Pastor’s Note: February 17, 2019
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
 
                                                                                                               
This weekend we celebrate the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time.  The readings focus on trusting in God and being grateful for the blessings in our life. In the First reading from Jeremiah, we read how a prophet encourages the people to make right choices. This reading is a collection of wisdom sayings centered on the importance of trusting in God. In the Gospel of Luke, we read the “Sermon on the Plain” which Jesus teaches the Beatitudes. (We will read the second part of this Gospel next Sunday.)  The Beatitudes are the heart of Jesus’ preaching and the core of the sermon is love.
 
Luke’s version is a little bit different from Matthew’s “Sermon on the Mount” because Matthew lists eight Beatitudes and writes for a Jewish audience while Luke lists just four focusing on the poor, the hungry, the weeping, and the hated, and writes for a Gentile community. This weekend we read how Jesus and a large crowd of Jews and non-Jews gather on a plain in Galilee to hear him speak. The main teaching Jesus wants to address in the Beatitudes is to trust in God who cares for those who suffer. There is much in our world today that can lead us astray from our commitment to Christ. Let us look at the blessings God gives us today and every day.
   
On the Move
Last week I officially moved into the St. James Rectory! After eight months of having my personal items in the Guardian Storage Facility at the Waterfront in Homestead, commuting daily from my personal home in McKee’s Rocks, dealing with plumbing and electrical issues, plus trying to raise the needed funds for renovations, I am moved in on the third floor of the St. James Rectory which has been vacant for three years. Work still continues on the second floor of the rectory upgrading two guest rooms.
 
 
Now all three of our Rectories in the Catholic Community of the East End have priests living on campus: Fr. Taylor and Fr. Cajetan continue to live at the St. Charles Lwanga - Holy Rosary Rectory and Fr. James and Fr. Augustine live at the St. Bede Rectory. My office continues to be at the St. Bede Campus.
 
Eventually when we merge (hopefully in January 2020) we will have one main office which will be located at the St. Bede Campus. The second floor of St. Bede Rectory is in need of major repairs to make offices for the Music Department, Religious Education and for the Business Manager. A new roof and repairs to the laundry room, kitchen and basement also will need to be addressed in the future and we hope to eventually purchase a truck to be used by our Maintenance Department to travel to and from all three of our campuses.
 
Pre-Marriage Mentor Couples
Next Sunday, February 24, after the 11am Mass in church, there will be an information meeting for couples interested in helping with our Pre-Marriage Mentor Couple program. If you are interested in this ministry please contact Rich and Diane Nocito at 412-821-0587 or at [email protected].
 
Upcoming Activities
 
Ash Wednesday- March 6.
Masses will be held:     9am - St. James
                                       9am - St. Bede
                                        Noon – St. Charles Lwanga-
                                                     Mother of Good Counsel
                                       7pm- St. James
                                       7pm- St. Bede
 
First Reconciliation for the CCEEP community will be on Saturday, March 9 at 11am at St. Bede Church.
 
Confirmation Retreat- Wednesday, March 13 from 9am to 3pm
Martina Spiritual Renewal Center- West View.
 
Rite of Election for R.C.I.A. Candidates and Catechumen- Sunday, March 17 at 2pm- St. Paul Cathedral.
 
Confirmation for the CCEEP community will be on Tuesday, March 26 at 7pm at St. Bede Church with Bishop Zubik.
 
Taize and Penance Service- Sunday, March 31 at 3pm at St. James.
 
“Light is On for You”- Wednesday, April 10, 6pm to 9pm at St. Bede.
 
Living Stations- Palm Sunday, April 14, 7:30pm St. Ferdinand Parish Youth Ministry Program performs “Living Stations” at St. Bede.
 
First Holy Communion for the CCEEP community will be on Sunday, April 28 at 2pm at St. Bede Church.
 
Congratulations
Congratulations to Xander McCollum who is being Baptized this weekend.
 
This weekend we welcome The Little Sisters of the Poor from Brighton Heights. Please be as generous as possible!
 
Something to Think About…
“I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish he didn’t trust me so much.”    St. Teresa of Calcutta
 
With God, All Things Are Possible!
 
Fr. Tom Burke
Administrator
E-Mail:[email protected]