Kateryna Bittner and Kelsey Kuzniewski looked around their new parish youth center and just smiled.

“It’s awesome,” Kelsey said. “I love it. We get to learn about our faith and just hang out together.”

“I am grateful to our parishioners and feel blessed that they made this happen,” Kateryna added.

The new Badano-Frassati Youth Room at St. Catherine of Sweden Parish in Allison Park was built through the generosity of donors to Our Campaign for The Church Alive!, part of a comprehensive renovation plan developed by parish leaders.

Named for Blessed Chiara Badano and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, two young Italians who lived inspirational lives of service, the center was dedicated last month by Father Steven Neff and youth minister Sean Norris, who said the room means everything to the young people.

“We used to meet in a large, open space in the lower hall,” Norris said. “This is a place where they can belong. Our youth are not just the future of the Church, but the present.”

Kateryna, 17, has been involved in the youth group for three years, going on retreats, growing closer to God, and taking part in mission trips to renovate homes in Appalachia.

“We get up early, work into the afternoon, go to Mass and spend time with the kids there,” Kateryna said. “Some families cry because they’re so overwhelmed. I feel good to help out. I want them to be happy.”

Kelsey, 16, loves being in the youth group. “We volunteer at the Fish Fry during Lent, learn about different parts of the Mass, and have made very close friends.”

Young people are also benefiting from the campaign at St. Joseph Parish in Verona, where Fr. Edwin Wichman is the pastor.

“We’ve made an allocation to tuition assistance at our school, where we have 143 students,” Fr. Wichman said. “We’re also made a down payment on our electronic bells, which should be ready around Easter.”

Church bells are ringing again from the newly refurbished bell tower at St. Hilary Parish in Washington, PA, according to Father Thomas O’Neil. The tower was refurbished and speakers were installed. They’ve also repaired and painted the interior church walls.

Other examples of campaign progress in our parishes:

• New carpeting was put in at St. Ambrose Church at Holy Wisdom Parish in the North Side, according to Father Larry DiNardo. A new organ has been installed at St. Boniface Church.
• The Church of the Assumption in Bellevue is undertaking an extensive renovation of their organ. Father Dennis Buranosky said the campaign has also funded some mini-retreats for parishioners.
• St. Thomas More Parish, Bethel Park- Father Jim Farnan reports that air conditioning has been installed in the church, the entryway floor was repaired and they’re paying down the parish debt.
• St. Philip Parish, Crafton- Repairs have been made in the parish school, a new water heater installed, a computer screen was purchased for faith formation and adult education classes, and the bell tower repaired, according to Father Walt Dworak.
• Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Polish Hill in Pittsburgh- Father Joseph Swierczynski said they’ve replaced church flooring damaged in a fire in 2013; repairs begin next month on their stained glass windows.
• St. Stanislaus Kostka, Strip District in Pittsburgh- Father Harry Nichols said a section of the roof has been repaired.
• St. James Parish, Wilkinsburg- Plans to remodel the ministry center are proceeding, along with installing new lighting. Security cameras also were donated, according to Father Warren Metzler.

St. Victor Parish, Bairdford- Thanks to campaign donations, Father Charles Speicher reports they’ve been able to replace the exterior doors to the basement of the church, begin work on a new handicap-accessible entrance and do some painting.