Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, diocesan vicar general and pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, will serve as principal celebrant and all Mercer County pastors have been invited to concelebrate. Among those invited to attend are the hundreds of Guild Mission Members and those affiliated with the Guild, including former and current staff, board members and volunteers. The Mission Members will receive a special blessing from Msgr. Gervasio.

Following the Mass, a reception will be held in the home of Guild trustee Terri Olexa.

“The annual Founders’ Day Mass is one of thanksgiving, recognizing the ways God has helped us to serve our care receivers and ask for his continued guidance,” said Mary Inkrot, executive director. “We are grateful for the Guild’s Mission Members, both past and present, who serve with us. We also express our appreciation for the pioneering work of the Guild’s founding members as we reflect on their stewardship and example in establishing the guild more than 103 years ago.”

Mount Carmel Guild began in 1920, with Bishop Thomas J. Walsh’s establishment of the social service agency – an outgrowth of his work with the needy during his priesthood in Buffalo, N.Y. When the National Recreation Service – a diversion for the armed forces – was dissolved after World War I, the remaining funds were divided among the Jewish, Protestant and Catholic faith communities. The grant Bishop Walsh received from the National Catholic War Council allowed for the purchase of the Guild’s headquarters in Trenton – an Italianate structure on North Clinton Avenue. Within three months MCG began serving a variety of needs in the community, including visiting patients in hospitals and inmates in prisons, collaborating with the USO, providing legal assistance and contributing to both secular and religious education.

In 1941 the Guild began its nursing service program, which continues today as its Home Health Nursing program aiding older individuals. The Guild’s second major endeavor, the Community Support Program, provides emergency food, utilities and prescription assistance to prevent homelessness.

Inkrot noted that the food pantry serves more than 1,400 households each month including senior citizens, veterans and families with young children. In 2022, 852 families were provided with Thanksgiving meals and the Guild also provided hundreds of parents and grandparents with Christmas toys for more than 600 children.

In addition, Inkrot said that in 2022, 35 senior citizens benefited from the Home Health Nursing program that provides in-home patient monitoring, assisting with medications and coordinated care with families and physicians.

“Our efforts have been tremendously enhanced by the kindness of individuals and groups who give of their time, talent and resources,” Inkrot said. “Throughout this year, we will be pushing ahead with invigorated care programs and fundraising activities.

“We invite all our Mission Members and all who support our work to celebrate with us on March 26,” Inkrot said.

For more information, on the Mass, reception and to donate, visit MtCarmelGuild.org or call 609-392-5159.