“With God All Things Are Possible!” St. Mary Magdalene Parish The Catholic Community of the East End of Pittsburgh MASS SCHEDULE Saturday 4:00 pm St. James 5:30 pm St. Bede Sunday 8:00 am St. Bede 9:00 am Mother of Good Counsel 10:00 am St. James 11:00 am St. Bede Monday - Saturday 9:00 am St. Bede Website saintmarymagdalenepgh.org All our churches are accessible. @smmppgh CONFESSION & EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Saturday 9:30 am - 10:30 am St. Bede NOVENAS 9:30 am St. Bede Monday Miraculous Medal Perpetual Novena Wednesday Mother of Perpetual Help Novena Thursday St. John XXIII Novena for the Sick FAITH FORMATION (CCD) Sunday 9:45 am-10:45 am St. Bede BAPTISMS AND WEDDINGS by appointment only ST. BEDE CHURCH 509 South Dallas Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15208 ST. JAMES CHURCH 718 Franklin Avenue, Wilkinsburg PA 15221 MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL CHURCH 7705 Bennett Street, Pittsburgh PA 15208 Pastoral Staff Rev. Thomas J. Burke, Pastor [email protected]Rev. David Taylor, Senior Parochial Vicar [email protected]In Residence Rev. James Adeoye [email protected]Rev. Augustine Temu [email protected]Office Staff Frank Grande [email protected]Terri Price [email protected]Religious Education Teresa Maynor [email protected]Music Ministries Jennifer Gorske, Director of Music Ministries 412.370.2638; [email protected]Carla LaRocca DiDonato 412.422.2460; [email protected]Pat Morgan 412.425.3834; [email protected]Gerard Rohlf 412.657.7570; [email protected]Safe Environment Melissa Viator [email protected]Social Ministry & Community Outreach Anne Scheuermann 412.241.1309; [email protected]Media & Communications Cathy Raffaele 412.241.1392; [email protected]Glennen Lloyd [email protected]Bulletin [email protected]Housekeeping/Maintenance Paul Denk, Michael Natalia, Annette Shunk Principals Sr. Thea Bowman Catholic Academy: Ms. Stephanie Michael 412.242.3515; [email protected]; sistertheabowman.org St. Bede School: Sr. Daniela Bronka 412.661.9425; [email protected]; saintbedeschool.com PARISH OFFICE 509 South Dallas Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15208 [email protected]Phone:412.661.7222 Fax: 412.661.9337
Transcript
“With God All Things Are Possible!”
St. Mary Magdalene Parish
The Catholic Community of the East End of Pittsburgh
MASS SCHEDULE Saturday 4:00 pm St. James 5:30 pm St. Bede
Sunday 8:00 am St. Bede 9:00 am Mother of Good Counsel 10:00 am St. James 11:00 am St. Bede
Monday - Saturday 9:00 am St. Bede
Website saintmarymagdalenepgh.org All our churches are accessible. @smmppgh
CONFESSION & EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Saturday 9:30 am - 10:30 am St. Bede
NOVENAS 9:30 am St. Bede
Monday Miraculous Medal Perpetual Novena Wednesday Mother of Perpetual Help Novena Thursday St. John XXIII Novena for the Sick
FAITH FORMATION (CCD) Sunday 9:45 am-10:45 am St. Bede
BAPTISMS AND WEDDINGS by appointment only
ST. BEDE CHURCH 509 South Dallas Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15208
ST. JAMES CHURCH 718 Franklin Avenue, Wilkinsburg PA 15221
MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL CHURCH 7705 Bennett Street, Pittsburgh PA 15208
Every one of us has been impacted with the Coronoavirus pandemic that has hit our world. Schools, pa-rades, concerts, and sporting events have been cancelled and many businesses and gyms have closed. (I miss working out at the JCC).
Last Sunday evening, Bishop Zubik announced that all daily and Sunday Masses are cancelled until further no-tice. Please note our church and campuses will remain closed until the restriction is lifted and our parish office will be open on a limited basis.
Let us remain calm, take preventive measures to stay healthy and keep moving forward. Let us pray for peace and calm in our city, state, nation and world. We will get through this difficult time in our society.
