A NOTE FROM FATHER TORQUATO
When the Lord Jesus returns and completes the building of God’s Kingdom, he promises to share his glory and eternal life with all of us who are his faithful people! This is indeed a most wonderful assurance given to us by Jesus whose own death and Resurrection is the ultimate sign of God’s power and love for all of us!
This promise of Resurrection and eternal life and glory leads many Christians to ask “Just what will heaven and the eternal Kingdom of God be like? What can we expect for our eternal reward?”
As Catholic Christians, we believe that Jesus’ own resurrected existence and transformation into glory is the same existence that we ourselves will share forever. I also like to say that if God has been so wonderfully good to us with the world and the life we’ve already been given, then we can trust that God will bless us even more in the life still to come. May we all know and appreciate the Lord’s goodness every day, and may we look forward to the glory promised us when Jesus returns. God bless!
—Father Jim Torquato
THE 20th ANNIVERSARY OF
Saint Teresa of Calcutta has been considered by many to be the embodiment of Christian charity. She inspired many Catholic Christians by her daily work of care for the poor and the dying. Many women and men joined her Missionaries of Charity in India and around the world to perform the works of Christian charity and mercy. May Saint Teresa inspire us to be people of faith in the Lord Jesus and people of charity and mercy in his name!
GENTLEMEN, MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
It’s time to reserve your weekend for this year’s men’s retreat, November 17-19! The men of our parish are invited to renew your lives with 2 1/2 days of fellowship, quiet reflection, talks, prayer, and the Liturgy. This weekend will be at the Saint Paul of the Cross Retreat Center, South Side. More information is coming soon!
BEST WISHES FOR THIS LABOR DAY!
Every year, we begin the month of September with the annual celebration of Labor Day. It’s a national holiday to honor both labor unions as well as all those who labor and all the work they do for the benefit of themselves, their families, our communities, and our nation throughout the year. As we honor and pray for all who labor outside and inside our homes, we invite you to join us for the Labor Day Liturgy at 9:00am this Monday, September 4. Best wishes to all for a very good Labor Day!
OUR RECENT EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT
Last month, a young parish member, Devin Newell, completed his Eagle Scout Project to the benefit of both our parish community and our CDTCA school community. Devin and his father James Newell (supported by his mom, Megan, and his siblings, Dylan and Delanie) — as well as additional scouts, scout leaders, and professionals — created a new sidewalk along the school building from Third Street to the school playground. This new sidewalk will be very beneficial in reaching the playground and in allowing access around the school building. Thank you, Devin, and congratulations as you become an Eagle Scout!
SISTER PAT’S JUBILEE CELEBRATION!
Next Sunday, September 10, Sister Pat Baker, CDP, our music director and bereavement coordinator, will celebrate her 50th anniversary as a Sister of Divine Providence as well as 23 years of service to our parish community!
A Liturgy of Thanksgiving will be held at 2:00pm next Sunday, September 10, and a light reception will be held in the gymnasium after the Liturgy. To help us prepare for this event, please call the parish office today, and inform us if you and your family and friends will be coming to the reception. Everyone is welcome to join Sister Pat and our community!
OUR NEW PARISH IN 2022
Saint Scholastica Parish, Saint Joseph Parish, Saint Juan Diego Parish, and Saint Pio Parish will be merged by 2022. In March 2018, priests will be assigned and then begin their ministry in October 2018. At that time, the Liturgy Schedule of each church will be reduced to 1-2 Liturgies per church building. Each grouping of parishes will have only 6-7 Liturgies. The final consolidation is scheduled to be done by November 2021. Our Diocese is doing our best given our decline in population, participation, donations, and clergy. Thanks for your understanding and support of the On Mission program and process!
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND
REGISTERING NOW FOR OUR
This is a good time for our CCD families to register all your young students for Religious Education classes beginning September 17.
Choose from among the options of classroom sessions OR small group sessions OR home study. Registration forms are available on our parish internet site here. You may also contact Mrs. Jamie Dillon here or Miss Meredith Troyan here.
