Holy Spirit Parish at 608 Farragut Street, Millvale, PA 15209 US - Get Involved in one of the following Ministries at Holy Spirit Parish

Pastoral Council
 A true pastoral council challenges the government model with a gospel model focused on continuing the mission of Jesus Christ in our time and place. [This]…is a new and different approach to [past] leadership ministry. Instead of listening to committee reports, pastors and council members keep their eyes on the future. After consultation with the parish at large, the council prepares a plan that will move the parish forward in areas of pastoral need. The annual parish plan consisting of goals and objectives is affirmed and implemented by the parish. The plan becomes the focus and guide for new parish activity year by year.     /     Ultimately, the visioning and planning ministry of pastoral council leaders is the hallmark moment of clergy and laity collaboration at the parish level. Echoing the spirit of Vatican II the pastoral council provides a process for collaboration around a mission motivated task, namely, to monitor the quality of the pastoral dimension of parish life. If pastors and parish leaders remain diligent to this task, the result is the on-going renewal of the parish.     /     One major change…is that there will not be an “election” of pastoral council members. Rather, the “selection process” for the Parish Pastoral Council is guided by the discernment of gifts needed for this important leadership ministry. The first step in discerning one’s call to the important leadership ministry of the Parish Pastoral Council is to know what the expectations are.

Christian Mothers
This is a group of women that consists not only of women who are mothers but women who are married and unmarried.  All adult women are welcome to join.
The Holy Spirit Christian Mothers are very active.  Some of the many activities that they participate in and sponsor are the annual Parish Festival, Picnic, craft nights, presentation of bibles to CCD students, assisting with food drives and sponsoring a Seder Meal.  Meetings are every third Monday evening following Mass and annual dues are $2.00

Holy Spirit Ushers
Any member of Holy Spirit Parish in good standing with the church, who is over the age of 19 and willing to serve as an ambassador of Holy Spirit Parish can join the Holy Spirit Ushers.  Ushers are scheduled to serve at Saturday/Sunday and Holy Day masses on a monthly basis, and are encouraged to take part in other parish activities, such as the annual Mother's Day Breakfast sponsored by the ushers, and the Church Picnic.  Ushers are expected to attend bimonthly meetings and follow the schedule, which is complied on the basis of members input.  At a typical Mass, the duties include: Opening doors before Mass; greeting people as they enter Church; assisting parishioners during Mass;asking people to present gifts at offertory time; taking up collection during Mass;checking pews after Mass for articles left behind.  The members follow the dress code and bylaws of the ushers.

St. Vincent De Paul Society
This group serves the poorest of the poor and has been in Millvale since 1940.  They respond in a confidential manner to anyones call for assistance with food vouchers or donated goods.  At Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter they deliver groceries to individual homes and Millvale's nursing homes.  Brightening the faces of children of needy families and residents of nursing homes is one of the goals of the Society.
The Society has received good financial support from the Parish poor boxes but they are in a serious need of more active members.  The small groups needs to expand to effectively serve the needy.  Inquiries or new members are welcomed and encouraged to meet with Fr. Dan Whalen to discuss this worthy society.

Music Ministry
The Adult Choir consists of men and women from the Parish.  The choir practices on Tuesday evenings and sings at the ten o'clock mass on Sundays from September through May/June.  The choir also sings at holiday Masses and other special occasions such as the Mass celebrated for Millvale Days  Members are needed and you only need to contact Mr. Terry Schiebel at the church office.

The Children's Choir consist of students from Holy Spirit School.  they practice once a week and sing at the weekly School Mass each Friday during the school year.  The children also sing at the early evening Christmas Eve Mass

The Hand-bell Choir practices once a week and performs during various Masses throughout the year along with a few special occasions outside the church.

Lectors
Lectors are responsible for reading the scriptural readings and occasionally the Responsorial psalm and Prayer of the Faithful during Mass.  Any person age 18 or older who is a member of Holy Spirit Parish can be a lector.  Contact Joann Loch for more information

Eucharistic Ministers
These parishioners are specially commissioned to administer the Holy Eucharist with the priest at Mass.  They also take Holy Communion to parishioners who are unable to attend Mass.  Any person age 18 and up who is a member in good standing with Holy Spirit can be a Eucharist Minister.  Contact Fr. Dan Whalen for more information.

Altar Servers
Boys and girls in grade 5 and up who are members of Holy Spirit Parish can become an altar server.  They are specially commissioned to assist the priest during Mass.

CCD
The CCD program consist primarily of volunteers.  CCD classes are held on Sunday Mornings from September through April for Catholic education of students in kindergarten through 8th grade who attend public school.  Volunteers are always needed to teach or to be aides.  You do not have to have a  background in education, although certification classes to teach CCD are offered at different times throughout the year at various parishes.  Contact Elaine Magill for more information.

Church Cleaning
Volunteers are always needed to help with cleaning the church building.  current cleaning helpers meet on Thursdays at 8:00AM and the more volunteers, the faster the work gets done.  If you are interested in helping, just meet a t the church.

Other Activities
The Holy Spirit Parish Festival and raffle is held annually each summer in the parish churchyard.  It is the single most important fund raiser in that it helps to support both the church and school.  The Festival planning committee holds meetings months before the event and is always looking for volunteers to help with planning and running the event.

A parish picnic is held annually each summer.  ALL members of Holy Spirit are invited to come and enjoy good food and fun as well as a chance to socialize with other members of the parish.  Volunteers are always needed to help plan and run the event.

Bingo is held every Wednesday in the Holy Spirit Lyceum with early birds starting at 6:45pm.  Volunteers and donations of bake goods are always needed and welcomed.