Recent Events at St. Mary

2026

Fr. Bala was at the Convocation of the priests of the diocese.

Since Fr. Bala was at the Convocation, there was no Wednesday night Mass.

St. Mary Men’s Club sold its renowned chippers at Maeystown’s Oktoberfest on Sunday, October 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Mass included the Rite of Recognition and Call to Confirmation. The Rite marked the official start of preparation for eighth-grade students who intend to receive the sacrament of Confirmation next spring.

This was the first Children’s Mass of the new school year.

PSR classes were held September 13 and 27 at the new start time of 8:45 am.
No classes were held on September 6 and 20 due to Labor Day weekend and our picnic.

The Fall Church Picnic, a Valmeyer highlight, celebrated 25 years of Valmeyer working together for our combined Fall Church Picnic of St. Mary and St. John.

This memorial commemorated the patron saint of our parish, the Church of the Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

All men of the parish were invited and encouraged to attend a meeting after Mass. The meeting kicked off the formation of the new St. Mary’s Men’s Group.

A planning meeting was held at 6:30 pm

Fr. Bala blessed our school children for the new school year during Mass.

PSR classes resumed August 30 with a new start time of 8:45 am.

A picnic planning meeting was held at 6:30 pm

A reception with cake and coffee was held after 6:30 pm Mass on June 24 to thank Fr. Linus for his service and to welcome Fr. Bala. Parishioners brought appetizers.

Valmeyer hosted one of the country’s oldest amateur baseball tournaments, followed by a parade and a colossal fireworks display.
St. Mary’s booth served fish sandwiches, chicken strips, and our famous home-made potato chips.

A picnic planning meeting was held at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, June 16.

Once again, we partnered with St. John United Church of Christ here in Valmeyer.

The following children received the sacrament of First Communion: Beau Biffar, Fay Scheibe, Levi Scheibe, and Charlotte Stuckmeyer. They received the sacrament of First Reconciliation during the Mass on March 1.

Analeisa Atkinson and Braydon Eckart received the sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop-Elect Geoffrey Mullen during Mass at our sharing parish, Ss. Peter and Paul in Waterloo.

Our guest speaker, Sister Laura Brown of the Daughters of St. Paul, spoke about how we can have Jesus live more fully inside us.

The Knights of Columbus hosted weekly Fish Fries in the Parish Hall every Friday in March. Additionally, the Valmeyer Jaycees hosted a Fish Fry on Friday, April 3.

Stations of the Cross were offered every Wednesday during Lent.

Palm Sunday: March 29, 10:00 am • Spy Wednesday: April 1, 6:30 pm • Mass of the Lord’s Supper: April 2, 6:30 pm • Good Friday with Stations: April 3, 3:00 pm • Easter Vigil: April 4, 8:00 pm • Easter Sunday: April 5, 10:00 am

One of our most heavily attended Masses of the year.

2025

Christmas Eve at 4:00 pm with Fr. Linus, and Christmas morning at 10:00 am

Our annual cookie sale, sponsored by the Ladies Altar Sodality.

The Altar Sodality held its annual Christmas dinner in the Parish Hall.

St. Mary parish and Ss. Peter and Paul hosted the autumn Meeting and Day of Prayer of the CCW for the Vicariate. The day included registration, breakfast, Mass celebrated by Fr. Linus Umoren, C.M., and a talk by Fr. Sebastian Ukoh, C.M. on “The Missionary Influence and My Path to Priesthood,” followed by a buffet lunch.

We celebrated our 24th year on the church grounds on Meyer Avenue, featuring a silent auction, country store, bake sale, raffles, games, bingo, live music, and our famous fried chicken dinner.

History