Community Service

BOY SCOUTS
There is a Cub Scout program whose purpose is to help young boys explore a wide range of activities in order to develop a good, positive self-image through the contributions they can make to the church and the community. The boys then progress to the Boy Scout program, which is very active.

GIRL SCOUTS
There is currently a Brownie and Junior Girl Scout Troop in existence at St. Therese.

WELCOMING COMMITTEE
The parish has been divided into twelve districts to facilitate the development of community spirit. The committee welcomes new parishioners and convenes the district families to determine the spiritual, service and social needs of the people. The program is intended to create a sense of community through participation and involvement in the parish. (See Appendix I)

PARISH FESTIVAL
This annual event is held on the church grounds. Food, games, music and the opportunity to help out the parish while meeting fellow parishioners makes this event one of the highlights of the year. Every parishioner is expected to participate in this fundraiser.

ST. THERESE LADIES GUILD
The St. Therese Ladies Guild was founded in 1925. The mission of this organization is to promote projects beneficial to St. Therese Church and to provide spiritual and social activities for its members. The Guild activities include:

• A bake sale during the Parish Festival
• A mass in October for all living and deceased members.
• A candlelight service during the funeral mass for a member.
• Attend mass (and receive Holy Communion) for the installation of new officers in May

Guild meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month in the Club Room.

All women parishioners are eligible for membership and a warm welcome is extended to join the Guild.

SENIOR SOCIAL CLUB
The St. Therese Senior Social Club was founded in 1978 for the purpose of involving the retired parishioners more closely with our parish family. Membership in the club is open to any parishioner 55 years of age or older. Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month, except during July and August. Light refreshments are served, followed by a business meeting and a social, spiritual or service-oriented program.

LADIES OF CHARITY
Ladies of Charity are a group of ladies motivated by personal spiritual growth with a desire to reach out to the sick or elderly in our parish community. Activities include:

• Visiting shut-ins and all ill parishioners.
• Distributing gifts at Christmas, ashes on Ash Wednesday and Holy Water at Easter.
• Sending cards to hospitalized or shut-in seniors.
• Performing errands and serving as escorts (to the elderly people living on their own) to doctor appointments, hospitals, and other necessary trips.
• Arranging and participating in anointing masses at St. Therese.

The Ladies of Charity meet once a month (usually the first Wednesday).
We extend and invitation to any interested lady of the parish to join the organization.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
Activities associated with the Society of St. Therese of Lisieux include:

• Providing financial aid to those facing hardships
• Obtaining food, clothing or household items for persons in need
• Making home and hospital visits to the needy and sick
• Arranging scholarship aid for children with limited finances
• Distributing toys at Christmas to needy children

The Society of St. Vincent DePaul of St. Therese is thankful for its parishioners who contribute to the poor boxes. The donations enable the Society to continue its work of administering to those experiencing physical, spiritual, or economical need.

FOOD PANTRY
Distributes food twice a month on the first and third Saturday.
On Thanksgiving, parishioners attending morning mass bring with them an abundant amount of non-perishable food items for the Food pantry. Thanks to the boy scouts and volunteers who sort and box all the food items.

Each recipient of the Food Pantry receives a gift certificate from the Greater Pittsburgh Food Pantry Turkey Fund for Thanksgiving.

Each recipient of the Food Pantry also receives a Giant Eagle gift certificate for the Christmas holiday from the parish.

Education

ST. THERESE SCHOOL BOARD
The School Board has twelve elected members who each serve a three-year term; the Pastor and the Principal are ex-officio members. The functions of the Board are to: develop and evaluate school policy, prepare the annual school budget, and plan and develop programs of public information.

ST. THERESE GRADE SCHOOL
St. Therese School is an elementary school (grades K-8) committed to the growth and development of the total child in a community alive with the Gospel Spirit.

Standardized test scores indicate that our students are self-disciplined, self-motivated, responsible and creative.

LITTLE FLOWER PRE-SCHOOL
Our mission is to welcome each pre-school child into a warm and caring environment, rich with experiences that will enable the child to develop physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually and spiritually.

Children three years of age attend Tuesday and Thursday from 11:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Children four years of age attend Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11:45 a.m. - 2:20 p.m. Maximum enrollment is 15 students in each session.

AFTER SCHOOL CARE
The After-School Care Program operates on school days only from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. This service is available to any school child requiring supervisory care. There is a registration fee as well as an hourly fee.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) Program provides for the religious education of public school students in grades one through eight. Children in the CCD program are prepared for and receive the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. CCD classes meet weekly and are an integral part of the child's religious development.

