From the Pastor's Desk (11/2/25)

From the Pastor's Desk

11/2/25

Rejoice and Be Glad, for Your Reward Will be Great in Heaven
The tradition of praying for the dead goes back to the early Church. From the very beginning, Christians believed in the communion of saints, the spiritual bond between the living and the departed. By the 10th–11th century, St. Odilo of Cluny, a French abbot, officially established November 2 as a day to pray for all the faithful departed. All Souls Day follows All Saints Day. While All Saints Day honors those already in Heaven, All Souls Day focuses on those still on their journey toward God — those in Purgatory. Over time, different countries have added local customs: in Mexico, it blends with the festive, Dia de los Muertos, while in Europe people light candles on graves and offer prayers. As Catholics, we believe in the power of prayer, charity and Mass to help souls on their journey to eternal life. All Souls Day reminds us that death doesn’t break the bonds of love — we can still care for those who have gone before us. On this day, Catholics remember their loved ones by: Attending Mass; Offering the Eucharist for the souls of the departed; Visiting Cemeteries: Praying, leaving flowers or lighting candles; Praying at Home: Some families create a small altar or light candles for their loved ones; Performing Acts of Charity: Performing good deeds or offering prayers for the benefit of the deceased. All Souls Day is ultimately about connection, prayer and remembrance. It’s a day to pause, honor the lives that shaped ours and trust in God’s mercy for those who have passed. (Catholic World Mission, 2024)

Annual All Souls Memorial Mass
The annual All Souls Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Monday, November 3, at 6:30 PM at St. Frances Cabrini Church. At this special Mass, we will remember all parishioners buried from our parish over the last year. All are welcome to attend.

Amen to Action
This coming Saturday, November 8, we will have 250 volunteers in Kohler Hall working together to pack thousands of meals for the hungry. All food and packing materials will be provided by the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. I want to thank Peg and Jim Bishop for organizing this special event, as well as all those who will be participating on Saturday.

Feast of St. Frances Cabrini
Throughout this year, we have celebrated Solemn Vespers for each of our churches. Please join us on Thursday, November 13, at 6:30 PM in St. Frances Cabrini Church as we celebrate her Feast Day.

Parish Pastoral Council
In consultation with our Clergy Team, Parish Staff and current council members, along with our pastoral planning efforts to reinvigorate and strengthen our parish community, we are moving in the direction of creating a new Parish Pastoral Council. A meeting was held on October 22, 2025, with existing Pastoral Council members to communicate my gratitude for the years of service and dedication each has offered to this important work. On behalf of the Mary, Queen of Saints Parish Community, I want to offer heartfelt thanks to Michael Albanese, Debbie Bianco, Barbara Brummitt, John Costanza, Regis Domitrovich, Jim Fontana, Tonya McKenna, Seth Starcher and Mary Volitich. The existing Parish Pastoral Council will remain in their roles until December 31, 2025. After the Calling Forth Process for new members has been completed, it is my hope that the new Parish Pastoral Council will be established no later than March 1, 2026. This change in membership on the Parish Pastoral Council was due to long-expired term renewals, as well as the recent change in parish leadership, which is permitted according to Canon Law. Information regarding the Calling Forth Process for new members and a timeline for the creation of a new Pastoral Council will be posted in next week’s bulletin.

A Call for Student Altar Servers
On August 25, 2025, Pope Leo met with 360 student Altar Servers (both male and female) from France during their pilgrimage to Rome. Along with their parents, parish priests and bishops, they had the opportunity to meet the Holy Father and have an audience with him. He reminded the student servers, “Jesus desires nothing more than to be part of your life, to illumine it from within, to become your best and most faithful friend. Life becomes beautiful and joyful with Jesus.” The Holy Father thanked them for their generous service to their parishes and urged them to always “keep in mind the greatness and holiness of what is being celebrated.” Pope Leo invited the student servers to prayerfully consider a vocation to the priesthood or religious life as they faithfully serve the Holy Mass. 

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. Altar Server Training Dates will be announced in next week’s bulletin.