There are many ways to participate in Martha Mary Guild activities. All Christian women are most welcome.
Spiritual
We offer three spirituality days each year: Retreat Days away or at the Parish, Spiritual Reading facilitated by Sr. Fran Lomeo on alternate Tuesday mornings after the 9 a.m. Mass, and an annual Lenten Afternoon of Reflection following the February or March General Meeting, presented by a Sister of Mercy or a Sister of the Good Shepherd. Members are invited to pray the Rosary together in the Chapel a half hour before the start of every monthly General Meeting. Every meeting opens with a prayer.
Charitable
To support our charitable donations, we hold an annual Clothing and Linen Sale. Thanks to our co-chairs, volunteers, and donors of nearly-new (sometimes new) or gently-used clothing, shoes, accessories and jewelry, our successful 2015 Sale enabled us to make charitable donations to Merlin’s Kids, an organization that trains service dogs for veterans; Mary’s Place by the Sea, a place of healing and respite, free of charge, for women undergoing treatment for cancer; Habitat for Humanity, for local home construction; Collier Services Kateri Summer Camp for underprivileged children; Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening or terminal illnesses; Ronald McDonald House, a place where parents of hospitalized children can stay, free of charge; Sisters of St. Joseph Retirement Fund, that cares for the order’s aging and ill sisters; St. Joseph by the Sea, a retreat house at the Jersey Shore where we’ve had wonderful retreat days facilitated by Sr. Helen Clifton, SSJ, our retired Spirituality Chair, and following Sr. Helen’s retirement, facilitated by Sr. Fran Lomeo, Sister of the Good Shepherd. In addition, we have held many other fund raisers over the years to support women and children through our charitable donations.
Educational
Our monthly meetings are meant to educate and sometimes entertain, and to always provide opportunities for members to gather and socialize. In the past, speakers have made presentations on the following general topics: faith-related; social issues, e.g., human trafficking, prison ministry; service-oriented; physical or mental health; gardening; the environment; cooking demonstrations on and off site. We are always open to suggestions for activities and general meeting programs.
Social
Daytime bus trips that inspire, educate or entertain are held each year. Trips have included House and Garden Tours of famous homes; Scriptural Musicals at the Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster PA; The Culinary Institute of NY; The Philadelphia Flower Show; Museum Exhibitions; Grounds for Sculpture in NJ; NY Botanical Gardens; Broadway Shows; Radio City Christmas Shows; Tour of Harlem, NY, and many more. Sometimes the trips include lunch. Other times groups of attendees make their own plans for lunch together. The cost of the trips includes the ticket price and cost of the bus. The trips are very popular and tickets go quickly.
General Meeting Schedule
General Meeting dates are published in the Parish Bulletin. Members are also contacted by the MMG Telephone Committee before each General Meeting. Meetings are also published in the Parish Online Monthly Bulletin or Colts Neck area publications.
Administrative Details
Annual dues are $15, payable in September. An Annual Martha Mary Guild Membership Directory, listing members’ names and contact information will be available in November. Members are kindly asked to *fill out a membership application which gives the Martha Mary Guild permission to include their names in the annual Directory.*