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January 26, 2020 THE CATHOLIC PARISHES of Saint Joseph · Saint Juan Diego Saint Padre Pio · Saint Scholastica
January 26, 2020
THE CATHOLIC PARISHES of
Saint Joseph · Saint Juan Diego
Saint Padre Pio · Saint Scholastica
Fr. Dale DeNinno Pastor/Administrator 412-963-8885 x 304
Fr. Michael Decewicz Parochial Vicar 412-784-8700
Fr. William Siple Parochial Vicar 412-781-0186
Deacon Robert Wertz, Jr. 412-784-8700
In Residence:
Fr. Hyeong Cheol Lee Saint Juan Diego Parish Korean Catholic Community
Fr. John Mark Ogu Saint Juan Diego Parish Student, Duquesne University
Fr. Dozie Egbe Saint Padre Pio Parish Chaplain, Presbyterian Hospital
CLERGY FAITH FORMATION & YOUTH MINISTRY
Delia Barr Director of Faith Formation 412-963-8885 x301 [email protected]
Marilyn Welsh Administrative Assistant 412-828-4066 [email protected]
Meredith Troyan Youth Ministry Leader 412-781-0186 x20 meredithtroyan@ saintscholastica.com
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
342 Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15215 Phone: 412-963-8885 | Fax: 412-963-1945
Email: [email protected] Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Friday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Live Streamed Mass: www.LAVCatholic.org/mass-videos
Lori McKinniss Business Manager 412-963-8885 x303 [email protected]
Kathi Sterling Parish Secretary 412-963-8885 x306 [email protected]
Thomas Octave Music Minister 412-867-5032 [email protected]
Nancy Whistler Director of Preschool 412-963-8885 x302
Terri Weir Administrative Assistant 412-963-8885 x302 [email protected]
George Cavlovich Facilities Maintenance
SAINT JUAN DIEGO PARISH
Madonna of Jerusalem Church in Sharpsburg Saint John Cantius Church in Sharpsburg
Saint Mary Church in Sharpsburg
201 9th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15215 Phone: 412-784-8700 | Fax: 412-781-1101
Food Pantry: 412-781-2866 Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Rosemarie Haas Administrative Assistant
Rose Sacco Bookkeeper
Simon Vullo Underiner Music Minister
Jerry Auen, Scott Auen, Franco Ferraro, & Henry Sacco Facilities Maintenance
SAINT PADRE PIO PARISH
Saint Edward Church in Blawnox Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Harmar
450 Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15238 Phone: 412-828-4066 | Email: [email protected] Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Marilyn Welsh Administrative Assistant [email protected]
Peter Yohe Bookkeeper
David Volcheck Music Minister
Todd Daigneau and Rada Karlusic Facilities Maintenance
SAINT SCHOLASTICA PARISH
309 Brilliant Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15215 Phone: 412-781-0186 | Fax: 412-781-4316
Email: [email protected] Office Hours: Mon - Fri 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Debbie VanDemark Administrative Assistant 412-781-0186 xl0 [email protected]
Amy Condosta Bookkeeper 412-781-0186 x l l financeoffice@ saintscholastica.com
Sr. Pat Baker, CDP Music Minister Bereavement Coordinator 412-781-0186 x17 patbakercdp@ saintscholastica.com
Andrew Bechman Adult Faith Formation 412-781-0186 x18 andybechman@ saintscholastica.com
Bruce Hassing and David Urso Facilities Maintenance
Website: www.LAVCatholic.org
Diocesan Victim Assistance Hotline: 1-888-808-1235
PA Child Line: 1-800-932-0313
Submit items for bulletin publication no later than Monday at noon to [email protected].
