Social Service Ministries

Bereavement Support
The death of a loved one, whether sudden or expected, is one of life's most difficult challenges.  People grieve in different ways and in their own time.

Those grieving the death of a spouse are welcome to attend the grief support group on the 2^nd and 4^th Wednesdays each month from 1:00-2:30 in Haber Hall, on the St. Sebastian site.  Registration is not required. Jay Sperling from Anchorpoint Counseling Ministries leads the group.

Additional programs are offered throughout the year, and there are specialized resources available for circumstances such as loss by suicide. Please contact the Social Ministry office for more information.

If you are struggling in your grief, please contact the Social Ministry Office for support and referral information.

Divorced/Separated Support
Contact the Social Ministry Office for current information about support groups. Contact the parish office to talk to a priest or deacon, and to inquire about the annulment process.

Ladies of Charity
The motto of the LOC is “To serve rather than be served in humility, simplicity and charity”. Today, worldwide LOC membership represents involvement from around 54 countries, including over 6,400 U.S members that function as a united federation of Catholic women. In the Vincentian spirit, each Lady member offers her unique talents and gifts to assist in serving the spiritual and material needs of the poor, the sick and the marginalized. Ladies first assist by providing prayerful interventions.

At Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, service projects that are too numerous to comprehensively list, include Angel/Giving Tree donation oversight, shut-in visits along with holiday-themed gift deliveries, early age reading program interventions for high-risk populations, homeless shelter food preparations and distributions, and diverse donation collection efforts to assist the needy. In our ever-challenging world, by following the directives of our founder, Saint Vincent de Paul, and in the spirit of Saint Louise de Marillac and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, LOC interventions contribute to meaningful world and community-wide solutions.

OCD Support Group
This support group meets on the 2^nd and 4^th Thursday evenings each month at 7:00 in Haber Hall.  For more information, contact the Social Ministry office.

Parish Nurses
This group of medical professionals organize  the flu shot clinic offered at the parish each Fall,  CPR and First Aid training, and maintain the emergency medical kits throughout the parishes.  They offer educational opportunities of interest to the community.

Respect Life Committee
The Respect Life Program creates and sustains respect for human life at every stage of its existence and in every situation from conception until natural death.  They sponsor the bus trip to Washington DC in January for the March for Life, support the 40 Days for Life campaigns,  Respect Life Month in October, and several other collections in support of pro-life programs.   They hold an annual flower sale with the proceeds donated to organizations that offer supportive services to homeless women, children, and pregnant women.  They focus on such issues as abortion, war, the death penalty, euthanasia, elder abuse, poverty and racism. Learn more about our pro-life activities here.

St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers tangible assistance to those in need on a person-to-person basis.  Essential to the Society's work is to provide help while treating all who are served with respect, dignity, and confidentiality.  Home visits are made by the volunteer Vincentians to assess the needs and offer support.  This face to face meeting is crucial in establishing a caring relationship.  Often, assistance in the form of referrals to other agencies is provided.
 
The Food Pantry is located at the St. Sebastian campus.  Clients are approved for Food Pantry use thru the SVdP conference. If you are seeking assistance, please call the parish at 412-367-9001.
 
The Conference and the Food Pantry are always in need of volunteers and donations. Please contact the Social Ministry Office for more information.

Spark of Hope
The Spark of Hope Program collects and distributes food to local food banks and soup kitchens throughout the North Hills.  Beginning as an outreach from the St. Sebastian St. Vincent de Paul, the Spark of Hope has evolved into an interdenominational Christian  organization serving the North Hills and North Side of Pittsburgh. Six mornings per week, the SOH volunteers collect food from local supermarkets and distribute to local food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters.