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From the Pastor's Desk
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From our parish clergy to our community of faith.
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From the Pastor's Desk
9/21/25
Parish Finance Council
In consultation with our Clergy Team, Parish Staff and current council members, and in an effort to align our organization and financial processes, we are moving in the direction of creating a new Parish Finance Council. Information regarding the process and timeline for the creation of a new Finance Council will be posted in next week’s bulletin. A joint meeting was held on September 9, 2025, with existing Finance Council members to communicate my gratitude for the years of service and dedication each has offered to this important work. I wish to offer a heartfelt thanks to Karen Chuhran, Jacqueline D’Alessandris, Tim Egnot, Joe Kusnir, Loretta Martella, Piera Masciantonio, Shawn McCreary, Mel Mikulich, Jack Salvetti and Jack Skrlac. As current Finance Council members, they will continue their work until December 31, 2025. The new Finance Council will be established and in place by January 2026. This change in membership on the Finance Council was due to long-expired term renewals, as well as the recent change in parish leadership, which is permitted according to Canon Law.
Ministry of Sacristan
A Parish Sacristan serves quietly behind the scenes in a parish, ensuring that everything needed for the celebration of the Mass and other liturgies is prepared with care and reverence. Their ministry supports the smooth and prayerful flow of worship, allowing the priest, deacon and congregation to focus fully on the sacred mysteries. The responsibilities of a Sacristan are centered around preparing the altar, sacred vessels, linens, liturgical books and other items before Mass. They are also responsible for maintaining the Sacristy and ensuring an atmosphere of reverence. A Sacristan must have a deep respect for the Holy Eucharist and the sacredness of the liturgy. They must be reliable, punctual, and pay attention to detail. Their work is done quietly and does not seek attention. A Sacristan would be expected to serve 1.5 hours in this ministry each time they assist. Candidates for this ministry should be willing to learn liturgical procedures and follow parish and diocesan guidelines. They must be a registered parishioner, a practicing Catholic, and meet all of the requirements needed for Safe Environment Clearances. We are in need of trained Sacristans at all four of our churches and are looking for interested candidates for this important ministry. If you feel called to this particular ministry, please contact Judi Dalton in the Parish Office at 724-775-6363 (EXT. 101). An introductory meeting for interested candidates will be scheduled and training will be provided for those seriously considering this ministry.
Ministry of Wedding Coordinator
A Parish Wedding Coordinator works directly with the Priest or Deacon and the engaged couple preparing for their wedding. The Wedding Coordinator is the resource for questions about the couple’s wedding day: church environment (flowers, decorations, etc.), logistics (where to dress, where attendants stand/sit), photography and videography guidelines, and any other unique requirement for the bride and groom. They make contact with the bride about one month prior to the wedding, reviewing details associated with the wedding day at the church. The Wedding Coordinator is present at both the Rehearsal and the Mass or Ceremony, in order to ensure that everything goes smoothly. A total of four hours per wedding are required for this ministry. Candidates for this particular ministry should be punctual, organized, detail-oriented, a natural leader, and comfortable working with different types of people. They must also be a registered and active parishioner and meet all of the Safe Environment Clearances required by the parish and diocese. We are in need of additional Wedding Coordinators for each of our churches. If you feel called to this particular ministry, please contact Judi Dalton in our Parish Office at 724-775-6363 (EXT. 101). An introductory meeting for interested candidates will be scheduled and training will be provided for those seriously considering this special ministry.
Convocation of Diocesan Priests: 2025
Priests of Hope is the theme of a convocation for all priests of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, beginning Monday, October 6, and concluding on Thursday, October 9. The convocation is held every three years at the Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheeling, West Virginia. It is an important opportunity for our diocesan priests to join with Bishop Mark Eckman for spiritual renewal, pastoral and professional development, and priestly fraternity. Please keep me and my brother priests in your prayers as we prepare for the upcoming convocation.