Grades 1 -5 Saturday - 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Grades 6 - 7- 8 Tuesday Evening 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

YOUTH MINISTRY
All youth in grades 9 through 12 are members of St. Therese Youth Ministry. Youth Ministry includes programs of religious education, social activities and spiritual development. Adult leaders share their time, energy and faith with the youth.

ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The association is responsible for the athletic program of the school and for the intramural and interscholastic programs in both boys and girls sports. They are an adjunct to the School Board.

SUMMER BIBLE SCHOOL
Summer Bible School provides an opportunity for children, three to ten years of age, to learn more about God, the church and themselves. Each day of the program brings lessons in religion, crafts and outdoor activities. Many adult and youth volunteers share their talents in this program.

R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
This is a process by which adults and children become full, active, participating members of the Catholic Church. The R.C.I.A. and R.C.I.C. programs help adults and children to grow in their relationship with God, Become familiar with Catholic teachings and practices, become acquainted with the people of the parish and involved in service within the parish community.

Many people who join the Catholic Church have already been baptized in another Christian Church. They will not be re-baptized. They will follow a process adapted to the particular needs and concerns of Christians from another faith tradition.

R.C.I.C. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children)
See above.

ADULT EDUCATION
Periodically speakers and programs are presented for the benefit of adult parishioners. Among the most successful are the ongoing courses in Bible study.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION
Marriage instruction is required for couples preparing for marriage. The Engaged Couple Program is one of the ways in which this requirement can be fulfilled. On the first Sunday of every month, everyone involved in this program attends the 9:30 AM Mass. Immediately after Mass, a presentation on a specific aspect of marriage (communication, finances, sexuality, parenting, planning the ceremony, growth in marriage) is given by married couples or other speakers. Each engaged couple entering the program is assigned to a married sponsor couple and throughout the six-month program, the two couples meet independently.

V.I.P. Club
This parents group meets during the school year and provides speakers and programs to benefit parent s and children. The fundraising events that are held directly benefit the school and thechildren. Election of officers takes place in May.

Worship/Prayer

ALTAR SERVERS
Any boy or girl in grade four or above within the parish is eligible to serve Mass and other liturgies in our parish. The potential servers should be available and willing to serve the various Masses on the weekend.

CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD
Children's Liturgy of the Word is held every Sunday during the 9:30 AM Mass. The children attend Mass with their families and then are dismissed after the Introductory Rites. They proceed to the Choir Room where they hear the Liturgy of the Word on their level. After hearing God's Word come alive for them, the children rejoin their families.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Eucharistic Ministers act in the authorized service of God. They serve others under the guidance of the Church in accordance with her directives and decrees. There are approximately 75 Eucharistic ministers who serve St. Therese Parish. Forty ministers are needed each week to minister at all the masses. Some ministers also take Eucharist to shut-ins who are unable to attend Mass.

LECTORS
The Lector is entrusted with the crucial task of making the Word of God come alive by proclaiming it for the Christian assembly. This ministry provides proclaimers at all weekend, weekday, and other special liturgical celebrations throughout the year. Ongoing training is provided for all lectors.

PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
The presentation of the gifts is made by members of the family of the person for whom the Mass is being offered or by members of the congregation. Those who will be bringing up the offertory gifts are asked to sit in the pew marked OFFERTORY GIFTS.

USHERS
Ushers assist the members of the congregation at Mass and other celebrations by seating people, taking up the collection and assisting anyone who becomes ill.

HOLY NAME SOCIETY
This confraternity of men dates back to 1274. It started to promote honor and respect for the name of Jesus. Its members exercise a variety of corporal works for mercy for parishioners. The men worship as a group at the 8:00 AM Mass on the second Sunday of each month and meet afterwards.

MUSIC MINISTRY
Music Ministry at St. Therese is a multifaceted part of the parish worship. Volunteers serve in three choirs, as cantors, and as instrumentalists. Our coordinator of Music and Liturgy is available to provide further details.

ADULT CHOIR
The Adult Choir covers a wide range of choral music geared toward enhancing worship at the 11:00 AM Mass on Sundays, holy days and special celebrations.

RESURRECTION CHOIR
This group provides music ministry at funerals. Rehearsal is conducted one half hour prior to the funeral liturgy.

CHILDREN'S CHOIR
There are opportunities for children from the third grade and above to enhance worship at 9:30 Mass.

Meeting Rooms