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We are called to minister to the spiritual formation as well as the emotional, physical and social needs of our members and the community at large. Answer the call and find a way for you to help us accomplish our mission that utilizes your God-given talents. OLV's many ministries are listed below.
For more information about any of these ministries, contact the Parish Office.
Adult & Family Ministry | Community Life | Finance | Liturgical Planning | Liturgical Ministers | Music Ministries | Parochial School | Pastoral Ministries | Religious Education | Social Action
Bible Study: Many of us are coming closer to our Lord through the study of Scripture. Contact the Religious Education office at 410-242-9533 for more information.
Baptism: Contact Religious Education Office 410-242-9533
Celebrating Life: The Celebrating Life Program provides support and information to families bringing their child to OLV for Baptism. We welcome these people to our community, help them grow in their understanding of the sacrament of Baptism and foster their growth as the first teachers of faith to their child.
Family Catechumenate:The Family Catechumenate is a parallel process to our RCIA (see link below). Our team works with school age children and their families who have expressed an interest in joining the Catholic Church. We help to facilitate their journey of faith. We are in need of a variety of catechists and sponsor families. Must be at least 18 years old, love children, our Catholic faith, and be STAND compliant, or willing to go through the process.
RCIA: Contact Religious Education Office 410-242-9533
Holy Name Society:We are always in need of men, who are at least 18 years old, who are interested in carrying on the devotion to the name of Jesus and other works of the Holy Name Society. We meet on the Tuesday following the second Sunday of each month at 6:00 PM.
Renew Fireside Group:This organization promotes a deeper spirituality and awareness of Catholic tradition through monthly Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction. It also provides parishioners an opportunity for prayer, faith-sharing and scripture reflection in a small group setting each week through the Parish Prayer Group and monthly Renew meetings.
Membership is open to anyone with a desire to pray for the parish, generosity of spirit, and time to work on various projects such as the annual parish picnic and the Christmas Giving Tree.
Sodality:We are a group of women dedicated to the devotion of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We conduct fund raisers for the benefit of the church including 2 crab cake luncheons each year and Christmas and Easter bazaars. All proceeds are given to the church for whatever is needed, as requested by the Pastor. In addition a $500 scholarship is given each year, as well as a monetary gift to the priest for Priest Appreciation Day in June.
All parish women are welcome to join. Mass and meeting is the first Tuesday after the first Sunday of the month. Mass is celebrated at 12:30 PM followed by a meeting and brown bag lunch.
Victory Club: Our members include senior Catholic and Non-Catholic Christians. The Victory Club has meetings and plays Bingo or cards September through the 1st Friday in June on the first and third Fridays of each month in Hindley Hall between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM. We also have one-day bus trips from April through December. Our club makes contributions to SWES, donates canned food to the food pantry at OLV and we also award a check to a boy and a girl graduate of OLV each year. All seniors, 55 and older, who are able to care for themselves, are welcome to join this club.
Young Adults: We are married, single or single again adults, ages 21 to 40+, who share the common interest of Christian fellowship through spiritual, social and community service opportunities. Our goal is to strengthen and support Our Lady of Victory, the Baltimore community at large, and ourselves through Christian fellowship and service. We provide faith and life sharing, bible studies, young adult masses, lecture series, retreats, volunteering, and many other exciting, fun and fulfilling events. Any energetic 21 to 40+ people are welcome to join us.
Finance Committee of the Pastoral Council:The Finance Committee of the Pastoral Council is a fundamental part of our parish community. The Finance Committee is charged with monitoring the financial health of the parish. Although somewhat invisible to the parish at large, this committee is involved in all activities at Our Lady of Victory. The Finance Committee meets once a month, on the second Tuesday at 7:00 PM in the Marian Room. The members of the Finance Committee also serve on the Campaign Follow-Up Committee, and both committees meet at the same time.
Campaign Follow-Up Committee:The Campaign Follow-Up Committee monitors the progression of the "Continuing the Tradition of Victory" capital campaign, and provides support to the on-going fund raising efforts.
Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW):The Children’s Liturgy of the Word provides an alternative and more hands-on approach to understand the gospel message for children. We are in need of a variety of volunteers to assist at the children's liturgy mass on Sundays. Must be at least 18 years old, love children, our Catholic faith, and be STAND compliant, or willing to go through the process.
Liturgy Committee:The Liturgy Committee prepares and proposes Parish liturgical celebrations according to the needs of the Parish Community. We are always in need of persons willing to share their time and talent to enhance our Liturgies. Minimum age is 15. We meet on the first Tuesday of the month, from September through May.
