1 PASTORAL VICARIATE R EGION 2 NEWSLETTER www.diopitt.org DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH December 15, 2017 Dear Fathers, Deacons and Lay Ecclesial Ministers 1401 Hamilton Road PITTSBURGH, PA 15234 (412) 456-5645 (412) 882-0272 FAX e-mail:vicariate2@diopitt.org The celebration of the great Solemnity of Christmas blesses the Christian Assembly with three distinctive sets of Prayers and Readings to greet whatever moment the great day begins for each of us. The Opening Prayer for each Mass lifts our hearts and minds as we prepare to focus on the dawn of our salvation in, through and with Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Mary. I choose this year to share those prayers with you to help each of us prepare for the observance of the coming of the Lord and to wish each and every one the fulfillment of your hopes and dreams that flood your hearts and minds as we individually and collectively rejoice in the wondrous gift of God s love! Prayer during the night: O God, who have made this most sacred night radiant with the splendor of the true light, grant, we pray, that we, who have known the mysteries of his light on earth may also delight in his gladness in heaven. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen Mass at Dawn: Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, as we are bathed in the new radiance of your incarnate Word, the light of faith, which illumines our minds, may also shine through in our deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, on God, for ever and ever. Amen Mass during the day: O God who wonderfully created the dignity of human nature and still more wondrously restored it, grant, we pray, that we may share in the Christ, who humbled himself to share our humanity. Who lives and reigns with unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen divinity of you in the Mary Ellen and I are extremely grateful for the blessing each of you is to your family and friends, the diocese, your parish community and this office and for all you do to live the mystery of Christ in your daily and generous efforts to be the Church Alive to all God s people! May the celebration of this Christmas bind us all together again in the one Body of Christ and power us into and through this coming year that will sure transform how the Church lives in this Diocese of Pittsburgh!
2 Dates to remember!!! All diocesan offices will be closed from Saturday, December 23, 2017 through Tuesday, January 2, 2018. They will reopen on Wednesday, January 3, 2018. Please Advise Meetings: Petitions due to the Vicars office at minimum 3 days prior meeting, Fridays 1-3PM, December 15 th 2017, January 5 th & 19 th, February 2 nd and 16 th 2018 Rite of Election at the Cathedral: February 25, 2018 (Vicariates 2 and 3) 2:30PM. Questions please call (412) 456-3041 or emailing worship@diopitt.org. All 4 Vicariates Meeting of Priests and Deacons (Watch for Details) March 6, 2018 Bishop Zubik will announce final parish groupings, the categories (expected time to reach the beginning of a new parish from the grouping), clergy assignments for each Parish Grouping. Thursday, April 26, 2018 The new parish groupings clergy assignments become effective. Monday, October 15, 2018 The Light is On for You LENT! Wed, March 21, 2018 Happy Birthday to our December & January birthdays! December 1, Rev. John D. Brennan Saint Robert Bellarmine Parish December 2, Deacon Charles J. Vukotich, Jr Deacon w/ Assignment December 5, Rev. Frederick W. Gruber Saint Anne Parish December 6, Rev. Robert J. Boyle Saint Francis of Assisi Parish December 7, Rev. Donald P. Breier Diocesan Retired Priest December 9, Deacon Joseph J. Kosko, Jr Saint Winifred Parish December 12, Rev. James J. Chepponis Saint John Capistran Parish December 15, Deacon Dale J. DiSanto Saint Angela Merici Parish December 18, Rev. Jeffrey T. Duaime Holy Spirit Provincialate December 19, Rev. Robin Evanish Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish December 19, Deacon Daniel E. Nizan Holy Angels Parish December 23, Rev. Albert J. Semler Good Shepherd Parish December 24, Rev. Adam C. Potter Saint Benedict the Abbot Parish December 27, Rev. Carl J. Gentile Saint John Fisher Parish