President's Letter, June 2026

“The best ingredients of happiness are; order, peace and solitude.”
 -St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

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Sometimes I look for happiness in the wrong places, Lord. Today I will think of ways to provide time for the solitude I need to recharge my spiritual “batteries” and reflect on my priorities.

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Hello:

It's hard to believe it is June and most of us break from meetings in July and August. But the poor and needy never have a break, so please continue all the good work you do. Also, take some time for yourselves with family and friends.

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May 9th, Officer's Meeting:

The officer’s meeting at St. Mark the Evangelist, St. Kilian Church was very well attended and I thank all the Ladies from St. Mark the Evangelist for the wonderful breakfast goodies and the decorations. You were outstanding hostesses.

We heard messages about a prison ministry, Jared Boxes, purchasing of police vests, and information on the 501C3 guidelines. Breakout sessions followed.

From the president’s session, we learned that it is still very difficult to get members to step up and become officers. It is essential that new officers are found to keep your association up and running. I suggested that all associations have a “Membership” Chairperson to gather all dues and record names, address, phone and email to send to the office when requested. Also, it was great to hear that the majority of the associations send out a hard copy of the minutes to their members who do not or cannot attend their meetings. If you don’t already do that, please start. It keeps everyone informed on what associations are doing.

Twelve Vice Presidents attended the session and discussed their role of stepping in for the president when she is not able and some associations assign a specific task for the VP. The idea of co-presidents was discussed and is implemented in some of our associations. They also discussed monetary support. Some associations receive donations from separate collections at their parish directed to the Ladies of Charity. Other groups must fund raise and still others add $2.00 extra to their dues and keep that in their treasury to fund their projects. They discussed some of the ministries they provide, like funeral and bereavement ministries.

The treasurer’s meeting discussed the issues with change of addresses that affected the Diocesan Bank Statement. Handouts were given for ledger forms to be used by treasurer, bank statement example, statement reconciliation forms, donations of $2000.00 forms, PA tax exempt certificates, and the Diocesan Directive on gifts to priests. If you did not attend the meeting, please get in touch with Judy Weismann so she can send you this information. It is important to send in your Quarterly reports in a timely manner. Regina Coeli LOC is exploring the use of “Zeffy”....a fundraising software option. If you are interested in learning more about this, contact the office. 412-456-6924

Sister Grace was happy to receive information about all of your Vincentian Spiritual Moderators. She encouraged all associations to recruit someone from your group to take the VSM training session in November. It is the 13^th and 14th and there is no charge for the Zoom program. Our hope is to have a Vincentian Spiritual Moderator for all 36 associations. It is really worth it to take the course, even if you do not wish to be moderator for your group.

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The Spiritual Society of the Unclaimed Dead:  
If you are interested in receiving a decedent’s name, please contact Mary Jane Jurofcik at our LOC office 412-456-6924.

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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 on social media. She can be contacted at: sherrie.e.dunlap@gmail.com.

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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.

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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. Call LOC office at 412-456-6924.

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501(C)(3):
Below is the updated distribution information for the quarterly submission of Treasurer Reports and Bank Statements. The deadline for reporting is March 15 for the months of December, January and February. Updated sales tax exemption forms are available by contacting Judy Weismann at weismann2@comcast.net. Also, please consider joining the 501C3 team by inputting data into QuickBooks. Contact Judy if you would like to begin a training session.

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De Marillac Newsletter:
Please share your pictures and stories with Peggy Keene for the next edition of the De Marillac Newsletter. We love to see what everyone is doing. pkeene9@outlook.com.

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Dates to Remember:

• August 15:  Annual meeting at St. Thomas a` Becket church. There will be a speaker from Auberle and we will ask for a donation to be brought to the meeting.
  
  

• September 10 to 12: Please check the website for registration to the LCUSA National Assembly in Miami Florida.

• September 19, 2026: Fest PGH, Highmark Stadium. A project of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. We are hoping to have a Pittsburgh Cookie Table at the event.

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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

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May Rosary Intention

We pray that our world grows in compassion and leaders are led by the Holy Spirit.

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