This weekend we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday, or Rejoice Sunday. We are half way through the Lenten Season. All the readings this weekend focus on seeing and believing.
In the first reading from the Book of Samuel we read how a prophet sets out to anoint a new king. God speaks to Samuel and David is anointed king. In the second read-ing to the Ephesians, Paul reflects on how the people were once in darkness have received the light of the Lord.
In the Gospel of John, we read the healing of the man born blind. This is the sixth “sign” (miracle) in the Gospel of John. The man does not ask to be healed and there is no conversation between him and Jesus, but the healing demonstrates that Jesus is the light of the world. The Pharisees want to accuse Jesus of violating the Sabbath by healing the blind man, but it is the Pharisees that are blind because they cannot see the good that Jesus is doing. The blingd man “sees” Jesus as the Son of God!
As we approach this “half way” mark of the Lenten sea-son, let us open up our eyes and see the good that is around us even during this difficult time.
“Let’s Eliminate Negative Thinking”
Parish Share 2020 The Annual Parish Share 2020 Campaign has begun. Our goal this year for St. Mary Magdalene Parish is $153,393. Parish Share helps operate the day to day operations at the Pastoral Center downtown, and sup-ports our Seminary, Hospital Chaplaincy and College Campus programs. Every registered parishioner should have received a pledge card and letter in the mail recent-ly. Please be as generous as possible. Parish Improvements Graphics 22 of Hazelwood recently installed new parish signs at all of our campuses. Special thanks to a gener-ous benefactor for making this project a possibility.
Main Street Music & Sound of Irwin installed four new wall speakers this past week at Mother of Good Counsel. Special thanks to Gerard Rohlf for overseeing this pro-ject. Ministry Van The Ministry Center is need of a cargo van to pick up their weekly food and items from the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank in the City of Duquesne. If you are interested in helping to fund this project please make check paya-ble to St. Mary Magdalene Parish and memo it “Cargo Van Fund” and mail it to my attention to the parish office. Van Drivers and Riders We are developing a list of parishioners interested in vol-unteering as van drivers on the weekends to take people to church in our new eight passenger van. If you are interested, please contact Cathy Raffaele at 412-241 1392 or e-mail at [email protected]. (All vol-unteers will need to complete the Diocesan Safe Envi-ronment program in order to participate). Welcome Michael Natalia It gives me great pleasure to welcome Michael Natalia to our St. Mary Magdalene Parish Maintenance Staff. Mike has been working for the Diocese for the past nine-teen years working at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland, Good Shepherd in Braddock, and most recently at St. Sebastian in Ross Township. Mike has experience in various maintenance areas and loves doing landscaping work. A native of Penn Hills, Mike currently resides in Plum Borough with his wife Caterina and three sons, Tommy, Michael, and Joey. Welcome aboard Mike! Happy Birthday Happy Birthday to Pat Morgan from our Music Ministry Department who is celebrating her birthday this coming Wednesday, March 25.
Something to Think About…
The value of experience is not in seeing much, but in seeing wisely.
3 1/2 weeks ago on Ash Wednesday, we were blessed and reminded that life in this world is a very fragile thing. We started on the journey to help us understand this more fully and to also keep in mind that like Je-sus, we have daily crosses in our lives.
Now that we are in the second half of Lent, we learn just how true this is. True we are disappointed in not being able to gather for
the Holy Eucharist, the source of our lives. And we have had to cancel and postpone many of our faithful observances. But our faith teaches us that Christ is present in every prayer and good geeds that comes from our lives. During this time we must real-ly be thinking of our neighbor's needs. We have many poor sick disabled in elderly people among us. While we struggle to take care of ourselves we still have the responsibility up caring for others around us.
We pray also for hard-working families whose children will be out of school for some time. And we realize that the virus we are facing is worldwide. There are many especially, in third world countries, who experience these challenges as a regular way of life. Let's not forget that we are immensely blessed.
