About Church of the Holy Apostles

Thank you for taking the time to find out more about Church of the Holy Apostles and our community. Church of the Holy Apostles was established as a Mission in Gambrills, MD in 1999. We hope that after you look through our website and attend a Mass, you will consider becoming a more active part of our growing community of faith.

Church of the Holy Apostles offers many ministries for people of all ages and walks of life who are looking to strengthen their relationship with Christ.

Mission Statement Called together in community with one another and in covenant with our God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; we endeavor to bring the Good News of salvation to all people. We the people of the Church of the Holy Apostles commit ourselves to: Spirit-filled Worship, which welcomes all who seek a deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ; Personal Discipleship nurtured through prayer, music, dialogue, and study of the Word and the Christian faith; Outreach and Advocacy in our Church and society with those who are alienated, marginalized, poor or oppressed; Faith-filled Stewardship of material and all resources entrusted to us by God; Work for Christian Unity through common prayer, service and witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, while firmly rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition; Grow in Understanding and Respect of those who worship the One God.

Shared Apostolic Ministry

The ever growing, diverse and Christ centered activities of prayer, service and stewardship which support the fulfillment of the mission and vision of the Church of the Holy Apostles are rooted in the following principles that we may not become complacent in our attentiveness to the growth of our community and the cause of the gospel.

Loving Response

Shared Apostolic Ministry is based on the loving response we make as members of the Church of the Holy Apostles to the call of God in Jesus Christ. The sacrificial love and action of Jesus Christ has brought us through death to new life. Having died and risen with Christ in Baptism, can we help but respond in love to the God who tasted death that we might live in perfection in the mystery of the Holy Trinity? Ministry is part of the identity the Christian faithful assume in Baptism. It is not volunteerism but charism, that is a gift itself.

Gift Based

Charisms are the gifts given by the Holy Spirit that complement and strengthen our natural talents and our cultivated abilities. God gives to individuals what is needed for the care and nurture of all. The spirit conveys appropriate gifts at the times of our lives when they are most needed, not only by the individual but by the community as well. The Holy Spirit has sealed us with abundant gifts. There is nothing lacking in the Church of Christ when we steward the gifts we have been given to the Glory of God. Our ministries are based in one's giftedness in discernment with others and in our vision for advancing the gospel in our families, communities, places of work, schools and in the varied circles of personal relationships. Discernment is critical so that the gifts and ministries may fit well and the Body of Christ is best served.

Maturing Faith

Discernment of gift and ministry and sustaining ministry is possible when one seeks a maturing faith. Gifts emerge as we grow and are open to the Spirit of God. Gifts demand maturity for appreciation and proper employment. A Catholic's loving response to God and nurture of his or her gifts are best stewarded in an ever-deepening spiritual life. The primary source for us is the Eucharist, in the celebration of the Mass and the reception of Holy Communion. Active participation, prayerful reflection and frequent time with the Lord are essential to spiritual maturity. Spiritual balance is supported by the celebration of the sacrament of Penance and a sustained personal prayer life. Those in a Shared Apostolic Ministry who endeavor in these areas tell of an ever-deepening awareness of God in daily life, a new way of looking at life and holier and healthier priorities for themselves and their families. There are many opportunities to be nurtured by prayer, days of retreat and opportunities for spiritual formation in our community.

Evangelizing Witness

Our Shared Apostolic Ministries give witness to our belief in Jesus Christ and seek to manifest the Love of Jesus in our world today. Evangelizing others is not simply a moment but a way of life. A person in ministry cannot be Christ centered or witnessing to his or her faith when it is comfortable or convenient. The tasks for ministry must be organized and focused, but a Catholic is an evangelist 24/7 in the consistency of life and rootedness in faith people see and hear in one's daily interactions. Each and every Shared Apostolic Ministry should be inviting others to experience the love of God in Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Inclusive Welcome

Ministry is never a personal possession, a right or an escape. Rather all ministries share in building up the Body of Christ and thus extend the reign of God in the world in which we live. All Shared Apostolic Ministries seek to welcome new ministers, discern gifts and foster diversity. St. Paul writes: There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. Organizational Planning

The leadership of the Church of the Holy Apostles is committed to a collaborative and consultative approach to decision making. We are committed to developing our community to benefit all, even when there are difficult decisions to make. There are no elections or votes taken on issues. Rather, all members of the community are invited to comment on, and participate in, the shaping of our vision, mission and goals and objectives.

The General Community Council is open to the entire community for input, discussion, discernment and consensus building as we make decisions and steward the various aspects of the life of the community of the Church of the Holy Apostles. The general Community Council is a consultative body that provides advice to the coordinating Councils and the Pastoral Director. There are no elections and anyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. Written ideas and comments are welcome if a person cannot make a meeting but wants to offer input.

There are three Councils under which the activities of the community find organization and empowerment. These Councils are consultative and provide collaborative-based recommendations for the Pastoral Director in caring for the community's needs and stewarding the community's resources. Membership is based on voluntary involvement and through discernment of one's gifts and abilities and the willingness to share them with the community.

1. Council for Liturgy and Worship oversees and coordinates all aspects of Liturgy and Worship.
2. Council for Discipleship oversees and coordinates all aspects of Faith Formation including: K - 8, youth Confirmation, adult Confirmation, RCIA, RCIC, adult spirituality and education opportunities, missions, retreats, Families of Faith Festivities, catechist training and support and evangelization efforts.
3. Council for Stewardship and Development oversees and coordinates the financial and developmental aspects of the community including: stewardship and sacrificial giving, budget, school support, outreach/justice activity, long-term planning, community development, and facility maintenance issues.

Click here for information on the above councils or any of our ministries.

Thank You for Visiting Us Online

Thank you for visiting our website, we hope that we have provided you with enough information to help you in your search for a church and community. We invite you to come and visit us at 2601 Symphony Lane, Gambrills, MD and consider attending a Mass. We can also be reached through E-mail or our contact form. You can also call us at: 410.519.2291. We look forward to meeting you.