St. Maria Goretti Parish

Charged to enhance parish life for new and existing parishioners by supporting existing organizations, and to continually assess needs for new programs and make subsequent recommendations.

BOOK CLUB
St. Maria Goretti is privileged to have two ongoing book clubs that meet at 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month. Each club meets at the home of a fellow member to review the month's selection. 

CARD CLUB
The Card Club has been meeting for thirty years. The club meets once per month for eight months of the year. There are presently five card groups, two of these are bridge groups, two are 500 groups (a.m. and p.m.) and one is euchre. The fee is one dollar per month to be used for prizes. Prizes are awarded at the end of the year. Join us and have some fun!

CAREFREE YEARS CLUB
The Carefree Years Club is an organization for parish members 55 years of age and older. Religious and social activities of interest are planned at the first meeting of the year in October. The next months' meetings are scheduled events. Such activities typically include Mass, breakfast and speaker, trips to musicals, Holy Hill or the casino.

DIOCESAN SINGLES CLUB
The "Council of Journey Ministry" of the Diocese of Madison sponsors a group for single and single again Catholics and persons of other faiths. The ministry sponsors a variety of social, spiritual and educational activities. For more information, contact the diocesan Office of Family Ministry at 821-3175.

EVANGELIZATION MINISTRY
The Evangelization ministry's goal is to spread the Gospel (Good News) of our Lord Jesus Christ by extending an open invitation and warm welcome to all in our extended community and to facilitate opportunities for every person to a deeper relationship with our Lord. The current focus of this ministry is to provide outreach to those who have fallen away from the Church, to those who have never been active in a church, and to those who feel alienated from the Church for whatever reasons. Presently, some members are attempting to develop outreach to divorced and separated Catholics. Outreach is currently in its beginning stages and welcomes volunteers.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Mary of the Lakes Council #4527 provides many opportunities for members and their families to enjoy Catholic fraternalism. With its own clubhouse near Verona Road, the Council sponsors fish fries, bowling and golf leagues, and an annual men's retreat at the Jesuit retreat center. The clubhouse is also available for other gatherings.

LITTLE PEOPLE PLAY GROUP
This is an informal gathering of stay-at-home Moms (and sometimes Dads) that meets on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in the church vestibule. It is an opportunity to get to know other young parish families and for the children to interact, make friends and play.

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE MINISTRY
The Marriage and Family Life Ministry looks for ways to strengthen and support the family by assessing and developing programs to meet parishioner needs.

NEW MEMBER WELCOMING
The New Member Welcoming ministry's main goal is to make new members feel a welcome part of our parish family. To this end it sponsors welcoming coffees on the second Sunday of each month after the 9:00 a.m. Masses. Committee members also call all newly registered parish members to welcome them to the parish, answer questions and invite them to the Sunday coffees. Members are also present to personally welcome newcomers at this time. The ministry also sponsors occasional potlucks and other activities.

PARISH FESTIVAL
Many volunteers are needed for a variety of functions at this annual event that takes place in June of each year.

PARISH NEWSLETTER
The parish newsletter, Gatherings, is published periodically as a way of keeping all parishioners informed of the wonderful activities that occur in our parish on a regular basis. Help is needed in all aspects of newsletter publishing - from writing to editing to photography, to layout, to distribution.

SCOUT YOUTH GROUPS
St. Maria Goretti sponsors Boy Scouts, Boy Tiger Cub, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Brownies. These groups are very active in teaching youth self-confidence, leadership skills, teamwork and service to God and community through fun group activities and high adventure outings.

SUNDAY COFFEE AND DONUTS
Coffee and donuts are made available after the 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. Sunday Masses. Volunteers are always needed to make the coffee, collect donations and clean up. This is a great ministry for those who like to socialize with fellow parishioners after Masses.