There’s a fair bit of news to share this weekend, so I’ll forgo my usual theological reflections and just jump right into it…
Sale of buildings: Since the relegation of the buildings was upheld, we’ve been working diligently behind the scenes to sell them. As we get closer to actually closing on those sales, the work has become less behind the scenes and more public. One of the final things that has to happen is the removal of particularly sacred objects, such as tabernacles, altars, and baptismal fonts. Another thing that has to happen is the removal of any distinctively Christian or Catholic symbols. The parish has contracted with Rohn & Associates, a noted liturgical design and architectural firm from here in Pittsburgh, to assist with this task. Rohn will also help us find new homes for many of these objects, so that they can continue to bring honor and glory to God in the way that was intended.
Meanwhile, on the real estate side of things, we expect the sales of both the former North American Martyrs and Saint Bartholomew to close in February. North American Martyrs will be sold to Forbes Hospital. In truth, we had hoped to close by now, but we failed the required dye test. So, we’ll have some work done on the sewer lines and then move forward. It’s just like selling a house, just…bigger. Saint Bartholomew is being sold to a non-profit organization called the Pennsylvania Affordable Housing Corporation. Contrary to rumors, it is not being sold to the county; it is not being turned into the new Shuman Center, and it is not being sold to Sheetz. Saint Michael in Pitcairn is also under agreement, but at this time, the closing date has not been set. The plan is to sell it to the Zion Apostolic Assembly, a church community currently worshipping in McKeesport. That leaves us with Saint Gerard. We are currently negotiating with a prospective buyer, but it’s still too early to share more information. Hopefully I will be able to do so in the coming weeks.
The sale of these buildings will eliminate the parish debt and still leave us with a nice windfall; furthermore, the reduction in monthly overhead will be a great help to our budget. The finance council and I are working on a plan to deal with necessary capital improvements as well as growing the parish staff and embarking on the real work of the parish: building up the community of the faithful.
Speaking of that, the diocese is now entering the next stage of the On Mission process, which is focused on evangelization. The first step of that is the Disciple Maker Index, You’ve no doubt read about this initiative over the last few weeks, and more information is on page three of this bulletin, but the DMI is a survey that will help assess what this parish does well and where we still need to grow. The survey will launch on Ash Wednesday, February 22. Our parish has also been selected to participate in a program called the Next Generation Parish, which is designed to help create communities of disciples, leaders, and missionaries for today and tomorrow. Undoubtedly, I’m creating more work for myself, but if it makes us holier, it will be worth it. The NGP program is funded by a grant, so there was no cost to the parish.
In the more immediate future, we have a couple exciting evangelization efforts kicking off. The first is Why do Catholics do that? This is a six-part video series that Mary, our youth minister extraordinaire, will be creating for our parish YouTube channel. More info is on page 3. Together with her husband Andrew, Mary is also leading a weekly online marriage discussion class called UNITED: Living your Vows in Good Times and in Bad. More info on that can be found on page 10 of this bulletin. Mary and Father Mohler will be teaming up to launch a new podcast in the new future, and Father Mohler is also leading a book study this Lent on the book Restore, by Sister Miriam James Heidland, SOLT. More info on that is on page 4. A full Lenten schedule will be coming out very soon.
One of the biggest events of Lent – really, one of the biggest events of the year – is the parish Fish Fry. More information is on page 11. We are in need of volunteers. There are a variety of ways you can help. See page 12 for more information on that. The fish fry is a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to connect with your fellow parishioners. I hope to see many of you there.
Some other good news – I received a letter from the Bishop this formally confirming that Seminarian Nick Wytiaz has been assigned to Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish for his pastoral year experience. Nick will return to us on June 5, 2023, and be with us until June 30, 2024. Nick and I have been texting back and forth all week; he’d start tomorrow if he could.
Finally, I will be away this week for some post-Christmas/pre-Lent vacation days. I’ll be back next Sunday. Behave yourselves while I’m gone.
That was a lot, but it was important. Thanks for reading. Please continue to pray for our parish, and in your charity, please pray for me.
Oremus pro invicem!