Classes are filling up at this time. Please register soon, and include the requested donation with your registration. Thank you very much!
SOME IMPORTANT DATES FOR
- Home Study families will begin their year at the 5:00pm Liturgy on Saturday, September 16.
- Catechetical Sunday—and the beginning of the CCD year—is Sunday, September 17. Please sign up for class or a small group or home study now.
- Middle school CCD small groups will be chosen on Sunday, September 17 after the morning Liturgies.
- On Sunday, September 17, we’ll have our annual CATEcarnival for all Religious Education families after the 9:00am Liturgy. There will be games, food, and more. All CCD parents and students are welcome!
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HAPPY 50th ANNIVERSARY,
This year, Father Sean Hogan, CSSp is celebrating his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. Father Hogan is a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, an administrator at Duquesne University, and for nearly 20 years, a visitor to our parish every Sunday. Many thanks to Father Hogan for his 50 years of ministry to the Church and to our own parish. Congratulations and best wishes, Father Sean Hogan!
Our Children’s Liturgy of the Word is seeking leaders for our Sunday 9:00am sessions during the Liturgy. Adults, high school students, and middle school students can be leaders or helpers. You’ll enjoy sharing the Word of God with children ages 4-10. Contact Andy Bechman at the parish office now. The Children's Liturgy will begin at the 9:00am liturgy on September 17.
Thank you for helping us to clean up our church before and after each weekend Liturgy. We’re very grateful that you care for your church property!
CURIOUS ABOUT CATHOLIC CHRISTIANITY?
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Catholic Christian, then you (or they) are invited to come and explore your questions and your interest. Please contact Andy Bechman at the parish offices or email him here.
NEW CHOIR MEMBERS ARE WELCOME
Soon, our Sunday choirs will begin practices for this new choral year. Our 9:00am and 11:00am choirs and instrumentalists provide wonderful music for our Sunday Liturgies. To provide this music, we rely on our parish members to join our choirs each year.
If you’d like to sing sacred music and you also have time for rehearsals, please contact Sister Pat Baker here today or in the coming days. Thank you!
GATHERING 100,000 BABY DIAPERS BY NOVEMBER 15
Our Diocesan Catholic Charities has begun an effort to collect 100,000 baby diapers in the next 100 days to help low income and struggling parents with young children! Diapers sizes 2-5 are being received at the Catholic Charities 9th Street offices downtown. Call Kelli Mainous (412-456-6950) for drop off.
Also, you can visit and shop Amazon at www.smile.amazon.com, then choose “Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh”, select your diaper donation, and have it shipped to Catholic Charities at 212 Ninth Street, Pgh., PA 15222. Thank you very much for your generosity to babies and infants!
HELPING OUR LOCAL ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
The Aquinas Guild appreciates your donations to help the local
In September, your donations of peanut butter, jelly, and crackers are most welcome along with any non-perishable items. Please place donations in the red bin in our church’s main entrance.
VICTIM’S DIOCESAN ASSISTANCE HOTLINE
Our Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh offers a toll-free
LITURGY SCHEDULE / PRIEST’S INTENTION
Monday, September 4 — Labor Day
9:00 am Franklyn Conflenti, birthday (Evelyn Conflenti)
Tuesday, September 5 — Saint Teresa of Calcutta
8:30 am Stephen F. Miketic (The Miketic Family)
Wednesday, September 6
8:30 am John Mroz (Pola Scalamogna)
Thursday, September 7
8:30 am Nancy Jean DiMatteo (Kathy Murray)
Friday, September 8 — The Nativity of Mary
8:30 am Anthony Furentino (Sisters)
Saturday, September 9 — Saint Peter Claver, priest
9:00 am Jean Eckert
2:00 pm Wedding of Dino Cilenti and Alysa Wright
5:00pm Bob Kolosna (The Kiley Family)
Presider: Father James Torquato
Sunday, September 10 — Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
7:30 am All Saint Scholastica Parish Members
Presider: Father James Torquato
9:00 am Sister Pat Baker, CDP—in Honor of her
Presider: Father James Torquato
Presider: Father Sean Hogan, CSSp
2:00 pm Sister Pat Baker, CDP, 50th Anniversary
Readings for the Week of September 3, 2017
Sunday: Jeremiah 20:7-9/Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9/Romans 12:1-2/Matthew 16:21-27
Monday: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18/Psalm 96:1, 3-5, 11-13/Luke 4:16-30
Tuesday: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11/Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14/Luke 4:31-37
Wednesday: Colossians 1:1-8/Psalm 52:10-11/Luke 4:38-44
Thursday: Colossians 1:9-14/Psalm 98:2-6/Luke 5:1-11
Friday: Micah 5:1-4a or Romans 8:28-30/Psalm 13:6/Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 or 1:18-23
Saturday: Colossians 1:21-23/Psalm 54:3-4, 6, 8/Luke 6:1-5
Next Sunday: Ezra 33:7-9/Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9/Romans 13:8-10/Matthew 18:15-20
HELPING THE HOMELESS AND THE POOR
Thank you for your help! There’s still a need for clean blankets, bedspreads, and duffle bags. Used items in good condition are most welcome. Thanks!
