Our Campaign for The Church Alive!, led by Bishop David Zubik, has reached another major milestone.
The Diocese of Pittsburgh’s historic capital and endowment campaign recently surpassed the $100 million mark, thanks to multi-year commitments made by individuals and families in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington counties.
Joe Rossi and Don Reola grew up in St. Stephen’s Parish in Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood, were taught by the Sisters of Charity and attended Masses celebrated by six diocesan priests.
Fifty years a priest and still going strong, Rev. Bernard “Mike” Harcarik figures that number sounds about right. So, in gratitude to God and the Church of Pittsburgh, the pastor of Prince of Peace Parish on Pittsburgh’s Southside is donating fifty percent of his salary for the next five years to Our Campaign for The Church Alive!
Eight months pregnant, Emma was scared. She had been staying with a friend but had to leave suddenly. With local shelters full, Emma had nowhere to turn and spent the night under a bridge. Catholic Charities helped find her an apartment through the local housing authority and gave her counseling to assist with the birth of her child.
When Monsignor Joseph Findlan was born in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood, William Howard Taft was president, World War I was three years away and it would be nearly a decade before KDKA-AM would sign onto the airwaves.
Brian McGhen is well-known to his fellow parishioners at Saint Patrick’s Parish in McKeesport. Outgoing and helpful, Brian is a regular at Mass, an altar server who is always offering to fill in.
Pope Francis recently challenged more than 1,000 bishops from around the world to get out of their cathedrals to spread the gospel and serve those most in need. Led by Bishop David Zubik, Catholics in the Diocese of Pittsburgh are already fulfilling this baptismal call through their enthusiastic support of Our Campaign for The Church Alive!
Saint Augustine, who studied the relationship between Christianity and secular society, said “Our hearts are restless until they rest in God.” His wisdom has been repeated for 17 centuries, but in America and across Europe, secularism once again is a growing force.
When Father Harry Bielewicz learned that the Diocese of Pittsburgh was launching a historic initiative to grow the Church Alive, he looked beyond the walls of his three Butler churches and into the faces of the faithful and others in need.