Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: This informal group seeks to foster devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. They keep a list of people needing urgent prayer and recruit volunteers to cover the hours of adoration on First Fridays.

Altar Servers: Young people from fifth grade through high school serve regularly at parish Masses. Contact the Office of Lay Ministries at (301-843-8916 ext. 30).

Altar Society: A unique committee of persons who enhance the worship space for the parishioners of St. Peter's. Emphasizing the changing seasons of the Church calendar, we seek through decoration to make the liturgies more meaningful to all. We meet on an average of three times a year to plan for the upcoming seasons, to gather ideas, to discuss the liturgy, and how we might accentuate our celebrations with plants and such. In addition to decoration, we help clean the altar, the tabernacle altar, and the sacristy. This includes the altar cloths and the holy water containers. Some members sew the bibs used at St. Peter's baptisms.

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Archdiocesan Legislative Network: Comprised of some 4,000 concerned Catholics throughout the archdiocese, coordinators in each parish keep churches up to date on different legislation and laws being put forward on such issues as assisted suicide, abortion, the death penalty, welfare reform, pornography, etc. Members are alerted to issues the Maryland Catholic Conference desires action on through legislative Alerts passed by the Archdiocesan Office of Social Development. The Archdiocesan director is Sandy Mattingly Paulen. In addition to keeping us informed about threats to life and human dignity, they participate in letter writing and phone call campaigns, lobbying, vigils, the candle-light march for life in Annapolis, etc. There are two important events each year in which all members are asked to participate. The first is a legislative briefing held in one of the Southern Maryland parishes in January to prepare for the legislative session. The second event is attendance at "Lobby Night" held in Annapolis on Presidents' Day Monday; it is there that we meet and lobby our elected state representatives. All concerned Catholics who want to be active advocates for human life and dignity are welcome.

Baptismal Preparation: Baptisms are conducted at 3:00 PM on the fourth Sunday of the month. The meaning of baptism and our ritual are explained. Information sheets are also filled out that will later be used for the registry and certificates. It is recommended that parents attend the class prior to the birth of their child. Contact the rectory at (301-843-8916).

Bible Study Group: As the title suggests, our focus is to study the Word of God. It is basically a home reading and study format with group discussion and fellowship on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM in Room 6 of the school. There is a small cost for the study materials, approximately $8 on average for each semester (Winter and Spring). Refreshments are provided. All are always welcome regardless of personal schedule, e.g., late arrival, early departure, or prior commitments -- we are flexible.

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BINGO: The purpose of the school Bingo is to raise funds to defray the cost of tuition by the school parents. All Bingo income stays in the school for its needs, i.e., a new ice maker, new tables, etc. and helps to keep tuition increases to a minimum. School parents are encouraged to help and participate. Held every Friday night and the first Saturday of each month, all are welcome.

Boy Scouts of America: Boy Scout Troop 417 and Cub Scout Pack 417: Cub Scouts is a program to teach boys their duties to God, country, self, family, other people, and the Pack, in a fun filled environment led by volunteer leaders from the parents in their group. The Boy Scout program is Boy Run with leader and parent interaction. This program teaches duty to God, leadership, character, conduct, and service to community, duty to country, and the ethical values expressed in the Scout Law. The majority of this training is about nature, wilderness, survival, and enjoying the great outdoors.

Eligibility for membership/target audience:
Tiger Cub: Grade one
Cub Scouts: Grades two and three
Webelos Scouts: Grades four and five
Boy Scouts: Grades six through twelve
Varsity Scouts: Ages 14 through 17
Explorer Scouts: Ages 14 through 20

Catherine Foundation Crisis Pregnancy Center: This center is an interdenominational organization. It offers free pregnancy tests, material assistance, post abortion support, abstinence education, a speakers bureau, counseling, and a volunteer ministry. We have future plans for a "computer moms class," offering help in educating women for the workplace. (301-870-4912)

Catholic Daughters of the Americas: This is a national organization of Catholic women dedicated to perpetuating our Catholic heritage through charitable deeds and community and social action. Court St. Peter #1618 was established in 1952. Maryland membership is 3,200. Meetings are on the second Thursday of the month in the school. Adult Catholic women are welcome.

