After three years of planning meetings, attending various information sessions and reading news articles in the Pittsburgh Catholic and Post-Gazette, Bishop Zubik’s implementation of the On Mission for the Church Alive is here. This week we begin a new journey across the entire Diocese of Pittsburgh working together with our neighboring parishes and combined resources, to offer vibrate liturgies and serve those in need to be the “Church Alive.”
I ask that you have an open mind and open heart, patience and willingness to step forward to become part of our new Catholic Community of the East End of Pittsburgh. Please note that the new interim Daily and Sunday Mass schedule takes effect Monday, October 15. You are most welcomed to attend church at any of our three parishes and your envelope can be dropped in any of the offertory baskets and they will go 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 to be involved as an Usher, Greeter, Lector, Eucharistic Minister or Altar Server.
As the Administrator for all three parishes, my office will remain at St. Bede. I plan on eventually moving into the St. James- Wilkinsburg Rectory. The living quarters have been vacant for several years and need to be renovated. We are seeking out bids to contractors, and I hope to get some parishioners from all three parishes to help with the renovations so that I can move in by the end of the year. I am currently commuting daily from a private residence in McKees Rocks.
The Rectory at St. Bede also needs to be renovated: we need a new roof and need to address the mold and water issues in the basement. Eventually the second floor of the St. Bede Rectory will be turned into additional offices. We need funding for this major project also as the rooms, bathrooms, and electrical outlets are outdated. Fr. David Taylor and Fr. Cajetan will continue living in the Holy Rosary of St. Charles Lwanga Parish Rectory in Homewood and Fr. Augustine and Fr. James will continue living at St. Bede.
I am honored to be named the Administrator of all thee parishes as we begin building relationships and become one Catholic Family. We have a lot of work to do but together we can do this, be the Church Alive! This weekend we celebrate the Twenty-Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time. The readings this weekend focus on looking at what is important in our life, our real treasures in life are not things but family and friends.
In the first reading from Wisdom, we read how King Solomon, a wise teacher, gives a lesson of the benefits of wisdom. All the limited gifts of this world are more securely held if they come in wisdom’s company. In the Gospel of St. Mark, Jesus teaches how difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God. A man had many possessions and questioned Jesus regarding the requirements for inheriting eternal life. Both the first reading of Wisdom and the Gospel assure us that by putting God first, we get all that we need in life. Jesus continues to call us to follow him.
No matter what wealth or possessions we have, nothing compares to the richness of Jesus’ teachings. Let Go, Let God!
*Please note that with the new Interim Mass Schedule times St. Bede Church will be open daily Monday thru Friday 7am to 6pm, Saturdays 8am to 5:30pm and Sundays 7am to 12:30pm.*
On Mission Moving Forward!