The mission of the Christian Service Commission is to serve those most in need: the poor, elderly, unemployed, minorities, the disenfranchised and under-served.  The Commission works through charitable giving and collaboration with other helping organizations.  It also sponsors educational efforts to inform parishioners of the social teachings of the Catholic Church.  It strives to exercise servant leadership and provide opportunities for parishioners to engage in works of justice and peace.  It helps support missions in Peru, engages in charitable giving and educational efforts, and coordinates the “school supply” drive in August and the “Christmas Angel” program.  St. Pius is a host congregation for the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Yellowstone County for one week , 4 times a year.  This ministry provides meals and shelter to homeless families on a rotating basis at several area churches.  Many volunteers are needed.  The Commission is open to any parishioner.  It meets the first Thursday of the month, at 7 pm in the Parish Center.

Contact Person: Kathy McCleary @ 656-2522

Interfaith Hospitality News

 St. Pius X is one of 11 congregations which provide hospitality for families with children who are experiencing the distress of homelessness at this point in their lives.  Each family is carefully screened before becoming a guest family.  IHN’s goals are to help families obtain housing and stability.  We provide free lodging, meals and a safe environment for up to 14 people beginning at 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. daily for one week.  Our location during host week is the St. Pius X Youth Center. To learn more, please contact either Shelly Greenfield at 656-8176 or Kathy McCleary at the parish offices.


St. Pius X hosted the IHN families December 13-20.  Each evening a meal is prepared and shared by volunteer ministers.  Above (left to right) parishioners Frank Cross, Darla Jones, Julia Simmons and Kathy Cross show the freshly baked pumpkin pie that was the finishing touch to a fantastic meal!

Peru in 2010

The St. Pius X Peru Group consists of twenty-three parishioners who have traveled to Peru in the past. The two groups traveled to Peru, the first in 2004, the second in 2006, and worked with the Sisters of Charity serving in Peru. They participated in building community, teaching English classes, beading, and photography. Future plans will include assisting Peruvians to improve their home environments and further community building.

 

Plans are underway to form the next parish delegation to visit the Peruvian missions St. Pius X Parish has supported for over 24 years. The two week visit will probably be in the late summer or early fall of 2010. Forming the group this early will give the members time to learn Spanish, arrange time off work, budget for expenses, organize fundraising, etc. The parish will provide some financial assistance to offset individual travel expenses.

While visiting in Peru, the previous two groups visited Machu Picchu and spent some time in Lima learning about the history and culture of Peru. 

If you are interested in being part of this group please contact the Parish Center. Someone from the Peru group will contact you to answer questions.


Peru 2006 Photos


The focus of Outreach Ministry is to reach out to parishioners who are in need of spiritual, physical, or practical assistance. Such assistance includes, but is not be limited to:

Funeral follow-up families following the death of a loved one.
Provide a grief support group.
Prayer and consultation on medical needs through the parish nurses.
Hospital visitation of the sick and injured of the parish.
Home visits with Eucharist to the sick and shut-in parishioners.
Visits to nursing homes and care facilities to bring Eucharist.
Provide temporary light housekeeping and meals for those unable to care for themselves and family members due to illness or injury.
Provide rides to church, doctor appointments, etc., for those unable to drive.
Provide educational programs and resource referrals to parishioners.
This ministry is an extension of the Christian Service Commission.

Contact Person: Mary Carol Rachac @ 656-2522


AIDSpirit is a group whose purpose is to initiate and support ministry activities within the Catholic Church as well as a non-denominational faith based movement guided by the Spirit, ministers to individuals infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS.  They seek to raise the level of awareness and compassion for individuals with HIV/AIDS and to provide them emotional and spiritual support.

Locally, AIDSpirit Montana provides friendship Prayer and support to people with HIV/AIDS and their families through such programs as:

  • Partnership Meals Program
  • Fundraising events
  • Christmas gift program
  • World AIDS Day Prayer Service
  • Educational presentations
  • Networking with other HIV/AIDS organizations

Internationally, AIDSpirit Montana through its fundraising efforts and sponsorship program helps to provide:

  • Educational opportunities for children in Third World countries
  • Access to food, clothing, shelter and medicines
  • water

Meeting Schedule:
7:00 p.m. - second Tuesday of each month at Holy Rosary Parish House.

Membership Dues: $10 - $15 per year or a donation

Contact Person: Contact the Holy Rosary Parish Center @ 259-7611 or check their website at http://www.aidspiritmontana.org


Angela’s Piazza is a woman’s drop-in center dedicated to the support, education and empowerment of women.  The purpose of this center is to provide open hospitality.  The foundress of the Ursuline Sisters, Angela Merici, advised her companions to have their homes be “like a piazza” - a place to gather where all are welcome and valued for who they are. The aim is to provide a safe, accepting, nurturing environment where women may gather to talk, listen to one another, thus helping themselves and one another, bringing healing and empowerment.  A few of the programs that are provided:

Domestic Violence Support Group Tuesday 7 -8:30 PM

Domestic Violence Education Class 8 weeks ongoing

Medicine Wheel for Women (12 step program)

Daughters of Tradition for girls 8-16 years old, a prevention program

Twice a year Nurturing Parenting - for men & women

Rape/Incest Support Group

Various other programs or experiences are offered from time to time.

Referral Services are also provided.

Contact: Sisters. Mary Dostal, O.S.U., or Pat Funderhide, O.S.U., @ 255-0611