Our Ministries and Activities: 

• Ministry to the Sick or Homebound: Cards, visitation, phone calls
• VA Ministry Visitations
• Ministry of Prayer
• Sew Baptismal Shawls for Babies
• Bethlehem Haven: Prepare monthly lunches, collect toiletries, donate to "Safe At Home" program
• Hosting Coffee and Donut Sunday
• Assist at Annual Anointing Mass
• Assist Mass of Remembrance
• Winter Coat and Apparel Drive
• Assisting with Food Related Ministries
• Collect for, Assemble, Distribute Blizzard Bags
• Assist with the Parish Picnic
• Collection of Used Blankets, Towels, for Humane Society
• Winter Coat and Sweater Drive
• Praying for the Unclaimed Souls of the Dead at Calvary Cemetery

For more detailed information on our ministries, feel free to contact us. We would love to talk with you on how we reach out to our local community!

Our History

The idea to begin the Ladies of Charity came to St. Vincent de Paul when he was pastor at Chatillon-les-Dombes in the Diocese of Lyons, France. Before mass on a Sunday in August 1617, a parishioner told him of a family living on a farm close by that had become ill and were in dire need. St. Vincent de Paul was so affected by the recounting of their suffering, and he told the story with such feeling to his congregation, that many went to the family with food and other necessities. After Vespers, St. Vincent went to the farm and there he saw the abundance of provisions donated in response to his appeal. He realized the efficacy of his words, but he noticed that, “This poor family will have too many provisions at one time and some of them will be spoiled and wasted; in a short time these persons will be reduced to their former state of need. Would it not be possible to convince these good women to give themselves to God to serve the poor permanently?” A few days later, he assembled several women of the parish and suggested to them they band together to carry out this good work. They agreed. He outlined rules, which were approved by the Archbishop of Lyons. This resulted in the formation of the first association of the Ladies of Charity. It was canonically approved on December 8, 1617 on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Hence the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is the patron feast day of Ladies of Charity.

Our Mission Statement

Our mission is to continue, expand and improve our charitable and spiritual works through personal service and to those in need. We also work to share ideas and information among other Ladies of Charity associations in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. We try to nurture communication and collaboration with other branches of the Vincentian family and foster vital links with the International Association of Charities in service to sister associations worldwide in their efforts to respond to unmet needs.