Sister Ruth Plante, Provincial, Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great, likens the annual Pilgrimage to Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown, Pa. as a “grand family reunion.” That’s because she sees so many familiar faces among the many priests, deacons and faithful in attendence from all across the country. During this year’s 83rd Pilgrimage in Honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help from Sept. 2 to 3, many of these faces were covered by umbrellas due to falling rain and bursts of blustery winds. “We’re here today, with the wind blowing and we have a bad hair day today,” Sister Ruth told pilgrims during her welcoming remarks on Sept. 2.

“Even though we plan and plan for Pilgrimage and we try to attend for every detail, that’s the one thing we have no control over.” The Pilgrimage weekend Continue reading →

Austin Ball, 9, and his father, Derek, of St. John the Baptist in Lyndora, Pa. root for the Pittsburgh Pirates during their game versus the Los Angeles Dodgers at PNC Park on Aug. 24. The event was part of the 10th annual “Faith and Fun Day” for altar servers. Photo by David Mayernik Jr[/caption]

 Altar Servers Come Together for Annual Event

Being an altar server runs in the Rubish family. Tommy Rubish, 9, began his service at Holy Ghost in McKees Rocks, Pa. last December, following in the footsteps of his brother, Paul, 11, who has served for the past two years.

“I wanted to do it and my brother was doing it.” Tommy was one more than two dozen altar servers who participated in “Faith and Fun Day” for the Archeparchy’s altar servers on Aug. 24. The day included morning liturgy at Holy Ghost, a visit to the Carnegie Science Center on Pittsburgh’s North Side, and cheering on the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park during their game versus the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Tommy said his favorite part of being an altar server is “doing the boat.” The “boat” is the vessel which holds incense before it is put into a censer.

“Yeah, I like the smell,” he said. Tommy, who began fourth grade last month, enjoys math and playing baseball, basketball and hockey. Father Kevin Marks, of St. Michael in Campbell, Ohio, said “Faith and Fun Continue reading →

Hierarchal Divine Liturgy Marks New Year for Seminary Students. A Hierarchal Divine Liturgy celebrated by Archbishop William Skurla marked the start of a new year at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, Pa. on Aug. … Continue reading →

Father Tom Schaefer witnessed many heartwarming sights during “An Evening of Repentance” at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. on April 4.

Schaefer, who helped plan the event with Cindy Corbett, Safe Environment coordinator, was especially thankful for what he saw following the service attended by those of the Byzantine and Roman Catholic and Lutheran faiths.

“The fellowship afterward was amazing. People didn’t sit in their own religious or ethinc group tables, they all mixed together.

“One of the Lutheran pastors ended up inviting two of the Catholic priests to dinner at her home. Things took place on that level that might not editor Father Tom Schaefer witnessed many heartwarming sights during “An Evening of Repentance” at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. on April 4. Schaefer, who helped plan the event with Cindy Corbett, Safe Environment coordinator, was especially thankful for what he saw following the service attended by those of the Byzantine and Roman Catholic and Lutheran faiths. “The fellowship afterward was amazing. People didn’t sit in their own religious or ethinc group tables, they all mixed together. “One of the Lutheran pastors ended up inviting two of the Catholic priests to dinner at her home. Things took place on that level that might not have happened. It wasn’t about theological differences, it was about the commonality of life in Christ.”

The event, focusing on reconciliation, was to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Christian schism known as the Reformation. It included Catholic and Lutheran bishops and clergy, representing the Byzantine Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, Dioceses of Greensburg and Pittsburgh and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,

Joining Skurla on the altar were: Bishop David Zubik, Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh; Bishop Edward Malesic, Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg; and Bishop Kurt Kusserow, Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America .

The evening included a Moleben prayer service and Lenten meal. Small, wooden crosses were distributed to the faithful. “The attendance was outstanding. The Continue reading →