December 29, Deacon William G. Batz Saint Thomas More Parish January 8, Rev. William R. Terza Saint Damien of Molokai Parish January 9, Rev. Francis J. Murhammer Saint Margaret Parish January 9, Rev. Michael S. Suslowicz Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin January 12, Rev. Camillus Okechukwu Njoku Saint Thomas More Parish January 12, Rev. Richard A. Infante Our Lady of Grace Parish January 12, Deacon Robert J. Stein Nativity Parish January 17, Rev. Miroslaus A. Wojcicki Queen of the Rosary Parish January 22, Deacon William F. Strathmann, Jr St Louise de Marillac Parish January 23, Rev. Vincent P. Velas Diocesan Retired Priest January 25, Deacon Kevin L. Lander Saint Margaret Parish January 27, Rev. John L. McKenna Saint Januarius Parish
3 DISTRICT 1 Parishes (St Bernadette, St Colman, Good Shepherd, St Januarius, St John the Baptist, St John Fisher, Madonna del Castello, Word of God, St Maurice, North American Martyrs, Our Lady of Joy) Elementary schools (East Catholic, Forest Hills; North American Martyrs, Monroeville; St Bernadette, Monroeville; St John the Baptist, Plum) St. Bernadette School: Musical Nativity- Saturday, Dec. 16 at 7PM Children s Cantor Choir, under the direction of Adrienne Prestogeorge, will present their annual Musical Nativity. The public is invited to attend this fully costumed musical story telling of Christ s birth. The event is free to the public. Christmas Music Program - Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 7PM School Children present their annual Christmas music program. The kindergarten through eighth grade students will express the joy of Christmas through singing and the playing of instruments. For more information regarding all events, please contact the school office at 412-372-7255. North American Martyrs: Adoration is every 2 nd Monday of the month. Mass is at 8AM, Exposition is at 8:30 AM, and Adoration continues until Holy Hour at 7PM, concluding with Benediction. Everyone is welcome. Apologetics; Defending the Faith is held the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 6:30-8:00 PM in St. Michael Hall, Pitcairn. This course explores Sacred Scripture and the Church s tradition as ways to learn the faith and to defend it in the company of those who misunderstand and distort the Catholic faith. No cost and no advanced sign-up is required. Come with an open mind and a willing spirit! One of the messages of Our Lady of Fatima to the three shepherd children, Lucia, Francesco and Jacinta, was to promote the Communion of Reparation on the first Saturday of five successive months. Celebrate with us First Saturday Mass at 9 AM. Lessons & Carols Monday, December 18 at 7 PM in the church. All are welcome to come and enjoy the music of the season. Saint John the Baptist (Plum): JESUS 101 Every Thursday at 7PM in Annex. A Starting Point - A series of independent classes on learning the Catholic faith. Pub Theology 1 st & 3 rd Wednesdays at 7PM in Somma Pizza & Sports Bar, 380 Route 909, Verona. Join Bishop Zubik on December 20 th. For Young Adults 18-30 s, Women s Faith Group Every Wednesday at 9:30AM in Rectory Meeting Room. 24-Hour Eucharistic Adoration on First Friday, January 5 th at 9:30AM-8:45AM (Sat.) Advent Penance Service December 18 th at 7:00PM in the Church. Christmas Mass Schedule December 24 th 4:00pm Mass with Children s Bells for Jesus, 7:00pm, and 10:00pm. December 25 th at 10:00am Saint John the Baptist School (Plum): Night At the Races Tickets sold now for Saturday February 3 DISTRICT 2 Parishes (St Anne, St Bernard, St Elizabeth of Hungary, St Gabriel, St Germaine, Nativity, St Joan of Arc, St Sylvester, St Valentine, St Winifred), Elementary Schools (St Anne, Castle Shannon; St Bernard, Mount Lebanon; St Elizabeth, Pleasant Hills; St Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin, Whitehall; St Sylvester, Brentwood) St. Winifred Pairsh: First Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols, Sunday, January 7, 2018, 7:00 PM featuring Living Spirit and One Voice. Reception following the service. The event is free and open to the public. St Bernard Parish:. Olive Wood Sales, benefiting the Christians in the Holy Land, December 26 after all Masses in the Church Lobby.