Daily Rosary Fellowship: This group meets before the 8:00 AM daily Mass. Members recite the rosary and bring the petitions of parishioners to their prayer. They assist in other parish projects upon request. It is open to all believing Christians.

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Education for Parish Service (EPS): Along with spiritual formation, candidates in this program study theology, Scripture, and pastoral subjects. It is designed to prepare lay people for parish service and for a more full participation in the Church's mission of evangelization. Multiple programs are available at the Trinity College campus in Washington, D.C. There is no tuition for EPS, although there are fees for parking and textbooks. All members of the laity, involved or interested in parish service, are eligible. Please note that an application must be submitted with the pastor's approval.

Evangelization Committee: The mission of this group is to get involved to help bring the good news of Jesus into every human situation and to act and call attention to efforts to convert individuals and society by the power of the Gospel itself. Specifically, the Committee documents and fosters ongoing evangelization efforts to fill community needs. Evangelization efforts of the Committee are guided by the Archdiocese of Washington implementation of Go and Make Disciples: A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States, passed by the U.S. Bishops on November 18, 1992.

Evenings for the Engaged: This program is for those couples preparing for a Catholic marriage. It presents the beauty and the dignity of matrimony as a sacrament reflecting Christ's love for the Church. It emphasizes the importance of marriage as a covenant of lifelong love and fidelity according to the teachings of Christ and his Church. The program runs one day a week for five consecutive weeks, lasting from two to two-and-a-half hours per session. The particular day of the week is determined by the facilitating couple. There are four to five engaged couples in a group. Once committed to the program, we must stress the importance of their attending all the sessions. Eligibility requires an appointment with St. Peter's pastor and that the marriage take place in this parish.

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Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EMOE): These are persons specially delegated to administer the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. The introduction to the commissioning ceremony begins with the reminder that: "It is, first of all, the office of the priest and deacon to minister holy communion to the faithful." The point is made several times, that the priests and deacons are the ordinary ministers of the sacrament and that unless the clergy are impeded by age or infirmity, etc., they will ordinarily assist the celebrant in distributing the Eucharist. At most Masses, there will be two priests and a deacon available to give communion; then a suitable number of EMOE’s, chosen from among our laity and women religious, will help with the distribution as scheduled. The schedule is sent out and posted in the sacristy.

Family Religious Education Program: This special program is designed to encourage participation and spiritual growth within the whole range of ages and relationships of families. They are to be renewed in religious education and formation, as well as in worship and prayer. Together, they will build "community" through their gathered celebration of faith and service to one another. Realizing the mission of the Church, they also focus on evangelization to our neighbors and in supporting the foreign missions. Most importantly, religious education and spiritual formation are provided for adults on a monthly basis, October through May. Children attend religious education classes where they are instructed in the Catholic Faith and are prepared for the sacraments. The program is greatly enriched by the generous involvement of parishioners who share their time and talents in serving as catechists, group leaders, or guest speakers on specific topics. All parishioners are welcome to participate. Contact the Director of Lay Ministries (301-843-8916 ext. 30).

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Finance Council: They prepare a yearly budget for the parish, monitor expenditures, and advise the pastor on financial matters concerning the parish. Membership is by the invitation of the pastor.

Gabriel Project: This new program joins our church to others in readiness to provide a mother with the kinds of assistance that she needs in caring for her unborn baby. This help may include: friendship and emotional support; pastoral care and counseling; medical aid and prenatal care; financial assistance; housing and adoption resources; educational and employment opportunities. More than anything else, our Gabriel project church embraces each pregnant woman who comes to us as a daughter, sister, and friend. Volunteers are critically needed if we are to get this program off the ground and call the rectory. The Hotline for pregnant women in need is (1-800-533-0093).

