Sacred Heart Altar Society

Sacred Heart Altar Society is a parish organization with a membership consisting of all women age 18 and older within the parish.  Its purposes are: 1-to support the life of the parish, especially through acts of charity and service, 2-to foster love and respect for the House of God, 3-to promote Mass attendance and reception of the Eucharist, and 4-to care for the needs of the altar by providing those items that enable and enhance our parish worship (wine, hosts, linens, flowers, banners, etc.) and our presence in the Gettysburg community.

To accomplish this mission, the Altar Society engages in a various projects within the parish and the Gettysburg community.  These include:

The Funeral Committee hosts a meal following Funeral Liturgies; members provide salads, dessert and beverages. 
The Cradle Cooks Committee provides a home-cooked meal to the family of a newborn infant.
The Outreach Committee welcomes new households to the parish and makes regular visits to the residents at the Oahe Manor Nursing Facility.
Breakfast Socials on the first Sunday of the month during the school year; alternating with the Knights of Columbus.
Soup and Pie Social - held in January.
First Communion Lunch for Communicants and their families following Mass
Assist the Knights of Columbus in serving the post-Confirmation Dinner.
Provide afternoon snacks before class for the elementary students in the Youth Faith Formation Program.
Provide a Birthday Party for the residents of Oahe Manor Nursing Facility in January (on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions).
Host Bingo at the Oahe Manor each Saturday afternoon in June; provide workers and prizes (on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions).
Have a Mass said for deceased members on or near November 21st; the Feast of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple
Provide the Pastor with a cash gift on his Birthday, at Christmas and at Vacation time.
Host 2 fundraisers each year  (on hold in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions)
Participate in other church related activities and projects as determined by the membership .

Knights of Columbus fraternal organization. Established in 1882.

Thanks to the efforts of Father Michael J. McGiveney,  assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church in New haven and some of his parishioners, the Connecticut state legislature on March 29, 1882, officially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society. The Order is still true to its founding princles of charity, unity and fraternity.

The Knights was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.

The history of the Order shows how the foresight of Father Michael J. McGivney, whose cause for sainthood is being investifated by the Vatican, brought about what has become the world's foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities.

The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 14,000 councils and 1.8 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Phillipines, Mexico, Poland, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatamala, Guam, Saipan, Lithuania, Ukraine and South Korea.

Activities of the Local Council

First, Second, Third & Fourth Degree Council
Provide insurance & financial resources to the membership
Assist people with Developmental Disabilities
Sausage Supper and Raffle
Sponsor Pass, Kick & Punt
Sponsor Free Throw Tourney
Lunch for Football Jamboree
Monthly Parish Breakfast after Sunday 9:00 am Mass
Hot Dog Feed on 1st day of Religious Education classes
Year-end Feed for last day of Religious Education classes
Fund scholarships to parish Youth to attend D-Camp
Sponsor a Seminarian of the Diocese of Sioux Falls
Host annual Parish Mass and Picnic in the Park

Youth Faith Formation Ministry News

Newly reorganized and launched as part of our Evangelization and Discipleship mission, Youth Faith Formation runs throughout the academic year with classes in the afternoon and evening beginning in August on the Wednesday the first full week of school and going through mid-May when school concludes for the year.

Afternoon classes for grades 1-5 run from 3:45-5:00 PM; evening classes for grades 6-10 run from 7:00-8:30 PM.

Catechists, substitutes and helpers needed! Please contact Fr. Simon or our YFF Volunteer Coordinator, Joanne Beringer, if you are willing to volunteer.

Safe Environment Training
This year's Safe Environment program is Made in His Image which will be presented in January and early February, depending on the grade. 

For more information please call 765-2359, or print and return the Opt Out form if you would prefer to present this material to your child at home.

 Volunteers Needed!
If you are able to help with our afternoon or evening classes, please let us know!  

The time commitment is 2-3 hours per week, and the lesson plans are all laid out for you. Please prayerfully consider volunteering and contact us at  765-2359 if you are willing to help out.