From the Pastor&#039;s Desk (8/24/25)

From the Pastor's Desk

8/24/25

The Queenship of Mary - Our Patronal Feast
This weekend, we celebrate our Patronal Feast, the Queenship of Mary. We celebrate this feast at today's 11 AM Mass as well at our annual Parish Picnic from 12:30 PM to 4 PM.

Pope Pius XII established this feast in 1954; however, the Blessed Virgin Mary's queenship has roots in Scripture. At the Annunciation, Gabriel announced that Mary's Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever. At the Visitation, Elizabeth calls Mary "mother of my Lord." As in all the mysteries of Mary's life, she is closely associated with Jesus: Her queenship is a share in Jesus' kingship. We can also recall that in the Old Testament the mother of the king has great influence in court. In the fourth century, Saint Ephrem called Mary 'Lady’ and ‘Queen’. Later Church fathers and doctors continued to use the title. Hymns of the 11th to 13th centuries address Mary as queen: "Hail, Holy Queen," "Hail, Queen of Heaven;' "Queen of Heaven." The feast is a logical follow-up to the Assumption, and is now celebrated on the octave day of that feast. In his 1954 encyclical "To the Queen of Heaven", Pope Pius XII points out that Mary deserves the title because she is Mother of God, because she is closely associated as the New Eve with Jesus' redemptive work, because of her preeminent perfection, and because of her intercessory power.

OCIA - The Rite of Acceptance
Today, at our 11 AM Mass, I will celebrate the Rite of Acceptance for our 2025-26 OCIA Class. The Rite of Acceptance in the Order of Catechumens (Rite of Acceptance) is the first of the "threshold rites" of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), and the first public ritual. In the Rite of Acceptance, a change of identity takes place: those previously known as inquirers become catechumens. They are officially welcomed by the Church as disciples, members (albeit not yet full members) of the household of faith. They are literally marked with the cross of Christ as God's own during this beautiful rite. I invite you to remember our catechumens in your prayers this day.

Official Parish Mailing Address
On July 1. 2021, the former parishes of St. John the Baptist, St. Frances Cabrini, Our Lady of Fatima and St. Titus ceased to exist as they were formally merged into Mary, Queen of Saints Parish. This change was made canonically (according to Church law) and legally (according to the State of Pennsylvania). Therefore, we adopted one official mailing address: 115 Trinity Drive. Aliquippa, PA 15001. Surprisingly, parishioners continue to mail weekly offertory envelopes, donations and items to the former parish offices, which no longer exist. We also find offertory envelopes under the front door of the former Our Lady of Fatima Rectory, which does not have an office or a priest resident. Please kindly remember to use the official parish mailing address. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Interested in the Permanent Diaconate?
Bishop Mark Eckman has added an additional informational session for men who are interested in learning more about the Permanent Diaconate in our diocese. This session will be held from 6:30 PM to 9 PM at the Diocesan Pastoral Center (2900 Noblestown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15205) on Thursday, September 11. Additional information can be obtained at www.diopitt.org/permanent-diaconate or by calling the Diocesan Diaconate Office at 412.456.3124.

Liturgical Updates
Beginning September 1, 2025, we will return the Presentation of the Gifts to each of our Sunday liturgies. As the GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal) states:

"At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist the gifts which will become Christ's Body and Blood are brought to the altar. First of all, the altar or the Lord's table, which is the center of the whole Liturgy of the Eucharist, is made ready when on it are placed the corporal, purificator, missal and chalice. The offerings are then brought forward. It is a praiseworthy practice for the bread and wine to be presented by the faithful. They are then accepted at an appropriate place by the priest or the deacon to be carried to the altar. The rite of carrying up the offerings still keeps its spiritual efficacy and significance. The procession bringing the gifts is accompanied by the Offertory chant (or hymn), which continues at least until the gifts have been placed on the altar.” (GIRM. 73-74)

Please stay tuned for additional liturgical updates in the coming weeks 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 and Weekdays: Altar Servers (male and female) and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

What is the GIRM?
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), is an official document of the Church explaining how the Eucharist is to be celebrated in the Roman Rite. It is currently in its third edition since its promulgation at the Second Vatican Council. The GIRM speaks clearly and beautifully about the centrality of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. the holiness of the Eucharist, the various ministries at the Eucharist and highlights the role of the priest. It is both a "how to" manual and a deeply spiritual text that calls us to reflect more deeply on the mystery of Christ's presence among us in the Eucharist. All ordained clergy in the Roman Rite must adhere to the specific liturgical instructions found in the GIRM when celebrating or participating in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

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

“Every part of the journey is of importance to the whole."

- St. Teresa of Avila