SATURDAY January 25—3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Madonna Church 4:30 pm † Rena Peiffer (Family)
SUNDAY January 26—3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Saint Mary Church 11:30 am † John and Helen Bursich (Bud and Janice Peitz)
MONDAY January 27—Weekday in Ordinary Time Madonna Church 9:00 am † Connie Siminovitch and Jean Barber (Loretta)
TUESDAY January 28—Saint Thomas Aquinas Madonna Church 9:00 am † Marie Woehrel and John Paul Panza (Mother, Gerri Panza)
WEDNESDAY January 29—Weekday in Ordinary Time Madonna Church 9:00 am † Anthony and Irene Pilarski (The Pilarski Family)
SATURDAY February 1—The Presentation of the Lord Madonna Church 4:30 pm † Steve Tresky (Daughter, Patty & Dean, Amanda, Brianna and Arianna)
SUNDAY February 2—The Presentation of the Lord Saint Mary Church 11:30 am The people of Saint Juan Diego Parish
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
SUNDAY January 26—3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Saint Francis of Assisi Church 8:00 am † Kay Werderitch (Bob and Sandy Werderitch) Saint Edward Church 10:00 am † The Boyle and Sweeney Families (Betty Boyle)
THURSDAY January 30—Weekday in Ordinary Time Saint Edward Church 9:00 am † Ray Schafer (Mary and Family)
FRIDAY January 31—Saint John Bosco Saint Edward Church 9:00 am † GeorgeWachter (Marian Flowers)
SATURDAY February 1—Weekday in Ordinary Time Saint Edward Church 9:00 am † Mary Lamb (John Szalinski)
SUNDAY February 2—The Presentation of the Lord Saint Francis of Assisi Church 8:00 am The people of Saint Padre Pio Parish Saint Edward Church 10:00 am A Special Intention
SAINT PADRE PIO PARISH
SAINT JUAN DIEGO PARISH
SATURDAY January 25—3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 5:00 pm † Katherine Arturo, anniversary (Renee Arturo Kleiner)
SUNDAY January 26—3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 9:30 am † Steve Herbolich (Marianne Chatham) 12:00 Noon † Sam DiGregory (Tish Marsico)
MONDAY January 27—Weekday in Ordinary Time 10:00 am † Robert Caswell (Family of Kathy Burke)
TUESDAY January 28—Saint Thomas Aquinas 10:00 am † Patricia Certo (Kathy Murray)
WEDNESDAY January 29—Weekday in Ordinary Time 10:00 am † Brian J. McHugh (Kathy Murray)
THURSDAY January 30—Weekday in Ordinary Time 10:00 am † Mary Catherine Cavanaugh (James & Vicki Cavanaugh)
FRIDAY January 31—Saint John Bosco 10:00 am † Frank & Adele Jarema (Judy Ostrosky)
SATURDAY February 1—The Presentation of the Lord 5:00 pm † Frank & Sophie Skowron (Children & Grandchildren)
SUNDAY February 2—The Presentation of the Lord 9:30 am † Denise Donnelly (Family) 12:00 Noon † The Bozik-Miketic Family (Mary & Joyce Miketic)
SAINT SCHOLASTICA PARISH
REST IN PEACE Saint Joseph
† Daniel J. Fankle January 13, 2020
† Edward G. Duss January 13, 2020
Saint Juan Diego
† MaryAnn Grzandziel January 13, 2020
† Edna Mae Habay January 16, 2020
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Saint Scholastica
Paige Rotondo January 18, 2020
Zoey Rotondo January 18, 2020
SATURDAY January 25—3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00 pm † Elenmarie Broderick Dunn (The Kelley Family)
SUNDAY January 26—3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 9:00 am † John Finke (Family) 11:00 am † Liam Murphy (The Counihan Family)
MONDAY January 27—Weekday in Ordinary Time 8:00 am † Ethel & Tony Arrigo (Joseph Bodnar)
TUESDAY January 28—Saint Thomas Aquinas 8:00 am The people of Saint Joseph Parish
WEDNESDAY January 29—Weekday in Ordinary Time 8:00 am A Special Intention (Rich & Wanda Hughes)
THURSDAY January 30—Weekday in Ordinary Time 8:00 am The people of Saint Joseph Parish
FRIDAY January 31—Saint John Bosco 8:00 am The people of Saint Joseph Parish
SATURDAY February 1—The Presentation of the Lord 4:00 pm † Stanley D. Ference, Jr. (The Ference Family)
SUNDAY February 2—The Presentation of the Lord 9:00 am † Angela, Tibor, Joźef Zaiavary (Rose Sacco) 11:00 am † Dolores J. Tallarom (The Ong Family)
Baptisms: Celebrated during any of the weekend liturgies or after the last Sunday liturgy (11:00am at Saint Joseph, 11:30am at Saint Mary, 12:00pm at Saint Scholastica). Contact the parish office of the appropriate church for details.