4 St Sylvester Parish: Youth Group (SSYG) CYM Basketball boys Varsity and Junior Varsity as well as our first JV Girls CYM basketball team. Any teen that is not playing on their high school basketball team is eligible to play on a CYM team. If you are interested in learning more please call or email me. There is still time to join. All permission forms need to be turned into the youth ministry office this month to be eligible to play for the December 1 season start date. If you need a form please call or email Youth Group ASAP. Karyn Reinhart kreinhart@saintsylvesterparish.org; Saint Anne Parish: Weekly study of Sunday Readings- Thursdays 8:45-10AM in the depalma Room; contact Helen Rafferty, 412-892-9284, rafferty209@comcast.net. SHIM s Immigrant Services & Connections team meets Tuesdays in the Convent, from 9-Noon; for more information, please contact Michelle King, ISAC Service Coordinator, at 412-885-0284, ext. 345 or mking@shimcares.org. Bereavement program: It is not necessary to be a parishioner and there is no fee. Please call Pegi Wright in the Social Ministry office at 412-531-1193 or Kathy Raimondi at 412-344-9690 to register or for more information. Substance Addiction Ministry: Getting Help for Both You and Your Loved One, January 22 7-9 PM. Please join us in the Convent Dining Room. for this free program. Janet K. Astle, BS Pharm, Ed. D. currently serves as the Assistant Dean for Student Services for the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy. As assistant dean she is responsible for the identification and referral of students suffering from substance abuse disorders. Dr. Astle will speak on understanding the disease of addiction and getting help, for both you and your loved one, before hitting bottom. This program will be followed by a question and answer session. For information contact Jim Hanna, Pastoral Associate, at 412-531-5964. Substance Addiction Ministry: A Rosary for Recovery is prayed the third Tuesday of every month in Saint Anne Church at 5:45pm. DISTRICT 3 Parishes (St Barbara, St Benedict the Abbot, St Elizabeth Ann Seton, Holy Child, St John Capistran, St Louise de Marillac, St Margaret of Scotland, Our Lady of Grace, Sts Simon and Jude, St Thomas More) Elementary Schools (Our Lady of Grace, Scott, Township; St Louise de Marillac, Upper St Clair; St Margaret of Scotland, Greentree; St Thomas More, Bethel Park) Saints Simon and Jude Parish: All are invited to visit our Christmas Lights Spectacular at SSJ! The light show will run every evening from 6pm-11pm. A wonderful way to get in the Christmas spirit! Please stop in to view our extra large creche on the side of our altar. This year is our 50 th anniversary of this beautiful nativity scene. Tuesdays we offer Adoration in our Holy Family Chapel in the Parish Life Center from 9am- 4pm and Adoration in the church from 4pm-7pm. Tuesdays from 6-6:45pm is our holy hour and reconciliation along with Mass at 7pm. All are welcome! Looking for a bible study but can t find one to meet your schedule? Call Rory at 412-563-3189 to inquire about our Living Room Church Groups. We offer Bible studies on various days and times to meet almost anyone s schedule! Holy Child Parish: Eucharistic Adoration and Confession Wednesdays from 7-8PM; St. Louise de Marillac: Liturgy of the Hours Morning Prayer on Tuesdays at 8:30AM before the 9AM Mass, and on Wednesdays after the 9AM Mass;
5 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: SEAS Substance Addiction Ministry (SAM) The Christmas season is both The most wonderful time of the year and THE MOST STRESSFUL time of the year. Addiction issues for both the addict and the family are overwhelming during this season. If you need a break, an outlet, if you need to pray or just to talk, if you need to listen to ways to deal with stress during the holiday without resorting to drugs or alcohol, come join us! SEAS Substance Addiction Ministry (SAM) meets on the third Tuesday of December, 12/19, at 7PM in Room 5 of the Bayley building. Our meeting lasts one hour. Our rosary for recovery will precede the meeting in the Immaculate Conception chapel at 6:30. Prayer works. When we talk about accepting things we cannot change, we acknowledge our powerlessness before many of the realities of our existence. *** The original twelve step program developed for Alcoholics Anonymous drives home the principle of serene acceptance of what we are powerless to change, together with a confident turning to God. *** Whether we suffer from addiction or not, admitting that we are powerless over many things is a giant step toward inner peace, for it leads us to lean confidently on the true Power that can change all things. [The Way of Serenity, Father Jonathan Morris, pp 34-40.] Join us this month! All things are possible with God s help. Saint Thomas More Parish: Live Nativity Sunday 12/17 after 5PM Mass Outside on the corner of Fort Couch and Oxford. Bring your family dressed in your own angel or shepherd costumes to be part of the Nativity Scene, or just come to sing some Christmas carols and to be a witness to the true meaning of the Season! Cookies and hot chocolate will be served. Protecting God s Children Workshop Wed., Jan 24, 2018 Family Life Center Afternoon: 12-3pm or Evening: 6-9pm, This Safe Environment Clearance event with Facilitator Kerry Mindach, along with other safe environment requirements, fulfills your PGC training so you can volunteer with/around our precious children. Register online through www.diopitt.org click on to Safe Environment Compliance-Live-PGC Class, drop down to the link that best describes you (exp. Parish Volunteer) then click on PGC Live Class. Adoration Child Care: Tuesdays from 10-11AM a chance for Eucharistic Adoration without the little ones. Centering