Altar Servers: The liturgy of a parish represents the most significant activity of the people. Liturgical ministers seek to serve the parish by assisting at liturgy. Acolytes/Altar Servers offers young people the opportunity to provide service to the parish by assisting the priest at mass. We are always in need of new servers. They must be at least 5th graders and be able to follow and remember directions
Altar Society:The Altar Society consists of a group of people handling the cleaning and care each week, for the main altar, the front door windows, the Marian room and the sacristy. We can always use help. There is no minimum age and no special qualifications, except the love of God (and cleanliness).
Eucharistic Ministers & Lectors:We help feed Jesus’ flock by proclaiming the word of God in Scripture as Lectors and by distributing the body of Christ as Eucharistic Ministers. We are always in need of people willing to serve as liturgical ministers. Candidates must be practicing Catholics of at least high school age for Lectors, and at least 18 for Eucharistic Ministers. Lectors must have a good speaking voice.
Ushers:An usher greets the people as they enter church, sees that they find a seat, and attends to any special need (handicap seating or lends assistance to anyone who may take sick during mass). An Usher helps takes up the collection and sees that it is put on the altar at the offertory. New ushers are always needed and should be at least 10 years old.
Adult Choir:OLV Adult Choir leads and supports the congregation in giving praise and glory to God through song. The Adult choir is open to singers of all voice types and practices weekly. Training in voice and vocal harmony is provided. The ability to read music in not required.
Cantors: The cantor leads the assembly in sung prayer and praise. Cantors give clear direction during the liturgy and support the congregation in its song. This ministry is always looking for singers with good voices and strong leadership qualities. Candidates must be practicing Catholics of at least high school age. Participation in training and bi-annual workshops is required.
Children's Choir: The OLV Children’s Choir introduces and encourages the love of singing as a way to give praise and glory to God. These young ministers lead and support the congregation in its song. The OLV Children’s Choir is open to all children in Grades 1-4. Each singer must be willing to learn and participate with the group. The choir will minister once a month at parish Masses. Rehearsals are held weekly.
Youth and Young Adult Music Group:The OLV Youth and Young Adult Music Group leads and supports the assembly in sung prayer and praise. This group blends vocal harmonies and instrumentation to enhance the congregation’s song. Members are asked to bring their vocal and instrumental skills to join this dynamic group. The ability to read music is not necessary. Vocal and harmony training is provided. There are weekly rehearsals and a regular schedule of ministry at masses throughout the year. New members are welcomed to join at anytime during the year.
Parochial School
Grades Pre-K - 8: fully accredited by The Middle StatesAssociation of Colleges and Schools - After School care is available for the schoolchildren. "Give the gift that lasts a lifetime."
Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick & Homebound:“Reach Out and Touch Somebody”. Parish visitors reach out and touch the lives of our elderly, the sick and those who are homebound. We bring them the Eucharist, listen, comfort, talk and pray with those we visit. Volunteers must be at least 20 years old, have the willingness to spend time visiting parishioners in hospitals, nursing homes or private homes. They must be trained to be Eucharistic Ministers and attend a workshop for Ministers to the Sick, and be STAND compliant.
Religious Education Committee: The Religious Education Committee helps to formulate programs and processes for religious education and formation of people. We meet monthly from September through May for one and a half hours. We always have need for new members who have an interest in religious education within our parish. We particularly need someone with advertising or marketing skills. New members must be at least 18 years of age.
Our Daily Bread: We volunteer our time and money to this downtown Baltimore soup kitchen. We help out at the kitchen on the Third Thursday of each month for lunch (9:30Am - 2PM). Contact: Dave Ofstead, 410-788-4928 if you would like to help.
My Brother's Keeper:OLV supports this Soup Kitchen through monthly donations from our Poor Box. My Brother’s Keeper provides meals to homeless and needy people as well as families. We are always in need of volunteers to help serve meals and clean up afterwards. You must have the willingness and desire to help others, and be at least high school age. Anyone 18 years or older must be STAND compliant.
Respect Life: Our ministry is to promote the respect of human life from conception through natural death. We work with and promote parish participation in Archdiocesan sponsored programs such as “Project Rachel” and “Spiritual Adoption”. We also support the Pregnancy Center West project. We work to fight against legislation that promotes abortion and assisted suicide, and work for legislation that promotes life. We are in need of caring people of all ages who respect life as God’s precious gift to be both leaders and workers in our fight for life.
Social Action Committee: Our mission is to assist families in need with immediate food, clothing and medical help, as well as spiritual advice, guidance and direction. We also strive to assist many causes that provide much needed assistance through donations to the poor box. You must have the willingness and desire to help others, and be at least high school age.
Southwest Emergency Services (SWES): Southwest Emergency Services provides physical, spiritual and emotional support to those who come seeking because of family and individual crisis situations. A portion of our Poor Box donations go toward the support of SWES each month.
Bingo too. Every Friday night in Hindley Hall beginning at 7:30 PM. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Refreshments available. COME, Bring a friend!