Weddings: Celebrated at 2:00pm on Saturdays. Contact the parish office of the appropriate church at least six months before the desired date.
Funerals: Offered at 10:00am, Monday through Saturday. Contact the parish office of the appropriate church for details.
Anointing of the Sick: Please contact the appropriate parish office.
Sacrament of Reconciliation: See the bulletin schedule for times and locations.
Mass Intentions: Offered at each Mass for deceased loved ones or for other special intentions. Please call the parish office to schedule.
Faith Formation: Offered for grades K-8 at Saint Scholastica on Sundays and at Saint Joseph on Monday and Tuesday evenings, September through April. Contact the Faith Formation Office at 412-963-8885 for details or to register.
Volunteer Opportunities: All parishioners are encouraged to contribute their time and talents to the church. We have opportunities to serve at Mass as lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, ushers, music ministers and altar servers. Please contact the parish office for information on all our ministries and volunteer opportunities. All staff and volunteers in the Diocese of Pittsburgh are required to obtain clearances and training to comply with the Safe Environment Policy. See diopitt.org/compliance or contact the appropriate parish office for details.
Membership: To register at one of the Lower Allegheny Valley Catholic parishes, to update your contact information, or to let us know if you or a family member is homebound or has moved to a nursing home, please use the form at the end of this bulletin or contact the appropriate parish office.
SACRAMENTS and MORE
SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Sunday—January 26
Isaiah 8:23—9:3 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Matthew 4:12-23
Monday—January 27
2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10 Mark 3:22-30
Tuesday—January 28
2 Samuel 6:12b-15, 17-19 Mark 3:31-35
Wednesday—January 29
2 Samuel 7:4-17 Mark 4:1-20
Thursday—January 30
2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29 Mark 4:21-25
Friday—January 31
2 Samuel 11:1-17 Mark 4:26-34
Saturday—February 1
2 Samuel 12:1-7a, 10-17 Mark 4:35-41
Sunday—February 2
Malachi 3:1-4 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40
DAILY MASSES WEEK OF JANUARY 27
8:00 am Saint Joseph Church Fr. Bill Siple Monday through Friday
9:00 am Madonna of Jerusalem Church Fr. Mike Decewicz Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Saint Edward Church Thursday, Friday, Saturday
10:00 am Saint Scholastica Church Fr. Dale DeNinno Monday through Friday
SATURDAY VIGIL MASSES—FEBRUARY 1
4:00 pm Saint Joseph Church Fr. Dale DeNinno
4:30 pm Madonna of Jerusalem Church Fr. Bill Siple
5:00 pm Saint Scholastica Church Fr. Mike Decewicz
SUNDAY MASSES—FEBRUARY 2
8:00 am Saint Francis of Assisi Church Fr. Mike Decewicz
9:00 am Saint Joseph Church Fr. Dale DeNinno
9:30 am Saint Scholastica Church Fr. Bill Siple
10:00 am Saint Edward Church Fr. Mike Decewicz
11:00 am Saint Joseph Church Fr. Dale DeNinno
11:00 am Saint John Cantius Church Fr. Lee (Korean Mass)
11:30 am Saint Mary Church Fr. Bill Siple
12:00 noon Saint Scholastica Church Fr. Mike Decewicz
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Every Saturday 9:30-10:15 am Saint Edward Church
11:30-12:00 noon Saint Joseph Church
3:30-4:00 pm Madonna of Jerusalem Church
Every Thursday
6:30-7:15 pm Saint Scholastica Church
Collection for January 18 & 19: St. Anthony Program:
Saint Joseph Parish: Needed each week:
$6,556
$10,500
$2,111
Saint Juan Diego Parish: Needed each week:
$5,818
$7,550
$498
Saint Padre Pio Parish: Needed each week:
Will be reported next week
Saint Scholastica Parish: Needed each week:
$5,688
$7,950
$1,723
A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR
One of the best things my parents ever did for me and my older brother and younger brother was to enroll us in a Catholic school. We began our elementary education in a public school but were transferred when going into the 3RD, 5TH and 7TH grades to Corpus Christi School on Lincoln Avenue in the East End. All three of us thrived there and then continued our high school education at Central Catholic in Oakland. What a gift our mother and father gave us.
