Religious Education and Youth Ministry
Christ The Divine Teacher Catholic Academy (CDTCA)
Last Update:
Sunday, 17-Aug-2008 23:13:20 EDT
In addition to the Parish Pastoral Council there are other ministries and organizations that enhance the spiritual and temporal life of the parish. All parishioners are invited and encouraged to participate.
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The ministry of adult education at St. Scholastica seeks to promote our growth as a Catholic Christian community by reflecting together on our faith and how we practice it. Adult education at St. Scholastica includes speakers, discussion groups, Scripture studies, and workshops. We also maintain a parish library of materials relevant to our mission.
ADVOCATE FOR DISABILITIES
The parish advocate provides support, information and resources for people with any type of disability and has helped to make Saint Scholastica church accessible for the disabled.
ALTAR SERVERS
Boys and girls from the 5th to 12th grade serve at Masses on weekends and Holydays, and at funerals and weddings.
AQUINAS GUILD
The Aquinas Guild, the woman's organization of the parish, has been a vital part of St. Scholastica's for more than 45 years. Members come together to hear interesting speakers, to make new friends and to enrich their spiritual lives. The Guild holds an annual benefit luncheon, The Autumn Song, to help fund parish and community programs and activities. It also sponsors a Lenten Day of Reflection that is open to both men and woman of the parish. Monthly meetings are held between September and May, generally on the third Wednesday.
BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY
This outreach group of volunteers along with the Director of Music and Bereavement Ministries visits the family of the deceased, helps prepare the funeral service, delivers a basket of food to the family, joins the pastor at the funeral home for prayers/rosary service and the funeral service. This group of people has also formed a choir to sing at funerals, as well as hospitality ministers to be present at funeral luncheons held at the Pastoral Center.
CATHECHIST PARENTS ASSOCIATION (CPA)
The purpose of CPA is to enhance communication between the Religious Education Director, catechists, parents, Parish Pastoral Council and the parish; retain catechists and improve the classroom environment; implement databases for RE students/parents and catechists; recruit volunteers and encourage certification of catechists.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY
The purpose of Children’s Liturgy is to offer the children of the parish an understanding of the weekly Gospel readings at their level of development.
CHRIST THE DIVINE TEACHER CATHOLIC ACADEMY (CDTCA)
A Catholic Elementary School education (K – 8) is available to children who desire a quality education, a Christian atmosphere, formation in the Catholic faith, and wonderful technological, cultural, social, and religious experiences.
The local Catholic churches (St. Edward, Blawnox; St. Joseph, O’Hara Township; The Catholic Community of Sharpsburg; and St. Scholastica Parish, Aspinwall), collaborate in operating and financing this regional school. Website: http://www.cdtcatholicacademy.org/
COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
The Community Committee is charged with bringing together all members of the Parish in order to build a sense of fellowship in the Parish. There are many important aspects to this committee from planning Parish functions to bringing parishioners together to assist in every aspect of Parish life, including the annual parish picnic and appreciation luncheons for Parish volunteers.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Education Committee is to concern itself with efforts to ensure the ongoing education and formation of parishioners of all ages in the faith and teachings of the Catholic Church.
ELEMENTARY RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Elementary Religious Education is a religious education program for elementary school children, kindergarten through grade 8, who attend public or private school. Preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation are part of the religious education program.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Men and women of the parish are invited to participate in a shared leadership role in helping the pastor develop annual parish budgets, and in advising him in the temporal affairs of the parish.
LECTORS
Lectors read the Scriptural passages at Mass, as well as the General Intercessions.
MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION
Men and women distribute Holy Communion at weekend Masses, Holyday Masses and daily Mass. Some of the Eucharistic Ministers take communion to homebound parishioners and parishioners in hospitals and nursing homes.
MINISTRY OF PRAISE
Parishioners volunteer to pray at home for Parish needs and parishioner requests. A list is sent to them every two months. If you would like to join this group, please notify the rectory.
MOMS UPLIFTING MOMS (MUMS)
The purpose of MUMS is to enable mothers of young children to gather on a regular basis for scripture service. Babysitting is provided by volunteers.
MUSIC MINISTRY
PARISH OUTREACH
This ministry addresses the needs of people in the parish and in the wider community-especially the poor-and identifies resources to meet those needs by enlisting the active cooperation of parishioners. Some of the outreach includes bringing Holy Communion to sick or homebound
parishioners and to the Catholic patients at UPMC St. Margaret Hospital, collecting food at Thanksgiving for the Little Sisters of the Poor, coordinating the Christmas gift project for needy children, and partnering with Catholics in a developing area outside the United States.
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
A president, vice-president, secretary, and five standing committees (Community Committee, Worship and Prayer Committee, Education Committee, Service Committee, and Administering Committee) constitute the Parish Pastoral Council which develops plans of action to fulfill the mission and vision of the parish.
RESPECT LIFE COMMITTEE
This committee meets monthly, serving the parish through education, projects and services on issues relating to the sanctity of human life. An annual bus is sponsored to the January March for Life in Washington, D.C. The committee cooperates with the Diocesan Social Awareness Office and is part of a Pro-Life Cluster of local churches.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS (RCIA)
The R.C.I.A. process sees to the needs of adults who wish to become Catholic. Contact Fr. Robert Duch at 412-781-0186 ext 14.
SAINT MONICA SOCIETY
The St. Monica Society was formed to pray for and reach out to families and parishioners who no longer worship with us. The group meets monthly on the first Saturday at 9:30 am to pray to the Holy Spirit, ask for the intercession of St. Monica and her son, St. Augustine, and to study and discuss ways to reach out to and welcome others.
SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
Men and women of this charitable organization visit parishioners at home, hospitals, and nursing homes. They also provide assistance (food, clothing, etc.) to people in need. Funds are raised through the voluntary contributions of the faithful to the “poor boxes” located at the doors of the church.
USHERS/GREETERS
Ushers/Greeters assist at all weekend and Holyday Masses by welcoming and seating worshipers, taking up the collection, and directing the congregation when receiving Holy Communion.
WELCOMING COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Welcoming Committee is to reach out to new parish members and encourage them to take an active role in the parish. Welcome receptions for new parishioners are held throughout the year. The Welcoming Committee also corresponds with and provides information about St. Scholastica Parish to the new parishioners.
WORSHIP AND PRAYER COMMITTEE
The Worship and Prayer committee is responsible for scheduling and organizing liturgical celebrations and programs throughout the year, including the Advent wreath lighting, Holy Thursday foot-washing, Eucharistic adoration during the Feast of Christ the King and Holy Thursday, the Living Rosary during the Marian Service, May Crowning, Mass at Pentecost, and Greeters. The committee also promotes and advertises prayer and worship experiences. The committee also is actively involved in the recruitment and continuing education of Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Ushers, Cantors, Choir Members, Children’s Liturgy of the Word Volunteers and Worship Committee Members. A significant element of the Committee’s mission is to encourage parishioner participation and the sharing of your gifts, talents and faith with the larger parish community. The Committee’s present long-range goal is to encourage hospitality in the liturgical setting.
YOUTH MINISTRY
The Youth Ministry's mission is to help and encourage teens to build a lasting relationship with Christ, reinforcing that faith growth does not end with Confirmation. The focus of the program is the development of Christian values and leadership skills through a variety of activities that include worship, Bible study, community service, fellowship and sports. Activities are also made available for elementary and middle school-aged children.