An October Preview
Saturday, October 4, is the annual Blessing of Pets. We will gather in the parking lot at 1 PM at St. Frances Cabrini and 2 PM at Our Lady of Fatima. On Thursday, October 23, at 6:30 PM, we will celebrate a special Mass with the Anointing of the Sick at St. Frances Cabrini Church. On Sunday, October 26, at 6 PM, a special Praise and Worship Service for our Middle and High School Youth Ministry will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church to celebrate the recent canonization of St. Carlo Acutis. Additional details coming soon!From the Pastor's Desk
9/14/25
Lift High the Cross
Today is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which celebrates two historical events: the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, in 326 under the temple of Venus in Jerusalem, and the dedication in 335 of the basilica and shrine built on Calvary by Constantine, which mark the site of the Crucifixion. However, today’s feast, more than anything else, is a celebration and commemoration of God's greatest work: his salvific death on the Cross and His Resurrection, through which death was defeated and the doors to Heaven opened.
Saints Pier Giorgio Frasatti and Carlo Acutis, Pray for Us!
Last Sunday, September 7, Pope Leo XIV proclaimed the Italians Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis as Saints of the Catholic Church. The canonizations of the two men, promulgated before an estimated 70,000 people in St. Peter's Square, were the first of Leo's pontificate. Like Solomon, Pope Leo said, the new Saints Pier Giorgio and Carlo understood that friendship with Jesus and faithfully following “God’s plans” is greater than any other worldly pursuits. Pope Leo stated, “Today we look to Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati and Saint Carlo Acutis: a young man from the early 20th century and a teenager from our own day, both in love with Jesus and ready to give everything for him. My dear friends, Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis are an invitation to all of us, especially young people, not to squander our lives, but to direct them upwards and make them masterpieces.” May we seek the intercession of these new Saints, most especially for all young Catholics.
St. Vincent Archabbey Benedictine Annual Appeal
Next Saturday and Sunday, September 20-21, at all Masses, a special collection will be taken up to support the work of the Saint Vincent Benedictine Community. The Benedictines are sincerely grateful for your generous support in the past, and ask for your help in meeting urgent new challenges – particularly educational costs of new members and health care of the sick.
Active Participation in The Liturgical Life of Our Parish
As I mentioned last week on this page, I am, inviting all parishioners to pray and consider participating in the liturgical life of our parish, most especially in one of the following ministries at any of our churches: Ministry of Sacristan (Weekdays and Sundays); Ministry of Lector (Daily Mass and Sunday Mass); Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (Daily Mass, Sunday Mass & Visits to the Homebound); Ministry of Altar Server (Daily Mass, Sunday Mass, Funerals and Weddings / Students and Adults / Male and Female); Ministry of Bridal Coordinator (Weddings throughout the year); Ministry of Cantor (Sundays, Weddings and Funerals); and Ministry of Usher (Sundays).
A parish of our size, with four churches, eight Sunday liturgies, eight weekday liturgies, weekly funerals and frequent weddings, requires the assistance of many, not just the ordained, but also the lay faithful. Your MQSP Clergy Team is praying that you will consider participating in one of the liturgical ministries listed above. A vibrant parish has liturgical ministers who are well formed in their roles and serve the assembly with reverence and humility. Additional information as well as specific details regarding these ministries will be coming soon. In the meantime, ponder and pray over whether or not you feel called to come forward and serve your parish community in one of these important ministries.
Cultivating Discipleship in Our Parish Community
Did you know that most practicing Catholics do not understand what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus? Following Our Lord is not only about attending Mass on Sunday, it is about walking with Him and seeking to be his disciple daily. It is about allowing the Holy Spirit to help us grow in our faith and enable us to share the Good News with others, not just in words, but in actions. Growing in our relationship with Jesus directly impacts our ability to be his disciple and it assists us in helping others to do the same. Disciples evangelize, and in doing so, they help to transform the life of a parish community. Would you like to know more about Discipleship as a Catholic? If so, I invite you to consider participating in a new cohort of the Forming Intentional Disciples Program that I will be leading this fall. This program is designed to help Catholics transform parish life from within, by starting with their own faith journeys. We will be using Dr. Sherry Weddell’s book, Forming Intentional Disciples as well as tools from the Catherine of Siena Institute. This three-part cohort will meet on October 14, 21 and 28 from 6:30 PM to 8 PM in the Sacred Heart Hall on the SFC Campus. There are 20 spaces available for the cohort. A $10 registration fee covers the cost of the text and materials. Call Judi Dalton in the Parish Office at 724-775-6363, EXT. 101, to register.From the Pastor's Desk
9/7/25
Cultivating Discipleship in Our Parish Community
Even though we call members of a Catholic parish, parishioners, we are, in fact, called to be disciples of Jesus. What is a disciple? Disciples pray with passion. Disciples worship. Disciples love the Church and serve her with energy and joy. Disciples give lavishly. Disciples hunger to learn more about their faith. Disciples fill every formation class in a parish or diocese. Disciples manifest charisms and discern vocations. They clamor to discern God’s call because they long to live it. Disciples evangelize because they have very good news to share. Disciples share their faith with their children. Disciples care about the poor and about issues of justice. Disciples take risks for the kingdom of God. Would you like to know more about Discipleship as a Catholic? I will be leading a new cohort in the Forming Intentional Disciples Program this fall. This program is designed to help all Catholics transform parish life from within. We will be using Dr. Sherry Weddell’s book, Forming Intentional Disciples, as well as tools from the St. Catherine of Siena Institute. This cohort will meet on three Tuesday evenings from 6:30 PM to 8 PM on October 14, 21 and 28 in the Sacred Heart Hall, located on the St. Frances Cabrini Campus. There is a $10 registration fee to cover the cost of the text and supplies. To register, please call Judi Dalton in our Parish Office at 724-775-6363, EXT. 101.