Still, today, parents choose to send their child(ren) to a Catholic school, including Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy, located in the school building of Saint Scholastica Parish in Aspinwall. What a wise choice it is and I applaud parents everywhere who are willing to make the sacrifices required. CDTCA has an excellent reputation and rightfully so. Under the leadership of the principal, Mr. Mark Grgurich, and its dedicated faculty and staff, Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy provides an education for our young people enrolled that far exceeds its competition.
The sacrifice of which I speak is one that impacts the wallet for everyone. The operation of CDTCA comes at some considerable expense. Thus the annual cost of tuition for each student, the ongoing need of fund-raising, and a subsidy that comes from each of the four parishes in the Lower Allegheny Valley. These three sources of revenue, plus a small subsidy from the Diocese of Pittsburgh, account for the annual school budget. For your information the subsidy from the four parishes is calculated at $219,000.00 for the coming 2020-2021 school year. That figure is divided based on the number of students who attend CDTCA and claim registration in one of the four parishes. Thus the breakdown of the subsidy looks like this:
Saint Joseph Parish $54,000
Saint Juan Diego Parish $35,000
Saint Padre Pio Parish $35,000
Saint Scholastica Parish $95,000
A Catholic school education pays dividends that last a lifetime. For so many of us who are beneficiaries of such an experience, we are grateful. For today's students, they are blessed. May the Lord continue to inspire the great effort put forth by parents, grandparents, and entire parish communities who work so hard and show such generosity in assuring that Catholic schools continue.
A Gentle Reminder to all those who serve at the altar in each of our six churches in the Lower Allegheny Valley grouping of parishes as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister or Altar Server. The priest relies on your presence in proclaiming the Word of the Lord, helping with the distribution of Holy Communion, and assisting with the sacred vessels. Please pay careful attention to your ministry schedule and make every effort to be in attendance at the Mass for which you are scheduled. If you cannot be, kindly get a substitute.
The Pastoral Council of the LAV will meet on Wednesday, January 29TH, beginning at 7:00 pm in the social hall of Saint Edward Church in Blawnox. This will be the third meeting of the newly organized Pastoral Council and they will continue their discussion about the eventual merger of the four parishes of Saint Joseph, Saint Juan Diego, Saint Padre Pio and Saint Scholastica. The members of the Pastoral Council are: Elaine DuVall, Joan Miller, Jimmy Smerdell and Ben Urso (Saint Joseph Parish); Jim Hastings, Patty Markelewicz, Karen Pastor and Corrado Riccelli (Saint Juan Diego Parish); Don DiGirolamo, Maria Durrant, Maureen Frank and Tom Lieb (Saint Padre Pio Parish); Mary Benckart, Tom Pohl, Joanne Saunders and Jojo Veltri (Saint Scholastica Parish).
Speaking of Merger: In place of the homily Fr . Dale DeNinno will address the topic of parish merger at all the Masses in our churches over the course of three weekends, beginning January 25-26 and continuing February 1-2 and February 8-9.
