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Diocese of Pittsburgh: 10 parishes will merge into 3 in July

PITTSBURGH — Three new parishes will be created in July, the Diocese of Pittsburgh announced on Saturday.

According to our partners at TribLIVE.com, three groupings of parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh are merging on July 1 to create the three new parishes.

Ten parishes are participating in the merge, which is part of the ongoing “On Mission for The Church Alive!” strategic planning initiative.

The initiative was designed to help parishes mobilize their resources to prioritize mission over maintenance.

The merge will bring the number of parishes in the Diocese of Pittsburgh down from 70 to 63.

“This has not been a simple task. Jesus never promised that it would be easy to carry his message of love and mercy to others,” Bishop David Zubik wrote in a letter to parishioners. “However, you are positioning your new parish for more effective ministry by addressing financial needs, sharing resources and allowing your clergy to focus on the spiritual work for which they were ordained. With your faith in Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit, I invite you to warmly welcome and serve each other as you become one parish family.”

The three new parishes are:

Three new parishes will be created in July, the Diocese of Pittsburgh announced on Saturday.

According to our partners at TribLIVE.com, three groupings of parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh are merging on July 1 to create the three new parishes.

10 parishes are participating in the merge, which is part of the ongoing On Mission for The Church Alive! strategic planning initiative.

The initiative was designed to help parishes mobilize their resources to prioritize mission over maintenance.

The merge will bring the number of parishes in the Diocese of Pittsburgh down from 70 to 63.

“This has not been a simple task. Jesus never promised that it would be easy to carry his message of love and mercy to others,” Bishop David Zubik wrote in a letter to parishioners. “However, you are positioning your new parish for more effective ministry by addressing financial needs, sharing resources and allowing your clergy to focus on the spiritual work for which they were ordained. With your faith in Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit, I invite you to warmly welcome and serve each other as you become one parish family.”

The three new parishes are:

Three new parishes will be created in July, the Diocese of Pittsburgh announced on Saturday.

According to our partners at TribLIVE.com, three groupings of parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh are merging on July 1 to create the three new parishes.

10 parishes are participating in the merge, which is part of the ongoing On Mission for The Church Alive! strategic planning initiative.

The initiative was designed to help parishes mobilize their resources to prioritize mission over maintenance.

The merge will bring the number of parishes in the Diocese of Pittsburgh down from 70 to 63.

“This has not been a simple task. Jesus never promised that it would be easy to carry his message of love and mercy to others,” Bishop David Zubik wrote in a letter to parishioners. “However, you are positioning your new parish for more effective ministry by addressing financial needs, sharing resources and allowing your clergy to focus on the spiritual work for which they were ordained. With your faith in Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit, I invite you to warmly welcome and serve each other as you become one parish family.”

The three new parishes are:

  • Divine Grace. Merged from the parishes of St. Ferdinand in Cranberry Township, St. Gregory in Evans City/Zelienople and Holy Redeemer in Ellwood City/Koppel/Wampum
  • Regina Coeli. Merged from the parishes of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Bellevue, St. John Neumann in Franklin Park, and Sacred Heart in Emsworth
  • St. Luke the Evangelist. Merged from the parishes of Good Samaritan in Ambridge, St. John the Baptist in Baden, Sts. John and Paul in Franklin Park and Marshall Township, and Our lady of Peace in Conway

The Trib also said that each of the mergers was requested by the priest-administrator of the grouping after consulting with parishioners. Bishop Zubik consulted with the diocesan Priest Council and Vicars General before he approved each request.

“This is a pivotal time for our diocese as we plan for the future of the Church of Pittsburgh,” Bishop Zubik said. “Southwestern Pennsylvania is radically different than it was 100, 50, 20, even 10 years ago, yet the work of the Church and our call from God to bring His love to everyone continues as strong as ever.”

The Trib also said that each of the mergers was requested by the priest-administrator of the grouping after conulting with parishioners. Bishop Zubik consulted with the diocesan Priest Council and Vicars General before he approved each request.

“This is a pivotal time for our diocese as we plan for the future of the Church of Pittsburgh,” Bishop Zubik said. “Southwestern Pennsylvania is radically different than it was 100, 50, 20, even 10 years ago, yet the work of the Church and our call from God to bring His love to everyone continues as strong as ever.”

The Trib also said that each of the mergers was requested by the priest-administrator of the grouping after conulting with parishioners. Bishop Zubik consulted with the diocesan Priest Council and Vicars General before he approved each request.

“This is a pivotal time for our diocese as we plan for the future of the Church of Pittsburgh,” Bishop Zubik said. “Southwestern Pennsylvania is radically different than it was 100, 50, 20, even 10 years ago, yet the work of the Church and our call from God to bring His love to everyone continues as strong as ever.”