From the Pastor&#039;s Desk (11/9/25)

From the Pastor's Desk
11/9/25

The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
In every diocese around the world, a cathedral stands as a symbol of unity of the local church gathered around its bishop. The cathedral also witnesses to the communion of the Church Universal, with the Holy Father as the chief shepherd. That is why the anniversary of a cathedral’s dedication is celebrated as a feast day in each diocese. Since the Holy Father is uniquely charged with the care of the Universal Church and the Diocese of Rome, his cathedral – Saint John Lateran – is not simply the diocesan cathedral; it’s the mother of all other cathedrals and has been since 324 CE. This Sunday, the Catholic Church celebrates the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome and not the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Both the Lateran Cathedral and this special feast celebrate our Christian unity. Jesus founded the Church to gather us into one under the successors of Saint Peter, and to this day, Masses are celebrated at Saint John Lateran on the high altar, under which rests the remains of a small wooden table on which Saint Peter is said to have celebrated the Holy Eucharist. The witness and ministry of the Holy Father continues to connect and unite us to Christ, the cornerstone of the Church. (Living Liturgy, Liturgical Press, 2024)

Parish Finance Council Calling Forth Process Update
Nominations for membership on the new Parish Finance Council are now closed. Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in membership on this advisory body to the Pastor. We have thirteen candidates who will be moving to the next step in Calling Forth Process to be considered for possible appointment and membership on the Parish Financial Council. Look for additional updates in the coming weeks.

A Call for Student Altar Servers
On behalf of our entire Parish Clergy Team, I am happy to announce and welcome all students (male and female) in grades 4-12 to consider becoming an Altar Server at Mary, Queen of Saints Parish for our Sunday Liturgies. For those interested, parental permission will be needed, and training will be required. Altar Server Sign-Up Forms may be found in the vestibule of each church. Parents may also call the Parish Office at 724-775-6363, EXT. 101, and speak with Judi Dalton for more information.

Advent 2025: A Light in the Darkness
The Season of Advent is quickly approaching and begins on Sunday, November 30. Stay tuned for details regarding this holy season in next week’s bulletin!

Parish Pastoral Councils in the Diocese of Pittsburgh
As you read in last week’s bulletin, we are moving in the direction of creating a new Parish Pastoral Council for Mary, Queen of Saints Parish. This week and next week’s bulletin will discuss various aspects of the Parish Pastoral Council, Membership Details and the Calling Forth Process moving forward.

What is the Parish Pastoral Council? A Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is a visioning and advisory body to the Pastor in all areas of parish life. The spirit if the Council is one of consultation and collaboration. Decisions are made through discernment, dialogue and consensus. Members utilize their own giftedness in strengthening relationships and assessing the needs of the parish. In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Council must be committed to prayer and the values of the Gospel, as well as knowledgeable about the life and teachings of Jesus, the mission of the Church, and the distinctive characteristics of the parish, its ministries and its people.

What is the role of the Parish Pastoral Council? In consultation with the Pastor, the PPC actively listens to, identifies and responds to the hopes, needs and concerns of parishioners. Council members advise the Pastor on strategic planning and the creation and review of the parish pastoral plan to grow the parish in ministry, participation, mission and discipleship.

How does the Pastor collaborate with the Parish Pastoral Council? The Pastor has the primary responsibility for the total life of the parish and serves as the presider of the PPC. He actively seeks wisdom from the Holy Spirit present in the Council members. As Pastor, he assures that all who share in the ministry of leadership are equipped for their task and he trusts that together they will work towards making real and concrete the mission of Jesus in the parish.

What parish relationships are integral to the work of the Parish Pastor Council? The PPC is to collaborate on an annual planning cycle with the Parish Finance Council to ensure that the pastoral priorities of the parish are met with a realistic budget. It is also important for the Council to have a working relationship the Parish Staff. Members of Parish Staff may serve as staff resource to the Council, but not as a member. Other Parish Staff may not serve on the Council, although they may be invited to attend meetings to provide their expertise. Other members of the Clergy Team assigned to the parish may not serve as members of the Council; however, they are encouraged to attend meetings to be informed of all planning initiatives and offer advice as needed.

Next Week: Additional information regarding Membership on the PPC, Characteristics of Potential PPC Members, and details regarding Length of Service on the PPC, and the Calling Forth Process used to identify potential new members.