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 Our Ministries of Care
Caring for a person who is struggling with a difficulty, being present during a time of pain, praying with someone in a crisis — these are the moments when spiritual breakthroughs and encounters with Christ occur. Ministering through a personal touch to all the faithful is important, and the responsibility of all Christians.

 Bereavement Ministry
​​"When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." The Bereavement Ministry calls together members of our St. Barbara community who are willing to dedicate their time to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. There are a variety of facets to this ministry, but each requires interaction with individuals and families who are suffering a great loss. 

Funeral Altar Servers are adult parishioners who assist the pastor during the funeral liturgy. These servers are present at the Mass or service and provide a solemn consolation to families grieving the loss of their loved one. Funeral Readers proclaim the readings during the Funeral Mass or Liturgy of the Word. The readings are selected by the family, pastor or pastoral associate, and given to the reader in advance. 

Funeral Vigil Readers must be willing to travel to the designated funeral home and proclaim the readings during the Vigil Service with the pastor. The readings are selected by the family, pastor of pastoral associate, and given to the reader in advance.  

Our community is also in need of individuals who are willing to assist with Funeral Luncheons. These volunteers assist the grieving family by making arrangements for the luncheon in the social hall following the Mass and committal. We ask that these individuals prepare the social hall, set the tables, prepare beverages, serve food and clean the social hall before departure. 

To begin service in one of these ministries, or if you have additional questions, please contact, Dawn Borger, pastoral associate at the Parish Office at 724-744-7474.

 Ministers of Care

​The parishioners of St. Barbara Parish have noted how grateful they have been that someone from their community called and volunteered to assist them in their greatest time of need.

There are no special skills for this ministry membership, but we do ask that you come with an open heart, willing hands, listening ears and an active prayer life. The required fluctuates each month as this depends on the number of volunteers. You may be requested to assist someone once a quarter. There is no set meeting schedule, but we do set up one initial meeting to discuss the specific details of the ministry itself.

For more information about this ministry or to get involved, please contact the Parish Office at 724-744-7474.

 St. Peregrine Cancer Support Group

Today, many of us walk through life either having suffered through and won a cancer battle, or journeying alongside family members, friends or acquaintances who have been effected by this horrible disease. The only requirement for membership in the St. Peregrine Cancer Support Group is individuals must have some experience relative to cancer.

By making ourselves available to those who are experiencing the disease, whether they are patients, caregivers, or family members, we hope to be able to help them through the ordeals that surround this terrible disease. We strive to provide spiritual and emotional support for the journey these individuals walk through daily, because we ourselves have experienced or are experiencing the same journey.

Member Time Commitment

We meet the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., in the Children's Liturgy of the Word room on the ground floor of the church. We do not meet during the months of June, July and August, unless we have a specific request.

Meetings begin with a short prayer service for those cancer patients we know about, and also those who have keep their situations private.

Outside of regular meetings, there is a voluntary service to help folks undergoing treatment who might need transportation or any other service we may be able to provide.

For more information about this ministry of care, or to get involved, please contact the Parish Office at 724-744-7474.