Our Lady of Charity Parish

Committees & Societies

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There are many ways for you to connect within our parish. We invite you to discover the gatherings or groups that you would most enjoy that will help you grow in your faith life.

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Parish Council

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Our Parish Council provides lay participation in advising the pastor and Trustees as to the policies and practices for management of the parish and maintenance of parish assets. The Parish Council welcomes applicants in March and April. New Council members are chosen at a designated Mass on Pentecost Sunday, selected by the Holy Spirit. Each member serves a three-year term. The Council meets the 4th Monday of the month at 7pm.

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Committees

 

Spiritual Life -  The Spiritual Life Committee meets the 1st Wednesday of the month (except in July & August) at 7pm.

 

Liturgy - The Liturgy Committee is involved in the growth and celebrations of our faith. It includes all aspects of worship: coordination of lectors, music, ushers, servers, Eucharistic ministers, and assisting in the preparation and interpretation of special services throughout the year to enrich the spiritual growth and meaning to parishioners. They are also responsible for decorating the church for all liturgical and seasonal celebrations.  The committee also oversees the Giving Tree project at Christmas. The Liturgy committee meets the 1st Monday of the month in the rectory meeting room at the St. Ambrose worship site.

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Development - The Development Committee oversees those efforts that advance the community, especially publicity and fund raising, including the two major fundraisers of our parish: the Irish Sweepstakes and Summerfest. Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks, so watch the bulletin for information.

 

• Irish Sweepstakes takes place in March and ticket sales begin the weekend after Thanksgiving.

• Summerfest usually takes place the last Friday & Saturday of July. Meetings are held throughout the year, increasingly in May, June and July, and help is needed in several categories.

 

Buildings & Grounds - The Buildings & Grounds Committee supports the Parish’s operational maintenance activities, recommends additional equipment and supplies, administers, coordinates and monitors all physical improvements, construction, major repairs or expansion to the parish buildings and grounds, oversees the scheduling of the site of activities in various parish venues and advises on security issues for the parish. The committee currently meets quarterly on a Tuesday at 7pm in the rectory meeting room.

 

The Garden Club members volunteer to work around the gardens from May through September at the St. Ambrose site planting, cultivating, and weeding as necessary to keep the church grounds beautifully inviting.

 

Finance - The Finance Committee monitors the Parish income and expenses, develops an annual budget, prepares fiscal reports and makes recommendations to the Parish Council regarding financial matters.

 

Social Action - The Social Action Committee attempts to place itself constantly in the service of other socially oriented groups in the community. Members are urged to keep abreast of social problems (i.e. questions of peace and justice, local and global issues, the poor and the elderly) so that they may articulate the message of Jesus in our community. The long-range objective is to affect the conscience of the total community and bring about constructive and positive actions. Some of the Social Action committee’s activities include the Thanksgiving food drive,  and the care packages sent to elderly and also to our service men and women. The Social Action committee meets as needed, please see the bulletin.

 

Societies

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Altar Rosary - The Altar Rosary Society “is an international association of the faithful that exists ‘to praise and honor the Blessed Virgin Mary and to secure her patronage by the recitation of the Rosary for the mutual spiritual benefit of all the members throughout the world.’ Each week, countless thousands of members pray the Holy Rosary and include each other’s intentions in their prayers. The first Rosary Confraternity was established in the 1470s through the zealous preaching of the Rosary by Blessed Alan de la Roche, O.P” (The Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary website). Our Lady of Charity’s society meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7pm at Maguire Hall.

 

Holy Name - The Holy Name Society is for men age 18 and older who gather for fellowship and special fundraising for the parish. Their mission is to perform works of the Spirit through service and social gathering. According to National Association of the Holy Name Society’s website, “The Confraternity of the Most Holy Names of God and Jesus (Holy Name Society) promotes reverence for the Sacred Names of God and Jesus Christ, obedience and loyalty to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, and the personal sanctification and holiness of its members. Members are called to contribute to the evangelization mission of the Church and to make perpetual acts of reverence and love for our Lord and Savior.”

The group meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7pm at Maguire Hall.

 

St. Vincent DePaul - St. Vincent DePaul society is one of the arms of the Diocesan St. Vincent DePaul society which “…is the oldest continuously active charity in Western New York. Since 1847 the diocesan council has been providing a variety of services and assistance to persons in need throughout Western New York. Through donations from members and non-members, the Vincentian volunteers strive to bring hope and to make a difference in people’s lives.” (from the Conference Newsletter, Winter 2012).

 

Senior groups are vital to our parish. Their mission is to enrich the lives of seniors and at the same time provide social activities. They bring older parishioners together to create or continue life-long friendships while also keeping them active in parish life.

 

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