Latest Diocesan News

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Exhibit focuses on Catholic-Jewish ties

Museum to explore Pope John Paul II's life 

The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Beachwood, Ohio, will host a special exhibition, "A Blessing to One Another: Pope John Paul II and the Jewish People," Friday, May 18, through Sunday, Aug.

Youth leaders receive awards

Annual celebration honors integrity and faithful service

The Diocese of Pittsburgh honored 29 young people for witnessing their "courageous and faith-filled witness" at the St. Timothy Awards celebration May 7 in the Bishop McDowell Auditorium at St.

Insights on religious liberty

"A Heart on Fire: Catholic Witness and the Next America," e-book by Archbishop Charles Chaput. Image, 2012. Sold by Random House Digital. 29 pages. 99 cents. 

 

Jesus said, "I came to cast fire upon the earth, and would that it were already kindled!" (Luke 12:49). 

"A Heart on Fire: Catholic Witness and the Next America" by Archbishop Chaput of Philadelphia was recently published electronically. Although I do not have a Kindle, I was able to download the text to my computer (I know, very old school of me -- but it worked).

Teachers chosen for June conference

Program centers on faith and modern science 

Eight teachers from four diocesan high schools -- two teachers each from four schools -- have been selected to represent the northeastern United States at the Steno Learning Program in Faith and Science in June in Covington, La.

The goal of the program is to educate science and religion teachers from Catholic high schools throughout the United States regarding the relationship that exists between the Catholic faith and modern science so as to assist them in educating their own students.

The program is named after the Catholic saint and scientist Blessed Nicholas Steno (1638-

Parish Festival Guide and Charity Golf Outings

Below is a listing of parish festivals occurring throughout the diocese from May through October. The listing also will be posted at www.pittsburghcatholic.org.


MAY

St. Elizabeth, Pleasant Hills

Monday-Saturday, May 21-26, 7-11 p.m., parking lot, 1 Grove Place. Amusement rides, bingo, theme basket booth, big money raffle and more. Food menu includes famous homemade doughnuts. Dinners served nightly from 5-7 p.m. A roving magician will provide entertainment every night.

Children's names are meaningful

QUESTION: From time to time, our parish does baptisms at Mass. That provides us with a chance to hear some of the names that are given to children today. I thought that the church required that the names given to children be those of a saint. Is this no longer true?

 

ANSWER: Church law in effect from 1917 to 1983 demanded that the pastor require a Christian name (saint, virtue, etc.) be given at baptism (Canon 761 of the 1917 code). Today, however, church law reads somewhat differently.

'You're the reason ...'

May 4, 2012

This won't surprise you, but I don't always receive just fan letters. I get letters, I get e-mails, I even get face-to-face comments that are, how shall I say, not the friendliest.

 Usually the backdrop is some kind of tough decision I have had to make. Anybody who has to make decisions that impact people — which means just about every single one of us — knows that decisions will not only be questioned, but motivations will be attributed, blame fixed, anger personally directed.

Prayer walkers reflect 'loving, courageous ways'

Bishops exhort crowd in Downtown Pittsburgh 

Some 350 people showed their concern for the unborn during an April 28 Mass and Prayer Walk for Life sponsored by the Catholic Men's Fellowship of Pittsburgh.

Aux. Bishop William Waltersheid led the approximately one-mile prayer walk from St. Mary of Mercy Church in Downtown Pittsburgh. The route took the participants past the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic on Liberty Avenue.

'You're the reason …'

This won't surprise you, but I don't always receive just fan letters. I get letters, I get e-mails, I even get face-to-face comments that are, how shall I say, not the friendliest.

Usually the backdrop is some kind of tough decision I have had to make. Anybody who has to make decisions that impact people -- which means just about every single one of us -- knows that decisions will not only be questioned, but motivations will be attributed, blame fixed, anger personally directed.

Clergy 'connect' on religious freedom

Solidarity experienced at spring convocation 

Since Bishop David Zubik returned to Pittsburgh, he has worked hard to strengthen the radical "communitarian form" within the ordained ministry of the diocese, said Father Joseph Mele, rector of St. Paul Seminary, who also serves as director of pre-ordination formation and director of post-ordination formation.

"He believes it is the only way for a bishop and his priests and deacons to connect," Father Mele said. "That is, by carrying out all that we do as a 'collective work' in communion with each other.