Our Parish Ministries include:  RCIA, Altar & Rosary Society, Holy Name Society, Help Ministry, Grief and Bereavement Ministry, Bible Study, Boy Scouts, Finance Council, Parish Pastor Council, Facilities & Grounds Committee, Homecoming Festival Committee and Cemetery Committee.  Additional information may be obtained by calling the parish rectory - 610-262-2417.

 

RCIA - The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a way of welcoming, forming and initiating new members into the Church.  It is a process through which non-baptized men and women become members of the Catholic Church.  It is also suitable for those baptized in different faith traditions who are interested in becoming Catholic, or for those who were baptized Catholic, but have yet to receive the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation.  For more information, please contact Monsignor Martin about the process.

 

Altar and Rosary Society - The Altar and Rosary Society is an organization of parish women assisting in developing the spiritual growth of our parish through Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and praying the Rosary.  Each member is asked to pray a decade of the Rosary each day.  We gather one Sunday a month together at Mass and have meetings during the year after the 8 A.M. Mass.  Our meetings are held to one hour. All are welcome.   The Society members provide the care and upkeep of the altar and altar linens.  Many areas of the parish have benefitted from the monthly homemade pierogi sales. For more information, please contact Beth Ann Suarez at 610-462-9732 or Mary Ann Fitzsimmons at 908-227-0114.

 

Holy Name Society -  The Saint Peter Holy Name Society (SPHNS) is a ministry society within our parish for men. Men from the age of 18 are welcome. We go to 10:30 AM Sunday Mass before the last Thursday of the month.  Our monthly meetings are held on the last Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM in the church social hall.  Our parish focus/purpose is to support the parish and the parishioners, specifically the home bound. We visit each home bound parishioner annually, typically before the Christmas holiday. If interested in joining the SPHNS contact the rectory or Al Edelman.  The National Association of the Holy Name Society (NAHNS) is made up Diocesan and Archdiocesan Union Holy Name Societies from across the Unites States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The NAHNS exists to support members of the Archdiocesan and Diocesan Union Holy Name Societies and members of Parish Holy Name Societies to promote devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus and to assist each other grow in holiness.

 

The Confraternity of the Most Holy Names of God and Jesus (Holy Name Society) promotes reverence for the Sacred Names of God and Jesus Christ, obedience and loyalty to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, and the personal sanctification and holiness of its members. Members are called to contribute to the evangelization mission of the Church and to make perpetual acts of reverence and love for our Lord and Savior. The apostolate of the society is to assist in parish ministries by performing the Corporal Works of Mercy: to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, shelter to the homeless, tend the sick, visit those in prison, and bury the dead; as well as the Spiritual Works of Mercy: to convert sinners, instruct the ignorant, counsel the wayward, comfort the sorrowing, bear adversity patiently, forgive offenses, and pray for the living and the deceased of the Church.

 

Help Ministry - The Help Ministry is looking for volunteers.  Our volunteers help parishioners in need of rides to doctor appointments, grocery stores, visits with friends, and other miscellaneous errands.  If your schedule is such that you cannot volunteer during the week, you can help by volunteering to drive a parishioner to Holy Mass.  Not only are you helping someone in need but you are making new friends along the way.  If interested in joining our group, please contact Tom Schwindenhammer at 610-261-3640.

 

Grief and Bereavement - The Grief and Bereavement team offers help to those grieving over the loss of a loved one.  The mission is to reach out to our brothers and sisters by showing them our parish cares for them and they are not alone.  Consider taking on God's work by offering support through cards, phone calls, and prayers to our parish family.  For more information contact Joyce Herndon at 610-440-0450.

 

Bible Study - Classes are held from the Fall through late Spring every Thursday evening from 6:30 P.M. to 7:45 P.M.  Call the rectory for more information.

 

Boy Scouts - St. Peter Church currently does not charter a Cub Pack or Boy Scout Troop.  However, we have close ties with Queenship of Mary Cub Pack 99 in Northampton and St. John the Baptist Boy Scout Troop 79 in Whitehall.  Cub Scouts are open to all boys in 1st through 4th Grade.  Boy Scouts are open to all boys in 5th Grade through their 18th birthday.  Scouting offers all boys the opportunity to experience the outdoors and learn life-long skills.  Scouting builds strong character and boys become more self-reliant.  If interested in learning more or joining Pack 99 or Troop 79, contact Al Edelman at 610-262-8305 or email - aceal79@gmail.com. 

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Parish Pastoral Council - The PPC was established in January 2016 at the direction of Bishop Barres. It is composed of approximately 14 - 20 parish members who provide consultation and assistance to the pastor for the spiritual & temporal advancement of the parish. There are 4 formal scheduled meetings and smaller meetings to support the various initiatives. Some of the actions sponsored by the PPC include, as follows: Set up of fundraising meetings for the elevator project, 90th anniversary Parish celebration, Elevator dedication ceremony, Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative Meals, Shroud of Turin Experience, Healing our Church initiative.

 

Finance Council - St. Peter Parish has an active Finance Council which meets with the pastor quarterly and, when called by the pastor, between quarterly meetings.  It is the responsibility of the Parish Finance Council to monitor revenues and expenditures during the fiscal year, July through June.  The Council assists in the preparation of the annual budget and must give approval for all projects of major importance in the parish.  The Parish Finance Council is mandated by the Canon Law of the Catholic Church.

 

Facilities and Grounds - Adult parish members are welcome to be part of this working group which tends to various maintenance projects on our parish campus.

 

Homecoming Festival Committee - The annual picnic/homecoming festival occurs on the 1st Sunday in August.  It is the largest gathering of current and former parishioners and their families and friends.  This single day event began in 1954 and has become the largest fundraiser for our parish.  People come together to enjoy the fabulous food, including the famous St. Peter pierogies, which always sell out.  Local bands provide entertainment and there are amusements for young and old alike.  This event could not be held without the many volunteers (parishioners and non-parishioners) who plan, cook, set up, take down and work the various stands.  New volunteers are always welcome and definitely needed.  Please call the rectory to volunteer your time in assisting with this wonderful event, 610-262-2417. 

 

Cemetery Committee - Saint Peter R.C. Church Cemetery is located along Hokendauqua Street between Park Street and 4th Street in Whitehall Township. Parishioners interested in the cemetery or grave plots must contact  St. Peter parish office, 610-262-2417.  The cemetery is beautifully maintained out of respect and reverence for our dear deceased parishioners and families. When driving through the cemetery please follow the signs and avoid driving on the grass and graves.

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Communion to the Homebound​ - The priests and Eucharistic Ministers perform this service monthly.  Notify us when someone wishes to be visited.

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​Hospitalized - Alert us whenever someone has to be hospitalized, especially when their admission is an emergency.  The parish identification number at each of the Valley hospitals is #171.

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