From the Pastor's Desk (2/8/26)

From the Pastor's Desk
2/8/26

Retake the Disciple Maker Index (DMI) Survey
Last week, I announced the Disciple Maker Index (DMI) Retake beginning on February 18, 2026 and running through March 29, 2026. As a reminder, the main goal of the DMI is to invite parishioners to reflect on where they are on their personal journey of discipleship and gauge the effectiveness of the parish in supporting their journey of faith. Our parish will retake the same survey administered in Lent of 2023 to provide a better understanding of where we have been and where we are going. The DMI is administered by the Catholic Leadership Institute and consists of multiple questions across several key areas: personal spiritual growth, personal beliefs, and the parish’ effectiveness in helping people connect with the community and evangelize as well as assessing parishioners’ satisfaction with their overall parish experience, pastor, and parish activities. All individual responses are kept confidential. Parish leadership only receives aggregated data and trends. The results are presented in reports with benchmark data, allowing a pariah to compare its result against national trends, similar-sized parishes, and other parishes within our diocese. Please look for additional information and details on how to access the survey in the coming weeks.
 
Annual Diocesan Parish Appeal
How has God blessed you? Scripture calls us to thank Him for our blessings by giving regularly to support His Church. One way we do so is through the Annual Diocesan Parish Appeal, which supports ministries and services that parishes cannot afford on their own. Pray now about what to give on Commitment Weekend, February 14-15, 2026. Stay tuned for more information next week.
 
Will You Heed the Call to Serve?
We currently need additional Sunday Mass Lectors, especially at our Saint Frances Cabrini Campus. We only have nine lectors at SFC and I am asking parishioners to consider joining this important ministry. Training will be provided. We are also in need additional Funeral Mass Adult Altar Servers. We have been averaging 4-8 funerals a week over the last month and I am asking parishioners to consider participating in this important ministry as well. Training will be provided. Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested in serving in either of these very important liturgical ministries. 
 
Called By Name
Bishop Eckman is inviting all single men beginning in 9^th grade to discuss priestly vocations at a special dinner at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Pittsburgh on March 1, 2026. Please email me directly ([email protected]) with names of parish men you think might be interested in the priesthood and attending this dinner. Bishop Eckman will send a letter to each person to invite them to this gathering. 
Lent is Approaching – Are You Ready?
In just ten days, we will embark upon our 40-day journey to the foot of the Cross, culminating in the celebration of Christ’s salvific work through His suffering, death, and resurrection. Are we ready to journey into the desert of Lent with the Lord and our brothers and sisters in faith? Lent is, at its core, an extended act of prayer and penance, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Christ. It is a journey of spiritual discipline, leading us to conversion and renewal. This coming season is not merely a time of giving things up but an opportunity to realign our hearts with God. The Church, in her wisdom, offers us three pillars of Lent: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving – three essential practices that help us grow in holiness. It can be tempting to view Lent as a time for ambitious personal reinvention, but its purpose is much deeper. Rather than overburdening ourselves with excessive resolutions, we should try to focus on a few meaningful sacrifices and spiritual practices over our 40-day pilgrimage. Above all, Lent is an invitation to love as Christ loved – to embrace self-denial, deepen our prayer, and serve others in charity. As we prepare to journey to the foot of the Cross, may we seek to be transformed, so that when we reach the empty tomb on Easter morning, we may share in in the fullness of Christ’s victory. 
 
Sign-Up for The Search!
Don’t forget to sign-up for our Lenten Series, The Search, which begins on Tuesday, February 17 at 6:30 PM in Msgr. Farri Hall at the SJB Pastoral Center in Monaca. This seven-part series from Formed and the Augustine Institute, is a wonderful opportunity to journey through Lent with your fellow parishioners. Don’t miss out – only 40 spots are available. There is no cost to attend. Sign-up information is available in this weekend’s bulletin on the Adult Faith Formation page. 
 
Lenten Speaker Series
I am very happy to announce our 2026 Lenten Wednesday Evening Mass and Speaker Series. Join us every Wednesday in Lent, beginning February 25 at 6:30 PM at Our Lady of Fatima Church, for a special Daily Mass with a guest priest homilist and theme. We will welcome the following priests this Lent to Mary, Queen of Saints Parish:

• February 25 – Fr. Christopher Mannerino – Lent as Path of Hope
• March 4 – Fr. Robert J. Miller – Sin and Temptation
• March 11 – Fr. Michael Peck – Fasting and Almsgiving
• March 18 – Fr. Michael Sedor – Reconciliation and Conversion
• March 25 – Fr. Joseph Mele – The Cross: Salvation and Newness of Life in Christ