A NOTE FROM FATHER TORQUATO
Our Christian humility prevents us from claiming to be saints here on earth, but in reality, each and every one of us has received the seeds of sainthood in our Baptism, and each and every one of us is called to become a saint in the Kingdom of God!
A wonderful teaching in the decrees of the Second Vatican Council asserts that the primary call of each Catholic Christian is the call to faith and holiness! We are not meant to live just like everyone else around us. No, we’re instead called first and foremost to live like the Lord Jesus in all that we think and say and do! May we all strive to be saints and to live always as Jesus did. God bless!
—Father Jim Torquato
OUR MEMORIAL SERVICE ON NOVEMBER 2
This Monday, November 2, at 7:30pm, our parish will again hold our annual All Souls Day Memorial Service to remember all of our parish members who passed away this year and all our deceased loved ones. Everyone is welcome to join us for our prayer!
MEN’S WEEKEND RETREAT THIS NOVEMBER
All men are welcome to participate in this year’s weekend retreat at Saint Paul of the Cross Retreat Center, 18th Street, South Side. It begins November 20 with dinner and ends on Nov. 22 at noon. Contact Jim Fanning (412-492-8147 or by email here) OR Bob Auray (412-406-8800) this week.
ON MISSION FOR THE CHURCH ALIVE!
A prayer by Blessed John Henry Newman reminds us that: “God has created me for some definite service. He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission.”
This prayer reminds all of us in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh that each of us has a contribution that we’re called to make toward the work of the Lord Jesus in our world. Our first job is to renew the life of the Church so that we inspire others to follow Jesus. What are you called to do? Visit www.OnMissionChurchAlive.org for more info.
CHILDREN’S ROOM AVAILABLE
There’s plenty of space available for parents with young children upstairs in our Children’s Room. This loft area (accessible by the stairwell near the front sacristy) has been the Children’s Room for 20 years.
There’s seating for parents, small tables and chairs for children, a restroom, a diaper changing station, and other useful items. Feel free to head upstairs with your little ones during any Liturgy. You and your children will appreciate your own space!
Did you turn ALL of your clocks back one hour?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
As we draw near to coming holidays and the end of this calendar year, please know how grateful are our parish community and our staff for the generosity of all our contributors!
It’s God’s grace that sustains all of us! It’s also your stewardship and support that allow us to sustain our parish operations and to meet our budget. Thirty percent of our households help to keep alive Saint Scholastica Catholic Parish! Thank you very much for your past and present and future support that means so much to our community of faith!
PARISH STEWARDSHIP THIS PAST MONTH
October donations to our parish — $35,729
Monthly parish donations needed — $47,576
Thank you for your donations to Saint Scholastica Catholic Parish!
ADVENT BY CANDLELIGHT ON NOVEMBER 22
The women of our parish Aquinas Guild will host their annual evening of prayer, music, and good food on Sunday evening, November 22, 4pm—6pm in the parish hall! All women are invited and welcome to take part. Local musician Sue Garton will present a prayerful spoken and musical reflection on the Season of Advent and the Advent wreath. For information or to be part of the planning, contact Joanne (by email here OR 412-963-8319).
NEW COORDINATORS NEEDED FOR THE 2016 CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE PROJECT
Having coordinated our parish’s Giving Tree for a number of years, Mrs. Mia Henry and Mrs. Leigh Friday will conclude their service in this charitable ministry after this Advent and Christmas.
As such, they and our parish are looking for two new coordinators to work with them this December and then to assume the role of coordinators beginning in 2016. If you’re interested, please call Mia (412-370-6916) OR Leigh (412-977-3310) this month for information. Thank you very much!
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS
MIDDLE SCHOOL FAITH RALLY HERE
Next Saturday evening, November 7, from 6pm—8pm, all students in grades 5 through 8 are welcome to a Middle School Faith Rally here in our parish hall. Please bring a canned good for the food bank that evening. Contact our staff for information.
Cookies are needed soon for this Saturday’s Nov. 7 Middle School Faith Rally. Please let Mrs. Dillon know if you can bake and donate a few dozen!
Thanks to all CCD families who participated in the blanket collection for the homeless. Your donations are greatly appreciated and will help to save lives!
PIE ORDERS ARE STILL BEING ACCEPTED!
Orders for holiday pies are still being accepted at this time! Order yours and help support our Appalachia Mission Trip in June 2016! Thank you!
