Free Medical Clinic - Sheep Inc: 
This free faith-based medical clinic serves all uninsured and underserved children and adults and is held every Thursday, 6:00 - 8:45 p.m.  This is an outreach ministry of Monroeville Assembly of God, 4561 Old William Penn Highway, Monroeville, 412-856-7900, Extension 27.  A family practice physician is available.  No appointments are needed.  This is NOT an emergency center.  

If you have a medical degree and are interested in volunteering, please call the above number.

We need jeans, jeans, and jeans!! 
We can not get enough! 

We also need boots, socks, heavy
coats, hooded sweatshirts, and gloves.

Operation Safety Net needs your help!
For the seventh year, volunteers are organizing a collection drive to help collect basic hygiene products and warm clothing for the homeless. The Severe Weather Emergency Shelter, operated by Operation Safety Net (Mercy Hospital), is in need of donations to help homeless individuals get through the winter.

The shelter is open every winter night when the temperature drops below 20°. Located on Smithfield Street, Downtown Pittsburgh, the shelter protects over 100 men and women nightly from the bitter cold and snow. The shelter provides warm meals, medical treatment, hot showers, floor mats for sleeping, and warm clothing. We are in need of the following: thermal tops and bottoms, t-shirts, heavy socks, jeans, hooded sweaters, boots, gloves, hats, scarves, underwear, and heavy coats and personal travel size products. Place items in the marked box in the lower Narthex of Mother of Sorrows Church.

Please share this link with any friends and remember to say a prayer for these forgotten people.

Wondering what to do with that car?

Local Support has several young families that are struggling and are unable to get to work due to lack of transportation.  If you have a car that you are thinking of donating, please give thought to donating to Mother Teresa Outreach to help these families.  Any questions, please contact Sally Rauscher.

SIX YEARS LATER, 675 SERVED!

Mother Teresa Outreach's impact in its five years of existence at Mother of Sorrows:

  • families have not been evicted because we were there to help;
  • children are safe and warm because their families received help with their utility bills;
  • phones are working and water has not been turned off;
  • cars have been repaired allowing our friends to keep their jobs;
  • homeless families are now settled in safe, permanent housing;
  • people in abusive situations were moved to places where they could remain safe;
  • individuals have been supported through the GED process, training, or education endeavors to better prepare for future employment;
  • people have been able to get to job interviews, doctor’s appointments, or work after receiving gas cards;
  • clothing, furniture, appliances have been provided to families in need; and
  • monthly financial support is provided to the Mother of Sorrows Food Pantry

To date we have helped 675 people and their families locally over these last six years.  We thank the Mother of Sorrows parish family for continuing to support these efforts and bring the Gospel message to light.

Local Support

Why is there a need for a Local Support Committee?

Some may find it hard to believe, but some of our neighbors face great hardships.

How does the Local Support Committee function?

Generally, clients are referred to the Local Support Committee from the Mother of Sorrows Parish office. Each of our MTO clients is interviewed to help us assess their needs. Two volunteers of the Local Support Committee (who have been trained in confidentiality and interview techniques) go and visit with the family in their home. During this time they determine what significant issues the family is facing and they provide appropriate referrals and resources. All information is kept in the strictest confidence.

What are the priorities of the Local Support Committee?

First and foremost, the volunteers always provide spiritual support – with caring, compassionate and non-judgmental concern. We are neighbors in the truest Gospel sense when we visit with our clients.

What impact has the Local Support Committee made in our communities?

The Local Support Committee of MTO sees clients from the communities of Murrysville, Export and Delmont as well as any Mother of Sorrows parishioner (regardless of residence). Perhaps the best indicator of the impact are the many warm notes of appreciation from our clients expressing their deep gratitude to the Mother of Sorrows parishioners for their support – helping them in their time of need.

Is there a typical client served by the Local Support Committee?

We have come to understand that there is no such thing as a typical client. With your support foreclosures on family homes have been prevented and homeless families have found housing. Because of your support you have helped families get their electricity or gas service turned on, and for others your support has prevented it from being shut off. This is also true for families needing water and phone service restored. Your caring generosity has translated into families being able to store and prepare their food, so that they can share meals as a family in their own warm and safe home.

Many of our clients have faced unexpected tragedies and medical emergencies. We have transported clients to doctor’s appointments and professional services. We have provided emergency housing in times of crisis. We have walked with clients suffering from grief and loss.

We believe that we have been instrumental in encouraging single moms to stay in college or get needed training for future jobs. We helped buy Christmas gifts for children facing a bleak holiday.

We refer people to the Mother of Sorrows Community Food Pantry in order to ensure that families do not have to go hungry. We have provided some gently-used household items and appliances for some our clients whose homes house few amenities that are everyday necessities to most of us. We have also provided gently-worn clothes for some our clients whose closets are sparse.

What is the legacy of the Local Support Committee?

We endeavor to be as supportive as possible for all of our clients. We seek to provide whatever direct assistance we can and encourage our clients to use those other providers of service in our area with whom we collaborate. Most importantly we hope that our legacy will be that at the times when someone feels desperate and alone we can provide the caring touch of a loving neighbor.

A final message from the Local Support Committee:

We hope that the parishioners of Mother of Sorrows and the supporters of the Mother Teresa Outreach Ministry will realize the difference they are making in the lives of our neighbors. And we, the Local Support Committee of MTO ask for your continued prayers for all who experience need.

We also extend our deepest appreciation for your support that allows us the joy of meeting our neighbors and walking with them on their journey – if only for a short time.