For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship.  Whether we are baptized as infants or adults, Baptism is the Church's way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God.

Infants:  Newborn children of at least one Catholic parent should be baptized as Catholics shortly after birth.  Parishioners with newborns should complete a Baptismal Preparation Form (available online or hard copy) and call Fr. Plummer at the Parish Office to schedule a preparation class.  

Children younger than 7:  are baptized "as infants."  See above.

Children 7 and older:  if unbaptized, these typically receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the annual Easter Vigil, after preparation.  Contact Father Plummer at the Parish Office to arrange preparation.

In order to have your infant or child baptized at St. Mary's Church you will need to complete a Baptismal Preparation Form and return it to the parish office.  The next step is to set up an appointment with Father Plummer (301) 292-0527 x 101 (please bring in your completed Baptismal Preparation form.)  Next, you will need to choose two sponsors/godparents (at least one godparent must be Catholic).  The Catholic sponsor must provide us with a letter of good standing from his/her current parish.  Then, if this is your first child, parents must attend a Baptismal class with Father Plummer,  (301) 292-0527 Ext. #101.  Finally, a date of baptism will be set up with Father Plummer or one of our deacons that is convenient for both parties involved.
 

Forms pertaining to Baptism/Sponsor Information

1. Baptismal Procedures/How Do I get my Child Baptized?:  Click here for more information.
2. Baptismal Preparation Form:  Please print this FORM if you desire to have your child baptized and bring this to your appointment with Father Plummer.
3. What does it mean to be in "Good Standing"?  Please read this for an explanation.
4. Being a Faithful Godparent or Sponsor:  Please click here for information on being a sponsor for Baptism and/or Confirmation.
5. Baptism or Confirmation Sponsor's/Proxy's Affidavit:  Please print this form if you need a letter of approval to be a sponsor for Baptism and/or Confirmation. Next, please complete this form and bring it to the parish office for Father Plummer's approval and signature.  Please leave us your name and several phone numbers and we will call you after Father has approved your request. Thank you!

Catholics believe the Eucharist, or Communion, is both a sacrifice and a meal. We believe in the real presence of Jesus, who died for our sins. As we receive Christ's Body and Blood, we also are nourished spiritually and brought closer to God.

First Communion

Please contact the Religious Education office at (301) 292-0527 Ext. #104 if you would like information on receiving the Sacrament of First Communion.

Guidelines from the USCCB on who can receive Communion,  please click this LINK.

Communion to Sick and Homebound

To arrange for a home "Communion call" contact the Parish Office. Also, a televised Sunday Mass is offered by the Archdiocese of Washington on Sunday on WDCW at 10:30 a.m.  WDCW airs on Comcast Channel 3 in Prince George’s County and in Southern Maryland.  Dish or Direct TV is on Channel 50, RCN is on Channel 15 and Verizon is on Channel 3.

The Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as Penance, or Penance and Reconciliation) has three elements: conversion, confession, and celebration. In it we find God's unconditional forgiveness; as a result, we are called to forgive others. 

Saturday: 2:00-3:30 p.m in the Main Church. or by appointment.
A Guideline from the Archdiocese of Washington:

A Guide to Making a Good Confession

Confirmation is a Catholic Sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts.  It is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation for Catholics.  It is most often associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Please contact the Religious Education office, at (301) 292-0527 Ext. #104 if you would like further information on receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.
 

Form for Confirmation Sponsors:

Please read this FORM for information on being a sponsor for Baptism and/or Confirmation.

Please print this FORM if you need a letter of approval to be a sponsor for Baptism and/or Confirmation.  Please fill out this form and bring it to the parish office for Father Plummer's approval and signature.

For Catholics, the Sacrament of Marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to this other person.  It is also a public statement about God:  the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God's values.

For a valid marriage, no matter who he or she marries, a Catholic must marry in the Catholic Church before a Priest or Deacon and at least two witnesses, unless he or she receives a dispensation from the Church.  The bride or groom must be a parishioner of St. Mary's.

Please contact Father Plummer at the parish office at least 6 months in advance for information about scheduling a wedding and to arrange monthly preparation classes.

As a Catholic Church, we are bound to observe the Rite of Marriage as prescribed in the Roman Ritual, and to observe additional diocesan and parish policies.  

• Weddings are typically done on Saturdays, starting no later than 1:00 p.m., in either the Main Church or in Our Lady's Chapel.
• Weddings typically do not take place in Lent.
• Musical arrangements can be made by contacting our Music Director, Dr. Eran Lupu at (301) 292-0527 #106 or [email protected].

*Dr. Lupu is under contract with St. Mary's Church of Piscataway and must be paid even if you bring your own organist.
Cantor:  Amy Statz Dollan

Please click here for the Wedding Offering.

Please click here for musical arrangements
 

Organist Contact Information:  

Dr. Eran Lupu [email protected]  or (301) 292-0527 #106. *Dr. Lupu is under contract with St. Mary's Church and must be paid even if you bring in your own organist. Cantor:  Amy Statz Dollan

In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), by proclaiming the Gospel, and by providing other means to holiness.

I would like to learn more about becoming a priest or deacon.

Do you know someone who would make a good priest? Why not tell him so? Your encouragement may be all that he needs.
 

More Information on Vocations:

Quo Vadis Dinners for High School-Age Men

The Office of Priest Vocations sponsors nine Quo Vadis dinners a year throughout the Archdiocese of Washington. Young men of high school age are invited for a time of prayer, discussion, and dinner with seminarians and priests.  Those who would be interested in attending may go to www.dcpriest.org or call the Office of Priest Vocations at (202) 636-9020 for details.