Today's Gospel shows us that when we really need the Lord he is always around. As Jesus opened the eyes of the man born blind he also restored his faith. We will get through this challenge hopefully more grateful and appreciative of our many blessings and more willing to share with others. Let’s stay safe but also look out for others. This is the es-sence of following the Lord
Advisory Councils
Parish Pastoral Council Finance Council
Patricia Albacete Linda Atkins
Lois Campbell Anne Kovalan-Santoni
Peter Lahoda Teresa Maynor
Denise Charron-Prochownik Joan Price
Janice Reed Dante Romito Eric Setzler
Geloria White
Pastoral Council meets on the 3
rd Monday
of the month.
Martin Albacete David Aleva Linda Burke
Michael Myers Michael Polite
Judy Prata Bill Rawlings Mara Sullivan Victor Thorpe
Finance Council meets
on 4th
Monday of the month.
STEWARDSHIP
Parish Share Program (PSP) Pledge cards have been mailed.
If you contribute through Faith Direct, you can indicate how much you wish to give for PSP, weekly or month-ly and for what period of time.
Early Bulletin Deadlines Bulletin announcements are due early for the following:
Please call Cathy at 412.241.1392 with any questions.
Advisory Councils Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Council meeting minutes are on the homepage of our website.
If you wish a paper copy of the minutes, please contact the Parish Office at 412.661.7222.
Regular contributions may be mailed to the Parish Of-fice.
To sign up for online giving at Faith Direct, for regular contributions or for a one time gift, such as PSP, visit faithdirect.net and use church code PA994.
For online giving information, see the homepage of our website: saintmarymagdalenepgh.org or call Frank Grande at 412.661.7222 x 202.
Offertory for March 15: $4,693 PSP 2020 To Date: $9,635
BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS are due no later than 9 am on Mondays
for the next week’s bulletin.
Larger announcements must be submitted a week prior to the Monday deadline.
Lenten Almsgiving As a part of our Lenten observance to pray, fast and give alms, we are asked to sacrifice generously to give alms to our St. Mary Magdalene Global Solidarity Partners: Fr. Fred’s School, Queen of Apostles Acad-emy, in rural Kyerero, Uganda; Partners in Progress (supporting Fatima House Orphanage and Health Clinic in Fondwa, rural Haiti), and Bread for the World, a Christian organization that advocates through public policy for global nutrition around the world.
An envelope for your almsgiving will be included in our April offering envelopes and Faith Direct. A second collection will be taken up for our Lenten almsgiving on Palm Sunday, April 5. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated.
For those seriously ill, elderly, or preparing for surgery, please call Fr. Burke at 412.661.7222 or Fr. Taylor at 412.731.3020.
Those who are in hospitals or nursing homes may also request the Catholic Chaplain on duty for the Sacrament.
AS A FAITH COMMUNITY, we remember parishion-
ers, who cannot be with us, and those who care for them.
If you, a family member, or friend would like to be on our prayer list, please contact us at 412.241.1392.
Reaching Out During this time of the coronavirus, COVID-19, we are more isolated and we ask that parishioners remember each other in prayer.
If you would like to contact someone you know from attending Mass and do not have a phone number or if you need assistance, call the Parish Office at 412.661.7222.
Welcome
My name is Michael Natalia. I have been working for
the Diocese of Pittsburgh since August of 1999. I be-
gan my career at St. Paul Cathedral, working under
Father Loe V. Vanyo, handling all of the maintenance
needs. I transferred to Good Shepherd parish and
worked for Father Tom Burke and after that I trans-
ferred to St. Sebastian parish. I am happy to be com-
ing to St. Mary Magdalene to handle whatever is put
on my plate.
My family and I live in Plum Borough and love it. My
wife Caterina and I have been married for 21+ years.
She works at Chatham University. We have 3 awe-
some boys. Tommy who attends Chatham University,
Michael who is in 10th grade, and Joey who is in 5th
grade. I enjoy all sports. I play in a volleyball league
and love playing golf. I love cooking and being around
people.
I am very dedicated to anything I do. I will enjoy work-
ing at Mary Magdalene.
Michael Natalia
From the Pastor
Hello. This is Fr. Tom Burke, Pastor of Saint Mary Magdalene Parish—serving the communities of the East End, Point Breeze, and Wilkinsburg.
