Saint Athanasius
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October 6, 2019 Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Father John R. Rushofsky [email protected] Pastor 412 364 8999 Administrator’s Perspective What’s Up? By now you have seen the new Mass schedule that will go into effect on the First weekend of Advent, November 30—December 1. Some of the Masses have remained the same as the former interim schedule, but there are also a few changes. We know that some people will not be particularly thrilled, but these new Mass times reflect what we feel will best serve the needs of the entire grouping. And that brings up two more points. First, it is time for us to begin the process of choosing a new parish name as we move steadily toward our merger date in nine months. We’ll be asking for your input, but there are criteria and guidelines for names we will be permitted to use, so we will be providing that information soon. Please don’t send in suggestions until you’ve seen the parameters. Second, since we are committed to keeping you informed about all the steps we need to take before next July 1, we will soon be making available a timeline for the merger process, with a month by month schedule of everything we need to do. On another topic, some are inquiring about the financial situation of our four parishes. The short answer is: not good. The longer answer is: We will be posting the results of the Saint Athanasius Festival and the Saint Teresa Festival, both of which were quite successful; and we will also post the financial reports of the four parishes so you can see for yourself how our Offertory collections are down. On the advice of our Finance Councils, we hope to address this issue very soon. In Other news: Many people are unaware that we have our own adult softball team that competes in the North Hills Community Softball League. This year they’ve won the 2019 A Division Championship, the fourth cham- pionship in five years. We’re proud of our team! The tro- phy is on display in the St. Sebastian Narthex….stay tuned for more news…. Something to think about: “Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can’t, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it.” - Robert Frost Neighbors North Interested in a liturgical ministry? 2019 Neighbors North Sign up today! Liturgical Ministry Fairs Starting this weekend! All new ministers must attend at least one Ministry Fair. All Returning ministers (except music ministers) must either attend a Fair or contact David Dashiell for training times. Saint Athanasius, Athanasian Hall October 5th, 7:00-8:30pm October 6th, 10:00-11:30am; 1:00-2:30pm ——————————————————————————————— Incarnation, Old Library October 13th, 8:30-9:30am ——————————————————————————————— Saint Sebastian, Narthex October 12th, 6:00-7:30pm October 13th, 11:00am-12:30pm, 6:00-7:30pm Can’t make a Fair? ——————————————————————————————— Contact David Dashiell, Saint Teresa, Schoppol Hall Associate Director of Liturgy October 19th, 5:00-6:30pm [email protected]; 412-367-9001 x517 October 20th, 9:00am-10:30am, 12:00-1:30pm ——————————————————————————————— Big Basket Raffle tickets now on sale! Stop by Schoppol Hall after all Masses this weekend to see our amazing baskets and take a chance! Tickets are only $5 for 9 or 19 for $10! Things you could win include gift cards, a wheelbar- row of cheer, a money tree, a bucket of lottery tickets and much more! All proceeds benefit the Music Ministries, thank you for your support! Neighbors North Deacon Bill: Thankful for the Past, Excited About the Future! As I reflect on the last ten years of employment at Saint Athanasius Parish, I am so grateful for the opportunity and the people that God has put in my path. After taking the leap of faith to leave the corporate world, I had the good fortune to be invited to leadership at St A’s, working closely with Fr. Bob Norton, who allowed me to use my gifts, some of which I didn’t know about at the time, to help launch and sustain the Parish Assessment and Renewal initiative. The PAR program, and many of our other lay-inspired programs, really brought the parish back to life at a time when times were not that easy. Despite the loss of our school and other setbacks, we were able to energize the lay leadership and create a sense of renewed vibrancy around the parish. I’m so grateful for the parishioners with whom I have worked closely and who have inspired me every day that I came to work. Actually, as I say the word “work,” I’m reminded of how much my role didn’t ever seem like work – it was just an extension of ministry, and what a blessing that has been! More than anything, I am thankful for my wife Donna, who has sacrificed so much in allowing me to step away from the corporate career that I thrived in, to immerse myself in the world of a deacon and as one of the leaders of the Church. As I step away from this chapter of life as a paid member of the parish staff, the role as deacon at Neighbors North continues. As has been the case for many things since we were ordained together eight years ago, Deacon Gary and I continue on a similar path, focusing even more so now on the liturgical and pastoral needs of this community. Donna and I look forward to continue being a part of many of the pastoral and community building events that have so enriched our lives in the past: from the Day of Service (November 2) to the men’s and women’s events, to all the various children’s events on the calendar (Trunk or Treat is coming up on October 27!). And we hope to add some more! Lastly, I am excited to move on to a new role working for Catholic Cemeteries. My hope is that, as was the case in my leadership role at the parish, this new opportunity will again prove to be an extension of ministry. After all, helping families plan for, and assist with, end of life care is one of the Corporal Works of Mercy, isn’t it? Again, I am so grateful for all those who inspired me with their faith and prompted me to keep marching forward. God bless all of us at Neighbors North Catholic Community! Trunk or Treat! Sunday, Oct 27!!! We start at 2PM! Instead of filling trunks, we fill tables with goodies at St A’s Church Hall—we’ve found that it’s better to be safe and warm inside than to be outside in the parking lot. To reserve a table that you can decorate and distribute candy from, please call the parish office at 412-931-4624. Neighbors North This Month Featuring: Bob Lacher, Jr., St. Athanasius Usher If you attend the St. A’s noon Mass on Sundays, you recognize the smiling face of Bob Lacher, Jr. He's a regular usher there, except on the Sundays that Pirates are playing at home! Growing up in Marshall Twp., Bob attended St. Alphonsus Church and School, where he was an Altar Boy and sang in the Childrens' Choir. Although he was born with vision defects and declared “Legally Blind” when he was in seventh grade, his education was ”mainstreamed”. He also attended classes at the Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind. After graduation from North Allegheny High School, Bob went on to Clarion University in Clarion, PA to obtain a degree in Library Science. However, he had to switch his major due to his visual impairment. He graduated from Clarion University with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. He attended Duquesne University School of Law for a year until vision problems interfered. Bob has been a member of St Athanasius parish since 1988 when he moved to the West View Towers High Rise. As an avid reader, he's a member of the Northland Library. He's also a member of the A.A.U. Foreign Policy Discussion Group and local political party committee. He is most enthusiastic about his parish ministries and church related activities. He's a 4th Degree (Patriot) member of the Bellevue Knights of Columbus. He was active in the Charismatic Movement and Fr. Dixon's Bible Study group. He continues to practice his faith daily as an active participant of the Prayer Line, the Pro-Life Committee and attends the St. A's Men’s retreats. As an Usher, Bob helps at all the Usher sponsored Fish Fries and he enjoys the opportunities to meet & greet members of the parish family, including recent recognition by one of his former teachers from Grade school. We thank Bob for sharing his time and talents with us! To learn more about being a part of this ministry or other volunteer opportunities, please call the St Athanasius Parish Center at 412-931-4624. Liturgy & Music Ministry USIC INISTRY CHEDULE M M S Music for Sunday, October 13th: 9:00 AM Mass at St. Athanasius—Contemporary Choir 10:00 AM Mass at St. Sebastian—Adult Choir Ted Rybka 11:00 AM Mass at St. Teresa of Avila—Cherub Choir *All other weekend liturgies at St. Athanasius, Incarnation of the Lord, St. Sebastian, and St. Teresa of Avila will be led by a cantor. TWENTY– SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Faith, even just the size of a mustard seed, can go a long way.