Pastoral Ministry
The Mission for Pastoral Ministry encompasses all the programs and activities of a parish that
strengthen the sense of being a Christian Community. Pastoral Ministry fosters a sense of belonging
among the members of a parish. This mission would also include all those parish “special events,” such as
picnics, dances, covered dish socials, etc., which bring the parish together to “build community.”
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization
founded on the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. Our council, 14847,
performs many charitable functions for our parish, school and surrounding community.
Some of our efforts include supporting our local seminarians, assisting in decorating the
church for Christmas, serving meals to the needy at the Kennedy House in Reading,
supporting various pro-life efforts, providing food baskets for the needy at Christmas time, offering financial support to the school and church and helping the church and
school where needed. Our members meet once a month in the rectory basement.
If you would like more information about the Knights of Columbus, Council 14847
or you are a practicing Catholic man 18 years or older and are
interested in becoming a Knight, please contact Mike Rusak, Grand Knight at koc14847@hgaparish.com.
Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary is the largest apostolic organization of laypeople in the Catholic
Church. It makes its members better Catholics through a balanced program of prayer
and service in union with the Holy Spirit as He operates through Mary,
Mother of the Church. Works include evangelization, parish visitation projects,
youth work, and other spiritual needs of the parish and community. The Legion of
Mary will visit you in your home to pray the rosary and help you to enthrone
the Sacred Heart of Jesus in your home. Any Catholic who wants to draw closer to
Jesus and his Mother are welcome to join. If you have any questions or want more information, please contact Tim Dillon at legionofmary@hgparish.com. More information about
the Legion of Mary can be found at www.legionofmaryallentown.org.
Parish Nurses
The Parish Nurses seek to meet the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of each
person in the parish. They act as the vital link between the faith and medical communities.
This ministry is rooted in Jesus’ command to preach and heal the sick (Luke 9:2). The parish
nurses are available to assist parishioners when the need arises in any of the following areas:
Health Counselor, Educator, Advocate/Resource Person, Liaison to Community Services,
Teacher of Volunteers and Support Groups, and Healer in mind, body, and spirit.
For more info, contact Anne Rosenberger at 484-650-0198 or parishnurses@hgaparish.com.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Our Prayer Shawl Ministry combines compassion and the love of knitting/crocheting into a
prayerful and spiritual gift to reach out to those in need of comfort and solace, as well as in
celebration and joy. The shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient.
The intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. Upon completion,
a final blessing is offered before the shawl is sent on its way. Some recipients have
continued their kindness by making a shawl and passing it on to someone in need.
Thus, the blessing ripples from person to person,with both the giver and receiver
feeling the unconditional embrace of a sheltering, loving God!
Anyone who wants to make prayer shawls may pick up yarn and directions at the rectory.
If you know someone who is in a nursing home, home-bound, seriously or chronically ill,
having surgery, diagnosed with cancer, on hospice, or suffering a loss, please call the
rectory to request a prayer shawl for him/her. One of our team members will visit and
pray with them. We do give shawls to people who do not belong to the parish. We will also
give you one to mail to a sick relative. This ministry has blessed the parish,
our team members, our benefactors, and those who have received them.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer to crochet or knit a shawl, please contact
Pat Hansbury 610-698-4327. We are always looking for people to help deliver shawls.
If you can’t knit or crochet, consider joining the ministry by helping to deliver shawls.
For more info on the Prayer Shawl Ministry, please visit www.shawlministry.com.
Rosary Rally
A Rosary Rally for the Sanctity of Life takes place the 1st Wednesday of each month at
5:30pm in the Chapel. Members gather at the Memorial of the Unborn in the front of the church.
All are invited to join the Knights, along with their spouses and families, in this powerful
witness undertaken for the sake of the "Sanctity of All Human Life," beginning with the unborn,
for the Greater Honor and Glory of God, and for our Blessed Mother. Please contact the
Knights of Columbus at koc14847@hgaparish.com for more information.
Seniors Group
The HGA Seniors Club is open to anyone 50 years old plus. The Seniors meet once a
month (second Wednesday of the month) from March to December at the Rectory.
We invite speakers to discuss subjects pertaining to seniors and entertainment for fun and
relaxing time. We try to have a speaker one month and entertainment the next month.
Our mission is for the benefit of Older Adults of the Diocese of Allentown. Its purpose shall be to
provide a place where members can meet regularly to share friendship and common concerns.
Its focus shall include the spiritual, intellectual, social, economic and political needs of its members.Contact Rozanne Thompson, President at hgaseniors@hgaparish.com or 610-406-3350.
Vocations Committee
Our Vocations Committee's mission is to foster a culture of vocations, listening and responding
to the call of God. We promote all vocations: Priesthood, Deaconate, religions life, married and
single life. All vocations are encouraged within the context of our Baptismal vocation to holiness
given by Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Our goals are: to pray daily for an
increase in vocations; to deepen the awareness of the various vocations in the Catholic Church
as well as to parishioners; encourage attendance at daily Mass; pray before the Blessed
Sacrament; pray the rosary, asking Mary to intercede; and to send us men and women who are
humble, obedient, and loving. We encourage students to participate during the events of
Vocation Awareness Week in the activities provided by the Diocese and parish.
To aid parents in teaching and encouraging their children to remain open to God’s call.
For more information, contact Tim Ferguson at vocations@hgaparish.com.
Young Adult Ministry
Hope, Grace, and Adulting is the young adult ministry of HGA parish. Young adults
ages 21-35 have the chance to spend some time with their peers and grow in faith and holiness,
eat and drink; and learn and laugh. It is a casual and relaxed opportunity to discuss life
as a young adult and a member of Christ’s Church. Let’s talk about Catholic social
teaching, catechism, apologetics, theology of the body, and anything else!
For more information, contact Kylie Madore at youngadults@hgaparish.com or 610-781-0384.
Holy Guardian Angels is always open to new ministries to enhance the Mission for Pastoral Ministry.
If you have an idea for a ministry or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact Father Hoffa at
610-921-2729, ext. 2204 or ahoffa@hgaparish.com. Some new ministries we would like to add in the
future include Caritas for Adults, a Parish Retreat, a Women's Club, and a book club.
Let us know if you have any more suggestions or if you would like to start something new here at HGA!