January 25TH
and 26TH
:
4:00 pm Saint Joseph Church
8:00 am Saint Francis of Assisi Church
10:00 am Saint Edward Church
12:00 Noon Saint Scholastica Church
February 1ST
and 2ND
:
5:00 pm Saint Scholastica Church
9:00 am Saint Joseph Church
11:00 am Saint Joseph Church
February 8TH
and 9TH
:
4:30 pm Madonna of Jerusalem Church
9:30 am Saint Scholastica Church
11:30 am Saint Mary Church
The Respect Life Committee thanks everyone who joined us for breakfast last Sunday for our most successful Pancake Breakfast ever. Congratulations to Patty McAuliffe, winner of the 50/50 Raffle.
The “Catholicism” Video Series continues on Wednesday mornings in the Saint Scholastica Parish Hall from 10:30 am-12:00 Noon, through February 5. The series presents the foundations of the Catholic faith in a visually arresting style. There is no fee or registration. Come when you can. Questions? Contact Andy Bechman at: [email protected].
Spaghetti dinner: The Appalachia Mission team will be hosting a spaghetti dinner on Sunday, February 9, from 5:00-7:00 pm in the Saint Joseph John Paul II hall. Come enjoy homemade sauce, meatballs, and desserts while benefitting our LAV Youth Ministry’s mission trip.
LAV Bereavement Series: This 6-week series is open to anyone who might benefit from attending one or all of the sessions. Details can be found at LAVCatholic.org. Session #2: The Transforming Power of Caregiving: Returning to Life after Caregiving Ends will be Thursday, January 30, from 7:00-9:00 pm in the Saint Scholastica Parish Hall. Please register at 412-781-0186 or [email protected] by noon on Wednesday, January 29.
The LAV parishes are grateful for the generous monetary donations of all our parishioners. Until we officially merge as one parish, please continue to make your checks out to Saint Joseph, Saint Juan Diego, Saint Padre Pio or Saint Scholastica Parishes.
Saint Monica Prayer Group: Following the example of Saint Monica who prayed fervently for the conversion of her son, Augustine, interested parishioners of the LAVP unite in the Saint Scholastica Parish Hall on the first Saturday each month at 10 am for dedicated prayer for the return of non-practicing Catholic family members, relatives and friends. Many of our parents, siblings, spouses, children, and friends are among the approximately 75% of U.S. Catholics who are absent from the Eucharistic feast. The New Evangelization places a special emphasis on welcoming them back to the Lord's Table, because they are greatly missed and needed to build up the Body of Christ. All are welcome to join us Saturday, February 1, 10 am in the Parish Hall.
LAV Sight & Sound and Padre Pio Center Tour: Join us on May 12 and 13 for a trip to the Sight & Sound Millennium Theatre in Lancaster County for the spectacular new show, Queen Esther. The following morning, travel to the National Centre for Saint Padre Pio. Includes transportation, one night lodging, two meals, admission tickets. Cost from $299 per person double, $289 triple, $379 single. A $50 per person deposit is due with reservation; balance due by March 15. Make checks payable to Wendt Touring and mail to St. Pio Parish, 450 Walnut Street, Pittsburgh PA 15238. For more information contact Ruthie Gee at 412-828-4718.
End of Year Statements: Parishioners who would like a 2019 Contribution Statement should contact their parish office to request that one be mailed to them.
Forty- Two Years and Counting! On Tuesday, January 28TH I will celebrate the 42ND anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood. It was a cold wintry day in 1978 at Saint Augustine Church in Lawrenceville that Bishop Vincent Leonard ordained me and two classmates (Fr. Bill Henn and Fr. John Pavlik). The years since have been amazing in the experiences and blessings that I have known. My list of assignments will give you some idea of how I've spent the past 42 years:
1) Vocation Director for the Capuchin Friars: 1978-1981
2) Chaplain at Saint Margaret Hospital: 1981-1984
3) Parochial Vicar at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Pleasant Hills: 1984-1989
4) Chaplain at Mercy Hospital: 1989-1996
5) Pastor of Immaculate Conception-Saint Joseph Parish in Bloomfield: 1996-2005
6) Pastor of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Pleasant Hills: 2005-2018
7) Pastor/Administrator of the Lower Allegheny Valley Grouping of Parishes: 2018 to the present
How good God is to me. Please pray that the Lord will continue to bless me with good health and the energy to serve Him and His holy people for many years to come.