Girl Scouts (Brownies): Girl Scouting is a movement dedicated to developing the potential of girls by giving them the opportunity to make decisions, to explore their world, and to learn and work in partnership with adult volunteers. Based on ethical values expressed in the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Girl Scouting inspires girls with ideas of character, conduct, patriotism and service. Founded in 1912, Girl Scouting joins together, in friendship, girls from all segments of American life and from all parts of the world. Brownie Troop meets at St. Peter's.

Eligibility for membership/target audience: Girl Scouting is grouped into five program levels:
Daisy Girl Scouts: Ages 5-6; kindergarten and grade one
Brownie Girl Scouts: Ages 6-8; or grades 1-2-3
Junior Girl Scouts: Ages 8-11; or grades 3-4-5-6
Cadette Girl Scouts: Ages 11-14; or grades 6-7-8-9
Senior Girl Scouts: Ages 14-17; or grades 9-10-11-12

Handicapped Therapy Group: We meet Friday afternoons at 1:00 PM at the Charles County Community College swimming pool to support handicapped people as they perform therapeutic exercises in the pool. Caring people are welcome to help.

Health Partners, Inc.: This non-profit organization operates and funds a free health clinic for uninsured low income children and adults in Charles County. Primary medical and dental care, as well as health education, are provided by non paid volunteers who contribute their time and talents to those persons most in need. The clinic is administered by the Sisters of Mary's Song. Volunteers are needed: physicians, dentists, nurses, dental hygienists, dietitians, social workers and receptionists for day and evening hours. Contact (301-645-3556).

Hispanic Apostate: Celebrate liturgies in Spanish and minister to Hispanic community. Mass is celebrated in Spanish at 1:30pm on Sundays. Contact the Director of Hispanic Apostolate (202-529-2188 ext. 134)

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Knights of Columbus: This is a national fraternal organization of Catholic men, composed of some two million members and 9,000 councils, who join together for the benefit of their families (and youth in general), the Church, and their country. Their charitable work for the needy and the oppressed is well known. Our community is made all the richer because of their strong moral presence and social responsibility. They host a multitude of activities throughout the year. Dr. John Henry Griffin Council, No. 2293, was instituted in 1921 and has grown to a membership of over two hundred men. It is one of 125 councils in the Maryland State family which has over 25,000 members. The Council meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. We support the following area churches: St. Peter's, St. Mary's, Our Lady Help of Christians, and St. Michael's in Baden. We also have a Ladies Auxiliary which assists the council and which has many interesting activities of their own. Any practicing Catholic man, 18 years or older, may apply for membership. A practical Catholic is one who regularly practices his faith by going to Mass on Sunday and holy days, receiving the sacraments, marrying in the Church, etc.

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Ministry of Lector: The lector is entrusted with the crucial task of making the Word of God come alive by proclaiming it for the congregation. A well prepared lector can do much to enhance the celebration of the liturgy by the prayerful proclamation of saving truth. Such a service can touch and move the People of God, functioning as an instrument of divine grace.

Ministry to the Sick, Homebound & Elderly: This entails visitation of area hospitals, nursing homes, and individual homes. The Blessed Sacrament is brought to the sick and elderly. Contact the rectory (301-843-8916)

Music Ministry: We facilitate participation in the Liturgy by rising a joyful sound to God through song and accompaniment. The Traditional Choir sing at the 10:00am Mass approximately from September through June. The choir may also sing on certain Holy Days and at other times. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday at 7:30pm in the church. The Contemporary Choir sings at the 12:00 noon Sunday Mass. Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings from 7:00pm to 9:00pm in the church.
Adults are eligible for the Traditional Choir. The Contemporary Choir welcomes all ages, instruments, and voices. The Director of Music is Eric Sullivan.