PARENTING WITH LOVE AND LOGIC
Next Sunday, November 8 at 10am, Mrs. Jamie Dillon will begin a five week seminar on parenting with love and logic. Many parents and children have benefitted from this program. Contact Mrs. Dillon by email here for further information. Register today!
A Youth Ministry visit to Family House (to prepare a dinner) will be Wednesday November 4 at 4:15pm, and a YM Pet Therapy visit to the VA Hospital will be Tuesday, November 10. Register now with our staff!
An Appalachia 2016 Trip Meeting will be held in the parish hall at 7pm on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Join us this Tuesday if you’re interested in going next June!
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THANKSGIVING IN THE STREETS
Donations are being accepted at church to share Thanksgiving with the needy. Please donate large, sturdy, recyclable aluminum roasting pans, boxed stuffing, cranberry sauce, instant potatoes, cans of turkey or chicken broth, and canned vegetables to the church bins. Frozen Turkeys may be brought on Monday, Nov. 23 ONLY to the porch of 318 Third St.
SAINT VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY STORE IN SHARPSBURG REQUESTING DONATIONS
The Saint Vincent de Paul Store in Sharpsburg is looking for clean donations of used clothing and home items. Please make certain that everything is clean and in good order, and take donations to the store during daily store hours. Thank you very much!
OUR PARISH SAINT VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY CONFERENCE INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM
Would you like to be helpful and charitable to local families and individuals in need? This is the work of our parish conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society! Join them, and you’ll know that you’re truly carrying out the work of the Lord!
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 10 at 6:30pm in the ministry center library. (Meetings are usually the first Tuesday of each month in the parish hall.)
A Dance for Persons with Disabilities will be held Thursday, November 12, 7pm-9pm, at Saint Maurice Parish, Ardmore Boulevard, Forest Hills. Call Mrs. Mary Catherine Scanlon (412-781-6550) for information.
PROMOTING THE CALL TO SERVICE
Living a lifetime of service in the Church is not as common and as popular today as it was in past generations. Yet it’s still very important that we extend the invitation to young people and encourage generous men and women to respond to the Lord’s call. May we make the effort every day!
Men still needed to help the needy — the Saint Vincent de Paul Society needs men to move supplies during third Thursdays in their food bank in Sharpsburg. If you can help during a three hour volunteer shift, please contact Boo Benckart by email here. Thanks for serving like Jesus!
Again, thanks for helping to clean up our church after (and before) each weekend Liturgy. We’re all very grateful for your care and your help!
THINKING OF OUR PARISH’S FUTURE!
Some members have generously included our parish in their wills. Your inclusion of our parish in your final plans will be greatly appreciated!
VICTIM’S DIOCESAN ASSISTANCE HOTLINE
Our Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh offers a toll-free hotline for anyone needing to report abuse. The Victim's Assistance Hotline is 1-888-808-1235.
LITURGY SCHEDULE / PRIEST’S INTENTION
Monday, November 2—Commemoration of All Souls
8:30 am Joseph Costa & Rosalia Costa-Clarke (Antonietta Costa & Family)
7:30pm Prayer Service for our Deceased Members
Tuesday, November 3—Saint Martin de Porres
8:30 am Ed Bierman (The Ware Family)
Wednesday, November 4—Saint Charles Borromeo
8:30 am Bill Slanders (The Slanders Family)
Thursday, November 5
8:30 am Catherine Blumel (Edna Jenca)
Friday, November 6
8:30 am Thomas Styslinger, birthday (The Styslinger Family)
Saturday, November 7
9:00 am Antonia Lopardo (Antonietta Costa & Family)
5:00 pm Louise & Arthur Bauer (Bob Bauer)
Presider: Father James Torquato
Sunday, November 8—32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
7:30 am All Saint Scholastica Parish Members
Presider: Father James Torquato
9:00 am Donal Hogan (Carol & Manny Gonzalez)
Presider: Father Sean Hogan, CSSp
11:00 am Fr. Neil McCauley (Marianne Chatham)
Presider: Father James Torquato
Readings for the Week of November 1, 2015
Sunday: Rev 7:2-4, 9-14/1 Jn 3:1-3/Mt 5:1-12a
Monday: Wis 3:1-9/Rom 5:5-11 or 6:3-9/Jn 6:37-40
Tuesday: Rom 12:5-16b/Lk 14:15-24
Wednesday: Rom 13:8-10/Lk 14:25-33
Thursday: Rom 14:7-12/Lk 15:1-10
Friday: Rom 15:14-21/Lk 16:1-8
Saturday: Rom 16:3-9, 16, 22-27/Lk 16:9-15
Next Sunday: 1 Kgs 17:10-16/Heb 9:24-28/Mk 12:38-44 or 12:41-44
HELPING THE HOMELESS AND THE POOR
Thanks to all who help the local group which serves our homeless and poor neighbors! They now need the following food items: canned chicken (especially), canned vegetables, and canned beans. Donation bins are inside our church.
