Social Concerns & Outreach
The Mission for Social Concerns and Outreach is a dynamic response to the Church’s call to address the issues
and social concerns of our times. This Mission must challenge the institutions in our society to change when
necessary in order that the dignity and rights of each person may be preserved. The seven key themes are at the
heart of our Catholic social tradition and should be an integral part of this mission: Life and Dignity of the
Human Person; Call to Family, Community and Participation; Rights and Responsibilities; Option for the Poor
and Vulnerable; The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers; Solidarity; and Care for God’s Creation
Bereavement & Consolation Ministry
Holy Guardian Angels Parish is forming a Bereavement and Consolation ministry to offer hope and walk with those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. This ministry is based upon the Diocese of Allentown Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved model. It is a confidential, compassionate, and listening ministry.
If you feel called to assist in this ministry, please contact us by email at bereavementministry@hgaparish.com or call
610-921-2729 for more information. No prior experience or specific background is required. We will provide the necessary training and materials. Please prayerfully consider joining us in this ministry!
Communion Calls
Any shut-in parishioner who would like a monthly visit with Holy Communion
should call the Rectory at 610-921-2729 to be added to the Communion Call List.
Culture of Life Group
The Culture of Life Group proclaims that human life is a precious gift from God; that each person who receives this gift has responsibilities toward God, self and others; and that society, through its laws and social institutions, must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence. For more information about the Culture of Life Group, please contact Julie Hartman at 610-698-0046 or email juliehartman80@gmail.com.
EMHC for Homebound
When illness (even temporary) or advanced age restricts you from attending Mass, you may wish to receive Holy Communion at home weekly. The priests of HGA and Extraordinary Ministers can bring Communion to our homebound parishioners. For more information, contact the Rectory Office at
610-921-2729, ext. 2200.
Emergency Requests for the Sacrament of the Sick or Anointing of the Sick, should be made by calling the Rectory Office at 610-921-2729 and selecting Option 8.
Hospital and Hombound Ministry
Pastoral Care at Holy Guardian Angels focuses on visiting parishioners who have become
sick, have had an accident in the short term, or due to age or illness in the long term, and can
no longer come, worship, and pray with their church community regularly. This ministry is here to inform and respond to Holy Guardian Angels Parishioners in times of spiritual, social, and
emotional needs through the established Outreach and Pastoral Ministries of the Parish.
You or your loved one must notify Holy Guardian Angels Parish that you have been admitted.
HIPAA regulations prevent institutions from telling churches when a member is admitted.
Please call the Rectory Office at 610-921-2729, ext. 2200, to let us know.
Mission for Ecumenism and Interfaith Concerns
This Mission encourages unity and understanding within the Christian family, and reaches out to non-Christians who share with us a belief in God.
-
Providing opportunities for praying for and with others who share our faith in Jesus Christ
-
Cooperative ventures with those of other religious traditions to address community problems
-
Discussion groups and parish programs designed for Ecumenical and Interfaith Marriages
An understanding and appreciation for the beliefs of others can enrich our own faith and can be a privileged moment of sharing the Gospel as we share spiritual insights with those of other faith traditions. Therefore, the Mission for Ecumenism and Interfaith Concerns promotes unity and understanding within the Christian family and reaches out in a special way to non-Christians who share with us a belief in one God (Jews and Muslims),as well as, members of other religions.
Operation Rice Bowl
Lent is a time to truly witness our faith! HGA students will witness their faith through Catholic Relief Services Operation Rice Bowl. Through CRS Rice Bowl, families learn about how our sisters and brothers across the globe overcome hardships like hunger and malnutrition and how we have the power to make the world a better place for all through Lenten alms. Each child will receive an offering bowl to put together. The children will use the bowl to place their money in during the season of
Lent. When a child or parent places coins or bills in their bowl, they will witness their faith by helping another child, adult, or family in need offering a clear example of what it means to give “alms.”
