The mission of the Ladies of Charity is a mission of serving people, especially those who are poor, with Jesus as their model.
GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN
Sister of Mercy Georgine Scarpino recently visited us as a guest speaker. Her topic was the Grandparents Raising Grand- children Program. Sister Georgine described this as a “real ministry” that supports grandparents. They can share their needs and concerns. Also, information about services and assistance for these families is provided. Meetings are held in Bridgeville and McKeesport. This program does not receive any funding through taxes or governmental agencies. For more information call 412 422-8020.
WANT TO JOIN US?
New members are always welcome to join the Ladies of Charity. We meet on the second Monday of the month at 10:00 am in Capistran Hall. Stop in and visit us or call Phyllis Tomko at 412 833-7822 for more information. We would be happy to have you join us!
OFFICERS
President-Phyllis Tomko
V. Pres.-Linda Boord
Secretary-Sara Ballzarini
Treasurer-Heidi Huypen
AFTER MASS COLLECTIONS
Throughout the past year we have had collections after our weekend Masses to help support local charities. Through the generous donations of the Saint John Capistran Parish Community we have been able to assist three organizations. We recently donated $1,478 to Saint Winifred Food Pantry. The food pantry collaborates with many Catholic and Protestant churches in the South Hills area. They are open on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 10:00 until
11:00 am. They can be contacted at 412 343-1915. In February we donated $1,684 to the Red Door Program at Saint Mary of Mercy in down-town Pittsburgh. The Red Door has been providing bag lunches to the hungry since the Great Depression. Lunches are provided Mondays through Saturdays from 10:30 until 11:30 am. One hundred lunches are distributed each day.
In October we sent $1,482 to the Saint Vincent de Paul Society the Our Lady of Grace Conference. They work with people who need assistance with food, clothing, furniture, household goods, indigent burials, and utility bills. Their phone numbers are: Emergency Help 412-279-7070 and for Food 412 200-2244.
BEREAVEVEMENT MINISTRY
Our Ladies of Charity, led by Mary Jo O’Malley, minster to families of our deceased parishioners through visitations to the funeral home during calling hours and by serving catered luncheons in Capistran Hall after the funerals. We also pray the Rosary before the funeral or memorial Masses. Thanks to our office staff who help us with the communications with the families.
ALL SOULS DAY RECEPTION
On All Souls Day, November 2, 2013, we provided an after Mass reception for all the families of those who had died in the previous year. Last year we invited 25 people for breakfast.
SPECIAL THANKS
Special thanks go out to our anonymous donors who give to us through United Way Allegheny. We continuously receive your donations. You help us to help others.
THANK YOU!
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Each June when our parish offers the Sacrament of the Sick at a daily Mass, our Ladies of Charity provide a breakfast for those attending and their families after the Mass. This year the Mass was held on June 12, 2013. Thanks to all who helped in preparation, serving and clean up.
SING-ALONG
On the third Monday of the month our Ladies of Charity, along with family and friends, go to the Kane Regional Nursing Center in Scott Township. Led by Sara Balzarini, the group meets with the residents of the 2nd floor at 2:00 pm. where everyone is happy to sing favorite songs together. We always welcome new volunteers. We will take a summer break in July and August. Call Sara at 412 221-8205.
CHRISTMAS PROJECT
Our last Christmas project was helping three families with clothing, gifts for the children and grocery store gift cards. We also had donations of skin care products for the Moms. Thanks to Loretta Vancko for leading us again with our Christmas project.
COLLABORATING WITH THE FAITH FORMATION LEARNERS
During the month of January our Ladies of Charity collaborated with the Faith Formation Learners of Saint John Capistran by collecting goods for the people who are served by the Little Sisters of the Poor. We collected soap, body wash, paper products, office supplies, oatmeal, coffee, canned food, bacon and Giant Eagle gift cards. We were happily surprised by the number of people who donated bacon.
PRAYER CHAIN
Our Ladies of Charity, which is a group of forty women, are willing to pray for you and your families. Let us know your prayer intentions. We are happy to pray for you and those you love. Please call Phyllis Tomko, president, at 412 833-7822.
NEW MEMBERS
An official welcome to Georgeanne Regan and Jean Shuler who were invested in the Ladies of Charity of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. They attended Mass at Saint Paul Cathedral on March 23, 2013. After Mass they went to lunch at the home of Joanne Fibbi. In all ten Ladies of Charity went to Mass and enjoyed lunch together. Thanks, Joanne.
OUTREACH TO THE HOMEBOUND
For people of our parish who have an extended illness, may be home-bound, or in a nursing home, we are happy to send greeting cards. Also we can drop by for a social visit. Thanks to Bill Barry and Denise DeCapria for letting people know that we care about them. Anyone who would enjoy receiving cards or a social visit, please call Linda Boord at 412 221-4564. Recently we were able to help some families with meals while they were experiencing extended illnesses. If you would like assistance with meals please call Phyllis Tomko at 412 833-7822.
THOSE WE HAVE HELPED
We have helped individual families in need, the Saint Winifred Food Pantry, the Ladies of Charity of Saint John Vianney Red Door lunches, the Holy Spirit Mission in the Dominican Republic with Father Don McEachin, FOR Community Center in McKees Rocks, Operation Safety Net in downtown Pittsburgh, the Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh, and Catholic Charities Free Health Care Center in downtown Pittsburgh. We appreciate the continued support of our parish community so that we can serve, rather than be served, in humility, simplicity and charity.