On Mission Moving Forward! We have finally arrived at the month and date with On Mission. After three years of attending planning meetings, reading news articles, and hearing information at Mass; Bishop Zubik’s implementation of On Mission for the Church Alive is here. This week we begin a new journey at St. James and across the entire Diocese of Pittsburgh as we begin working together with our neighboring parishes to combine resources, offer vibrant liturgies, and go out and serve those in need; to be the “Church Alive.”

As we begin this process, I ask that you have an open mind and open heart, patience and willingness to step forward to come be part of our new Catholic Community of the East End of Pittsburgh. Please note that the new interim Mass schedule takes effect Monday, October 15, and next weekend we will have a new weekend Mass schedule.

Following the Diocesan guidelines, the interim Mass schedule was created by the incoming clergy team me and the current Pastor, Fr. Taylor and the Regional Vicar, Bishop Waltersheid. Feedback from parishioners and advisory councils, on the interim Mass schedule, will be gathered six month months after implementation begins. The combined Religious Education program which we have begun with the three parishes is up and running smoothly. We have 150 students in our combined program and catechists are from all three parishes.

You are most welcomed to attend church at any three of our three parishes and your church envelope can be dropped in any of the offertory baskets that will be forwarded to the respective parish. I look forward to working with Fr. David Taylor, our new Senior Parochial Vicar, as we walk this new journey together. With three church buildings: two daily and six Sunday Masses available, you’re most welcomed at any of our campuses to be involved as an Usher, Greeter, Lector, Eucharistic Minister or Altar Server.