St. Angela Merici Ministry—Respect Life

Respect Life is dedicated to the goal of educating the community about issues which are becoming more prevalent, such as abortion, euthanasia, cloning, the death penalty, poverty, the homeless, and racism and the church’s position on these issues. The group meets for discussion and prayer the third Monday of the month from October to May. They provide information and displays during Respect Life month in October to further educate parishioners and will participate in prayer at abortion clinics in Pittsburgh twice a year.

St. Angela Merici Ministries—Junior Ladies of Charity

The Junior Ladies of Charity is a ministry of young girls 6th grade through high school, committing their time and energy to do acts of service for others. Projects are guided by the Ladies of Charity Ministry and include such functions as making Valentines and cookies for homebound parishioners, assisting with refreshments at various presentations, and preparing and serving snacks for Vacation Bible School. Additional service activities may be planned by the leaders. Commitment hours are 2 to 2.5 hours 4 times per year.

St. Angela’s Ministries—Vacation Bible School

The Vacation Bible school is a week-long summer program which provides faith formation for children from preschool through the 4th grade. Children learn to apply Biblical and Church teachings to their lives done through instruction, skits, music, crafts and worship time. Vacation Bible School is usually the 3rd or 4th week in June. The time commitment is approximately 2 hours for 5 days.

St. Angela Ministries—Festival Volunteers

St. Angela Merici Summer Festival is the major fundraising event for the parish. Event is held annually from Thursday through Saturday evenings usually during the second full week of July. Festival Workers are needed to work the game booths that are open from 7-11PM. There is a special Kiddie Land section for children up to ten years of age. Festival volunteers are also needed for the Bingo and Flea Market which are also big attractions, the food kitchen for preparing and serving food, for set up and tear down before and after the event.

The Festival Planning committee meets 1 evening a month from February thru August for preparation and planning. Each

area of operation coordinates their particular preparation times. Safe Environment Requirements: Necessary for all volun-

teers.

St. Angela Merici Ministries—Money Counters

Under Diocesan Finance policies we are required to have individuals serve on a team to assist with counting the weekly collections. This group will open and balance the money to the envelopes received, and deposit the funds.

St Angela Merici Ministries—Music Ministry

The ministry of music is an active program combining a variety of instrumentalists and vocalists who serve the parish, encouraging the full participation of the congregation in each liturgy. Members may be any age, from high school and up, with a desire to praise God in song.

St. Angela Merici Ministries—Pastoral Council

The Parish Pastoral Council consists of a group of parishioners whose purpose is advisory to and consultative with the pastor, sharing in the responsibility for temporal and spiritual needs and actions of the parish in accordance with Canon Law and diocesan legislation and regulations.

Council members are appointed by the pastor and after a time of discernment and training, serve a term of at least three years. The functions of the Council are to maintain the integrity of the parish mission statement and the related goals and objectives as set forth in the parish pastoral plan. Meetings are held monthly from September thru June.

St. Angela Merici Ministries—Lectors

The Lectors proclaim God’s Word to the congregation in such a way as to impart meaning and understanding. Lectors are part of the opening and closing procession of the Mass, and are scheduled on a rotating basis. Training and workbooks are provided.

St. Angela Merici Ministries—Ladies of Charity

The Ladies of Charity minister to the Body of Christ. Members visit our hospitalized parishioners weekly on a rotating schedule. Members take Communion to the shut-ins on the First Fridays of each month and visit our nursing home residents regularly. Other spiritual and corporal works of mercy include attending the funerals of parishioners, baking for Parish social functions and making fruit baskets for the shut-ins at Christmas. Formal induction takes place annually through the Diocese.

St. Angela Merici Ministries—Ministry of Consolation

These caring parishioners provide spiritual support to those who are grieving and mourning the loss of a loved one. Ministers extend condolences by visiting the funeral home, calling the family on the telephone and sending cards. Also works with and encourages attendance at district bereavement programs. Members assist with the All Soul’s Day reception.

St. Angela Merici Ministries—Neighborhood Committee

This group helps to keep the lines of communication open between the pastor and the parishioners. In a large parish it is often difficult to always know the needs of each individual family. We try to organize and assign our families to a specific neighborhood area and ask representatives from each neighborhood to network with our parishioners about needs or concerns. The committee is asked to contact their parish neighbors and welcome new members, keep people up to date on parish activities, and invite members to participate. Periodic meetings of the group are held at the parish. Does this sound like something that you would like to be involved with? If so, please call the parish office at 412-672-9641.

St. Angela Merici Ministries—Liturgy Committee

The members of this ministry plan themes for the church year, oversee all aspects of liturgical celebrations including Mass, observances of feast and holy days and special events such as mission. Ministry also includes decorating or enhancing our worship space in accordance with the Liturgical year. The members need to be aware of, study, and implement Vatican and Bishops’ directives for the celebrations of Mass and the Sacraments. This committee meets regularly to consider the Church Calendar and plan for coming celebrations, and on occasion invites speakers to teach or enrich the practice of our faith. The goal is to deepen the parishioners’ faith through meaningful and devout worship. The group meets monthly from August through May or as needs arise.

St. Angela Merici Ministries—Ushers

St. Angela Merici Ministries—Greeters

St. Angela Merici Ministries—Family Life

Family Life Committee provides opportunities to serve and celebrate with parishioners and community members. The members coordinate the Family Holiday Meals and Christmas Angel Tree programs to help needy families in the parish and in the community. They also organize an Anointing of the Sick Mass held each spring. The committee meets the second Wednesday of the months of October through April.

St. Angela Merici Ministries—Extraordinary Minister

Extraordinary Ministers assist the priest with the distribution of the Lord’s Body and Blood. Extraordinary Ministers are scheduled for 1-2 Sundays per month. Volunteers may request specific Mass times. Extraordinary ministers are commissioned to ensure all Sunday and Holy Day Masses are adequately covered for the distribution of Communion. Training provided. Commissioned every three years within the Diocese.

St. Angela Merici Ministries—Eucharistic Adoration

The Eucharistic Adoration group provides for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to extend focus on the Divine Presence at times other than Mass. Many volunteers are needed to pray continuously before the Blessed Sacrament, and provide someone who is comfortable reposing the Blessed Sacrament after adoration. At this time, St. Angela has Eucharistic Adoration on the 1st Friday of every month. We are considering extending Eucharistic Adoration to every Friday during the Lenten Season. Could you spend some quite time with our Lord?

The parish holds Bingo on Monday nights. This is a major fundraiser for the church and volunteers are needed in a variety of areas. Some volunteers will set up tables for the bingo. Others will call the bingo numbers. Some will assist in the operation of the game by selling cards and passing out the prizes and so forth. Still others will help the running of the kitchen and preparing food for purchase by attendees. The time commitment is Monday evening between the hours of 6-10PM, excluding certain holidays. Cooks and servers are needed to staff the kitchen for food sales to patrons by 5PM. We also look for volunteers to bake each week for sale to the patrons. Can you help???