To call the parishioners of St. Louis in Clarksville “generous” might be an understatement.
Within just a few years of the launch of a capital campaign to pay for a $16.5 million series of projects including a new church, the conversion of an old church into a parish center, the construction of new parking and the restoration of a parish chapel, there is only $960,000 in debt remaining.
Parishioners give of their time in 65 ministries and more than 1,000 people volunteered at the parish’s recent picnic.
St. Louis has long been the top parish in the archdiocese in donating to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal – using its share of the funds to benefit Sisters Academy of Baltimore, St. Mary in Lonaconing, St. Joseph in Midland, St. Ambrose in Park Heights and families in need at St. Louis.
The Howard County faith community supports a sister parish in the Diocese of Gonaives, Haiti, and St. Louis has given many of its sons and daughters to the church as priests, sisters and deacons.
“I’ve been here 14 years, and I’m constantly amazed by the willingness of our parishioners to give and support and participate,” said Monsignor Joseph L. Luca, pastor. “It says that the people love the church and they love the parish, and they’re willing to use their gifts and resources to be supportive.”
F. Patrick Marlatt, parish corporator, credited the pastor with reminding parishioners that the church is larger than the local parish and that they have a responsibility to use their gifts to benefit the wider community.
“It’s about more than just sending a check,” Marlatt explained. “In our Haiti partnership, for example, we send and bring delegations.”
The roots of the parish go back more than 200 years when Charles Carroll of Carrolton erected a chapel that still stands at Doughoregan Manor, near Ellicott City. Carroll was the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence, and was the cousin of Archbishop John Carroll, the first bishop of Baltimore.
The faith community was officially established in 1855 in what was then a rural community. It was named after a 13th-century French king who was renowned for helping the poor and building schools and hospitals.
With the explosion of housing developments in recent decades, St. Louis has grown rapidly and is today one of the largest parishes in the archdiocese. It has 4,960 registered families and 460 children in the parish school. Even with its large size, parish leaders strive to make the faith community welcoming and accessible.
“We really do have something for everyone,” said Marlatt, noting that the parish even offers two forms of eucharistic adoration: one that is focused on individual prayer and another that incorporates Taizé chant.
“We’re a parish seven days a week,” Marlatt added.
St. Louis hosts a monthly hospitality session to welcome newly registered families. Before each of the Easter Masses this year, the parish played videos produced by www.catholicscomehome.org to encourage inactive Catholics to reconnect with their faith. Followup sessions were held to answer questions and reacquaint Catholics who have strayed from the church. Sixteen people returned to the church as a direct result of the effort, Monsignor Luca said, and the parish plans to play more of the videos on Christmas.
The pastor is now focused on encouraging an even more active prayer life in the parish. Families are being asked to pray Lectio Divina in their homes, a reflective reading of the daily Scriptures and prayers of the church.
“There’s a wonderful spirit of cooperation and a great sense of ownership at St. Louis,” Monsignor Luca said. “We’ve been very blessed, and our parishioners have been a blessing to others.”
Email George Matysek at gmatysek@CatholicReview.org
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