Social service ministries provide for a range of public services that aim to create a stronger community of faith in areas of need. Volunteers find the work to be exciting and rewarding by helping others. If you would like more information about any of our ministries or programs, please contact the parish office at 724-863-9550.

Homebound Ministry

If you know of any family, neighbors, or fellow parishioners who are homebound and would like to have a Homebound Minister come to visit, please call the parish office.

If anyone is in need of the Sacrament of the Sick, please contact the parish office.

Bereavement Ministry

The church has always made the care of the grieving a priority in her ministry, beginning with the example of Jesus himself. The reference in the Beatitudes, the miraculous raising of Lazarus – all are clear expressions of the Lord’s concern for those experiencing the pain of the loss of a loved one.

At various times, the parish invites those who are struggling with the loss of a loved one to gather together for informal sessions to help with the grief process.  These sessions are designed to help assist families and individuals in their time of grieving and loss. The goal is that no member of the parish grieve alone, but each be sustained by trained parish bereavement volunteers who offer compassion and spiritual support. Those attending the sessions find it comforting to share their experience and ask questions to be able to dispose oneself to God’s healing love.  We strive to bring a spiritual presence and hope to the bereaved so that those who are mourning the death of a loved one may know the comfort of God through our parish.

Announcements will be found in the bulletin when the sessions are available.

We will also provide prayer and support to the family member(s) of deceased members of our parish and to assure them their loved one will not be forgotten and that they are not alone.

  • We will send a bereavement card from our parish family within 7-10 days following the death of a parish member to the designated family contact.
  • A follow-up card providing prayer, comfort, and support along with the date of the scheduled Month’s Mind Mass for all deceased members of the month will also be sent.
  • Contact with the family will be made to invite them to parish events (Thanksgiving Eve Mass and reception, All Soul’s Mass, etc.).
  • On behalf of our parish family, cards will be sent on the anniversary of the death, deceased’s birthday, Christmas and Easter for 5 years following the death of their loved one.
  • Committee members will attend the Funeral Mass, Month’s Mind Mass and other parish events to offer support.

Death blinds those who mourn the loss of loved ones. Help give some clearer vision of God’s love and hope to our parishioners who suffer the depth perception that grief causes.

If you would like to join our efforts please call the church office and leave your name, phone and email address. We will contact you immediately and have you give sight in the darkness of mourning for one who is in need!!

Confraternity of Christian Mothers & Ladies Guild

The objective of this ministry is the Christian home education of children as well as providing support for our fellow women of faith. Service activities include annual spiritual gifts to our parish as well as donations to the parish of needed items or vestments for our clergy.  Members can choose from a variety of interests that include prayer for the deceased members, singing at baptism masses, organizing events and so much more. Members have opportunities to be involved in other parish activities such as the Burger Bash, Fish Fry, the Parish Picnic as well as service in funeral luncheons.  In addition, we recite the rosary and have an annual mass for our deceased members.

All new members are welcome. The meeting times are announced in the bulletin.

Comfort Blanket Ministry

The Comfort Blanket Ministry is a parish project whose mission is to serve our brothers and sisters in need of prayer and comfort. The ministry depends on everyone to help decorate squares, which are incorporated into blankets. Blankets are then provided to the sick, shut-ins, deployed military personnel, and anyone in need of our support. In addition, Baptismal blankets are made and presented to the parents of the newly baptized of our faith community. For the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, our members make Beads of Courage bags. This program encourages seriously ill children by presenting beads for each procedure, day of hospital stay, and milestone of their treatment. Please contact the parish office for more information.

Servants of Divine Mercy Ministry

This is a prayer ministry for the terminally ill and dying. Members of our community experiencing a loved one at home, hospice or nursing home who is near the end of life are encouraged to contact Carol at 724-331-7186 to arrange the praying of the Chaplet for your loved one. The Servants of Divine Mercy Ministry welcome the opportunity to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at the bedside of the terminally ill and dying. The ministry will send 2 or 3 members to pray the Chaplet, which should take about 15 minutes; if it is not feasible, the patient’s name can be given and the Chaplet will be prayed from the members’ homes.

Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus is an organization of more than 1.8 million members throughout the world. Since 1882, the Knights have embodied the selflessness of man as it has helped overcome adversity in the world. The Knights are men of faith, guided not only by their belief in God and the Catholic Church but by their belief in each other and in themselves. Knights believe that a man is defined by his actions as a follower of God and as a leader in the community, believing that a man is more than simply a man when he bears the title of “Knight.”

It is through six key areas of service—faith, community, family, youth, fellowship and respect for life—that the Knights of Columbus truly make a difference.

Faith is the foundation of the Knights of Columbus. Dedicated to the Catholic Church’s growth and her good works, the Knights support religious outreach and promote vocations in an effort to strengthen the faith that unites us. The Knights are committed to building families and communities. Through fellowship, the Knights offer support to those in need, our families and our communities.

If you are interested in joining the Knights of Columbus St. Jude Council 9019, or would like to transfer to our Council, please contact Al Borgony at 724-864-3487.

Creation Care Team

creation care teamInspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si, On Care for Our Common Home”, the Immaculate Conception Creation Care Team looks to God’s magnificent creation for inspiration as we pray, discuss, and coordinate projects in which we work together to meet the Pope’s directive to care for our common home, which God has entrusted to our stewardship. From the most expansive forest to the tiniest insect, we are all God’s creatures – interdependent parts of His creation. The Creation Care Team strives to care for all of God’s living things and our earthly home, living our faith by reflecting on the many gifts God has provided to us and by taking actions to be good and faithful stewards of the abundance He has provided.

The team meets on the first Wednesday of the month from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Children’s Liturgy Room off of the church. If you would like more information or you are interested in joining the team, please email Chris Peta at chris@syncrous.com or call at 412-916-8030.

Study Guides

Shut-in Day

Each year during the Vacation Bible School, the children create gifts for our Homebound Parishioners. During December, the children in Grades 5-12 help bake and decorate cookies for them. These gifts and cookies are packed in gift bags, and families deliver the gift bags and visit the homebound.

Women of the Bible

At different times of the year, members of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers & Ladies Guild perform at various events to share their faith with others in a unique and educational way. A narration reveals the story and role of different women mentioned in the Bible. These volunteers dress in biblical costumes and lead the audience on a journey back in time.