On the weekend of February 1 & 2, our Confirmation students will be out with soup pots before and after Masses collecting money for the Souper Bowl of Caring. The idea for Souper Bowl of Caring is to transform the Big Game into a nation-wide movement inspiring people to give locally and make a collective impact on hunger. Every dollar collected through
Souper Bowl of Caring in our parish grouping will be donated to Jubilee Kitchen serving the hungry in Pittsburgh. Please remember to bring a cash donation on the weekend of the Super/Souper Bowl and help us Feed the Hungry!
The Faith Formation families in our parish grouping will be gathering as a community on February 9, 10, and 11 during our class time for a service project. Our students will decorate and assemble gift bags and Valentine cards for homebound parishioners in our grouping to help brighten their spirits. If you would like to donate to this effort, please drop off any of these items to the “Red Gift Boxes” in each church lobby or at any of our church offices: individually wrapped tea bags, cocoa, candy & mints (regular & sugar free), small size lotion, tissues, chapstick, notecards, NEW birthday & get well cards, postage stamps, pens, mechanical pencils, puzzle and word search books, playing cards, bookmarks, Holy Cards, magnifying glasses for reading.
High School students, do you want a place to hang out after school, do homework and play games with your friends? Come join us in the Saint Scholastica Ministry Center on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.
Teenagers in the LAV Grouping are invited to deepen your faith in Christ and have fun doing it with activities, music, and discussions about topics related to your life. Meetings are held in the Saint Scholastica Ministry Center. High school students meet on Sundays from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Middle school students meet on Fridays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Are you interested in joining our Appalachia Mission Trip to West Virginia this summer? We are looking for adults who love God, teenagers, and serving others and don’t mind getting their hands dirty. Contact Meredith Troyan for more information.
205 Brilliant Ave, Aspinwall PA 15215
412-781-7927
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cdtca.org
Mark Grgurich, Principal
Around the Diocese. . . Vocation Discernment Retreat: The Passionist Nuns of Pittsburgh will host a Vocation Discernment Retreat Day on Saturday, February 1 from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm, at Our Lady of Sorrows Monastery (2715 Churchview Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15227). Women ages 18-40 years old who are considering religious life are encouraged to attend. For more information and reservations, please email or call Sr. Mary Grace, CP, at: [email protected] or 412-881-1155.
Mass of Healing: The Pittsburgh/Greensburg Fraternity of Priests will have a Mass with “healing prayers” on Wednesday, February 12, 7 pm at St. Alphonsus Church in Springdale. All are welcome to come and pray for God’s will, healing and strength.
Divorced, Widowed, Separated? The loss of a spouse through death, divorce, or separation is a traumatic experience. The Beginning Experience Pittsburgh Lay Apostolate will host Coping with Life Alone—In the Beginning, a one-day seminar on Saturday, February 8, from 8:45 am to 4:00 pm at the Martina Spiritual Renewal Center, 5244 Clarwin Avenue, West View, PA 15229. To register, call Rob at 412-584-5575 or Mary at 412-523-2405 or go to www.BeginningExperiencePittsburgh.com.
Magnificat Pittsburgh Prayer Breakfast: Ladies, join us on February 8 from 9:00 am to Noon at the Double Tree by Hilton, Cranberry Twp. Guest speaker Fr. Levi Hartle will share his experience of God with you. Before he was born, Fr. Levi was consecrated to the Lord by his mother. At age 18, God spoke clearly to him in a profound prophetic word that established his life path to the priesthood. Cost of the breakfast is $25, students $15. To register by Jan. 31, call Donna, 412-364-0969 or Pam, 412-461-8906 or go to www.magnificatpittsburgh.org.
