Altar Servers: Young men and women in fourth grade and older assist in serving Mass on Sundays, Holy Days, funerals and weddings. Children attending Assumption School also serve the 8:00 and 11:00 am weekday masses.
Art and Seasonal Planning: This group is concerned with our worship environment. Members are involved in preparing the environment for worship, especially for the celebration of the various seasons of the liturgical year.
Assumption Parent / Teacher Guild (APTG): The APTG was formed in 1990 and is made up of school staff and parents of the Assumption students. They sponsor school assemblies, family activities, and other enrichment events for the school community. If interested, call the school at 412-761-7887.
Assumption School: For almost 100 years, Assumption School has offered Catholic education for children in grades kindergarten (full or half-day option) through grade eight. We provide small class sizes with individual attention, an outstanding academic curriculum, religious formation, financial assistance, a positive environment to learn and grow, an after-school program until 6:00 p.m. and more. Call us if you are interested in faith, family, and formation for your child: 412-761-7887 or view the website at www.assumptionschool.org.
Primary email contact is inquiry@assumptionchurch.org.
Assumption Theater Guild (ATG): This is a musical theatre group comprised of parishioners and non-parishioners. The ATG usually presents one production a year.
Being Reached: Assumption’s Network of Christian Hospitality (BRANCH): BRANCH was formed to welcome all new parishioners to Assumption, to give them information and answer any questions about the parish. They also sponsor donut specials throughout the year.
Blood Drives: Our parish hosts two blood drives each year. Volunteer donors are requested each time.
Breakfast with Santa: This is an annual event for the children of our parish and their parents. It includes a photo with Santa, a gift for each child, and entertainment.
Bridal Coordinators: This group helps to coordinate wedding ceremonies held at Assumption. The Bridal Coordinator is the liaison between the engaged couple and the parish staff, and attends the wedding rehearsal as well as the wedding ceremony.
Catholic Men’s Fellowship: This group is open to men of all ages. They meet twice a month to read and discuss Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church in an effort to strengthen their faith.
CCD/Religious Education: This program provides religious education for students grades K through 8 who attend a school other than a Catholic School. Volunteers serve as catechists, catechist aides, and clerical staff.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word: On designated Sundays each month (September through May) at the 10:00 a.m. mass, children (grades K-3) are invited to participate in a special Liturgy of the Word, which is adapted to their level of understanding. This occurs in McGovern Hall. The children are led by adult and teen volunteers.
Christian Mothers / Women’s Guild (CM / WG): The CM/WG is a spiritual and social group open to all women of the parish, including non-Catholics who are married to a member of the parish. The group sponsors social and spiritual events during the year. Funds raised are donated to the parish school, Religious Education/CCD program, St. Vincent DePaul Society, and other organizations within the parish and community.
Christmas Sharing Tree: This annual project is our way of spreading the spirit of the Christmas season within and outside our parish boundaries. The Sharing Trees are placed in the sanctuary in time for the First Sunday of Advent. They are decorated with hundreds of paper angels, which represent individuals who are in need. Parishioners are invited to come forward and take an angel from the tree, buy a gift for the person named on the angel, bring the gift back to the church, and volunteers then distribute the gifts.
Communications Committee: This group publicizes parish events within and outside the parish.
Compassionate Outreach (COR): COR was formed to help parishioners through the grief process following the death of a loved one. This group also sponsors an annual Memorial Mass in November.
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EMs): Extraordinary Ministers are privileged to share in the ministry of distributing the Body and Blood of Christ at mass. Some EMs take the Eucharist to patients at Suburban General Hospital; some EMs take the Eucharist to members of our parish family who are shut-ins.
Feeding the Homeless: On the fourth Sunday of each month, volunteers from this committee prepare and serve the evening meal for residents of a local homeless shelter. Volunteers may participate as many or as few Sundays per year as their schedule allows.
Fish Fry: Each year during Lent the famous Assumption Fish Fry is up and running! The Fish Fry, which is held in McGovern Hall, begins on Ash Wednesday and continues on the Fridays of Lent—except for Good Friday. Lots of ways to help and have fun!
Golf League / Golf Outing: The league runs May through September with a golf outing at the end of the season. It is open to any adult member of the parish (16 and older) at any skill level.
Hospitality Ministers: These parishioners welcome the worshipping community to our liturgical celebrations, especially the Saturday evening and Sunday masses, and are responsible for the Offertory Collection at Mass. This ministry combines the tasks of Greeters and Ushers.
Hospital Visitors: Hospital volunteers visit the Catholic patients at Suburban General Hospital and make them aware of Assumption’s loving concern for them. Some Hospital Volunteers also take Eucharist to Catholic patients.
Ladies of Charity (LOC): These women assist parishioners with special needs by visiting them, helping with light cleaning, providing transportation to the store or doctor, or other ways in which they need help. They also visit members of our parish family who reside in nursing homes or personal care homes.
