Altar Rosary Society                                    

 

Group is open to adult women of the Parish.  The Altar Rosary Society cares for the needs, adornment and cleanliness of the sanctuary, and upkeep of vestments and altar linens.  They also promote devotion to our North American Martyrs, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha and the Blessed Mother.  Contact Jackie Dugan:  412-372-4113.

 

 

Altar Servers - Adult

 

Came into being to fill the need for funeral servers to replace using the children from school.  Another group of Adult Servers serve the daily 8:00 a.m. Monday thru Friday mass. 

Contact Katie Horvath:  412-373-1656

 

 

Altar Servers – Student                                

Boys and girls from grades four through twelve who assist the priest in the various liturgies.  Contact  Louise Corpora (scheduler): 412-373-0330.

 

 

NAM Bowling League                                  

 

Started in September 1977 as a couple’s league.  It is now a mixed league and is not limited to NAM members.  Contact Evie Welsh: 412-372-2123.

 

 

Brownies - Girl Scout Troop #360

 

Girl Scout and Brownie Troops have been present in the parish for many years.  The Woman’s Guild sponsors the troop.  Brownies and Girl Scouts give girls a place to learn, grow and experience things as a group. 

 

 

 

 

 

NAM Card Flights

 

Started with Bridge Flights when Woman’s Guild started.  The Ladies 500 Flight was added in September 1971.  Couples 500, Pinochle and Ladies Pinochle were added a few years later.  This

activity is a fundraising source for the parish. 

Pinochle and 500 Flights contact Evie Welsh: 412-372-2123 

Bridge Flight contact Marilyn Murray: 412-372-0772.

 

Catholic Daughters of the Americas

 

Catholic Daughters is the largest national organization for Catholic women 18 years of age and older.  It was founded in 1903 by the Knights of Columbus, and is organized in 42 states, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Virgin Islands, Guam and Seipan.  We are dedicated to our patroness, the Blessed Mother and our motto is Unity and Charity.  The CDA Emblem is the Cross and Crown.  They symbolize the reward promised to the faithful.  Court St. Rene #1868 in Monroeville was organized in 1961.  Over the years, money we raise from fundraisers has been used to support charities such as Veterans, Support of Seminarians, Meals on Wheels, Soup Kitchen, Disaster Support and Morality in the Media.

Contact Mary Ellen Samek: 412-372-1161 or e-mail maryellen15141@yahoo.com or Marge Samek: 412-372-1161.

 

 

CCD

 

The CCD program is concerned with the teaching of the Catholic faith to children in pre-school through grade 8 who do not attend a parochial school.   Preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation are part of the program.  It also offers faith formation to adults. 

Contact Mr. Rick Kokal

 

 

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

 

The young children grades 1-6 are taught the gospel readings on their level to enable them to participate more fully in the Liturgy of the Word and to understand God’s message. 

Contact  Floyd Guidry: 724-325-3455 or e-mail fag5810936@alltel.net.

 

 

Choir/Music Ministry

 

A group of mixed voices open to adults 16 and over.  The group strives to enhance the liturgy with appropriate, uplifting hymns and songs to inspire the congregation to pray through song.  The choir alternates singing monthly at the 10:00 and 11:30 Sunday masses.  Practice is held each Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Choir room. 

Contact Melissa Swift through the parish office.

 

 

Children’s Choir

 

All children are encouraged to join and to increase their participation in the liturgy through song and reading scriptures at the mass. 

Contact Dorinne Kinnunen: 412-373-0235 or e-mail kinnunen04@adelphia.net.

 

 

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion         

 

Lay men and women were authorized to serve as “extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion” by the instruction of the Sacred Congregation of the Sacraments as approved by Pope Paul VI in January of 1973.  Shortly after, a few men were selected to serve in this capacity for North American Martyrs Parish.  At present there are about forty parishioners, both women and men, who are commissioned as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.

 

The principal function of these women and men is to assist the Celebrant (the ordinary minister) with the distribution of Holy Communion during Sunday Mass.  In addition, they minister to the shut-ins, sick at home and in nursing homes within the Parish boundaries by taking the Eucharist to them. 

