President's Letter, May 2025

My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ and our patrons, Saints Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac, and Elizabeth Ann Seton, I hope everyone had a very Happy Easter. This letter was delayed somewhat due to the storms we had the beginning of this week.   My electricity was out for close to 39 hours.  OUCH!  A power outage that lasted that length of time hadn’t happened to me in a very long time.  I forgot just how dark black almost- the night was with no streetlights on or traffic lights working.  I did a lot more praying during that time frame, and I reflected on the darkness that I experienced and how ‘empty’ it made me feel.  When evening settled in (and I did give thanks though that our days are longer now than they were in December) I felt purposeless; like something was missing.  I thought about God being the light of the world and how He gives purpose and meaning to our lives.  I noted a few bible verses below for you to consider during your prayer reflection.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" (Psalm 27:1)

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5)

I want to bring to your attention Sister Carol Schumer, D.C.’s reflection.  She writes, “As we continue the Easter season and welcome May this week, I want to offer a prayer option… entitled “Mary’s Role” including a crowning. Mary is a powerful intercessor for us with her son, Jesus. Let’s commend to her, all the most urgent prayers and desires of our hearts, knowing she will obtain for us what we need most.”

Also, ladies, Happy Mother’s Day as we celebrate mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds. 

LCUSA News - Registration is Now Open for LCUSA National Assembly 2025!  The theme is “Choose Hope”.  Dates are September 11-13, 2025.  Location is The Bethesdan Hotel, Bethesda, Maryland.  Thursday, September 11 is a Day of Reflection at the Seton Shrine led by Fr. Richard Gielow, CM, Vincentian Spiritual Advisor, LCUSA.

The SAFE Act (S. 128/H.R.22) would require all Americans to provide a birth certificate, passport, or one of a few other citizenship documents every time they register or re-register to vote. More than 21 million American citizens do not have the necessary documents readily available.   Also, women who have changed their last

name by marriage would have to produce a marriage certificate. The bill would eliminate mail registration, voter registration drives, online voter registration, and automatic voter registration.  This Act creates unnecessary barriers to the ballot box for eligible voters, especially voters from marginalized communities, including communities of faith.

This bill passed the House in April and has been sent to the Senate for their approval.  As Ladies of Charity, we look out to support the marginalized.  That said, if you are willing and able please let your Senators know that this bill is unacceptable. 

Diocesan Board Openings – This is the time of year that the board elects a Nominating Committee to fill open board positions.  If you are interested in joining the Diocesan Board, please call our office at 412-456-6924. I did speak to several people at the Officer’s Meeting this past weekend who were interested in serving on the board.  Someone will be in touch with you in the near future. 

Investiture – I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the Investiture Mass on Sunday, May 18, at 2:30 PM.  Please remind your candidates being invested to bring the completed card with their pertinent information that will become a part of their ALCDP permanent membership record.  

My hope is that we will have a record attendance.  I am always uplifted when we worship together.  I can feel the Holy Spirit’s presence with us and am inspired and wish that feeling for our newest members.  At this point in time, Bishop Zubik will be the presider at mass.  FYI - May 3^rd is the 50^th anniversary of his ordination.

The Spiritual Society of the Unclaimed Dead – If you are interested in receiving a decedent’s name, please contact Janet Stahlman via our office, 412-456-6924. 

Twinning Project – Please contact our office if you think your group can benefit from financial help for any project. All requests will be kept confidential.

Social media - Sherrie Dunlap Gallagher, social media chair, updates our Facebook page regularly. Please let her know of any activities you are currently doing that she can highlight. She can be contacted at sherrie.e.dunlap@gmail.com.

Junior Ladies of Charity (JLOC) – For more information on JLOC, please contact Mary Diaddigo Rex or Hailey Innocenzo Dube’ or call the LOC office at 412-456-6924.

Nursing Home Network – Please remember that if you have someone that is going to a nursing home outside of your area to contact Cindy Smith so that she can reach out to the local Ladies of Charity to visit.

501(C)(3) – Below is the updated distribution information for the quarterly submission of Treasurer Reports and Bank Statements. The December 2024, January & February 2025 information is due by 3/15/2025. Updated sales tax exemption forms are available by contacting Judy Weismann at weismann2@comcast.net.

DeMarillac Newsletter – It’s always great to see what other organizations are doing. Please remember to email any articles to Peggy Keene or mail them to our office at the address at the top of this letter. A picture is worth a thousand words so a picture or two of the events is welcome. 

May 2025 Rosary Intention - For all mothers, that through the intercession of the Mother of God, the Lord will bless them and reward their sacrifices and love. 

Prayer to the Vincentian Family

Lord Jesus, you who willed to become poor, gives us eyes and a heart directed to the poor. Help us to recognize you in them in their thirst, their hunger, their loneliness, their misfortune. Enkindle within our Vincentian Family unity, simplicity, humility, and the fire of love that burned in St. Vincent DePaul. Strengthen us so that faithful to the practice of these virtues, we may contemplate you and serve you in the person of the poor and may one day be united with you and them in your kingdom. Amen.

Mark your Calendars

• May 18, 2025 – Investiture (2:30 PM Mass @ St. Paul Cathedral)
• August 16, 2025 – Annual Meeting at Sts. Martha & Mary Parish (St. Richard Church, Dickey Road)
• September 11-13, 2025 – National Assembly in Bethesda, Maryland

Miscellaneous Information

• Pittsburgh Website: locpittsburgh.org
• LCUSA Website: aic.ladiesofcharity.us
• Vincentian Family:  http://famvin.org
• FACEBOOK:  Ladies of Charity USA, Association of Ladies of Charity Diocese of Pittsburgh

If you have questions or suggestions, please call and leave a message with the LOC office at 412-456-6924.

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In the Vincentian Spirit,
Karen Tomaszewski, President
Association of the Ladies of Charity, Diocese of Pittsburgh