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Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

In Holy Week, free yourself from work and worries as much as possible to enter into this time with Our Lord. Make time for prayer, Scriptures and especially to attend Holy Week services, letting them draw you closer to Jesus. He died for us so that we might live with him forever. That should be what defines us, and our response to the world.

I am still enjoying my year of “firsts” as diocesan bishop. And as I led our Palm Sunday celebration in Saint Paul Cathedral, it was my honor to carry one of the palm crosses that Jeanette Finch has made for our bishops for many years. This talented lady gives of her time and the skills God has given her to craft beautiful items for worship and to pray for us. She is a great example to follow.

In my parish visit to Saint Oscar Romero Parish in Washington County I heard about a broad spectrum of Works of Mercy, from eucharistic adoration to a thriving mental health ministry to a pro-life outreach to pregnant women and young families in need. The parish also accompanies immigrants who face detention even though many had legal permission to be in the United States. Parishioners have delivered food to people too frightened to leave their homes. When individuals were detained, parishioners made sure that the families who remained behind were not abandoned but supported.

At Saint Isidore the Farmer Parish in Western Allegheny & Washington Counties I heard about the fruits of evangelization. They have a welcoming ministry for newcomers and create events that build friendships and faith. Their outreach to homebound elderly people asked every faith formation class to make gifts for them. When the gifts were delivered, many recipients responded with tears, letters, and phone calls expressing gratitude for what was, for some, the only meaningful connection they experienced last Christmas.

Parishioners emphasized the importance of personal invitation. One woman’s some became active in the faith because an older man in the parish wrote him a personal invitation to Mass. When he showed up, he told the older man, “If you took the time to write a letter asking me to join, then I should have taken the time to come and find out.”

So many fish frys, so little time. As Lent draws to a close I was happy to see the turnout for Stations of the Cross at Saint James Parish in Washington County, preceded by seafood and fellowship.

Sometimes I minister to groups of people, and sometimes they minister to me. I always get a charge out of the Young Catholic Professionals, a diocesan-sponsored fellowship for working people in their 20s and 30s who want to keep God first in their lives. I spoke at their retreat in Saint Padre Pio Parish.

Their Saint Joseph Saturdays are free retreats that encourage young professionals to "look upon work with the eyes of faith" and see God's presence in their vocations and professional lives. They include reflections, group discussion, confession, and Mass.

On Palm Sunday I joined Christian leaders of many traditions for a tenebrae service in First English Evangelical Lutheran Church, Downtown. Tenebrae is an evening liturgy of prayer, often associated with Holy Week. We are sisters and brothers in Christ with our Eastern Orthodox and Protestant neighbors, even though theological differences prevent us from sharing the Eucharist. Jesus prayed that we “all might be one,” and I ask you to pray that prayer with Him.

Pray for the soul of one of our retired priests, Father Miroslaus Wojcicki, who passed away Friday. His funeral was held Wednesday at Queen of the Rosary Church (Saints Joachim and Anne Parish), Glassport.

April Clergy Birthdays

The following members of our clergy celebrate birthdays this month. Please keep them in your prayers, and join me in giving thanks for their faithful service.

April 1 - Reverend Mark L. Thomas
April 1 - Reverend Joseph M. Freedy
April 2 - Reverend John Harvey, OFM Cap.
April 3 - Reverend Philip White, OFM Cap.
April 6 - Deacon Gary L. Comer
April 6 - Reverend James P. McDonough
April 6 - Deacon Loc Van Tran
April 7 - Deacon Philip D. Martorano
April 10 - Reverend William P. Siple
April 10 - Reverend Robert J. Vular
April 12 - Deacon Michael J. Babcock
April 13 - Deacon Eric S. Collier
April 13 - Deacon Timothy W. Counihan
April 13 - Reverend John L. Kist
April 15 - Reverend Garrett D. Dorsey
April 18 - Deacon Ralph W. Bachner
April 18 - Deacon Joseph A. Samchuck
April 19 - Reverend William E. Dorner
April 20 - Reverend Daniele Vallecorsa
April 21 - Reverend Philip P. Pribonic
April 22 - Deacon Barry A. Krofcheck
April 22 - Msgr. William M. Ogrodowski
April 22 - Reverend Michael R. Ruffalo
April 27 - Reverend Robert J. Cedolia
April 27 - Deacon Alexander J. Poroda
April 28 - Deacon John P. Corcoran, Jr.
April 29 - Deacon Thomas B. Mills
April 30 - Reverend Albert L. Zapf

Please know that you are in my prayers, and I ask you to keep me in yours.

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