A pressing need of the Church is to ordain more good priests, and so gifts to Our Campaign for The Church Alive! support the education of seminarians.
Meet Father Michael Ackerman, ordained less than one year, and hard at work in his priestly ministry.
Thank you – your gift is making a difference!
BISHOP ZUBIK ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN RESULTS
Urges the Faithful ‘to continue to be excited about our faith’
Catholics and clergy across the six counties of the Diocese of Pittsburgh have responded overwhelmingly to an historic campaign to strengthen parishes and evangelize, Bishop David A. Zubik announced today.
YOUR SERVANT IS LISTENING
Father Dan Whalen sees the big picture when it comes to living our faith—it’s all about getting ready.
“Our life on earth is just preparatory. The real life is eternal,” said Father Whalen, pastor of Holy Spirit and St. Nicholas parishes in Millvale. “All we’re doing is getting ready for that.
“God is love, and all you can do with love is to give it away,” he said.
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: BREAK THE SILENCE
Laura O’Keeffe initially was uncomfortable with the thought of asking fellow parishioners at Sts. Simon and Jude Parish in Scott Township to support Our Campaign for The Church Alive!
But she allowed the Holy Spirit to fire her up and discovered an unexpected blessing—the chance to talk with others about their love for Jesus.
RAISING OUR HEARTS AND MINDS TO GOD
Patti Schirripa is bursting with excitement about the church renovation of her beloved Holy Trinity Parish in Robinson, but not just about its physical beauty. She’s also praying for a different kind of transformation.
“I want to see all Catholics come back to Christ,” Schirripa said. “I pray the Lord puts in their hearts that they want to return. There is peace in this troubled world, and that peace is Christ.”
SHARING OUR GIFT OF FAITH
Every Advent, the Angel Tree at St. Catherine of Sweden Parish in Allison Park is adorned with more than 800 name tags, each representing someone in need. In a scene that’s repeated in parishes across our diocese, families eagerly choose an angel, ready to share their precious gift of faith.
“Our parishioners see their faith as a gift that’s been passed on through the generations,” said Father Steve Neff, pastor of St. Catherine of Sweden. “We can’t wait until Christmas for the gift of Jesus. We’re ripping it open with excitement!”
PROGRESS IN OUR PARISHES
Fr. Harry Bielewicz understands that Our Campaign for The Church Alive! is a unique opportunity to invest financial resources in people and programs as well as places. It’s also a teachable moment that will help his people live the gospel message.
The pastor of St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Michael the Archangel parishes in Butler is forming six teams of parishioners who will use campaign funds to evangelize, reach out to the poor locally and in Appalachia, help families afford a Catholic education, invest in adult faith formation, and maintain church buildings.
MAKE NOVEMBER A MONTH OF THANKSGIVING
For many of us, Thanksgiving Day means family, food and football. We feast on all three until we’re ready to burst. Other than saying grace, we may forget why we’re celebrating in the first place.
But what if we transformed November into an entire month of Thanksgiving? It’s a thought that resonates with pastors across our diocese who are using the opportunity of Our Campaign for The Church Alive! to not only raise much-needed resources, but to help parishioners practice Christian stewardship.
HONORING DONOR WISHES
When Bishop David Zubik held his first meeting with the board of directors of Our Campaign for the Church Alive!, Inc., nearly two years ago, he had an important message to deliver.
Their responsibility as volunteer members of the board, he told them, is to assure trust, accountability and transparency in all that they do.
SAVING LIVES, CHANGING LIVES
Ashley was desperate. Twenty-one years old and two months pregnant, she had just dropped out of college. Her father was urging her to get an abortion. He believed having a baby now would ruin her life.
Then she saw a Catholic Charities flyer. It turned out to be a lifeline.