Annual Father Alexander Gala
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The Father Alexander Gala is an annual OLSS Parish & School fundraiser. We host an evening filled with food, dancing, and friendship to honor Fr. Maurice Alexander, our first resident pastor, and the Father Alexander Award recipient(s).
The Father Alexander Award . recognizes those who reflect the spirit of Fr. Alexander by working tirelessly to make our community a better place through their efforts. The goal of the Gala is three fold: To honor Fr. Alexander, to raise funds for our School and its service to the larger community, and to honor people or organizations in the area who have reflected the spirit of Fr. Alexander by helping to make Southern Maryland a better place.
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2025 Father Alexander Award Recipients
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Deacon Chad MartinOur lady star of the sea
Chad Martin has been an ordained deacon in the Roman Catholic Archdioceses of Washington for over 32 years. During this time, Deacon Chad has served at several parishes in Southern Maryland: St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Jesus the Good Shepard Catholic Church, and most recently, Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church (OLSS). Deacon Chad is retiring from active deacon duties at OLSS after nine years. He has baptized many people, some of whom he later had the privilege of marrying and then baptizing their children. He is beloved by parishioners due to his tireless service to and compassion for others.
Deacon Chad has also ministered to countless people in times of spiritual, emotional, and physical need. He has never tired of helping others as they have walked through hard times in their lives such as, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or marital troubles. A trusted confidant, he has been there to listen for as long as necessary and to be a shoulder to lean on.
Deacon Chad is being awarded the Father Alexander Award for his dedication and unwavering service to others - family, friends, and strangers alike.
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Mrs. Therese ThiedemanProgram Director, Southerm Maryland community resources
Southern Maryland Community Resources (SMCR) promotes the inclusion of people with developmental differences in our community. The mission of SMCR is to advocate for individuals with special needs - to recognize their inherent dignity, for they are members of our one human family. SMCR promotes social, recreational, and educational opportunities where individuals with developmental differences can contribute their unique gifts and develop their potential.
Therese Thiedeman has worked as the program director for over four years. Her unique and optimistic stewardship helped navigate SMCR during the COVID years and has expanded SMCR’s service capacity. She dedicates four evenings a week to providing programs for SMCR members. These programs include drawing classes, Growing in Faith, cooking with Deacon Jim, and game nights.
One of her greatest achievements at SMCR is the development of the Arts4All Singers, a singing group of more than 40 people with special needs. She also developed a partnership between SMCR and the Chesapeake Coral Arts Society (CCAS). The Arts4All Singers have now participated in four concerts with CCAS, which includes a choreographed number, “Locomotion,” where members interact with the crowd. It is an amazing feat to have people with special needs comfortable and confident enough in their abilities to interact with others.
Additionally, Therese has organized the Pirates of SMCArrg, a team of people with special needs that compete in the Solomons Dragon Boat Festival. Recently, she coordinated and supported a vendor booth at the festival where members of SMCR sold products they made, championing the inclusion of people with special needs while developing their sense of accomplishment.
Therese is being awarded the Father Alexander Award for her relentless desire to have the special needs community included in society.
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Mr. Steve SandersChristmas in april
Steve Sanders, a retiree from the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, is now a tireless volunteer team lead and board member of Christmas in April-Calvert County, Inc., an agency of United Way. Since joining Christmas in April, Steve has coordinated numerous home-improvement projects to help homeowners - families with children, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and/or the elderly alike – complete necessary repairs and maintenance tasks. Projects have included cleaning siding and gutters, landscaping, interior and exterior painting, replacing roofs, insulating attics, replacing toilets, repairing steps, removing accumulated refuse, and installing exterior wheel chair ramps.
Steve is the project manager from start to finish. He first meets with the homeowners to discuss their needs. Then, he devises a work plan to identify the objectives and prepare for problems that could arise. Finally, he seeks peer input on best approaches; organizes the schedule, tools, and materials needed; contacts support contractors; and seeks volunteer support.
Steve demonstrates a selfless, enthusiastic attitude. It rubs off on the volunteers who come from all over the tri-county area. They truly enjoy working together. He is never discouraged and always keeps the homeowners’ needs in mind. Regardless of how difficult a project appears at the start, it always gets done with the utmost quality. Steve and the volunteers have also helped other non-profit charities in Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties including: Habitat for Humanity, SMILE, Help Association Thrift Store, and Burnett Calvert Hospice House.
Steve Sanders is being awarded the Father Alexander Award not because of what he has accomplished while leading others, but because he has set an example that inspires others to help those in need without reward.
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The Father Alexander Award honors the legacy of our first resident Pastor. Fr. Maurice Alexander was born in Washington, DC on February 13, 1872. He attended St. John’s College High School and Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. Cardinal Gibbons ordained Fr. Alexander to the priesthood on September 9, 1912.
In 1920, Fr. Alexander was named the first resident Pastor to Solomons, a little fishing village at the time. Fr. Alexander noted the weekly collection of $9 or less. The money was insufficient to pay him a salary or to grow and improve the church. Strong-willed and determined, he began a nationwide appeal through a letter-writing campaign that was ridiculed. He remained firm in his commitment to his beliefs and parish. In 1927, the Historic Church was erected and later the parish school, convent, and rectory. He recruited nuns from the Sisters of Divine Providence in Kentucky, who would teach at the school. By 1938, he also accomplished his goal of including a Catholic Church in the county seat.
Learn more about the history of our Parish
Fr. Alexander passed away in 1946, leaving a community strong in their faith and commitment to Christ. Through his tireless, strong devotion to the parish, school, and education, he was the perfect role model and example of what one human being can do through the grace of God to better the lives of others.
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Click HERE to access photos from the 2024 Father Alexander Gala.
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