Helping Hands
About us: Helping Hands is a charitable organization dedicated to the awareness of others’ needs and to making a difference in our parish community through the practice of the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. The group conducts parish projects such as the Christmas Angel Tree, the Annual Coat Drive, and the Meal Program, as well as raising funds to help organizations such as the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, Birthright, and Mom’s House. Members are asked to attend meetings and to be present to help with organization projects. The time commitment varies dependent on each project.
We are reaching out to: People who have a charitable nature and love helping others. Confidentiality is required, as we assist those in need.
Contact:
Christine Azar
814.242.4543
Cazar4444@gmail.com
Knights of Columbus
About us: The Knights of Columbus Msgr. James E. Fitzgibbon Chapter supports the church; builds fraternal bonds through social, religious,
educational, and athletic activities; provides comfort and assistance to the sick, disabled and needy members and their families; reaches out to meet community needs through programs of charity and service; provides financial security to members and families through an insurance program; assists with parish fish fries and reunion; coordinates gob sales after Mass and during events, and sponsors the annual Breakfast with Santa. This organization has four levels of membership with a training and educational component at each level.
We are reaching out to: Adult males in good standing in the Catholic church. We hope that all members would participate in the monthly meetings and all events, such as fundraisers and food distribution that occurs at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The time commitment averages 1.5 hours per month. Members must be at least a third degree knight to be an officer.
Contact:
Denny Gisler
814.269.3026
dolliemag@aol.com
Knights of Columbus Food Pantry
About us: The Knights of Columbus maintain and collect food and non-perishables for the food pantry on campus and provide Thanksgiving. Christmas, and Easter gift baskets to those in need. A member of the Knights of Columbus acts as the Food Pantry Chairman and is responsible for organizing and sorting the pantry and ensuring food has not yet expired. We are dedicated to helping members of our parish in need of food.
We are reaching out to: Volunteers who are able to work for two days the week before Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. We need help packing food for about an hour the first evening. The next day, we need help, in three hour shifts, distributing the food by carrying it to cars.
Contact:
Frank Czyrnik
814.266.3864
Our Lady of Grace Rosary Makers
About us: Our group is a religious ministry that makes rosaries and has great devotion to Our Blessed Mother. When making a rosary, we offer a prayer on each bead for a special intention or the intention of Our Blessed Mother. We send rosaries to hospitals, hospice, missions, the incarcerated, and our church and school. Our group receives all materials from donations from people who have already received rosaries. We also crochet and knit baby afghans, adult baptismal blankets, and lapghans for shut-ins.
We are reaching out to: Volunteers who like working with their hands or those who know how to knit or crochet. We do not hold any ongoing meetings, but we generally host a social once a year. Training takes place in the leader’s home and usually takes about an hour.
Contact:
Lynn Lubinsky
814.288.4795
lubinskyl4@gmail.com
Pro-Life Group
About us: The St. Benedict Pro-Life Group is dedicated to educating parishioners on “life issues,” from conception to natural death and getting them involved in praying for the unborn, as well as participating in pro-life activities, organizations and events, including: the Cambria and Somerset Chapter of the Citizens Concerned for Human Life (CCHL) and CCHL’s annual life chain event, the annual March for Life in Washington D.C., the Baby Bottle and Yellow Ribbon campaigns, the distribution of pro-life information within the parish and voting information, weekly prayer vigils on Franklin Street across from Planned Parenthood (3-4 p.m. Thursdays) and during the Pro-Life Holy Hour in our church (5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays), working the pro-life booth at the Cambria and Somerset County
fairs, attending the Pro-Life Federation Banquet, and writing pro-life editorials for the Tribune Democrat.
We are reaching out to: Those who avidly believe in the sanctity of all life, that life begins at conception and should already be protected under our Constitution, considers abortion and euthanasia to be intrinsically evil and would work toward the goal of ending abortion and euthanasia.
Contact:
Joe Boito
814.266.1554
Stephen Ministries
About us: Stephen Ministers are lay congregation members trained to provide one-on-one care to those experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or relocation.
Stephen Ministers come from all walks of life, but they all share a passion for bringing Christ’s love and care to people during a time of need.
Training is provided and is an engaging experience featuring a mixture of presentations, videos, group discussions, skill practice, and spiritual growth activities.
We are reaching out to: Those who are compassionate and can listen without judgement and who understand the power of prayer. Someone who would like to take a more active role in Christian caregiving and make a difference in the life of someone who is hurting. The confidentiality of those we serve is extremely important.
If you would like more information about becoming a Stephen Minister, or if you feel as though you would benefit from a Minister’s care, please contact the Rectory Office at 814-266-9718 ext 501 or Kathy Knowlton at 814-410-2303.