From the Pastor's Desk (8/31/25)

From the Pastor's Desk

8/31/25

Happy Labor Day
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on September 5, 1882, in New York City. In June of 1894, the United States Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the United States. It is appropriate, therefore, that he nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom and leadership — the American worker. Join us for Mass at 9 AM at St. Frances Cabrini Church on Labor Day, Monday, September 1.

Parish Picnic Thank You's
A special word of thanks to everyone who helped behind the scenes to prepare for our annual Parish Picnic on August 24. Thank you to everyone who brought various dishes and desserts. Thank you to everyone who took time from their Sunday afternoon to join their parish clergy, and their brothers and sisters in fellowship and fun.

Blessing of Students
Today, at all Masses, our clergy will be offering a special blessing to our students as they have returned to another year of learning. May we continue to pray for all students, that they will be enlightened by God’s grace and strengthened by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives.

Presentation of Gifts
As we move into September, we will return to the Presentation of the Gifts at each Sunday Mass. 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 participating in this part of the Mass. 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.

Celebrating the Saints This Week
On Wednesday, September 3, we celebrate St. Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church. St. Gregory was Pope from September 590 AD until his death on March 12, 604 AD. Throughout the Middle Ages, he was known as “the Father of Christian Worship” because of his exceptional efforts in revising the Roman worship of his day. He is honored, along with St. Augustine, St. Jerome and St. Ambrose, as one of the four Great Latin Church Fathers. In his official documents, Pope Gregory was the first to make extensive use of the term “Servus Servorum Dei” (Servant of the Servants of God) as a papal title, thus initiating a practice that was to be followed by most subsequent pontiffs. His tomb is located in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
In the Catholic Church, the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. To ensure the faithful receive Holy Communion with reverence and efficiency, the Church and the Diocese of Pittsburgh allows for the use of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs) when needed. 

An Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion is a bishop, priest or deacon — those who have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders. They are the primary ministers of the Eucharist by virtue of their ordination. An Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is a layperson who is appointed to assist with the distribution of the Eucharist when there are not enough ordinary ministers present. They do not replace priests or deacons but serve as an extension of the Church’s ministry in extraordinary circumstances, such as large Masses or when bringing Communion to the sick and homebound. 

What are the spiritual benefits to the parish? The service of EMHCs enriches the spiritual life of the parish in several ways: (1) Ensuring Access to the Eucharist — They help distribute Communion efficiently, allowing more time for prayer and reflection. (2) Reaching the Sick and Homebound — By bringing the Eucharist to those unable to attend Mass, they strengthen the connection of the homebound to the parish community. (3) Fostering Active Participation — Their service encourages a deeper sense of involvement and discipleship among the laity. 

Serving as an EMHC is a profound privilege that deepens one’s faith and spiritual life through the following ways: (1) Greater Reverence for the Eucharist — Handling the Body and Blood of Christ fosters a deeper love and appreciation for the Real Presence. (2) Personal Spiritual Growth — Ministers often find their own prayer life strengthened as they serve others. (3) A Call to Holiness — Being entrusted with this sacred duty inspires ministers to strive for holiness in their daily lives. (4) Opportunities for Evangelization — Bringing Communion to the sick or elderly opens doors for pastoral care and spiritual conversations. 

As a parish of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, Mary, Queen of Saints Parish will be ensuring that the Ministry of the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion is properly exercised at all parish weekday and Sunday Masses going forward, beginning November 30, 2025, the First Sunday of Advent. This liturgical ministry will be carried out according to all diocesan norms and expectations, with all participants being re-certified, retrained and refocused on the importance of this ministry within the liturgical life of our parish community. Please stay tuned for additional information and upcoming opportunities for retraining and the reissuing of faculties for this ministry by our Diocesan Office of Worship.