During these times of uncertainty with the COVID-19 outbreak, I would like to remind you not to be afraid, but to have faith! Here at St. Mary Magdalene Parish, please know that I as your Pastor, along Fr. David Taylor and my staff are here for you in any way possi-ble.
The maintenance staff is hard at work fully sanitizing the church’s doors, pews, hymnals, and floors not to mention the restrooms for you to feel at ease once the restriction has been lifted for your safe return to church. Our office staff is available to answer your phone calls for any requests or inquiries that you may have as well as keeping you informed with up-to-date parish’s news and events taking place through the parish’s website, Facebook page, and electronic newsletter. Printed copies of the parish bulletin will be mailed out to those who do not have internet access. Our Ministry Center continues to remain open to serve those in need with food and/or clothing.
We are here for you, but we can’t do it without you! We need your continued financial support to help St. Mary Magdalene operate as normal as possible dur-ing these troubled times. Please consider mailing in your regular contributions to the Parish Office or par-ticipate in our online giving program, Faith Direct, to assist the parish pay for the operating expenses that continue to occur and to be able to continue ministry to our Catholic community.
Information
Fr. Tom Burke will be recording a Mass for Sunday, March 22. It will be available on Facebook and YouTube. The parish website, saintmarymagdalenepgh.org and Faceook, @smmppgh will be updated when infor-mation is available. Daily Mass is available on Comcast Cable Channel 95
in the City of Pittsburgh, and through XFINITY ON
DEMAND an online at christianassociatestv.org
To receive updates from the Diocese of Pittsburgh,
volunteers in the parish or school is required by the diocese to be compliant with all Safe Environment clearances.
Please contact Melissa Viator at 412.661.7222 or [email protected] with questions or for assistance.
PROTECTION OF GOD’S CHILDREN Report suspected child abuse
24-Hour Child Abuse Hotline: 800.932.0313
If a child is in imminent danger, call 911
First Scrutiny: Michael Bonano and Sylvia SNG
Way of the Cross...Way of Compassion; A Public Procession of Prayer through Wilkinsburg on Good Friday, April
10, 2020, 10 - 11:30 AM beginning at St. James Church, St. Mary Magdalene Parish, 718 Franklin Avenue in Wilkinsburg. Sponsored by Pittsburgh Area Pax Christi and hosted by some of the Christian Churches of Wilkinsburg.
We will gather to celebrate God’s unconditional love and mercy on this Good Friday, recognizing that God’s is a heart-wrenching, aching love, witnessing human rejection of Jesus and all the possibilities that he offered us. Yet God forgives us: love shaking us to wake up to the dream he has for us and for our world. To wake up and choose
life! Wilkinsburg is an impoverished community left behind from the prosperity of much America. It suffers, like simi-lar neighborhoods across the US and the world, from conditions that undermine the quality of full, human life. We will gather to be present to Jesus suffering today in Wilkinsburg, but also to the grassroots efforts to bring love and resources for a more just and peaceful community here and beyond.
Amira and Annette Afolabi Nyonna, and Nyair West participated in the Peace Poster contest sponsored by Blessed Be Educators on March 6.
Congratulations to Amira, Annette and Nyair for their beautiful posters and important message.
Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Confer-ence of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19):
With the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus, we are confronted once more with the fragility of our lives, and again we are reminded of our common humanity — that the peoples of this world are our brothers and sisters, that we are all one family under God. God does not abandon us, he goes with us even now in this time of trial and testing. In this moment, it is important for us to anchor our hearts in the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. Now is the time to intensify our prayers and sacrifices for the love of God and the love of our neighbor. Let us draw closer to one another in our love for him, and rediscover the things that truly matter in our lives. United with our Holy Father Pope Francis, let us pray in solidarity for our brothers and sisters here and around the world who are sick. Let us pray for those who have lost loved ones to this virus. May God console them and grant them peace. We pray also for doctors, nurses, and caregivers, for public health officials and all civic leaders. May God grant them courage and prudence as they seek to respond to this emergency with compassion and in service to the common good. In this time of need, I invite all the faithful to seek together the maternal intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and I share this prayer with you:
Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.
Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.
For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.
In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.
We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.
Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Courtesy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
