Get Connected and Find a place to Serve!
Parish Ministries
Liturgical Ministries
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Altar Servers
Altar servers assist the priest during Mass, performing tasks like preparing the altar, carrying the cross, holding the prayer book, and presenting gifts. They represent the community's active participation and help deepen faith. This ministry offers young parish members a chance to grow in faith, responsibility, and service.
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Music Ministry & Choir
The music ministry and choir enhance Mass by leading song and prayer. Volunteers, including vocalists and instrumentalists, support the liturgy through hymns and sacred music. They collaborate with the liturgical team to choose music fitting the Church calendar and Mass themes, fostering unity and reverence in the parish.
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Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Adoration at Our Lady of the Visitation offers quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, inviting parishioners and visitors, including Shippensburg University students, to deepen their faith, spend time in Christ’s presence, and refresh their souls.
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Greeters
The Greeter at Our Lady of the Visitation warmly welcomes parishioners and visitors, distributes bulletins, and assists with seating and directions. This role fosters a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere, reflecting Christian hospitality and community spirit.
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Mass Livestream
The Mass Livestream team shares OLV Mass online for homebound parishioners and those excused from attending Sunday Eucharist.
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Lectors
Lectors proclaim the Scriptures during the Liturgy of the Word, reading the First and Second Readings. They prepare to deliver readings clearly and reverently, helping the congregation understand God’s Word. Lectors serve as a link between Scripture and the community. Their ministry supports the prayerful atmosphere and spiritual growth of the parish.
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Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC)
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs) assist the priest and deacon in distributing the Eucharist reverently and respectfully during Mass, ensuring a smooth and prayerful Communion. They also bring Communion to homebound or hospitalized parishioners.
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Sacristans
The sacristan ensures a smooth, reverent Mass by preparing the sanctuary and sacristy beforehand, arranging vessels, linens, vestments, and books. They assist during Mass as needed and clean and store items afterward, maintaining the dignity of sacred objects. Their role supports clergy and community, fostering an environment of reverence for worship.
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Ushers
Ushers at Mass ensure a smooth, reverent celebration by welcoming attendees, assisting seating, coordinating the offertory, guiding during communion, and helping those with special needs. They manage the flow and order, enhancing the communal worship experience.
Prayer Ministries
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Prayers for the Sick
Once a month after Sunday Mass, parishioners gather to pray for the sick of Our Lady of the Visitation. All are welcome to join this ministry of compassion and hope.
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Adoration
Adoration at Our Lady of the Visitation offers quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, inviting parishioners and visitors, including Shippensburg University students, to deepen their faith, spend time in Christ’s presence, and refresh their souls.
Service & Charity Ministries
For the Community
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Hounds Packs
Hounds Packs at Our Lady of the Visitation are small faith-based groups that foster fellowship, spiritual growth, and service. Members meet regularly for prayer, scripture study, and discussion, deepening their Catholic faith. These groups support living Gospel values and offer chances to build friendships and engage in outreach to the Shippensburg community and university students.
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Christ Among Neighbors
Christ Among Neighbors at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish builds community and spiritual growth through outreach. It inspires parishioners to live the Gospel by supporting local residents and Shippensburg University students through service, prayer, and events, embodying Christ’s presence with kindness and unity.
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SPO - Food Pantry
The SPO Food Pantry at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish offers essential food aid to Shippensburg residents, parishioners, and students. It provides non-perishable items, staples, and occasional fresh produce with compassion. Volunteers are welcome to support this vital outreach ministry serving those in need.
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Boxes of Joy
The Box of Joy is a collection of Christmas gifts packed with toys, treats, and essentials for children in need, bringing joy and showing they are remembered during the holiday season.
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Source of All Hope
Support our young adults and college students by sponsoring a scholarship or providing assistance to help them thrive spiritually and academically. In addition, you can donate gently used clothing for all ages and seasons to aid those in need within the Shippensburg community. Please drop off your donations at the parish hall during office hours or after weekend Masses throughout the month. Your generosity makes a meaningful difference.
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Thanksgiving Food Drive
Please consider donating to the annual Thanksgiving food drive organized for the Religious Education classes. Your generous contributions help support families in need during the holiday season.