Prayer Group- Tuesdays 7-8PM back vestibule of the church; Liturgy of the Hours- Thursdays after 8AM Mass; More s Men/Men s Group- Tues 6:15AM Rooney Room. Weekly Vianney Cenacle a weekly holy hour for the sanctification of priests, from noon to 1PM every Saturday in the chapel a Rosary for Priests, The names in this notebook will be remembered silently during the weekly Cenacle; DISTRICT 4 Parishes (St Angela Merici, Corpus Christi, St Jude the Apostle, St Mark, St Michael, St Patrick, Queen of the Rosary, St Robert Bellarmine) Elementary School (Mary Of Nazareth, White Oak) High School (Serra Catholic, McKeesport) Mary of Nazareth Catholic School: (MNCS) in collaboration with Penn State to support The Free Store 15132 will collect canned goods and non-perishable items during the holiday season and throughout the school year to help those in need. Our Girl Scout Troop is also involved in the efforts. St. Angela Merici: Advent Penance Service will be held on Dec. 19 th beginning at 7PM. Priests from the area will be assisting with confessions that evening Eucharistic Adoration Wed 6-6:50PM, prior to7pm Mass then Novena of the Miraculous Medal. Queen of the Rosary: Novena to the Infant of Prague every Monday following 8AM mass; Miraculous Medal of the Blessed Virgin Mary Novena Tuesdays 8AM Mass Novena to St Joseph 1 st Wednesday of the month at 8AM Mass Holy Hour Litany to the Sacred Heart of Jesus- Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Adoration Songs, Benediction 1 st Fridays of the month at 8AM Mass; Holy Rosary, the Litany and prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary 1 st Saturdays of the month;
6 St Patrick Parish: That They May Be One Tuesdays, January 9, 16, 23, 30 12:30PM or 7:00PM Jesus Prayer of Unity is at the heart of the Gospel of John. It is His mission as heard beginning in the Prologue and continuing through the Resurrection narratives. It is for us to have the same unity with Christ and the Father, as He has with the Father and then move us in, with and through Him to unity with all others. This was His prayer before His death on the cross (Jn 17:21-23). Unfortunately, we do not dwell upon this prayer, as we should, whether it be due to our feeling unworthy, of fear, or we have already come to a misconception that we can tell God what will happen in the life to come. We will discuss the many topics contained in the book these topics and questions should provide some lively discussions concerning our focus on how we see the Church, and live as Church, in the future. It is to help us as we enter into the On Mission mentality, which is needed for every Catholic in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Evening sessions are a repeat of the afternoon gathering. Cost of the book is $4.00. Sessions will be held in the Family Life/Education Center on 32nd Street, McKeesport. Saint Mark Parish: "The Life of Christ" January - May 2018. All 4 parts begin at 7PM Part 1 Jan. 18 Annunciation up to and including the Transfiguration, Part 2 March 20 Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem to the Crucifixion. Part 3 March 27 Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus in a devotional called The Living Stations Part 4 May 3 Crucifixion to the Resurrection and closing with the sending of the Apostles to be disciples. We are looking for people from all walks of life and all ages, actors, singers, technical people, etc. experience not necessary if interested call Brandy Irish-Gerjuoy at 412-426-0008 or email brandyorganist@gmail.com. Rehearsals and readings Tuesday evenings starting in November. DISTRICT 5 Parishes (St Agnes, Holy Angels, Holy Spirit St Clare of Assisi, St Damien of Molokai, St Francis of Assisi, St Isaac Jogues, Mary Mother of the Church, Our Lady of the Valley, St Thomas a Becket,) Elementary School (St Agnes, West Mifflin; Madonna Catholic Regional, Mid Mon Valley) St. Agnes School: Registration Preschool - 8th grade for the 2017-18. Tours are available by appointment. Please call the school office 412-466-6238. Extended care until 6PM & financial aid is available. St Clare of Assisi: Come and Listen to our three men from the Neo Catechumenate. These men have a contagious zeal for Christ because they have recognized the Lord s great love for them. This is a perfect opportunity to learn more about our faith in an interesting and inviting way. The Come and Listen talks are an invitation to those who have fallen away from the faith and for those curious about Catholic traditions, from their roots to how they have evolved over the years. It will be worth your time. I hope and pray to see you there. We meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7PM in St. Clare of Assisi Church. DISTRICT 6 Parishes (Christ the Light of the World, St Joseph, Holy Trinity, St Maximilian Kolbe, Resurrection, St Rita, St Therese of Lisieux) Elementary School (St Therese of Lisieux, Munhall) St. Therese of Lisieux: Shrines of France Pilgrimage May 25-June 3, 2018 with Fr. Terry O Connor, Pastor of St. Therese of Lisieux, in partnership with the Pittsburgh Catholic, Daily Mass will be celebrated in churches so sacred to our faith. The price of the pilgrimage is $4,299 per person based on double occupancy in specially selected hotels, includes round trip airfare from Pittsburgh. Breakfasts and dinners included, for itinerary and to book online visit http://bit.ly/pittsburghfrance or contact Marianna Pisano at Unitours, phone 800-777-7432 or email mpisano@unitours.com. St. Maximilian Kolbe: Rosary Mondays at 7PM. Blessed Sacrament exposed in day chapel Fridays from noon until 4PM. Please stop by and visit. Fish Fry Fridays from 11AM- 6:30PM different special offered weekly. Please call the kitchen at 412-462-1744 for info.