January 27, The Mother Church of the Diocese of Pittsburgh A Foundation of Faith / Building a Future of Hope

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1 The Mother Church of the Diocese of Pittsburgh A Foundation of Faith / Building a Future of Hope Fifth Avenue (Oakland) at Craig Street, Pittsburgh, PA Mailing address: 108 N. Dithridge St., Pittsburgh, PA Parish Office: Social Services: Religious Education Office: Fax: Music Office: info@saintpaulcathedral.org Website: Serving the Diocese and Community at large for over 100 years January 27, 2013 Bishop of Pittsburgh Most Reverend David A. Zubik M.S. Ed., D.D. Rector/Pastor Very Reverend Kris D. Stubna, S.T.D. Parochial Vicars Reverend Michael Roche, S.T.B. Reverend Steven Palsa, M. Div. In Residence Reverend Daniele Vallecorsa, S.T.L. Reverend Joseph M. Freedy, S.T.L. Reverend Barry P. O Leary Masses Saturday Vigil: 6pm Sunday: 6:30am, 8am, 10am, 12noon & 6pm Weekdays Monday through Saturday 6:45am, 8:15am and 12:05pm Televised Masses (Comcast - Cable channel 95) Weekdays: 8:15 a.m.; Sundays: 8 a.m. Baptisms 1st and 3rd Sundays at 1:15pm Confessions Fridays: 12:35pm Saturdays: 12:35pm and 7pm following the 6pm Mass or anytime by appointment Cathedral Pastoral Staff Everybody s Church Since 1906, this historic Cathedral, in the midst of Oakland s educational, medical and cultural community, has served Catholics and the wider community of Pittsburgh, as a prayerful oasis and spiritual home. As the Bishop s Church, the Cathedral is the Mother Church for more than 700,000 Catholics in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. All are welcome, and your support to preserve and enhance this diocesan center of prayer and worship, is appreciated. Statement of Our Parish Mission The Catholic Community of Saint Paul Cathedral Parish, empowered by the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Eucharist, proclaims, witnesses and shares the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Mother Church of the Diocese of Pittsburgh is uniquely situated in the midst of academic, medical and cultural centers. We invite all to join us as we live our faith and reach out in charity to those in need. As we move into our future, we affirm our baptismal call to holiness by deepening our faith and loving one another, all for the honor and glory of God. Parish Office Rebecca Zielinski-Arnold & Pat Pope Wedding/Funeral Coordinator M. Jean Hartman Catechetical Administrator Vickie L. Erickson Director of Music Donald K. Fellows Associate Organist Kenneth G. Danchik Parish Resources, Manager Gregory Zigray, M.B.A. Social Minister Sr. Patricia Ann Mahoney, OSF

2 ST. PAUL CATHEDRAL SCRIPTURE REFLECTION Jesus announces in the synagogue of Nazareth the new age of grace that has broken into the world through the Incarnation. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, sight to the blind and freedom for the oppressed. These were the promises made for generations through the prophets, the dreams and hopes of the Israelites that would come about in the Messianic age. Jesus points to His identity as He says, Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing. And yet, how many who heard Jesus proclamation that the Kingdom of God had come and who saw His miracles and mighty deeds, how many still refused to believe and drifted away? In today s first reading, we hear of Ezra and Nehemiah, the servants of God who were entrusted with the work of rebuilding the lives of the Israelites and the temple, following the return from their long captivity and exile. There was physical work to be accomplished, but of far greater importance was the call to repentance, to conversion, to reconciliation and to fidelity to the covenant. This was the dramatic scene of lifting high the scroll the Word of God and blessing the people of God. We read that they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the Lord, their faces to the ground. This was the cause for rejoicing and hope. Those who are faithful to the law, those who trust in God, those who allow the Lord to be their strength, will be able to accomplish everything the Lord desires. This was the foundation of the new life for the Israelites their total love for God and his way. Saint Paul in today s second reading reminds us of the diversity of gifts, but the unity of the one Body of Christ. For in one Spirit we are all baptized into one body and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. We are called each day to that same kind of conversion of heart and fidelity to God s way. All too often we live selfishly, seeking those things that we need for our own comfort and success. We fail to recognize the call of God to open our hearts to the way of the Spirit. What we have been given is God s gift to us, not for our own self gain or pursuit, but so that we can offer greater praise and glory to God and help to build up His Body, the Church. How well do we lift up our gifts in service to the Church? In so doing, we are helping to bring into view the Kingdom of God s light and truth, His peace and joy, His saving love for all. As St. Paul writes, God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. Faithful discipleship requires that we work actively to build up the Body of Christ in love. We must PITTSBURGH, PA