The Church is a community, and all members are called to support the community with their time, talents, and labors. The ministries listed below focus on building community, both inside and outside of Our Lady of Victory. Click on a specific ministry to learn more.
The Bazaar Committee
Chair: Chris Kirkpatrick, Director of Development
Email:
Phone: 814-237-7832 ext 204
The Annual Bazaar started as a social and fund-raising ministry to provide fun, good food, and great Holiday crafts. In 1963, the Bazaar helped kick off the fund-raising initiative for the Million Dollar Building Campaign to build the new School and Church complex on Westerly Parkway. For years it was called the Election Day Bazaar since it was held on Election Day. Over the years, the funds raised have gone to special projects for the Parish, School, and Preschool.
Currently The Bazaar Committee is made up the following sub committees: Kitchen and Food Preparation; Money Raffle; Craft makers and sellers; Theme Basket Raffle: Home Baked Goods; Silent Auction; Children Games; Pull Tab game of chance; PSU Tail Gate; and sale of slightly used Toys, Games and puzzles.
ALL Parishioners are invited to join and help organize the activities of the Bazaar, and all are encouraged to invite their friends to come with them and take part in all the fun and activities.
Donut Committee
The OLV Donut Committee serves donuts after the Sunday 9:30AM mass in the Activities Center, Gardener Social Hall, to encourage community in our parish. Registered OLV parishioners are invited to attend the gathering after mass. Volunteers are always needed to help serve. Welcome!
Click the button above to access a contact form. The form sends an email to the coordinator of the Donut Committee and the OLV church office.
Funeral Luncheons
Parishioners offer comfort, support, and fellowship to grieving families by providing a luncheon for those attending a funeral. Food, provided by the parish and by volunteer cooks, is served for family and friends in the social hall. Volunteers are needed on a rotating basis to provide salads, casseroles, and desserts. Several volunteers are also needed for set-up, serving, and cleanup.
Click the button above to access a contact form. The form sends an email to the coordinator of Funeral Luncheons and the OLV church office.
The Gabriel Project
Phone: 814-867-5511
The Gabriel Project is a Pro-Life ministry, offering parish-based pastoral care to women in a crisis pregnancy. We offer them friendship, support and prayer throughout their pregnancy as well as helping with all their practical needs to prepare for the birth of their baby.
GP provides a crib, complete layette, diapers, car seat and other items for the newborn. Diapers continue to be provided for 6 months after the baby is born. The Gabriel Project does not hold fundraisers, but relies on donations from individuals and other parish ministries.
There is also a donation bin in the back of the Church for the following items: diapers, sizes newborn – size 4, baby clothing (onesies, sleepers, hats, socks) sizes up to 1 year, receiving blankets, swaddlers, baby hygiene products, Dreft detergent, heavier blankets, and pack and play sheets.
Volunteers: Volunteers are welcome to help at the Church on the days when mothers come to pick up diapers and other provisions. Please use the phone number above for information.
Jared Boxes
Contact: Cindy Kolarik
Email:
Phone: 814-883-8615
For over 20 years, Jared Boxes have delivered countless smiles, laughter, and hope to children in hospitals across the country. The mission of The Jared Box Project is to lift the spirits of children in the hospital. A Jared Box is a plastic shoebox filled with small gifts, toys, cards, games and other fun activities.
The project was started by the children of Our Lady of Victory School in State College, Pennsylvania, to honor their classmate, Jared. He was a brave little boy who battled cancer with courage and faith that continues to inspire us all. Each year, students at OLVCS make Jared Boxes as their Lenten service project. Since then, over one million Jared Boxes have been delivered to over 600 hospitals. Boxes filled with the “gift of play” are given to young patients in emergency rooms, hospital rooms, surgical centers, and clinics.
We are a ‘Give Local’ project. Thousands of groups have made Jared boxes for hospitals in their own communities. Children and their parents are so thankful for these boxes that showcase the importance of play and are filled with well wishes, hope, and love. We picked up where Jared left off and are sharing toys with children in the hospital. Locally, Jared Boxes are used at Mount Nittany Medical Center, Geisinger Gray’s Woods Surgical Center, Penn Highlands State College, Centre Volunteers in Medicine and Med Express. To learn more, visit www.thejaredbox.org.
Marian Gift Shop
The Marian Gift Shop sells religious items on Sundays from 9:00AM until noon. The Gift Shop is a resource for Rosaries, Crucifixes, Catholic Books/Bibles, Baptism items, Cards, Medals, and other religious items parishioners are looking for. We are always looking for new volunteers especially people who would be willing to learn the computer! We would love to be open during the week, we need volunteers that can do it then.
Click the button above to access a contact form. The form sends an email to the coordinator of the Marian Gift Shop and the OLV church office.
Prison Ministry
We are privileged to support the Prison Ministry at our local State Correctional Institutes. The Prison Ministry includes opportunities to attend Mass, participate in Mission Week, teach classes, conduct Bible Study, and participate in Centering Prayer
In order to be admitted to the prison, you must complete a State of Pennsylvania required “Clearance Sheet” and return it to the prison. They will notify you once you have been “cleared.” This procedure must be updated yearly.
Click the button above to access a contact form. The form sends emails to the coordinators of the Prison Ministry and the OLV church office.