the official newspaper of the archeparchy of pittsburgh
Inside
vol. 60 no. 13
sunday september 27, 2015
coming soon . . .
thank you, pilgrims!
snug as a bug
The 2015 St. Nicholas Event is just around the corner. Preview series explains this year’s theme. Page 5
Sister Ruth and the Basilian community say thanks; photos tell story of 81st Pilgrimage. Pages 3, 6 & 7
Creepy, crawly, delicious! Kids Corner goes buggy with a bevy of biblical insects. Page 8
MARY look upon us and favor with your grace; We your faithful children are safe in your embrace.
Feast of the Holy Protection of the Theotokos - October 1
Archbishop William travels to Washington, Philadelphia, Rome metropolitan among u.s. hierarchs welcoming pope francis, attending synod of bishops xiv general assembly Archbishop Stefan Soroka (Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia) and Archbishop William await the arrival of Pope Francis at St. Matthew Cathedral Sept. 23 in Washington, D.C. photo courtesy of Archbishop William Skurla
As of the time that this issue of The BCW went to print, following is Metropolitan Archbishop William’s fulfilled and expected itinerary and participation in the events during His Holiness Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to the U.S.:
A celebration of devotion 38 couples attend annual marriage event
Wednesday Sept. 23 - Washington, D.C. Archbishop William participated in the 11:15 a.m. meeting of the Holy Father with the bishops of the United States at St. Matthew Cathedral. Archbishop William participated in the Mass of the Canonization of Father Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, 4:15 p.m. Thursday Sept. 24 - Archbishop William and a number of other bishops traveled by train to Philadelphia. He will not travel to the New York papal activities. By special invitation, Father Thomas Schaefer, pastor and administrator of St. John Chrysostom Church, Greenfield/Pittsburgh and St. John the Baptist Church, South Side/Pittsburgh will participate in both the Vespers Prayer Service Thursday Sept. 24 at St. Patrick Cathedral and the Sept. 25 evening Mass at Madison Square Garden with the Holy Father in New York.
The Archeparchy’s annual “Celebration of Marriage” was held Sunday, Sept. 13 at St. Elias Church and Social Hall in Munhall, Pa. The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Archbishop William C. Skurla. A celebratory dinner was held in the parish hall following the Divine Liturgy, attended by 38 couples from 22 parishes within the Archeparchy. Pictured with Archbishop William are Stephen and Margaret Fleck, who celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2015. The Flecks are members of SS. Peter and Paul Church in Portage, Pa. where Very Rev. James Spontak is pastor.
Saturday/Sunday Sept. 26/27 - Philadelphia, Pa. Among other activities associated with the World Meeting of Families, Archbishop William will meet again with the Holy Father and brother bishops at St. Martin Chapel of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary on Sunday morning, and later that afternoon will participate in the Mass for the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, on Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Archbishop William will return to Pittsburgh on Monday Sept. 28 and leave Wednesday Sept. 30 for the Synod of Bishops XIV Ordinary General Assembly - The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World - in Rome.