Parishioners in the Hospital
It is essential to notify the hospital upon admittance that you are Catholic. Each hospital has an assigned Catholic priest. Holy Communion is distributed daily by the visiting priest or hospital
Pastoral Care Staff and may be requested by notifying the SpiritualCare Office or the nurses.
Father George Osei Ababio is Chaplain of Penn State St. Joseph’s. He visits the hospital regularly during the week. If necessary, Fr. Ababio will also attend to a patient outside the regular hours.
Father Samuel Yeboah is Chaplain of Tower Health Reading Hospital & Medical Center.
If you are a patient at Reading Hospital, call the Department of Spiritual Care at
484-628-8210 to request a visit from Fr. Yeboah. If necessary, Fr. Yeboah will
attend to a patient outside regular hours; call 484-878-9135.
Parishioners at Home
When illness (even temporary) or advanced age restricts you from attending Mass,
you may wish to receive Holy Communion at home weekly.
HGA Extraordinary Ministers can bring Communion to our homebound parishioners.
For more information, contact the Rectory Office at 610-921-2729, ext. 2200.
Parishioners in Nursing Homes
Holy Guardian Angels regularly ministers to Promedica Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation in
Laureldale and Rittenhouse Village in Muhlenberg. Fr. Kyere celebrates Mass at Rittenhouse on the first Tuesday of the month and on the third Tuesday of each month at Laureldale. Deacon Gallagher has a Communion Service every first Tuesday at the Lauderdale Nursing Home. You may call the Rectory Office to confirm Mass times.
In addition, our Parish Extraordinary Ministers bring Communion to Catholic residents weekly.
If you are a resident of another nursing home outside of our parish boundaries, you will receive pastoral care through the parish whose geographical boundaries you reside in.
Upon admittance, you must notify the nursing home that you are Catholic.
When a parishioner enters a nursing home, they or a family member should also notify the
Rectory Office at 610-921-2729, ext. 2200, to inform us so we can keep the resident in
prayer and ensure their needs are met. This is necessary since HIPAA regulations
prevent institutions from notifying churches when a member is admitted.
Pen to Paper Card Ministry
The Pen to Paper Connection Card Ministry is an outreach program that sends handwritten
greetings to any parishioner who could use a kind word or encouragement. Greetings can
be sent for any occasion or reason such as holidays, birthdays, baptisms, weddings, and sympathy.
The ministry also pens greetings to those who may be far from home or in the military.
This ministry keeps our parish family connected in a personal, caring, loving and spiritual way.
Parishioners are invited to forward the names and addresses of anyone who may benefit from this ministry. Please contact Mrs. Anne Semmel at 610-207-3737 or sebringat@comcast.net for more information or questions or if you would like to be a part of this important parish ministry.
> Click here to submit a name and address of someone to receive a card
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Founded in Paris in 1833, The International Society of St. Vincent de Paul serves over
150 countries with 1.5 million volunteers. HGA parish officially joined its ranks in 1989.
The mission of the Society is to offer service to those in need. We assist local organizations, individuals, and families through food, clothing, community outreach, and spiritual support. Inspired by Gospel values, our Vincentian volunteers embrace works of charity and justice, collaborating with other parish organizations to create new opportunities to help those in need.
Examples of our service projects include:
-
Monthly Stock the Shelves parish collection of rotating items in need
-
Kennedy House Soup Kitchen (2 weekends per year)
-
Valentine’s Day Cards and Treats for Seniors and Shut-ins
-
Heat and Eat Easter Meals to go for needy individuals/families
-
Christmas Angel Tree Project
HEAR THE CALL TO SERVE?
The amount of time you wish to dedicate is entirely up to you. Meetings are held 5-6 times
a year on Sundays at 12:45pm in the rectory basement. Look for our meeting announcements
in the parish bulletin, or contact us, and we will add you to our email list.
No work of charity is foreign to the Society.
“Charity is infinitely inventive.” St. Vincent de Paul
Contact: Marianne Hertzog, 610-921-2729 (option 4, then option 1) or svdp@hgaparish.com.