be about the same vision of life that was announced by Jesus in the synagogue of Nazareth, a world that brings good news to the poor and disadvantaged, that works to respect the sanctity of human life from beginning to end, that seeks to heal the brokenness of sin through reconciliation, mercy and peace. Like the Israelites in the first reading, we are charged by our Christian vocation to holiness to build a world that gives evidence to the redemption already won for us through the blood of the Cross. We have work to do for sure, but we live in the hope of having the Spirit of God within us. The more we allow that grace to guide and to direct all we do, the more we open our hearts to God s love and live in faith, the work of God will be accomplished. We are given that same encouragement offered to the Israelites: Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength. WE WELCOME ALL WHO ARE VISITING US TODAY FOR THE MANIFESTING THE KINGDOM MASS with Bishop Zubik. In a particular way, I extend a special word of congratulations to all those who are receiving this prestigious award. We salute you for your service to the Church and the witness of faith that you give to so many. May God bless you and your families! Welcome to Saint Paul Cathedral, and we hope you will always feel at home in the Mother Church of our diocese. THE ANNUAL BLESSING OF THROATS will take place after each of the Masses next Saturday evening, February 2, and Sunday, February 3. Because the Feast of St. Blaise falls on a Sunday this year, the celebration of that feast is suppressed. But we will be available to bless throats immediately following each of the Sunday Masses next weekend. This centuries old tradition has been adopted by the Church as one of its official blessings. The priest crosses two candles against the throat of the person to be blessed and says: Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may the Lord free you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. St. Blaise was a bishop in Sebaste,Turkey in the 4 th century when the persecutions broke out. He died a martyr s death. The custom of blessing throats on this day is based on the story of St. Blaise healing a young boy who had a fish bone stuck in his throat. The candles used in the ceremony commemorate those brought to him in prison by the boy s mother. CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK is being celebrated in our country and in our diocese this week, January 27 through February 2. The theme this year is Catholic Schools Raise the Standards. Catholic schools are a great gift and blessing, not only to our Catholic school students and their families, but also to the Church and to

3 SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JANUARY 27, 2013 our nation. Catholic schools provide our young people with an academically excellent education in an environment of faith, nurturing and love. They provide the great beginnings that last a lifetime. I want to salute all our Catholic school administrators, teachers and staff for their excellent work. We thank the diocesan leaders, especially Dr. Paserba, Secretary for Catholic Education and Evangelization and Dr. Michael Latusek, Superintendent for Catholic Schools, and all the diocesan staff. I had the privilege of working with so many of them for years, and I know their dedication and excellence. I want to recognize and salute all the young people from Saint Paul Cathedral parish who attend Catholic schools. We are very proud of you and always pray for your success. It is a blessing to have so many of our Catholic school students help as altar servers and lectors here at the parish and to help in so many other ways. A very special word of recognition to the Oakland Catholic High School and Central Catholic High School communities with whom we have such a wonderful relationship here at the Cathedral. To our parents who make great sacrifices in order to provide their children a Catholic education, you are to be commended for making such a great investment in your child s life. Let us all remember to support our Catholic schools in every way we can and to pray for all our Catholic School students and their parents, along with all of our Catholic school administrators, teachers and staff members. Happy Catholic Schools Week! OAKLAND CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL will celebrate one of its all-school Masses tomorrow, Monday, January 28, at the 8:15 am Mass. We are always delighted to have the Oakland Catholic High School students, faculty and administration present with us for the celebration of the Holy Mass. We wish them every success in their studies. A word of thanks to both Father Bob George and our own Father Michael Roche for their special service as chaplains to both Oakland Catholic and Central Catholic. A MASS HONORING ALL THOSE MEN AND WOM- EN IN CONSECRATED LIFE will be celebrated at the Cathedral next Sunday at 12:00 Noon. The Church is celebrating World Day for Consecrated Life. We welcome Bishop William Winter, our retired auxiliary bishop, who will preside at the Mass, as well as all the men and women in consecrated life from across our diocese. This is a wonderful opportunity to thank the men and women religious who serve the Church in so many different