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The Felician Sisters partner with the Mooncrest Neighborhood Association in actively revitalizing a 395-unit complex, home to nearly 700 people in Moon Township, near Pittsburgh. In 2005, a Community Center was completed with the assistance of township personnel and the Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh program. This Center provides the home for Mooncrest Neighborhood Programs operated by the Sisters. These Programs are offered free of charge to participants. Children’s Programs Neighborhood Community Service Volunteers for any of these programs are always needed and welcomed. Please contact Sister Mary Rene Procopio, Program Director, for details. Sister Mary Rene can be reached at either 412 375 7608 or 412 600 5849, or between the hours of 3:00PM and 6:00PM at 412 299 5651. Mooncrest After School Program provides an environment that is non-denominational and faith-based, safe, comfortable, and secure away from home; where children in grades one through seven can learn, share, and respect themselves and others, enhance a good self-image, develop mentally, socially, emotionally, physically, and have fun besides.
Field trips are planned on a monthly basis in order to provide opportunities for children who normally don’t get to go to such places due to cost or transportation. These experiences carry over to the school classroom and enable the children to talk and write about these special trips. The staff for this program includes three Felician Sisters, four lay personnel, and volunteers from the Moon and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart high schools, student teachers from Robert Morris University, retired teachers, and residents from the Mooncrest neighborhood. This program has been funded through a federal appropriations fund, the Felician Sisters, and donations from churches and individuals.
While the children are at story-time, adults who accompany them have an opportunity to gather for coffee, during which discussion may center on their specific needs. Game Night is held once each week for children in grades six through eight. They gather to challenge one another at games, such as chess, other board games, and pool. This opportunity is provided to allow them to form teams to play other children in the area and to have a special night with parents and family members. Each evening provides “bonding time” for the neighborhood families. Supervision is provided by the Felician Sisters and adult volunteers. Mooncrest Kids Summer Program holds summer sessions for Mooncrest children as a follow-up to the Mooncrest After School Program. Children have an opportunity to attend a five-day camp at Youthtowne in Clinton, Pennsylvania, where they experience fishing, horseback riding, go-carting, organized games and fun, arts and crafts, and nature walks. Additional summer weeks allow the children to expand their artistic abilities with sessions from the Sweetwater Center for the Arts in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Organized outdoor play-time is also available. These summer sessions continue to provide lessons in team-building, respect and healthy fun, while providing supervision for young children in a safe environment. Summer programs are funded by the Felician Sisters, grants, and donations. Angela’s Kitchen is open once per month at the Mooncrest Community Center. The Felician Sisters sponsor this gathering with good food and good fellowship for the residents and children of the Mooncrest neighborhood. The Sisters, volunteers from the neighborhood, and friends prepare the food, serve it, and socialize with their neighbors.
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Copyright 2004-2006. Felician Sisters, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Province. All rights reserved. |
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While there, children complete their homework, develop social skills, improve study habits, enjoy experiences with arts and crafts, drama, music, technology, and interact in play. At the Community Center, the children have access to a deck and a large play-lot that includes a grassy area for organized play, a basketball court, and a swing area with additional equipment. 
Tales for Tots, for children ages three through five, emphasizes the importance of reading at an early age. Once a week children gather for one hour to hear award-winning stories. The children have an opportunity to receive a book each week to begin their very own library at home. Guest story-tellers are invited for holidays and special events, and books have been provided through Barnes & Noble and Half Price Books.