PITTSBURGH — Archbishop William had been scheduled to attend the Synod of Bishops XIV General Assembly in Vatican City with departure at the beginning of October, when an unexpected medical issue sidelined His Eminence, making travel unadvisable. Announcement from the … Continue reading →

Meeting with the Bishops of the United States of America

Cathedral of Saint Matthew, Washington, D.C. Wednesday, 23 September 2015 [excerpts]

I am pleased that we can meet at this point in the apostolic mission which has brought me to your country . . . As I look out with affection at you, their pastors, I would like to embrace all the local Churches over which you exercise loving responsibility. I would ask you to share my affection and spiritual closeness with the People of God throughout this vast land.

The heart of the Pope expands to include everyone. To testify to the immensity of God’s love is the heart of the mission entrusted to the Successor of Peter, the Vicar of the One who on the cross embraced the whole of mankind. May no member of Christ’s Body and the American people feel excluded from the Pope’s embrace. Wherever the name of Jesus is spoken, may the Pope’s voice also be heard to affirm that: “He is the Savior”! From your great coastal cities to the plains of the Midwest, from the deep South to the far reaches of the West, wherever your people gather in the Eucharistic assembly, may the Pope be not simply a name but a felt presence, sustaining the fervent plea of the Bride: “Come, Lord!” Continue reading →

Celebrating 50th Anniversary of Dei Verbum, Role of Bible in the Family from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops WASHINGTON — Families, parishes, schools and other Catholic groups can participate in National Bible Week, November 15-21, with resources provided … Continue reading →

Mount St. Macrina House of Prayer announces A Morning of Spiritual Reflection on Saturday, October 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Becky Johnen will lead the group using the theme “Lessons That I Learned from a Crayon Box.” Offering … Continue reading →

As of the time that this issue of The BCW went to print, following is Metropolitan Archbishop William’s fulfilled and expected itinerary and participation in the events during His Holiness Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to the U.S.: Wednesday Sept. 23 … Continue reading →

The Archeparchy’s annual “Celebration of Marriage” was held Sunday, Sept. 13 at St. Elias Church and Social Hall in Munhall, Pa. The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Archbishop William C. Skurla. A celebratory dinner was held in the parish … Continue reading →

The theme for the 2015 World Meeting of Families, Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive, also brought catechists and interested adults of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh together to discover new ideas on how to connect Eastern Christian Formation to family life. The Office of Religious Education (ORE) held its annual workshop Saturday Aug. 22 at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa.

Principal presenter Ann Koshute of the Eparchy of Passaic laid a foundation by engaging the participants in a media presentation focusing on God’s intention for marriage and family. She presented examples on how we might follow Christ more intentionally at home, in the workplace and in our communities. Ann reminded us that St. Pope John Paul II was a tireless supporter and defender of the family. Throughout his twenty-seven year pontificate he authored groundbreaking works such as Familiaris Consortis (“On the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World,” 1981) and Evangelium Vitae (“The Gospel of Life,” 1995.) In her closing remarks Ann reminded us that we all have the capacity to love as God loves. Our present Holy Father, Pope Francis said it like this:

”The life of a family is filled with beautiful moments: rest, meals together, walks in the park or the countryside, visits to grandparents or to a sick person . . . But if love is missing, joy is missing, nothing is fun. Jesus always gives us that love: he is its endless source. In the sacrament he gives us his word and he gives us the bread of life, so that our joy may be complete.” — Pope Francis, October 23, 2013. Continue reading →

8th Annual Event Draws 50 Servers from Archeparchy Oh, what a glorious day this was . . . Thursday August 20 – the day of the 8th annual gathering for altar servers of the Archeparchy – began as a rainy, … Continue reading →