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Angel Tree
The Angel Tree at Our Lady of the Visitation is a treasured Christmas tradition where parishioners select angels representing gift requests from local children or families in need. By fulfilling these wishes, we bring joy and hope during the holidays. This outreach reflects our parish’s commitment to charity and service. Please return wrapped gifts by the deadline for Christmas distribution.
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Respect Life
The Respect Life Committee promotes the dignity of all human life from conception to natural death. It raises awareness, supports prayer for life issues, and organizes donation drives to help mothers, infants, and families in need, embodying the Gospel call to protect the vulnerable.
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Funeral Luncheon
The funeral luncheon team at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish offers a comforting space in the parish hall for family and friends to gather after a funeral. A simple meal is served, prepared and supported by parish volunteers, reflecting the parish’s care and compassion during loss.
Service & Charity Ministries
Inside the Parish
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Gardening Committee
The Gardening Committee at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish enhances the church grounds through planning, planting, and maintaining flowers and shrubs. Made up of dedicated volunteers, they create a welcoming, peaceful environment that reflects the liturgical calendar.
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Coffee Hour & Donuts
The Coffee Hour and Donuts Committee at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish fosters community after Sunday Masses by preparing and serving coffee, donuts, and refreshments. They create a welcoming space for parishioners and Shippensburg University students to connect. Volunteers dedicated to service and community are welcome to join.
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Safety & Security Committee
The Safety and Security Committee at Our Lady of the Visitation ensures a safe environment for parishioners, staff, and visitors. They assess facilities for risks, coordinate with local law enforcement, update emergency plans, and organize safety training and drills. Their work fosters a secure, welcoming space for all to worship and participate in parish life.
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Parish Fellowship Planning & Volunteer Group
The Fellowship Committee at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish organizes social events to foster community and support parish activities and outreach. They create welcoming opportunities for fellowship and service, nurturing an inclusive, engaged church family.
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Homebound Ministers of Holy Communion
Homebound ministers at Our Lady of the Visitation bring the Eucharist to parishioners unable to attend Mass due to illness or disability. These volunteers provide Holy Communion, prayer, and companionship, supporting the spiritual needs of the homebound. Trained to respect the sacrament and individuals’ privacy, they help maintain faith and offer comfort, reflecting the parish’s dedication to outreach and care.
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Knitting Group
The Our Lady of the Visitation Parish knitting group meets every Thursday, welcoming all skill levels to share their love of knitting and fellowship.
Fellowship Ministries
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Run with the Priest
The Run with a Priest at Our Lady of the Visitation invites parishioners and community members to jog with a clergy member. Open to all skill levels, it promotes health, fellowship, and spiritual reflection. This casual run around Shippensburg offers a chance for informal faith and life conversations, strengthening body and spirit.
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Pot Luck Lunch
The potluck lunch at Our Lady of the Visitation, held after Sunday Mass, unites parishioners and students. Everyone shares homemade dishes, from traditional Catholic to international recipes. This event fosters fellowship, generosity, and new friendships, welcoming all to connect and celebrate our faith community.
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Young Families Group
The Young Families Group at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish supports families with young children in growing faith together through fellowship, prayer, and age-appropriate activities. It offers flexible, family-centered events, faith formation, and service projects to foster community and integrate Catholic values into daily life.
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Retreats & Pilgrimages
Our Lady of the Visitation Parish offers retreats and pilgrimages for parishioners and students to deepen faith and renew spiritually. Retreats provide quiet reflection, guided prayer, scripture, and discussions on Catholic spirituality and personal growth. Pilgrimages visit significant holy sites, fostering shared worship and cultural connection.
Faith & Service Ministries
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Knights of Columbus (KOC)
The Knights of Columbus at OLV support the parish through charity, faith, and fellowship. They lead service projects for local residents and Shippensburg University students, including food drives and outreach. The council fosters spiritual growth through liturgies and prayer, strengthening the parish mission and community.
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Ladies Auxiliary
The Ladies Auxiliary at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish supports the community through prayer, service, and fellowship. They organize events, assist with outreach, and enrich parish life, welcoming women of all ages to grow in faith and build strong bonds.