Also needed are: blankets, sheets, pillowcases, washcloths, and men’s sneakers (10-10.5). Larger donations in bags and ALL CLOTHING DONATIONS may be brought to the side door of 316 3rd Street, Aspinwall, from 10am-12pm on Mondays and Fridays. Please do NOT leave any donations outside either 316 or 318 Third Street. Thank you very much!
GOOD NEWS FROM OUR ACADEMY!
EXCITING HAPPENINGS AT CDTCA!
• CDTCA students in Grades 5 through 8 have been very busy putting to good use all our new Google Chrome Books in their Math, Science, and Language classes. Thanks PTG!
• Our students in Grades 7 and 8 attended the Opening Ceremony for the new Hulton Bridge and visited with PA Governor Tom Wolfe!
• Our Veterans Day assembly will be November 11 to honor Veterans among our school families!
REPLY NOW AND JOIN US FOR OUR FALL FLING ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7
These are the final days to reserve your seats for CDTCA’s Annual Fall Fling on Saturday, November 7! It will be at the Fox Chapel Racquet Club on Hunt Road. Tickets are only $60. It’ll be a fun evening!
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Dani Folino by email here or Mrs. Erin Christoforetti here. Thank you for your support of CDTCA. Our students are very grateful!
CDTCA SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
Please mark your calendars for the annual CDTCA Scholastic Book Fair this November 19-21 in the parish hall! Thursday and Friday hours are 8:00am—3:30pm and then 6:00—7:00pm on Saturday, Nov 21.
Come and find books and Christmas gifts for your children and grandchildren at the November 19-21 CDTCA Book Fair next month! You can email here with any questions.
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You can donate to our parish electronically! Visit www.saintscholastica.weshareonline.org soon and follow easy directions on the site. Thank you!
BULLETIN SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
Our thanks go to the Frank B. Fuhrer Wholesale Company, East Carson Street for being a bulletin sponsor. Please see their advertisement.
Jesus calls us all to be saints!
As Catholic Christians, we know our ultimate goal is to live with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the realm of heaven. It’s the goal that we should have in mind every single day! That means truly becoming saints of God—people of holiness and love each day!
As Catholic Christians, we know our ultimate goal is to live with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the realm of heaven. It’s the goal that we should have in mind every single day! That means truly becoming saints of God—people of holiness and love each day!
Our Saint Scholastica Parish
Mission is to continue the work of Christ together as a faith community,
through the celebration of the Sacraments, living spiritually in the world, and
working to be caring members of the community. As committed Catholics, we are sent to bear
the Light of Christ to transform the world by our devotion, service and
witness.
SAINT SCHOLASTICA PARISH
309 Brilliant Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15215
Telephone 412-781-0186, ext.
10
Fax 412-781-4316
Email: parish@saintscholastica.com
Internet site: www.saintscholastica.com
Parish Office hours: Monday-Friday 9:00
a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
The Most Reverend David A. Zubik, DD
The Episcopal Vicar for Diocesan Region Four
Very Reverend Philip N. Farrell, VE
Pastor of the Parish
Reverend James R.
Torquato............................Ext. 10
Parish Office Staff
Debbie VanDemark, Amy Condosta, ………….....Ext.10
Director of Music/ Bereavement Coordinator
Sister Patricia Baker,
CDP..................................Ext. 17
Director of Religious Education and Youth
Ministry
Jamie Dillon, MS, MA,
RRT................................Ext. 20
Assistants for the Religious Education
Program
Meredith Troyan, Gina Musser.........................Ext.
21
Director of Adult Religious Education and
R.C.I.A.
Andrew Bechman,
MEd....................................Ext. 18
Bookkeeper/ Safe Environment Coordinator
Amy Condosta…………………………………………….…Ext. 11
Facilities Staff
Thomas Galda, Joshua Condosta
CHRIST THE DIVINE TEACHER CATHOLIC ACADEMY
205 Brilliant Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15215
Principal
Mr. Mark N. Grgurich, MSEd..................
(412)781-7927