The Community Life Committee promotes the celebration of life and community in our parish and enables parishioners to look to the church as an option for their social relationships. It helps to bring parishioners together in celebration and recreation, strengthening the social bonds among them and building on the foundation of an active parish community

Sunday Morning Fellowship

Following Mass on Sunday morning, baked goods, coffee, and juice are provided for parishioners, family members, guests, and visitors.  It is an excellent opportunity for us to get to know each other and a great way to meet new parishioners.  Children attending CCD classes enjoy something to eat before attending class, and parents waiting during CCD classes can relax with a cup of coffee and pastry.   Helpers are needed before Mass (around 7:30 am) to make coffee, cut and arrange the baked goods, set up the buffet table, etc.  And, plenty of hands are needed for clean-up duty.  If you are one of us who enjoys the “goodies” and fellowship, please consider helping with this activity.

Bereavement Meals

The Parish provides a bereavement meal for family members, friends, and other guests following the Funeral Mass or Memorial Service for a parishioner or a family member.  Usually, these take place mid-morning or early afternoon on a weekday.  Parishioners are generally asked to help by preparing hot food, salads, and desserts.  The Committee is responsible for coordinating, organizing, and setting up the meal as well as cleaning up afterward.  It takes many helpers for these events.

Parish Picnic

The annual Parish Picnic is a great way for all parishioners to come together for a day of fun for both adults and children.  Hamburgers, hot dogs, and beverages are provided by the Parish, and parishioners are asked to bring side dishes and desserts.  Individuals are needed to help with shopping before the picnic and setting up, cooking, and cleaning up the day of the picnic.  Volunteers are also needed to organize activities for the children and to monitor those activities during the picnic.

Special Events

Special Events are just that, Special Events, such as the celebration for Father McNally’s 25th Ordination Anniversary or Bishop Di Lorenzo’s visit and luncheon.  These can be held during the week or on the weekend, during the day or in the evening.  Volunteers will be contacted and a coordinator named whenever events are scheduled.

Social Events

We are trying to schedule fun events “as often as possible” to encourage community trust and to build an active church.  Some of our events have included Truck and Treat in October and Tailgate Party in January for the Super Bowl.

New Parishioner Welcome and Orientation

This is a new subcommittee being formed to make new parishioners feel welcome and to get them involved in Parish activities and programs.  We would like to have volunteers from various family structures (retirees, parents with younger children, parents with teens, etc.).  The idea is to match the new parishioners with similar circumstance or interests.  Once we have a pool of volunteers, the subcommittee will get together to discuss ideas on how the program should be set up and what actions should be included.  This is a vitally important program for Parish growth and retention of members.  Please consider volunteering for this program.

Please contact the following with any questions.

Susan Odasz, 540-520-4668 (c) and ssw13@juno.com

Sunny Franco 610-220-8326 (c) and sunny.franco10@yahoo.com