This past week Fr. Taylor and I attended the Clergy Convocation at the Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheeling, West Virginia. The theme “Come Away and Rest, Relax and Renew” was very appropriate for our clergy as we face the many ongoing challenges of the recently implemented On Mission for the Church Alive! process; impact from the Grand Jury Report; running multiple parishes; declining offertory collections; building repairs; adjusting parish staff; and school regionalization. Priests are human beings, and all of these challenges can test one’s faith.
 
This weekend, we celebrate the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. It is also “Respect Life” Sunday. The readings this weekend focus on keeping the faith. In the First Reading from Habakkuk we read how a prophet wonders when God will deliver the people. God challenges the people to grow in faith. In the Second Reading to Timothy, we read how Paul is confident that the Holy Spirit will give the people strength to remain faithful to the Gospel. Paul’s first two letters are referred to as “Pastoral Epistles” because they give guidance to Timothy as a Pastor. In the Gospel of St. Luke, we read how the Apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith. The image of the seed suggests that faith must be deeply planted and allow to grow. Jesus reminds us that even with the smallest amount of faith, we have the capacity to do great things in his name.
   
Finance Council
Special thanks to Stefanie Bonavita for serving on the St. Bede Finance Council. We welcome back Holly Sommer to replace Stefanie for the remaining three months to represent St. Bede on the Joint Finance Council. Holly has an extensive accounting background and is very involved as a parent at St. Bede School.
 
Finance Council members are an advisory board to the pastor and help develop a parish and school budget and help offer input with parish maintenance.
 
Pastoral Council is an advisory board which advises the pastor on parish life and activities.
 
As we prepare to become a new parish effective January 2020, we are looking for new leaders for our Finance and Pastoral Councils. If you would like to apply to be on the Pastoral or Finance Council, please let me know via email or give me a call at the rectory.
 
Anointing of the Sick
The Sacrament of Anointing will be available after all the Masses this weekend October 5^th and 6^th.
 
RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation Program (RCIA) has started. Classes are Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 pm in the Math Classroom (1 ^st floor) of St. Bede School. Those who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith or need the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion, and/or Confirmation are welcomed. Please call or    email me for more information. 
 
Flu Shot Clinic
Flu Shots will be available on Saturday, October 19 from 9 am-11 am in the St. James Chapel courtesy of Rite Aid Pharmacy.
 
Parish Improvements
American Contracting of McKees Rocks, recently repaired the back porch of the St. Charles Lwanga Parish Rectory, patching holes and painting. An insurance claim covered the cost for the repairs.
 
The Diocese has granted permission to have K&L Builders of Export to begin renovations to the second Floor of the St. Bede Rectory to make four offices. Upon completion, the Religious Education Coordinator and Business Manager will be upstairs and we are in talks with possibly having the other two offices be rented out. Funds from the Campaign for the Church Alive! will be used to cover this project as we upgrade the building to become the main office of our new parish come January. 
 
Sacred Spaces Tour
Join us for the Religious Architectural Heritage Committee of Preservation Pittsburgh’s Sacred Spaces Tour of various houses of worship in Wilkinsburg, next Saturday, October 12. St. James Church will be open for tours from 11 am to 3:30 pm.
 
Congratulations
Congratulations to Santiago McCoy and Ruby Rollinson who are being Baptized this weekend.
 
Happy Birthday to Melissa Viator, CCEEP housekeeper and CCD teacher, who is celebrating her birthday on October 6.
 
Welcome
A special welcome to Jeffrey, Sylvia, and Anthony Villanueva, Margaret Crossey, and Colleen Posey-Nelson who recently registered at CCEEP.
 
Something to Think About…