Archbishop William Skurla has appointed Father Joel Barstad, of the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix, as the new director of Human Formation of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, Pa. The … Continue reading
BCW Stories
Reaching out
People throughout the entire country were shocked and emotionally assaulted on Oct. 27, 2018 when a gunman went through the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh, Pa. spreading death and injury. As the congregants gathered … Continue reading
Holy smoke
It’s been said nature abhors a vacuum. Well, it is also true Walt Disney World abhors spontaneity. Every aspect of the Disney experience in its four Parks, two water parks and numerous resorts are executed like clockwork: Guests are not … Continue reading
Sounds of the season
Archeparchial choir presents annual “Christmas at the Cathedral” The Pittsburgh Byzantine Catholic Archeparchial Choir (PBCAC) presented its annual “Christmas at the Cathedral” concert Dec. 16 at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. The choral program featured hymns … Continue reading
Vatican opens medical center for homeless
VATICAN CITY — Just before Christmas, the Vatican announced it had opened a new medical clinic for the homeless and the poor, expanding services previously offered in a small space just outside St. Peter’s Square. The Merciful Mother Clinic, which … Continue reading
Pope: Come to manger with love, charity, simplicity
VATICAN CITY — Jesus’ birth in a stable, God’s coming to earth in extreme simplicity, teaches Christians that love is more valuable than anything else and is what will change the world, Pope Francis said.
“In Bethlehem, we discover that the life of God can enter into our hearts and dwell there. If we welcome that gift, history changes, starting with each of us,” the pope said in his homily at Mass Dec. 24 in St. Peter’s Basilica. After the singing of the “Kalenda,” the ancient Christmas proclamation, and the ringing of the basilica’s bells, Pope Francis lifted a cloth revealing a statue of the baby Jesus, and he gently kissed it.
St. Peter’s Basilica was filled with a new light for the Christmas Mass. For the first time, the basilica’s new LED lighting was used — 700 light fixtures contain 100,000 LEDs and, according to the Vatican, will bring an energy savings of 90 percent.
In his homily, the pope noted how the Christmas story leads believers back to Bethlehem, which means “house of bread.”
“Tonight,” he said, “as we hear the summons to go up to Bethlehem, the house of bread, let us ask ourselves: What is the bread of my life, what is it that I cannot do without? Is it the Lord, or something else?” Continue reading
Serving our North Side neighbors
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Seminarians serve food at light of Life Rescue Mission I just returned from Thanksgiving break, not long into the Philippian Fast, when six seminarians of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, including myself, joined … Continue reading
A child is born in Bethlehem
Faithful visit annual live nativity at Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown, PA. Hundreds of cars waited in line Dec. 2 to view Mount Macrina Manor’s Drive-Thru Live Nativity, which was held on the grounds of Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown, … Continue reading
Thanksgiving Mission 2018
St. Gregory in Upper St. Clair, PA. Following the Nov. 18 Divine Liturgy, St. Gregory’s children were ready for this year’s Thanksgiving Mission. To express our “thank you” we visited the Tri Community South EMS in Bethel Park, Pa. The … Continue reading
“An expression of hope for our Church”
62nd Annual St. Nicholas charity dinner focuses on seminarians, church’s future Archbishop William Skurla called the 15 seminarians who study at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, Pa. “an expression of hope for our Church.” … Continue reading
