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]The goal of this committee is to bring the parish together with the community for fun and fellowship while raising money for the parish. This event typically takes place near the end of October and includes a spaghetti dinner and silent/live auction Friday night and a festival day of food, games, music and fun on Saturday.
Coordinator: Current Chair – Denise Miller (865-603-5822)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2512″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Cub Scout Pack 329″ font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:32|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]The goal of the Troop is to instill scouting principles in boys in 1st through 5th grades in the parish. Activities include camping, fishing, hiking, respect for outdoors, and patriotic activities.
Coordinator: Current Cubmaster – Ray Audet (865-809-1857)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]