President's Letter, April 2025

My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ and our patrons, Saints Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac, and Elizabeth Ann Seton, we are halfway through the Lenten season at this writing.  There is still time to ‘regroup’, if you will, and commit to make the most of the next several weeks.  We can pray more often, give of our time and talents to do God’s work in this secular world and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Ladies, I wish you all a rekindling of your faith in these remaining weeks of Lent.  Have a very Happy Easter.

Easter Renewal Prayer

(from prayray.com)

Lord, we ask for your grace, to renew our minds and hearts this Easter. 

Help us to leave behind the things that weigh us down and to embrace the new life that you offer us.

May we be filled with hope and joy, knowing you have a plan and purpose for our lives.

Strengthen us to face the challenges and trust in your unfailing love.  In Jesus’ name.  

Amen

Officer's Meeting – Thanks to all who attended the Officer’s meeting this past Saturday.  Your donations of diapers, wipes, etc. to Catholic Charities was much appreciated.  Eden Safar, Program Director, extended her gratitude for our donation on behalf of Catholic Charities. Eden will be speaking at our Annual Meeting in August.  Julia Heim of St. Aidan Parish shared her group’s fundraising efforts.  The breakout groups were very informative.   Special thanks to Resurrection Parish LOC for hosting at St. John Capistran Church.  Well done!

Investiture –The deadline to send in the applications for membership is April 12, 2025.  The new candidate will receive a letter in the mail during the week of April 20^th.  The letter will contain an index card.  The candidate needs to complete the information on the card and bring it with her on the day of investiture.  More instructions are given in the letter. 

Diocesan Board Openings – This is the time of year that the board elects a Nominating Committee to fill open board positions.  If you are interested in joining the Diocesan Board, please call our office at 412-456-6924. I did speak to several people at the Officer’s Meeting this past weekend who were interested in serving on the board.  Someone will be in touch with you in the near future. 

The Spiritual Society of the Unclaimed Dead – If you are interested in receiving a decedent’s name, please contact Janet Stahlman via our office, 412-456-6924.

Twinning Project – Please contact our office if you think your group can benefit from financial help for any project. All requests will be kept confidential.

Social media - Sherrie Dunlap Gallagher, social media chair, updates our Facebook page regularly. Please let her know of any activities you are currently doing that she can highlight. She can be contacted at sherrie.e.dunlap@gmail.com.

Junior Ladies of Charity (JLOC) – For more information on JLOC, please contact Mary Diaddigo Rex or Hailey Innocenzo Dube’ or call the LOC office at 412-456-6924.

Nursing Home Network – Please remember that if you have someone that is going to a nursing home outside of your area to contact Cindy Smith so that she can reach out to the local Ladies of Charity to visit.

501(C)(3) – Below is the updated distribution information for the quarterly submission of Treasurer Reports and Bank Statements. The December 2024, January & February 2025 information is due by 3/15/2025. Updated sales tax exemption forms are available by contacting Judy Weismann at weismann2@comcast.net.

DeMarillac Newsletter – It’s always great to see what other organizations are doing. Please remember to email any articles to Peggy Keene or mail them to our office at the address at the top of this letter. A picture is worth a thousand words so a picture or two of the events is welcome. 

April 2025 Rosary Intention - For Christian families - that they will sanctify Christ as Lord in their hearts and homes.

Prayer to the Vincentian Family

Lord Jesus, you who willed to become poor, gives us eyes and a heart directed to the poor. Help us to recognize you in them in their thirst, their hunger, their loneliness, their misfortune. Enkindle within our Vincentian Family unity, simplicity, humility, and the fire of love that burned in St. Vincent DePaul. Strengthen us so that faithful to the practice of these virtues, we may contemplate you and serve you in the person of the poor and may one day be united with you and them in your kingdom. Amen.

Mark your Calendars

• May 18, 2025 – Investiture (2:30 PM Mass @ St. Paul Cathedral)
• August 16, 2025 – Annual Meeting at Sts. Martha & Mary Parish (St. Richard Church, Dickey Road)
• September 11-13, 2025 – National Assembly in Bethesda, Maryland

Miscellaneous Information

• Pittsburgh Website: locpittsburgh.org
• LCUSA Website: aic.ladiesofcharity.us
• Vincentian Family:  http://famvin.org
• FACEBOOK:  Ladies of Charity USA, Association of Ladies of Charity Diocese of Pittsburgh

If you have questions or suggestions, please call and leave a message with the LOC office at 412-456-6924.

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In the Vincentian Spirit,
Karen Tomaszewski, President
Association of the Ladies of Charity, Diocese of Pittsburgh