Ladies of Charity

Our mission is to support individuals living with cancer by sending them a Saint Peregrine prayer card and medal, the Heavenly Father healing prayer card, and a note to let them know we are praying for them.  We utilize an active prayer chain to pray for those dealing with cancer.  We offer our faith, compassion, and prayerful intercession that they may experience hope, peace, and the healing presence of God in their lives.  We also make seat belt port cushions to give to cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy treatment.  We have port cushions available in a basket at the back of each church for those who need one.  We also deliver port cushions to local cancer centers.  
Contact us at [email protected] to add an intention.

The Elizabeth Ministry serves the families of newly baptized children.  “By following the biblical example of Mary and Elizabeth, we visit and share the sacredness of all life.”  Names of newly baptized children, parents’ contact info, date of birth, and baptism are received from the parish office.  After the date of baptism, we send a baptism card to each child.  In the card, we let the parents know we will be contacting them to set up a time to visit with a gift.  Gift baskets are either delivered or mailed (due to distance).  Contents of the baskets vary, depending on the age of the child.  Volunteers needed to deliver gift bags to families of newly baptized children (call family to set up a delivery time, and to donate handmade items for gift bags, such as bibs, burp cloths, hats, etc.

Ladies notified of funerals via parish offices and other means for both churches.  We arrive before the funeral mass to place Kleenex boxes in front pews, greet visitors, family and friends, hand out the mass programs/song sheets, answer questions, give directions, etc.  The Ladies say the Rosary before the funeral at Holy Sepulcher Church.  We meet before the funeral starts, allowing time to complete the Rosary beforehand. 

The Junior Ladies of Charity are young women in grades 8-12, who engage in the spiritual and corporal works of mercy under the auspices of the Ladies of Charity. A Lady of Charity is appointed as a moderator and liaison between both groups.  Examples of service are:  May Crowning service, helping with St. Mark's parish activities, card making for parishioners and the churches' school students, organize food, clothing, and Christmas presents for Inspired Hearts and Hands, decorate houses for Christmas for Lighthouse clients, lay wreaths on the tombs of veterans at Christmas. Our big event is our Mission Trip, which allows for a week of spiritual growth and community assistance. 

Prayer shawls are crocheted by Ladies of Charity members and distributed for various reasons.  New baby, anyone facing illness, surgery, birthday, graduations and moving are some of the occasions for giving a prayer shawl.  Once crocheted, they are adorned with a religious medal, rosary, and a card.  They are then personally delivered and also stored at St. Kilian School office.

There are communion service guidelines from the Diocese which are very easy to follow.  There are two people that visit each Sunday.  The Eucharist is obtained from the church, then taken to the facility.  A service is done each week which also offers communion to those Catholics in attendance.   If interested, you can shadow those that go these facilities.  Substitutes are always needed.  In addition, there are many homebound that need Eucharist brought to them either weekly, biweekly or monthly, depending on the individual person.  This involves getting the Eucharist from the church, then taking to the homebound individual. After spending some time with them, prayers are said and communion is given.  Names, addresses and phone numbers for the homebound are provided.  Contact the person and set up a schedule that works best for both of you.

Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, dinners are held every Wednesday at Fellowship Hall in Mars and are open to the community.  The Ladies volunteer to host one of these dinners approximately three times a year.  Coordinators for the dinner plan the menu, purchase food and prepare the meal.  Volunteers may also help purchase food and prepare the meal, either at Fellowship Hall or at home.  Volunteers also help serve dinner and clean up.  

Make desserts for people who receive Meals on Wheels, and deliver to/coordinate delivery to the Glade Run Church at 1091 Pittsburgh Street, Valencia, PA.  The Ladies of Charity bake desserts twice a year in April and September.  Desserts are made for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the designated month. ​

This ministry delivers a Christmas and Easter flower to homebound parishioners as a simple gesture for holiday cheer and to let them know that they have not been forgotten.   The Chair/Co-Chair of this ministry coordinate with the parish admin staff throughout the year to keep the listing of homebound parishioners up to date.  Volunteers then sign up to deliver to parishioners on the list.

Blood Drive - Provide support at the blood drive yearly at Holy Sepulcher. Place Ads in the bulletin and promote online and on social media. Email and schedule previous and new donors. Assist with snacks and beverages. 

Colonial Gardens Social – Organize and prepare (purchase) an annual luncheon to be brought in for the residents, serve lunch and clean up, play bingo with the residents after lunch (including prizes).  Collect donations for treat bags to be assembled and delivered to residents for Halloween.  Collect signed Valentines to be delivered to the residents.  Other special collections/donations as needed.

Community Dinner – St. Paul’s – St. Paul’s in Butler provides a free community dinner every Tuesday.  Ladies of Charity is scheduled once a year to provide the dinner.  The committee plans the meal and enlists volunteers to assist with donations and preparation.  Meeting at the YYAC at Holy Sepulcher on the day of the meal, volunteers are needed to assemble and transport the meal to St. Paul’s for a take-out style distribution.  

Card Ministry –   Send cards when informed of someone who is sick, death in family or just someone that needs a “thinking of you” card.