The Benevolent Society is a ministry within OMPH Parish, to feed and assist those in the local communities around Ephrata. Our focus is to provide a prepackaged assortment of food every Wednesday at the OMPH Community Food Bank, located at St. Clement's Mission House, 300 West Pine Street. The group also provides some temporary emergency financial assistance for other necessities such as utility bills, rent, fuel oil, medical assistance, etc. as monies are available. The Benevolent Society's outreach is provided through your generous donations to the poor box and parishioner's depositing food items in the wooden box that is in the church narthex.
Food distributions to the community are Wednesday evenings from 5:00 to 6:30 pm.
Harry Lowe
717-733-9641
For parishioners who have had a death in the family, our Bereavement Ministers are available to offer support and guidance to you and your family in planning the funeral services. Resources, counseling and referrals are available for the bereaved. A Reception following the funeral is available upon request and is prepared by the Bereavement Ministry Team. Special requests for dietary needs can be accomodated.
Our Mission is to be a source of comfort for our parishioners at the time of death in the family.
Seasons of Hope
Seasons of Hope is a Grief Support Group led by a facilitator for anyone who may feel isolated, empty, or broken-hearted due to the loss of a loved one. Come and be nurtured by God, your faith, and others who are also mourning.
Mary Burkholder
717-733-4989
The purpose of this organization is to create awareness for the great vocation of grandparents to pass on the faith and to keep prayer at the heart of family life. The group provides encouragement, support and resources to individuals in the group. It also performs a variety of functions; sponsoring events, educational workshops, and many other functions.
Coffee Corner is a social event with coffee, drinks and donuts for the parish after the 9:00am Sunday Mass. Come, visit with old friends and meet new friends.
The Weiser Family
717-859-2765
This group of volunteers will assist the Pastor in developing various parish activities during the year with a specific goal in mind. The goal is to bring parishioners together, and to enjoy each other’s company in the Lord.
Picnics, bar-b-q’s, and dinner dances, all give our parishioners and families an opportunity to meet one another and grow in Christian fellowship. This is not necessarily a fundraising group, but a group that seeks creative ways to bring our parishioners together in community.
A few of the important dates for this group are; Married Couple’s Day, OMPH Parish Feast (Our Mother of Perpetual Help), Feast of St. Alphonsus (August 1).
CYO is a parish-based athletic program, providing opportunities for youth to grow in faith and understanding of their Church involvement in parish and diocesan life. It encompasses a comprehensive model for the total development of the individual through a six-phase approach to youth ministry: athletic, social, cultural, catechetical, service, and spiritual. As with any ministry to our parish, the three goals of a Catholic Youth Sports program are the same as enumerated in Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Ministry.
Chris Sheaffer
717-572-1160
[email protected]
WELCOME TO ALL YOUTH IN GRADES 7 TO 12!
OMPH Youth Ministry meets weekly for a variety of activities which include:
Many other opportunities for service exist in the parish, including Mass Ministry at the Saturday 5:00 pm mass as ushers, lectors, cantors, musicians, greeters, altar servers, and offertory gift bearers.
Hang out in the Bernardine Center and enjoy ping pong, foosball, mini pool, board games, beverages and snacks. Share your faith and fellowship - bring a friend, make a friend, be a friend!
Denise Duchesneau
717-859-5835 (h)
717-715-3496 (c)
[email protected]
Boys Junior Vocation Club is a group of 3rd-5th grade boys who come together on a regular basis to talk about, pray about, and recreate around the subject of vocation discernment. Even at a young age, God speaks to us, and has a plan for each one of us. Although it may take some time with much prayer to discern God's calll, nevertheless, we need to be open to the voice of God.
Girl Junior Vocation Club is a group of 3rd-5th grade girls who come together on a regular basis to talk about, pray about, and recreate around the subject of vocation discernment. Even at a young age, God speaks to us, and has a plan for each one of us. Although it may take some time with much prayer to discern God's call, nevertheless, we need to be open to the voice of God.
The Yearlings members are charitably-minded people that are dedicated and passionate about providing support for the community. Involvement in the Yearlings provides opportunity for personal growth while developing lasting personal relationships.
The Yearlings meet once a month - please call Gloria for more details.
Gloria Kreider
717-738-9098