Men’s Discernment Mass and Dinner

Single Catholic men, college-age and up, are invited to discuss the possibility of priesthood with priests, seminarians, and other men from the Washington D.C. area. Holy Mass will be celebrated in the seminary chapel, followed by dinner and discussion. Please visit www.dcpriest.org or contact the Office of Priest Vocations at (202) 636-9020 for more information.

Quo Vadis Camp

These are great days of fraternity, learning, vocational discernment, and fun. Hosted at beautiful Mount Saint Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, Quo Vadis Camp includes time for prayer, hiking, games, sports, talks, and lots of great food. Please visit www.dcpriest.org or contact the Office of Priest Vocations at (202) 636-9020 for more information.

Vocations Awareness

ForYourVocation.org was launched by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops with two objectives: to help individuals hear and respond to the call of God to the priesthood or consecrated life, and to educate all Catholics on the importance of encouraging others through prayer and activities to promote vocations. The site offers resources for men and women who may have a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, aids for promoting a vocation-culture within the home, and tools for educators, youth leaders, and vocation directors including prayers, videos, best practices, lesson plans, and vocation awareness programs.

Permanent Diaconate

The Archdiocese of Washington Office of the Permanent Diaconate is interested in speaking with men who have an interest in becoming a permanent deacon. Learn more about the diaconate program, including contact information, current admissions criteria for the Archdiocese of Washington’s Permanent Deacon formation program, and a brief description of a deacon’s role in the Church today. Click LINK for more information on the Diaconate Program.

Consecrated Life

A vocation to the Consecrated Life is a gift from God the Father to the Church, rooted in the example and teaching of Christ, and given through the power of the Holy Spirit. To learn more about secular institutes, men's and women's congregations, religious institutes, and societies for Apostolic life, upcoming events, and religious community discernment retreats, please visit the Consecrated Life website of the Archdiocese of Washington.

A Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood (St. Vincent Ministry to Priests)

Lord Jesus, you invite us to pray to the Lord of the harvest that He send laborers into His harvest.

Lord and God of all, call to the priesthood men on fire with your divine love, who will be the voice of the Good Shepherd to the scattered sheep of the flock.

R.  Lord of the harvest, send laborers into your harvest.

Lord and Saviour, bless us with holy priests.  Through their ministry may your life-giving presence in the sacraments be always present in your Church.

R.  Lord of the harvest, send laborers into your harvest.

Lord and Giver of Life, raise up men filled with your power and with great missionary zeal, so that all who dwell in darkness may come to live in the light of Christ.

R.  Lord of the harvest, send laborers into your harvest.

(Pause for silent prayer for vocations to the priesthood.)

Lord Jesus, you called chosen men to be with you:  to preach the good news of salvation and to have authority over the powers of darkness.  Send your Holy Spirit upon the men you have chosen for the priestly ministry.  May they answer your call and follow you with generous hearts.  Amen.
 

A Prayer for Priests (St. Vincent Ministry to Priests)

Lord Jesus, you have chosen your priests from among us and sent them out to proclaim your word and to act in your name.  For so great a gift to your Church, we give you praise and thanksgiving.  We ask you to fill them with the fire of your love, that their ministry may reveal your presence in the Church.  Since they are earthen vessels, we pray that your power shine out through their weakness.  In their afflictions let them never be crushed; in their doubts never despair; in temptation never be destroyed; in persecution never abandoned.  Inspire them through prayer to live each day the mystery of your dying and rising.  In times of weakness send them your Spirit, and help them to praise your heavenly Father and pray for poor sinners.  By the same Holy Spirit put your word on their lips and your love in their hearts, to bring good news to the poor and healing to the brokenhearted.  And may the gift of Mary, your mother, to the disciple whom you loved, be your gift to every priest.  Grant that she who formed you in her human image may form them in your divine image, by the power of your Spirit, to the glory of God the Father.  Amen.

The Catholic Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, formerly known as Last Rites or Extreme Unction, is a ritual of healing appropriate not only for physical but also for mental and spiritual sickness.

If your relative is seriously sick, heading for surgery, or in danger of dying, with the permission of your relative, you should ask that your relative receive the Anointing of the Sick.  If your relative wants to see a priest, please call the parish emergency line (301) 292-0527 x125 (used if a parishioner is being rushed to the hospital or in danger of dying) for a priest.  Please only call in the case of an emergency.  Other calls should be directed to the parish office during regular office hours or questions may be answered here at our website.  Also, you will want to contact our parish office so your relative can be added to the Internet Prayer List, the Prayer Chain,  the Prayer of the Faithful and the Bulletin (please get their permission) and keep us informed (with your relative's permission) of your relative's situation. 
 

More information on Anointing of the Sick:

The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of the Catholic Church.  It is administered to a Catholic who is in danger due to sickness and/or old age. Sometimes in God's grace physical healing does occur.  This sacrament always opens the soul to spiritual acceptance of suffering. A priest ministers this sacrament using holy oil which he uses to anoint the patient's forehead and other parts of the body while reciting certain prayers.  The sacrament promotes God's forgiveness and healing and is often administered with the sacrament of Reconciliation.  It is only given to children who are old enough to understand and able to draw some kind of comfort from receiving the sacrament. 

 Cardinal Wuerl blesses the Holy Oils, click LINK.