This weekend, we celebrate the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings focus on opening our hearts for others and follow the Lord. In the first reading from the Prophet Isaiah, we read how a prophet sees all nations making their way to the City of Jerusalem. The Gentiles will be converted and receive a share in Israel’s blessings. In the Second Reading to the Hebrews, we read how our struggles in faith make us spiritually stronger.
In the Gospel from St. Luke, as Jesus continues his journey towards Jerusalem he teaches that everyone is equally deserving of his love.
As we prepare to go back to school this week and return to our busy fall schedules, let us see how the Lord is calling to serve and follow him.
Enter Through the Narrow Gate!
Farewell Fr. Cajetan! This weekend, after the 9 am Mass, at Mother of Good Counsel, we bid farewell to Fr. Cajetan Anyanwu as he heads to San Antonio Texas for his new assignment. Fr. Cajetan has been with us the past five years, and just completed his PHD at Duquesne University last Spring. We thank him for his wonderful service.
School Bells The Catholic Community of the East End of Pittsburgh welcomes students for our Religious Education Program starting this Sunday, August 25, from 9:45 am to 10:45 am. We welcome back our Religious Education Director, Teresa Maynor and her volunteers. Best wishes on a great year!
St. Bede Catholic School opens this Monday, August 26, for the 2019-2020 school year. We have made some great improvements including: the STREAM Learning Center, new floor tile and painting in several of the classrooms, signage throughout the school and air conditioning on the first floor in the STREAM Center. This year we welcome back our Principal Sister Daniella Bronka, and Liz Brown as the Office Manager and several new teachers and students.
Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Academy opens this Tuesday, August 27, and we welcome back our Principal Stephanie Michael and Mary Ann Jaskulski as the Office Manager. Several improvements were made throughout the building over the summer including: cleaning of the rooms and hallways and making several repairs. Gym equipment and books were also obtained.
RCIA Do you want to learn more about the Catholic faith? Are you baptized in another faith and would like to be Catholic? Are you baptized Catholic but need the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation? The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Program (RCIA) will be starting Tuesday, September 17. Please give me a call at 412.661.7222 ext. 207 or email
[email protected] to discuss.
Parish Improvements Tarax Service Systems Inc. of the North Shore washed and waxed all of the school hall ways, restrooms, cafeteria and the carpets were cleaned inside St. Bede School. They also cleaned the carpets on the first floor of the St. Charles Lwanga Rectory.
Three new handicap signs and parking spaces were installed behind the St. Bede Rectory near the school STREAM Lab entrance.
Thank you to Roisin Tsang and Perla McEllistream who volunteered a combined twenty seven service hours for their Confirmation project. Over the past few weeks they trimmed the bushes along Edgerton Avenue, cleaned, bleached, and stained four playground benches, two courtyard benches, and one front yard swing with cedar-colored Cabot stain. They also cleaned/primed and then applied two coats of cavalry colored PPG paint to the previously-red courtyard bench.
Looking Ahead:
Mass on Labor Day, Monday, September 2, will be at 9 am at St. Bede.
After evaluating the priest schedules and Mass attendance throughout the week, Daily Mass will remain at 9 am at St. Bede Monday through Saturday. Please join us also for Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays from 9:30am to 10:30am.
I will be on my annual vacation to the Atlantic Coast Wednesday, September 4, through Sunday, September 15. Please hold any voicemail or e-mail messages while I am away.
The weekend of September 14 and 15 we will welcome Rev. Peter Mushi from the Apostles of Jesus for the annual Diocesan Mission Appeal. Fr. Peter will be speaking at the weekend Masses. Please be as generous as possible.
Welcome A special welcome to Sarah Kelly, Peter, Claire and Gavin Snook, who recently registered at CCEEP.
Something to Think About…
Love ought to show itself in deeds more than words.