The Society of Mary’s Superior General set the Society a target of having only 40% of its members involved in traditional parish ministry.
Rather than traditional parish ministry, the Superior General, Fr John Hannan, is asking Marists to embrace a social outreach ministry, the likes of catechetical centres, missionary teams, clinics, prisons, schools, retreat centres, houses of prayer, social projects and the media.
The Society of Mary is the proprietor of three Catholic Secondary schools, offers Chaplaincy to these schools, supports the National Network of Marist Schools and operates the Senate of Marist schools.
Other adult social outreach works the Society of Mary is involved with includes:
Several Marists also visit prisons.