Lectors: Lectors are members of our parish community who proclaim the Word of God during liturgies. Participation in this ministry requires the ability to read well and a comfort with proclaiming the Word in front of the worshipping community. It is both a privilege and an honor to provide this service to the people of Assumption.
Moms and Tots Playgroup: Parents of pre-school children (including babies) meet twice a month in the morning in the R.C.I.A. room of Assumption School. This group is primarily a social group, which provides an opportunity for parents to connect and offer support to each other, as well as an opportunity for the children to play together. Call the school office at 412-787-7887 for more information.
Music Ministry:
Adult Choir (High School Students and Adults)
Membership in the parish choir is open to high school students (grades 9 – 12) and adults. Potential members must arrange for an audition with the director of music ministries. Previous choral experience is preferred, but not requires. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., September through May. In addition to singing for the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass each week, the Assumption Choir offers sacred music programs throughout the year.
Children’s Choir (Grades 3 – 8)
Member ship in children’s choir is open to students attending Assumption School, public school, and home-schooled students. All students must audition for the director of student ministries, usually in September. Rehearsals are held on Wednesdays from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m. for Assumption School students and from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. for public school and home-schooled students. The students usually sing twice a month for Sunday Mass, from September until May, as well as for a special Christmas Concert in December.
Ministry of Cantor: This is a parish ministry requiring specific skills. Cantors are qualified vocalists who lead the assembly in its song and prayer. Part of the cantor’s liturgical art includes proclamation of the Word during the singing of the Psalms. Music reading is preferred, and an audition with the director of music ministry is required.
Parish Health Ministry: This is a combined ministry with members from Sacred Heart Parish in Emsworth as well as St. Mary’s Parish in Glenfield. This group offers programs designed to improve or maintain the health of parishioners—i.e. Blood Pressure Screenings, “Vial of Life” program, and speakers on relevant health topics.
Parish Life Committee: This is a committee whose members would help promote fellowship with our parish community by helping to provide various social gatherings throughout the year. This group would help organize the annual Parish Picnic and events like Breakfast with Santa. Members are not required to participate in all social events, but may choose those that fit their schedules.
Parish Festival: The Assumption Parish Festival is a major parish and community activity. It is always held during the week in August when the Feast of the Assumption occurs, although preparation for the festival begins several weeks earlier. Committees include planning, grounds crew, sound and communications, publicity, volunteers, refreshments, etc.
Parish Pastoral Council: This group serves as an advisor board to the pastor; they are also charged with implementing the Parish Strategic Plan.
Parish Picnic: This annual day of parish family fun is held at the end of summer. Food, drinks, games, music—it’s a celebration for all ages!
Prayer Line: These parishioners offer prayer each day for anyone who requests this help. Prayer requests are communicated via a phone-chain, and volunteers pray within their homes.
Prayer Shawl Ministry: This group gathers twice a month to make Prayer Shawls as part of an outreach to the community. These Prayer Shawls are given to people to help comfort them in times of sadness or illness, or they may be given for times of celebration like anniversaries or the birth of a new child. Each shawl is made with prayer for the recipient. If you can knit or crochet…great! If not, there are still ways to help.
Pre-Cana: This marriage preparation program meets Diocesan requirements. It is presented by a team of married couples from the parish. Pre-Cana is offered once a year.
Respect Life Committee: This ministry promotes the sanctity of life—from conception until death—and the many threats to human life in the modern world. It provides opportunities for individuals to let their voices be heard on these issues. It promotes the annual Life Chain and the March for Life held in Washington, D.C. each year. This committee also provides transportation to Mass for elderly parishioners.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): The RCIA is a process by which adults become members of the Roman Catholic Church. It is a period of formation in the Catholic Christian life. A team of volunteers assists faith development by facilitating experiences of prayer, reflection, worship, and study.
St. Vincent DePaul Society: The men and women of this organization provide material assistance to members of our parish and our community who find themselves with special needs due to difficult life circumstances.
Taize Sung Prayer: Taize is a reflective, meditative experience of prayer offered periodically at North Boroughs Churches. Members of the Taize committee are responsible for organizing the service, as well as creating the environment for Taize. Music is also a very important part of Taize, so members with musical skills are welcome.
Vacation Bible School (VBS): VBS helps children ages 4-10 to enjoy a week of fun as they learn more about Jesus and the Bible. VBS is held in the mornings, during the last full week of June. Volunteers include catechists, aides, arts and crafts teams, a refreshment committee, a playground committee, and babysitters.
Young Adult Ministry: Young adults, ages 18-39 gather periodically for social events or service opportunities. Young adults may be single or married—with or without children.
Youth Ministry: Assumption teens (6th – 8th grades – Junior High Ministry) and (9th –12th grades – Senior High Ministry), together with a team of adults, share an integrated program consisting of educational, worship, service, and social activities.