ST. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church

14908 Main Street

Upper Marlboro, Maryland  20772

email:  rectory@stmarysum.org

Business Hours for the Rectory 10am - 5pm Monday through Friday

Mission

St. Mary of the Assumption brings the presence of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church to the people of Upper Marlboro. We heed Christ's call to "worship the Father in Spirit and Truth" through the celebration of the Sacraments, especially the Sacrament of our Lord's Body and Blood (The Eucharist) which the Second Vatican Council calls "the source and summit" of our Catholic Faith.

We heed Christ's call to "preach the Gospel to all nations" and "let the children come to me" through our programs of formation in the Faith for all ages: our parish school, our religious education programs, our teen club and our various forms of adult faith formation. We also reach out to those who are unchurched or who wish to know more about the Catholic Faith through evangelization efforts.

Through the intercession of Our Lady who awaits us in heaven as "our hope" we strive with the help of God's grace to build-up his Holy Church and each one of her members so that they can achieve "the hope of our calling, life on high in Christ Jesus."

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of this parish is one and the same with that of the universal family of faith established by Jesus Christ. The Church has but one mission: to proclaim the Good News that the Father has reconciled all men to Himself in Jesus. There are three important dynamics to this mission to spread the Gospel: to teach Christ’s saving doctrine; to prepare our people and to sustain them for a full participation in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church; and to practice the charity of the Lord in good works and brotherly love [cf. CCC 2179]. By God’s grace, this is accomplished through sound preaching and formational instruction programs; through well planned liturgies and active faith; and through a willingness as individuals and as groups to utilize our God-given gifts and goods for others.

SACRIFICIAL GIVING PROGRAM

As an expression of our stewardship and obligation to support the Church, we invite each person or every family in the parish to make a confidential pledge of a weekly sacrificial gift. This weekly offering to the Lord is a tangible challenge to our discipleship. It is a sacrifice which says, "Thank you, Lord," for the many blessings you have bestowed. We give back to God a share of what our Father in heaven has generously given to us. Usually brought up with the Eucharistic gifts at Sunday Mass, it is a sign of our self-donation and personal surrender. Just as the bread and wine shall become the living presence of our Lord, body and soul, humanity and divinity, so too are we asking for ourselves to be transformed into more perfect likenesses of Christ.

Practically speaking, the amount given will vary from person to person. We realize that an amount given by one might be an impossible sum for another. But, remember the widow’s mite in the Gospel, it was more significant to the Lord than a larger sum from others because she gave of her substance. Note Deuteronomy 14 and Malachi 3. Some tithe 5% of their income to the parish and another 5% to other charitable causes, like the Cardinal’s Appeal, Red Cross, foreign missions, and various diocesan (second) collections.

When new parishioners register they are sent a commitment card. Thus, the parish can budget ahead, knowing that a certain amount of income will be coming in. However, we respect the feelings of parishioners who would feel anxious about obliging themselves to a definite figure. A statement is available at the end of the year summarizing your giving. It can be used for tax purposes. Each year, parishioners are asked to consider renewing or revising their commitment. The support of one's parish is a Christian work and a fulfillment of a precept of the Church.

"Stop worrying, then, over questions like, What are we to eat, or what are we to drink, or what are we to wear? The unbelievers are always running after these things. Your heavenly Father knows all that you need. Seek first his kingship over you, his way of holiness, and all these things will be given you besides" (Matthew 6:31-33).

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