From the Pastor's Desk (8/10/25)

From the Pastor's Desk

8/10/25

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This Friday, August 15, 2025, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation. Please see the Mass Schedule for this upcoming Holy Day in today’s bulletin. Also, the Parish Offices will be closed for the Holy Day.

OCIA – Becoming a Catholic
Are you a person who has not yet been baptized and would like to learn more about the Catholic faith, with the possibility of becoming Catholic? Are you a baptized Christian of another denomination who would like to learn about and join the Catholic tradition? Are you a baptized Catholic who has not yet received your First Holy Communion or Confirmation and would like to become a full participant in the life of the Church? If you answer yes to any of these questions, come and see what the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) Program is all about. Every year, our parish welcomes any and all who are curious about, interested in, or just want to know more about the Christian faith as it is lived and celebrated in the Roman Catholic Tradition. If you are interested or would simply like more information, please contact Mr. Josh Kilmer, Director of Adult Faith Formation, or any of our parish clergy, at 724.775.6363.

Our Lady of Fatima School
It’s hard to believe, but students will soon be returning to school for another year of learning. OLF School resumes on Thursday, August 21, and the first Mass of the new academic year will be celebrated at 8:30AM at OLF Church on Friday, August 22.

Parish Feast Day Picnic
The annual celebration of our Parish Feast Day is quickly approaching! We will celebrate our patronal feast on Sunday, August 24th at the 11:00AM Mass at St. Frances Cabrini Church, followed by our Feast Day Picnic on the church grounds. Please consider joining us for this special liturgy as well as for food, fellowship and fun at the picnic, from 12:30PM to 4:00PM.

Solemn Vespers for The Passion of Saint John the Baptist
Please consider joining on Thursday, August 28 at 6:00PM at St. John the Baptist Church as we celebrate Solemn Vespers for the Passion of Saint John the Baptist. [Eucharistic Exposition will begin at 5:00PM.]

Maintenance Position Opening
If you read the bulletin last week, you will know that we currently have a job opening in our maintenance department. We are seeking qualified candidates to fill this full-time position. Please see this week’s bulletin for more details!

Liturgical Updates
We have returned the Prayers of the Faithful to the celebration of our Daily Masses. As the GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal) states: “In the Universal Prayer or Prayers of the Faithful, the people respond in some sense to the Word of God which they have received in faith and, exercising the office of their baptismal Priesthood, offer prayers to God for the salvation of all. It is desirable that there usually be such a form of prayer in Masses celebrated with the people, so that petitions may be offered for holy Church, for those who govern with authority over us, for those weighed down by various needs, for all humanity, and for the salvation of the whole world. (GIRM, 69). Please stay tuned for additional liturgical updates coming in September as we, a Catholic parish of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, are expected to ensure and maintain the specific liturgical charisms of our local diocese. I will be addressing these important liturgical actions and ministries during the celebration of the Holy Mass on Sundays: Lectors, Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and the Presentation of Gifts (Offertory).


Blessings on your week!
Fr. John B. Gizler, III
Pastor of Mary, Queen of Saints Parish