Alpha Course: An 11 week Alpha Course is starting on February 11 at St. Mary of the Assumption and on February 12 at St. Ursula. St. Mary’s is from 6:30 – 8:30 pm and includes dinner, short video, and discussion. St. Ursula’s is from 12:00 – 2:00 pm and includes a light lunch, short video, and discussion. For more information and to register, visit www.stsmaryandursula.org/alpha.
Discernment Retreat: The Vocation Office is sponsoring a silent retreat for high school men February 1–2 at the Martina Center in West View. There is no cost to attend this retreat and the details and registration can be found on Pghpriest.com.
Registration for the 2020 – 2021 is now open! If you’re interested in exploring CDTCA for pre-school through 8th grade, please call the school office at 412-781-7927 to schedule a tour!
Please join us for CDTCA’s 2nd annual Fashion Show featuring spring styles from One Brilliant and Soothe the Sole on Sunday, February 23, at 12:30 at Longue Vue Club. Tickets are $50 each and include a luncheon, silent auction and raffles. Ladies 21 and over, please. Mail checks to the school office at 205 Brilliant Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15215. Write “Fashion Show” and the number of tickets in the memo.
Local Homeless Ministry Donations: These items are needed now: macaroni and cheese, canned soup, powdered or shelf-stable milk, and dried fruit. Please leave donations in plastic bags. Gray bins are in the Saint Scholastica church entrance.
Larger donations in bags (NOT boxes) and ALL clothing may be brought to the SIDE DOOR of 316 Third Street, Aspinwall, from 10 am-12 noon on Mondays and Fridays. Please do NOT leave any donations outside 316 or 318 Third Street.
Collection bins for local Food Pantries are located in the following Church entrances:
Saint Edward Church and Saint Francis Church are collecting paper products and canned tuna and chicken.
Saint Joseph Church is collecting Rice-a-Roni and any non-perishable items. Please leave donations in the drawer in the vestibule.
Saint Scholastica Church is collecting canned vegetables and fruits and any non-perishable items. Please put donations in the red collection bin.
The St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry at Saint Juan Diego Parish in Sharpsburg is requesting donations of the following items: cake and cookie mix, icing, hot chocolate, pancake mix, pasta sides, condiments, non-refrigerated juice, and cereal.
Vagabond Ministries: Enjoy cooking? Want to help the youth? Vagabond Ministries (located at Saint Juan Diego Parish in the John Paul I Pastoral Center) hosts a weekly youth outreach night on Tuesdays called “Breakout.” Once again, we need YOUR help to provide them with dinner. We ask you to arrive around 5:30 pm to set up food for about 30 people. We’ll have the drinks, plates, napkins and plastic ware - you bring the food. If you are willing to prepare a meal for our group, please contact Pam Susi at [email protected] or 412-781-5696 to set up a date. THANK YOU!
On behalf of the St. Vincent DePaul of Sharpsburg Food Pantry, we extend our most sincere “Thank You” to LAV grouping members for your support. We truly appreciate your generous monetary donations and support throughout the year. These donations help people in our local community with food for their families. We are blessed to have faithful benefactors such as you. A blessed and healthy New Year.
ADDICTION RECOVERY MINISTRY NEWS 412-218-5410 [email protected]
A.R.M. Anniversary Celebration: We will celebrate our 1-year anniversary
on Sunday, February 9, with an Anointing Mass for those struggling with addiction or who are in recovery at 3:00 pm in Madonna of Jerusalem Church. Following Mass, an activity and refreshments will be held in the John Paul I
Center.
