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| Faithful Chronicles by Father Frank D. Almade
A potpourri of messages:
== Bishop Zubik has honored Saint Juan Diego Parish again by
asking us to host a Pittsburgh seminarian for this summer, as
part of his formation experience. Levi M. Hartle is a first year
seminarian at the Theological College in Washington, D.C., on
the campus of The Catholic University of America. He will be
living with me in the rectory for nine weeks, beginning in May,
learning about our parish and how to minister as a
priest-in-training. Look for more on Levi in weeks to come.
== The death count from the horrific disaster of major
earthquake and tsunami in Japan is above 8,000 as of this
writing, and may go above 20,000. A half million are homeless,
double that without electricity. Bishop Zubik asks our generosity
in the second collection taken up today at all Masses in the
Diocese of Pittsburgh. Donations collected will go to Catholic
Relief Services, the overseas humanitarian arm of the U.S.
Catholic Church. Be generous with your prayers for both the
dead and the living, and be generous in your donation.
== Several parishioners have asked about my cousin and his
wife, whom I had the privilege to officiate at their wedding in
Tokyo in November. John and Kayoko Wasiel are fine. Since
they live in Tokyo, they and millions of other city-dwellers were
only shaken up by the 9.0 earthquake, and were not directly
affected by the tsunami. However, for a variety of reasons,
John and Kayoko decided to leave Japan temporarily, fly to the
U.S., and join John’s parents, Stan and Mary Ann in Los
Angeles. I thank all for their kindnesses and prayers for John
and Kayoko. Knowing them, and having just visited them in
Tokyo, makes the disaster happening about 150 miles north of
them more real to me.
== Interest is building for our parish trip to Baltimore,
May 23-25. We’ll visit several Catholic historic churches,
including the Basilica of the Assumption in Baltimore and Mother
Seton’s Shrine Church in Emmitsburg, as well as have a great
time in the Inner Harbor. Consider joining our merry group for
this three day-two night short vacation.
== Our young people have been preparing for weeks to provide
a moving Lenten presentation of “Living Stations” on Friday
evening at 7:30 pm, April 15, in Madonna Church. Put it on your
calendar to attend. It’s on mine.
== Next week I am hosting a luncheon for area funeral directors,
to tell them the good news about our efforts to build the Virgin
of Guadalupe Mausoleum in St. Mary Cemetery. The
Catholic Cemeteries Association continues to reach out to
parishioners, and any families interested, to purchase crypts at
special pre-construction prices. Call 1-800-886-7526 to talk with
a CCA representative.
== My friend, Father Jim Garvey, asked my help in putting on a
fund-raising dinner and show for his African friend, Father Peter
Debo of the Diocese of Arua, Uganda. I gladly offered him the
use of the John Paul I Pastoral Center. So on Friday, April 29,
all are invited to enjoy a delicious meal, catered by Bistro to Go
Restaurant from the North Side, and a musical show, “My
Romance,” by the husband and wife team of John Phillips and
Joan Russell-Phillips. All proceeds benefit the Nyadri Academy,
a trade school for children founded by Father Debo. Tickets are
$40 for the dinner and show. Call Father Jim at 412-321-2126
to purchase your tickets.
Enough for now. Have a blessed lent. | |
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