PITTSBURGH — The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh revealed Saturday that Bishop David Zubik has announced three mergers involving 10 parishes, resulting in the closure of two church buildings.
The parishes of Ascension in Ingram, Guardian Angels in the West End and Holy Innocents in Sheraden will merge into St. Philip Parish in Crafton, according to the diocese. The merge will go into effect Aug. 1, as will the closures of the church buildings of Guardian Angels and Holy Innocents.
On July 1, St. Matthias Parish in Evans City will merge into St. Gregory Parish in Zelienople. Then on Sept. 1, St. Albert the Great in Baldwin, St. Basil and St. Wendelin in Carrick and St. Norbert in Overbrook will merge to form Holy Apostles Parish.
“The pastors of all ten parishes had petitioned Bishop Zubik for the changes following study and consultation with their parish pastoral and finance councils and with the broader membership,” a release from the diocese said.
Zubik’s decision was announced to the impacted parishes on Saturday and Sunday.
“There's something about memory that is very important, but I also think it's important to recognize that's not what constitutes faith. Our relationship with God, while it may grow because of the presence of a building, faith is a lot bigger, is a lot stronger, than what a building is,” Zubik said.
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