Six Steps to Sanity: This program is designed to br ing hope, healing, and serenity to those impacted by an adult loved-one suffering from the disease of
alcoholism or addiction. This free, 12-week, faith-based program is an outreach of the Substance Addition Ministry of Saint Louise de Marillac & Saint Joan of
Arc and meets in the Bishop Leonard Room, lower level of Saint Louise de Marillac Church, 320 McMurray Rd, 15241, starting Wednesday, January 22,
from 7:00-8:30 pm. To register, contact Bruce and Nancy Shea at [email protected] or 412-952-1084.
12 Steps Reflections: John 4:4-42 is the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. I believe this provides us with an opportunity to reflect on all 12 steps of recovery. Step One: “We admitted we were powerless over addiction – that our lives had become unmanageable.”
In this Scripture, we encounter a woman from Samaria who came alone to the well to draw water. The fact that she is alone tells us a great deal about her life. Usually, the women of the village came as a group for safety to draw water from the well. But this woman came alone. She encounters Jesus, who is sitting by the well. Remember, when Jesus is seated, he is about to give a teaching because when Rabbis taught, they were seated. Jesus says to her “Give me a drink.”
All of this is very provocative. A woman alone. A Jew in Samaria. A Rabbi talking to not just a woman when both are alone, but also a Samaritan. The woman responds, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” Later on in this text, Jesus asks the women to call her husband. She responds, “I do not have a husband.” This is her truth! Her reality.
What does all of this have to do with the First Step? “Powerlessness.” This woman is a Samaritan. This is her truth. She is powerless over this reality. She knows, accepts, and embraces this reality.
For those suffering addiction, in their reality, their truth, they are powerless over this truth. Embracing your powerlessness, your truth, is the first step in recovery. My sponsor told me that accepting powerlessness is the very foundation upon which recovery is built. Powerlessness is not helplessness. Helplessness is giving up on hope. Powerlessness is accepting our truth and embracing hope in the midst of our struggle.
Our lives have become unmanageable. In the text, Jesus asks the woman to call her husband. She says I have no husband. In her culture, this fact would make her an outcast and that would be the reason that she is at the well alone. Being a Samaritan, she is powerless over this fact. Being unmarried testifies that her life is unmanageable for a person in her time, culture, and gender. She can’t change her truth, but she can begin to manage her life.
“We admitted we were powerless over our addiction.” Recovery begins when this truth, this reality is honestly accepted. Any hope of recovery can only begin when we accept and embrace our reality, our truth — that we are powerless over our addiction. “Our lives have become unmanageable.” We accept that as a result of the truth of our addiction, life has become unmanageable; and only in truly, honestly believing in our powerlessness, can we begin to work on manageability in our life. Now recovery can begin and we can move on to Step Two: “Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
These presentations on the 12 steps will be held every month on the first Thursday at 7:00 p.m. and on the third Sunday at 3:00 p.m. in Madonna of Jerusalem Church. Everyone is invited and welcome to attend. Fr. Mike
DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION
Sunday, January 26 10:30 am Faith Formation Classes, K-8 St. Scholastica
Sunday, January 26 10:30 am High School Youth Group St. Scholastica, Ministry Center
Monday, January 27 4:00-6:00 pm Youth Ministry Open House St. Scholastica, Ministry Center
Monday, January 27 4:30 pm Faith Formation Classes, K-4 St. Joseph
Monday, January 27 6:15 pm Faith Formation Classes, 5-8 St. Joseph
Tuesday, January 28 1:00 pm Women's Bible Study CDTCA
Tuesday, January 28 6:00 pm Faith Formation Classes, K-8 St. Joseph
Wednesday, January 29 10:30 am Catholicism Video Series St. Scholastica, Parish Hall
Thursday, January 30 4:00-6:00 pm Youth Ministry Open House St. Scholastica, Ministry Center
Thursday, January 30 7:00 pm Bereavement Series: Returning to Life after
Caregiving Ends St. Scholastica, Parish Hall
Friday, January 31 6:00 pm Middle School EDGE Night St. Scholastica, Ministry Center
Saturday, February 01 10:00 am St. Monica Society Meeting St. Scholastica, Parish Hall
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