Madonna Guild

(Spiritual) Book Studies Ministry

Throughout the year, Bernadette “Bernie” McConnell offers many opportunities to participate in a variety of engaging, faith-renewing, and informative spiritual book studies. Her classes meet in a group format and include the necessary reading materials at a nominal cost. If you are interested, classes fill up quickly.

Upcoming Book Studies:

The Madonna Guild Spiritual Book Study presents “What Christians Believe--Understanding the Nicene Creed" by Bishop Robert Barron. The book is $2 and will be available at the first session or by contacting Bernie at 703-508-1573. Sessions are held in the overflow hall on Wednesdays at 9:30 am, beginning on March 18.

Christmas Stocking Ministry

Nothing shows the love, heart, and dedication of the Madonna ladies like our Christmas Stocking Ministry. Led by Kris DesRocher, Terry Linn, and a group of seamstress elves cut and sew 300 stockings. The stockings are decorated by even more of Santa’s elves using paint, handsewn holiday designs, pictures, glitter, and sequins.

Meanwhile, Arleen Caruth manages the huge year-long task of gathering and cataloguing all the stocking stuffers donated by our Madonna ladies and parishioners. By December, all that is left to do is stuff the stockings. The stockings are donated to Meals on Wheels, Walking Down Ranch, White Mountain Catholic Charities, and the RE Center.

Would you like to help us with the Christmas Stocking Ministry?

Have you been traveling recently? Did you bring home your hotel-sized shampoo and conditioner? If you will not use them, please don’t throw them away! The Madonna Guild would like to include them as stocking stuffers for this year’s Christmas stockings.

Throughout the year, we collect individually packaged toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, bars of soap, shower gel, hand sanitizers, mini notepads, shampoo, conditioner, pens, and deodorant. All items, except toothbrushes and pens, should be small or travel sized.

Please drop off your donations at any of the Masses, in the parish office or bring them to our monthly meeting. Summer residents and visitors, please keep adding these items to your stash as you travel and donate them when you are next in the White Mountains. For questions, please get in touch with Arleen Caruth at 928-367-2080 or smoa@stmaryoftheangels.com.

Upcoming Events:

March 19 - Cutting Stockings from 10 am - 12 pm in the overflow hall

July 23 - Decorate Stockings from 9 am - 12 pm in the overflow hall

Community Outreach Ministry

Chaired by Arleen Caruth, the Community Outreach Ministry oversees the planning and implementation of outreach strategies in the Parish and Community. The Madonna Guild connects with and cultivates relationships with non-profit businesses, individuals, and other relevant organizations in need.

Correspondence Ministry

The Madonna Guild sponsors a student named Regan, who lives in Uganda through Unbound, a Christian organization that assists with education and religious training. Liz maintains contact with Unbound regarding our sponsored student via correspondence, online photos, and commentary. If you have any questions, contact Liz Neal at 928-368-5104 (text).

Funeral (Luncheons) Ministry

The Madonna Guild sometimes provides side dishes and desserts in the SJFC following a funeral. 

Sheryl Mannikko chairs the Funeral Ministry. For questions, please call Sheryl at 602-810-1593.

Fundraiser Ministry

Terry Linn, our fundraising chairperson, is planning to pull out all the stops for our 2026 Annual Fundraisers! We will be hard at work preparing for next year. If you would like to help Terry plan for the 2026 Annual Fundraisers, please contact her at 734-259-9826 or teresa.linn04@comcast.net.

Upcoming Events:

May 15 - 16 - Made on the Mountain Craft Fair

November 6 - 7 - Made on the Mountain Craft Fair

Library Ministry

The Madonna Guild lending library is permanently located in the St. Joseph Family Center (SJFC). There are over 900 items in the collection, available for checkout. The complete catalog is listed below.

While we are in the SJFC for Masses in the summer, the library will be open for you to view the collection and/or check-out items. A librarian will be on hand to help you check-out or renew your selection for two weeks. There is a basket between the bookcases for returns and donations of spiritual books.

In the Fall and Winter when we are in the Church for Masses, there will be a library table in the lobby where you will be able to review the library catalog. There will be a library request forms for your use. After the Masses, a librarian will fill the request and leave the item on the table for you to retrieve the next weekend at your Mass.

The library is still accepting donations of spiritual books and DVDs. You may use the return/donation basket for drop-offs.

Library Catalog

Library Request Form

We are looking forward to you utilizing our Parish library. Please direct any questions to smoa@stmaryoftheangels.com

Madonna Ambassador Ministry

Chaired by Mary Kay Nelson, this ministry aims to actively recruit new members into the Madonna Guild to broaden our active membership base. As you know, all women in our parish are considered members of the Madonna Guild, but most women are not active participants. We also have summer visitors who would like to be more active in our parish.

The other goal of this ministry is to enrich and support members of our parish by intentionally reaching out to individuals who are ill, experiencing hardships, or suffering the loss of a loved one.

To volunteer or to suggest parishioners who could use a phone call and/or a prayer shawl, please get in touch with Mary Kay at 602-478-0609 or marykaynelson1@hotmail.com

Prayer Line Ministry

The Prayer Line, chaired by Lorraine Robertson, offers prayers for those who are ill, suffering hardship, or recently deceased. If you would like to add the name of a family member, friend, or acquaintance to the St. Mary of the Angels Prayer Line, please get in touch with Lorraine Robertson at robertsonpl406@gmail.com

Prayer Shawls Ministry

Have you always wanted to learn but never had someone show you? A hand-knit or crocheted prayer shawl can comfort those who are ill or missing a loved one.

Terry Linn hosts a monthly prayer shawl meeting where she can teach you how. You can pick up all the supplies you need to get started. Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month at 10 am in the Madonna Room. Terry has patterns, knitting and crochet needles, and yarn. All she needs is your help to join this worthy cause.

Donations of yarn will be gratefully received. For questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with Terry Linn at 734-259-9826 or teresa.linn04@comcast.net

Upcoming Prayer Shawl Meeting:

No meeting in April.

May 7 at 10 am in the Madonna Room.

Rosary Ministry

Would you like to learn a new craft that you can do anywhere and that doesn’t cost money?

Dorothy Dobry is looking for volunteers to make rosaries. Making a rosary is easy (it takes about 15-20 minutes each), and you can do it while watching television or listening to music. Dorothy provides everything you need, including written instructions. She will also show you how to make them.

Completed rosaries are sent to a prison ministry in need of more rosaries worldwide. What better way to honor Mary and to help others with their prayer life than to make rosaries? If you have questions, please call Dorothy at (928)368-7371

Social Activities Ministry

Chaired by Christina Vasquez, the Social Events Ministry will spearhead all social activities hosted by the Madonna Guild.

These events will not only encourage communication between current active members but will also welcome new Madonna Guild participants who wish to learn more about what we do. These activities could include meet-and-greet events, luncheons, or outings in our community.

For more information, please get in touch with Christina at 909-313-9636 or aqhacorona3@yahoo.com.

Upcoming Social Events:

June 28th - Fr. Dan's Retirement Celebration