Presentation of the Gifts
A reminder that we have returned the Presentation of the Gifts at each of our Sunday Masses. If you or your family has a special Mass Intention for a deceased loved one or even for a marriage anniversary at any Sunday liturgy, please consider bringing the gifts of bread and wine to the Altar. Be sure to see the ushers before Mass in order to let them know you would like to participate in the Presentation of the Gifts.
Benedictine Annual Appeal 2025
A collection in response to the St. Vincent Archabbey Benedictine Annual Appeal will be taken up at all Masses the weekend of September 20-21. The purpose of this collection is to help meet the community’s educational and health care needs.
Weddings at Mary, Queen of Saints Parish
If you are planning to get married in 2026 at MQS Parish and have specific questions or concerns related to scheduling a wedding date, please feel free to contact one of our parish priests or deacons. We would be more than happy to answer all of your questions and concerns. I also recommend directing your attention to our parish website for additional information related to weddings at our parish.
Ministry and Service to our Parish Community
One of the most beautiful and most important documents that came out of the Second Vatican Council was the “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.” It was promulgated by the Council Fathers in December 1963, and brought much-needed attention to this important fact: we, ordained and laity, are all called to be active participants in the Mass. Here is the key passage from this document: “Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy. Such participation by the Christian people as ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a redeemed people’ is their right and duty by reason of their baptism” (SC, 14).
In 2009, our late Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, at the opening of the Pastoral Convention of the Diocese of Rome, reiterated this important call of participation by the laity, when he said: “It is necessary to improve pastoral structures in such a way that the co-responsibility of all the members of the People of God in their entirety is gradually promoted, with respect for vocations and for the respective roles of the consecrated and of lay people. This demands a change in mindset, particularly concerning lay people. The must no longer be viewed as “collaborators” of the clergy but truly recognized as “co-responsible,” for the Church’s being and action, thereby fostering the consolidation of a mature and committed laity. This in no way diminishes the responsibility of the parish priests.”
Therefore, in the coming weeks, I will be addressing the need for you, our beloved parishioners, to pray and consider participating in the liturgical life of our parish, most especially in one of the following ministries at any of our churches: Ministry of Sacristan (Weekdays and Sundays); Ministry of Lector (Daily Mass and Sunday Mass); Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (Daily Mass, Sunday Mass & Visits to the Homebound); Ministry of Altar Server (Daily Mass, Sunday Mass, Funerals and Weddings / Students and Adults / Male and Female); Ministry of Cantor (Sundays, Weddings and Funerals); Ministry of Usher (Sundays).
A further explanation of each of these important liturgical ministries will be forthcoming, along with expectations and requirements for each one. Safe Environment Clearances will also be required. As a large parish with 12,000 members, four active churches, eight Sunday liturgies, eight Weekday liturgies, numerous funerals and weddings, and other liturgical celebrations throughout the year, we are in need of greater participation from you. I hope that you will begin pray and consider joining one of these very important liturgical ministries at our parish. I, along with our entire Clergy Team, look forward to welcoming you to participate in the liturgical life of our parish community. Will you heed the call? Please stay tuned for more details in the next few weeks on this page of the bulletin.
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