Contact Joseph Michalak 412-373-1147 or e-mail: joseph.michalak@verizon.net.

 

 

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to Forbes Hospital

(Not considered a NAM ministry)

 

Formed by Fr. Thomas McKenna, M.A., and M.Div. in the 1980's, this is a group of Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist who bring the Body of Christ and/or provide pastoral visits to the Roman Catholic patients of the East Central Deanery of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and to the adjacent Deaneries of the Diocese of Greensburg during their hospital stay.  Contact Jackie Dugan: 412-372-4113 or Sr. Monique Dietz, LLB. Catholic Chaplain: 412-858-2077.

 

 

Finance Committee

 

Finance Council was a committee until 2001 when the Diocese required a revision to an appointed council.  It is a consultative body of the Christian faithful established to advise the Pastor in matters pertaining to the financial affairs of the parish.  Membership is appointed by the Pastor and is restricted to at least three, no more than 9, practicing Catholics knowledgeable and skilled in financial matters and known for their prudent judgment. 

Contact Edward Hestin: 412-373-0575 or e-mail ehestin@hmapgh.net.

 

 

 

 

Greeters

 

A newly formed group of parishioners who extend a warm welcome to all who enter the church doors and who create a sense of community and goodwill.  They can be found working closely with the ushers before each Sunday mass.    Contact Donna White: 724-327-7408.

 

 

Historical Society

 

Organized in 2004, the Historical Society works to preserve the history of the NAM Parish School.  The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the parish school library.   School photographs are being organized, identified and displayed in acid-free scrapbooks.  Contact Laura Nicolazzo: 412-856-8074

 

 

Holy Name Society

 

Charged by the Pope 700 years ago, it was revived at NAM about 8 years ago when Fr. Murhammer became Pastor.  The purpose is to increase men’s faith in the divinity of Jesus Christ and to promote respect, honor and love for His most Holy Name. 

 

 

Ladies of Charity

 

The Ladies of Charity Organization was founded by Saint Vincent DePaul and canonically approved on December 8, 1617.  In 1629, Saint Louise de Marrillac was sent to visit the various Confraternities of Charity established by Saint Vincent. Saint Louise was proposed as a model for the Ladies of Charity at her canonization in 1934  because of her work on behalf of the poor.  The association ceased to exist at the time of the French Revolution and was revived in 1840 by Fr. Etienne, the Superior General of the Congregation of the Missions. In 1850, the community founded by Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton became affiliated with the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent DePaul. 

 

The purpose of the Ladies of Charity is to imitate the Divine Savior in visiting the poor, particularly the sick poor, and in bringing them corporal and spiritual nourishment.  TO SERVE RATHER THAN TO BE SERVED is the Motto of the Ladies of Charity.  In serving the poor, the Ladies should practice the three principal virtues of their Association; HUMILITY - Modest Sense of One’s Own Significance; SIMPLICITY - Absence of Pretentiousness; and CHARITY - The Greatest of These is Love. The group at NAM visits the sick, shut-in and elderly parishioners on a regular basis, helps with grocery shopping, provides transportation to church or doctor appointments, and can direct those with special needs to Social Service Agencies for assistance. We also assist with the REMEMBRANCE MASS held in November to remember those from our Parish who have died over the last year.  Monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the meeting room of the Parish Office.  . 

Contact Carol Powell: 412-373-3483 or email powellj@adelphia.net or Carol Koch  412-373-3025 or email cobylady@aol.com.

 

 

Lectors                                                          

 

Adult and high school men and women who assist in the liturgy by reading the Scripture passages at all Masses.  Contact John Aiken: 412-856-9111 or e-mail jaiken2@juno.com.

 

 

Life Teen

 

Life Teen is a 20-year-old international program founded in our parish in 2004 by Fr. Bud Murhammer and Patti Rotella to lead teens closer to Christ through the Eucharist.  It is open to boys and girls in grades 9 through 12.  They meet monthly for Mass and program.  They have performed several service projects in the parish and diocese. 