ways with great love, fidelity and zeal. THE SISTERS OF MERCY, who served in our parish for many years and continue to remain close to our parish through prayer have asked that we mark this day by inviting all of our parishioners to contribute to a food drive. In a letter sent to me by Sr. Marie Immaculee Dana, Local Leader of the Sisters of Mercy, she wrote that the women religious of the diocese want to mark this day by service to so many in need. The Sisters of Mercy served happily at Saint Paul Cathedral parish for many years, and many still remain close to some of the parishioners. We will join this request of the Sisters of Mercy to help support our own parish food bank which assists so many people in need throughout the Oakland community. We have a Lenten food bank drive scheduled for the weekend of March Please remember that in supporting the food drive this year, you are also giving thanks and honoring the many women religious who served faithfully in our Cathedral parish for many years and throughout the diocese. I would ask that you mark your calendars for this food drive. More information will follow. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, IS THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD. This feast dates back to the 4 th century of the Church and commemorates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple according to the prescriptions of Mosaic Law and the purification of Mary forty days after the birth of Jesus. This feast is also known as Candlemas Day, from the practice of blessing the candles that are used in the Church throughout the year. We will bless the candles at each of the three Masses that are celebrated that morning. OUR PARISH MISSION STATEMENT is published on the front of the bulletin every week. It is a statement that sets forth the vision and dreams of the entire parish family at the Cathedral. I would invite you to take a few moments to read and to reflect on that mission statement. It says something about who we are and how each of us as a parishioner is called to reflect on our faith in Jesus Christ in our daily lives. Part of the mission statement indicates that each of us is called to live our faith and reach out in charity to those in need. It also speaks to our continued desire to grow in love of God and neighbor: As we move into the future, we affirm our baptismal call to holiness by deepening our faith and loving one another, all for the honor and glory of God. I continue to be proud to serve as pastor and rector of this magnificent parish, the Mother Church of our diocese. I witness firsthand every day the strong faith of our parishioners, their tremendous love for God, and the many ways in which each of you strives to live out your faith through service and care for others. It is a

4 ST. PAUL CATHEDRAL privilege and joy for me to serve as the shepherd of this parish family. Please know that you are always close to my heart in prayer each day, and I continue to ask that you pray for me as well. May God bless you. THE ANNUAL LOVEWALK FOR THE POOR is scheduled for Sunday, February 10 th. The Lovewalk for the Poor is a worship and social service experience aimed at helping the poor of our diocese. After celebrating Mass, walkers carry the donations they bring to the East End Cooperative Ministries. By doing so the walkers experience the hardships of the homeless who carry their possessions with them at all times. This year participants are asked to bring baby items for use at the Roselia Center and non-perishable food items for the food bank. The Lovewalk for the Poor will take place at Sacred Heart Parish in Shadyside and is open to all ages. Mass begins at 2:00 PM, followed by the walk to the East End Cooperative Ministries. For more information, contact the diocesan Department for Youth and Young Adult Ministries at MANY THANKS TO OUR PATRONS WHO ADVERSTISE IN OUR WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN. I am deeply grateful to each of them for their support in making the bulletin possible through their advertisements. I would ask that you look at those ads each week and patronize those individuals and businesses when possible. If anyone would like to advertise in the parish bulletin, please give me a call for the contact information. A GIFT FROM THE ESTATE OF ROBERT W. DICKEY was recently received by the Cathedral. I want to extend my deepest thanks and gratitude to Mr. Dickey s family and assure them of our continued remembrance of Bob in our prayers at Mass. Bob Dickey was a faithful parishioner of the Cathedral parish whose kindness touched the lives of many people during his lifetime. May God grant him eternal rest now in his Kingdom. CANDIDATES FOR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION are being prepared in our parish religious education program, area Catholic school programs and by our homeschooling parents It will be important that any parent of a child who desires to receive First Holy Communion or Confirmation this year would make that intention known to me personally. As pastor, I will need to meet with our candidates for the sacraments to determine readiness for the reception of the Sacrament; so it is a good idea to begin to discuss a time to meet well before the time for the administration of the