These food items are needed now: canned vegetables; canned red, or black beans; macaroni & cheese; canned soup; and prepared meal mixes. Please leave your donations in plastic bags for easier transport. Gray bins are in the church entrance.
Larger donations in bags (NOT boxes) and ALL clothing 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 316 or 318 Third Street. Thank you!
BULLETIN SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
Our thanks go to Hi-Tech Auto Care in Blawnox for being a bulletin sponsor. Please see their bulletin advertisement for contact information.
GOOD NEWS FROM OUR ACADEMY!
THE NEW CDTCA SCHOOL YEAR HAS BEGUN
Nearly 180 students in Grades K-8 have begun the new school year here at Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy! Our enrollment continues to increase each year, and our education program, technology, and facilities continue to be among the best in the Diocese. Many thanks to our students and parents, our families and benefactors, and our faculty, staff, and principal for making CDTCA a wonderful Catholic education for our parish and for our region!
OUR CDTCA GOLF OUTING ON SEPTEMBER 11
Next Monday, September 11, our annual PTG Golf Outing to benefit our regional school will be held at the Fox Chapel Golf Club. Yes, you can still register to play. $350 per individual / $1400 per foursome. 11:00am Lunch and 1:00pm shotgun start with dinner and prizes to follow the tournament. Please contact Colin Murray (412-901-8587 OR email here) this week for information and registration!
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THE BISHOP’S EDUCATION FUND COLLECTION
If you attended a Catholic elementary or high school before 1975, your tuition was usually paid by your parish. Now it’s our turn to help today’s students. The Bishop’s Education Fund has helped students with grants for 23 years. Our annual collection will be September 9-10. Please help our students!
POPE FRANCIS IS INVITING INPUT
Prior to next year’s Synod on Youth, Pope Francis and Bishop Zubik are asking young Catholics to offer your thoughts. Before Friday, September 8, please visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/PittSynod to share your thoughts with our Holy Father and our Bishop!
LOCAL WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY THIS FALL
Our parish will host a local Bible Study for Women in the parish hall. This year’s study will focus on the Blessed Mother Mary’s role in salvation history. It is entitled “Queen of Heaven: Mary’s Battle for You.” An informational session will be Sept. 12. The
Jesus will return and reward us!
All of us who believe in the Lord Jesus and do our utmost to live as his faithful disciples actually look forward to the Lord’s return and the completion of God’s Kingdom. Those who are not the Lord’s people feel that there’s nothing after this life. Yet we are confident that Jesus will return and reward us with eternal life!
All of us who believe in the Lord Jesus and do our utmost to live as his faithful disciples actually look forward to the Lord’s return and the completion of God’s Kingdom. Those who are not the Lord’s people feel that there’s nothing after this life. Yet we are confident that Jesus will return and reward us with eternal life!
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
Bruce Hassing
CHRIST THE DIVINE TEACHER CATHOLIC ACADEMY
205 Brilliant Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15215
Principal
Mr. Mark N. Grgurich, MSEd..................
(412)781-7927