Contact Regis Dugan: 412-372-4113 or e-mail duggiermd@yahoo.com.

 

 

Marriage Preparation                                    {illustration available}

 

Sessions are held twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring.  The purpose is to prepare engaged couples for a Christian marriage. 

 

 

Nursery

 

Is available during the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass and came into being in January of 2004.  The nursery is for children ages 6 weeks to 3 years.  The cry room is also available in the back of the church for those who would like their children to participate in their own way. 

 

Pastoral Council

 

The purpose of the Pastoral Council is to “examine and consider all that relates to pastoral work and to offer practical conclusions on these matters so that the life and activity of the people of God be brought into greater conformity with the Gospel.”  (Pope Paul VI)

 

 

 

 

Pro-Life Group

NAM respect life committee is a member of the East Suburban respect life group comprised of neighboring parishes. The group meets bimonthly featuring pro-life speakers to address the sanctity of life and embrace issues that include abortion, the handicapped, the elderly, euthanasia and capital punishment. We have a chaplain, president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. We join in the work of the Knights of Columbus and Birthright of Pittsburgh with Project Rosebud and members provide visits and emotional support to new mothers. The Holy Name Society and respect life committee members assemble the annual (white crosses) memorial display for the unborn in October. For more information or to become a member,

please call: Paula Smith, president, at: 412-373-2076; or e-mail: jdsmith5@verizon.net.

 

 

 

PTG

 

NAM School opened in 1961 and the PTG was established soon after.  The object of this organization is the advancement of Catholic Education and the welfare of the school children of this parish.  We promote Parent-Teacher activities and strive to increase, on the part of our members, interest in educational and civic affairs. The group attempts to enhance the parents’ role in the education of the child by increasing their knowledge of education and its processes, by increasing their understanding of children, and also by providing an opportunity for parents and teachers to work together for the good of the child.

 

 

School Volunteers

 

Volunteers are currently used in our cafeteria and for various events throughout the year.  They provide support to our school program.  Members are recruited at the May P.T.G. meeting.

 Contact Mrs. Diane Fleet: 412-373-0889 or e-mail fleet@namschool.org

 

School Fundraisers

 

Known as Campaign for North American Martyrs School Committee.  Group was established in January 2004 at the request of Fr. Bud. The purpose of this group is to raise funds to offset operating expenses in the school budget.  Contact Bruce Norman: 412-372-7568 or e-mail kbnnnorman@yahoo.com or Mrs.Diane Fleet: 412-373-0889 or e-mail fleet@namschool.org

 

 

St Vincent DePaul Society

 

St. Vincent DePaul Society has been active since May 1990 at NAM.  Students at the Sorbonne in Paris founded the Society in 1833.  It has been continuously active in the Pittsburgh Diocese since 1852.  The Society offers direct person-to-person help to the poor and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam and its patron, St. Vincent DePaul. 

Contact Ron Bell: 412-856-0266 or John Lobritz: 412-373-7907.

Stitching Angels

 The Stitching Angels are N.A.M.'s newest organization for knitters, crocheters, cross-stitchers and quilters.  Beginners and experienced ladies work on layettes, lap quilts, hats and scarves for organizations such a Birthright and Operation Saftety Net.  We also make white booties to be given as gifts to the newly baptized of our parish. Contact Mary Harrill: 412-372-3181 or e-mail MEH227@aol.com

 

Ushers

 

A volunteer group of men and women who serve at the mass of their choice. We strive to make all feel welcome and to provide the logistical services needed for each Mass.   

Contact Ernie DeMunari: 412-856-1267 or Ed Hestin: 412-373-0575.

 

 

Woman’s Guild/Christian Mothers

 

The Women’s Guild is a group of adult women united socially and cooperatively to assist the spiritual and temporal development of the Parish. A secondary purpose of the organization is fundraising. An example of the fruits of these efforts is the church pipe organ. The group meets on the first Tuesday of the month starting with a 7:15 pm service followed by a short business meeting then socializing, entertainment and dessert.

Christian mothers is a group of adult women who have as their object the Christian home education of children.  The group also meets during the month of October to recite the Rosary.