Sacraments. This year we have scheduled First Holy Communion for Good Shepherd Sunday, April 28, at the 10:00 AM Mass. Confirmation will be administered by Bishop Zubik at the Cathedral on Sunday, May 5, at 2:00 PM. PITTSBURGH, PA A SPECIAL WORD OF CONGRATULATIONS to our parish secretary, Becca Zielinski-Arnold, and her husband Keith on the birth of their son, Tyler. He was born on Tuesday, January 15, and weighed in at 8 pounds, 7 ounces. Mother and child are doing well, and we send them our prayers and best wishes! GOOD LEADERS, GOOD SHEPHERDS is a pastoral leadership program for priests. I completed the program as part of the second group of priests in the diocese this past summer. It is an 18-month program that requires a great deal of time and work on the part of those who participate. The third group of priests will begin the program at the end of January. Three of the priests from the Cathedral will be participating: Father Michael Roche, Father Daniele Vallecorsa and Father Joseph Freedy. It does require some time away from their assignments, but it is an excellent help in developing the skills and knowledge to enhance our priestly ministry. I would ask that you remember them in your prayers as they begin this important formation program and we wish them the best of success in their efforts. TO ALL THOSE IN OUR PARISH FAMILY WHO ARE HOMEBOUND, IN NURSING HOMES OR HOSPITALIZED, I send a very special word of blessing to each of you. I remember your intentions at each of the Masses we celebrate daily. I pray that God s strength and healing will come down upon you in abundance. You are a special part of our parish family. I know that many of the homebound and elderly have told me that they pray for the priests and the parish family of the Cathedral each day, and that is a very important and special ministry for which we are deeply grateful. May you always know that you are remembered in our thoughts and prayers. If someone is in need of receiving Holy Communion or desires to go to Confession, please do not hesitate to call the rectory. May God bless you. IRA ROLLOVER IS AGAIN POSSIBLE. Those individuals with IRA accounts who are over 70 ½ years of age may make a retroactive gift to Saint Paul Cathedral Parish from their IRA account for 2012 of up to $100,000. This means that you must act quickly through your IRA custodian to make this happen. This gift would not be required to be claimed as income on your 2102 income tax return. The program is in effect for the 2103 tax year as well. For more information, you can contact Mr. Paul Stabile, Director of Planned Giving for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, at

5 SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JANUARY 27, 2013 Monday, January 28 St. Thomas Aquinas Heb 9:15, * Mk 3: :45 Ann and Frank Mullen 8:15 Lorenzo and Angela Bucci 12:05 Andrew Bobick Tuesday, January 29 Heb 10:1-10 * Mk 3: :45 Mildred Dean 8:15 Francesca Labarile 12:05 Paolo DiNardo Wednesday, January 30 Heb 10:11-18 * Mk 4:1-20 6:45 Dec d of Tommarello Family 8:15 Stanley Kogut 12:05 Roberto DePasquale Thursday, January 31 St. John Bosco Heb 10:19-25 * Mk 4:: :45 Rosa Y. Baynard 8:15 Giuseppe Dolarice and Mary Varrati 12:05 Dino DiNardo Friday, February 1 Heb 10:32-39 * Mk 4: :45 Prins Family Living and Dec d 8:15 Anna Skirpan 12:05.Bernice Teckmeyer, Anniv. Saturday, February 2 Presentation of the Lord Mal 3:1-4 * Lk 2: :45 Josephine Hinkle 8:15 Bernard Young 12:05 Joseph DePasquale 6:00 People of the Parish Sunday, February 3 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jer 1:4-5, * 1 Cor 12:31-13 * Lk 4: :30 Men and Women Religious 8:00.Carmelo and Emacolata Sciulli 10:00 Rafaele Pasquarelli noon Ministry of Prayer 6:00 Scott Miller, Living CHILDLINE - Report suspected child abuse Diocese of Pittsburgh Victim Abuse Hotline FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP A word of thanks to all who give so generously to support our parish and its many services. Sunday, January 20, 2013 Collection Goal: $15, Offertory: $14, We welcome the newest members of our parish family who were baptized here recently: Abigail Marie Fischer Daughter of John and Katherine Fischer Madeleine Ruth Mistovich Daughter of Justin and Keili Mistovich Silas Theodore Minczeski Son of Matthew and Holly Minczeski Nicolena Audrey Provenzano Daughter of Peter and Dana Provenzano A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEW PARISHIONERS who have recently joined the Cathedral parish: Alexandra Souchuns Stuart Green David and Catherine Kraning Kevin and Sandra Culligan Lauren Tedesco Eric D. Christian PASSING FROM DEATH TO NEW LIFE We extend our sympathies and prayers to the family of MARTIN TIM SHEERER who was buried from the Cathedral this past week. In addition to his wife, Beverly, Tim had four children and 11 grandchildren. He was a noted attorney and served the community in numerous ways. May he rest in peace. CATHOLIC ACTION for college students meets every Sunday evening after the 6 PM Mass in the parish social hall underneath the Church. There is pizza and dessert for everyone. The topic for this Sunday is Faith Comes by Hearing: What s Missing from the Bible as Literature. Next Sunday, February 3, will be a Super Bowl Party. All our college students are welcome to attend.