The winter service program is inspired by the legacy of Mother Maria Kaupas, who daily demonstrated her love of God by her loving service to others, the Mount Carmel center which bears her name created an opportunity for local Catholics who are college students to serve the Church and community.
Students attend daily Mass and other scheduled spiritual activities. The volunteer component for the program provides service opportunities for the Mother Maria Kaupas Center, students’ home parishes, and community organizations, including the food pantry, nursing homes and public library.
In return for 10 days of community service in December and January, each student receives a $300 stipend.
The program is open to college students who are members of Divine Redeemer, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saints Peter and Paul churches in Mount Carmel and Holy Angels Church in Kulpmont.
Students who participated in the 2025-26 Mother Maria Kaupas Center winter service
program are shown during a volunteer day at the Mount Carmel Area Public Library.
From left are Alexa Nowroski, Chase Balichik, head librarian Vivian McCracken, Andrew
Lukoskie and Matthew Balichik.
Previous Participants of the Winter Service Program
2015-2016: Standing, Rev. Martin O. Moran (pastor of Divine Redeemer and Kaupas Center supervisor), Angelina Duda, Lee Amarose, Zachary Wasilewski, Luke Holleran, Lucas Amarose, Tyler Holleran, Bryce Fiamoncini and Kassondra Martz; kneeling, Jennifer Bolick, Jordan Winhofer, Sydney Casey and Brian McFadden.
2016-2017: Emily Padula, Dylan Fiamoncini, Angelina Duda, David Fletcher, Catherine Fletcher, Tyler Thompson, Sydney Casey, Zachary Wasilewski, Heather Bolick, Rev. Martin O. Moran, Bryce Fiamoncini.
2017-2018: Michael Vincenzes, Magdalena Callahan, Ciaran Fisher, Sydney Casey, Kassondra Martz, Bryce Fiamoncini, Luke Darrup, Dylan Fiamoncini, Michael Padula and Alex Holleran.
2018-2019: Sean Fisher, Amanda Horan, Michael Vincenzes, Luke Holleran, Ciaran Fisher, Sydney Casey, Alex Holleran, Lee Amarose, Dylan Fiamoncini and Alyssa Menko
2019-2020: Back, Alex Holleran, Laura Miller, Ben McFadden, John Ayres; front, Myia Miriello, Lilian Yuschock
Memories from the Winter Service Program
Sister Mindy Welding, IHM, left, leads a reflection on Catholic social thinking in 2016.
As one of their service projects, 2016-17 students painted a room in the Mount Carmel Township Municipal Building.
Making soup for delivery to homebound residents is a popular project every year.
Students sign Christmas carols for nursing home residents.
Mother Maria Kaupas Center 