Why Pray?
Why Pray to the Saints
Prayer just means communication and as Catholics, we communicate with saints and seek their intercession. Now, even if that’s not worship, that’s bad enough in the eyes of many protestants because that is seen as looking for an intermediary other than Jesus or it’s simply communicating with the dead, both of which are forbidden in scripture.
The Focus
The Mass is the
Highest Form of Prayer...
The Sanctuary
In this video recorded at St John's Parish, the holy nature of the sanctuary is discussed. It is not just an ordinary space. Added gestures and rituals, done in a prayerful way, help to acknowledge the special nature of the sanctuary.
Click the image above any time of day to view the latest Mass from Catholic TV.
Faith and Culture
Using the Virtues to Combat the Culture
Bishop Barron sits down with Matthew Petrusek to examine the dark and difficult aspects of internet culture. We explored René Girard’s insights on scapegoating; the rise of toxicity, mobs, and weaponized anonymity; and how, with the help of the cardinal virtues, we can still make evangelical headway online.
How to Pray
How to Pray When You Don't Feel Like It
How to pray when you don't feel like praying? Sometimes you know you SHOULD pray but you just don't have the spiritual energy to actually pray. How do you pray and still connect with God when nothing in you desires to pray? In this video Allen Parrs provide for you step-by-step practical tips on how to press through those difficult seasons when you don't feel like praying.
Please Pray for Vocations!
Below we list the latest seminarian roster (to be updated soon) and the diaconate formation rosters, as well as a full parish directories (with church locations) of both Vicariates in the Diocese.
Vocations
How To Discern Your Vocation
Unpack the concept of vocation and how it applies to your life, beyond just becoming a priest or nun.
Listening for God's Whisper: Learn practical ways to tune into your faith, values, and interests to discover where God might be leading you.
June 2025: Robert Koch, Patricia Buck, Joseph Ianotta, Charles Baer, Ralph Buzzelli
July 2025: Lucy Paulin, Clara Bayne
Aug 2025: Mary Bauer, Ronald Rademacher
Sept 2025: Mary Ann Skinger, Alison Wilson, George Brown
Oct 2025: Barbara Imhoff
Nov 2025: Mary Frances Lerch, Shirley Dickson, Richard Nolan
Dec 2025: Janice Steinhauser, Frank Lowe
Jan 2026: Allen Schomaker
Feb 2026: Virginia Briski, Laura DiCola
March 2026: Sister Celeste Hupert, Michael Van Leer, Barbara Davis
April 2026: Sr Carol Troesch, Marie Adams, Barbara Fuerst, Judith Scott, Jane Welka, Paul Walsh
May 2026: John Staudacher, Dennis McLean, Pauline Zelina, Joseph Kaib, Martha Foster
July 2026: Frank LoPresti
A bit of Greek will help us understand how to comfort and encourage others. Begin with the word used by Jesus to describe the Holy Spirit: parakaleo. Para means “alongside,” while kaleo means “to call.” So parakaleo means to come alongside another. That’s how Jesus described the ministry of the Holy Spirit (parakletos)—one who would come alongside believers after Jesus departed earth to be with the Father (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). By looking at the way various English versions translate parakletos we get an idea of the ministry of the Spirit: Helper (NKJV, NASB, ESV), Counselor (HCSB), Advocate (NIV, NLT), and Friend (MSG). It can also mean Comforter, Intercessor, Strengthener, or Standby (AMP).
That’s what the Holy Spirit does for us: He helps, counsels, advocates, befriends, comforts, intercedes, strengthens, and stands by us. That’s what it means to be an encourager in all its various forms. And we can do the same for others. We can give them courage the same way the Holy Spirit encourages us.
If you see someone who is discouraged, allow the Holy Spirit to use you to restore their courage and confidence in God. The Holy Spirit is a model of encouragement.
Step Back and Reflect - An Essay
Memory Lane!
This week, we have compiled a collection of notable Pittsburgh celebrities that are now deceased. All are buried close to home. There are many more Pittsburgh celebrities that are buried in far away places, like California for example. But these folks are in our own neighborhood. The Rooney's, Chuck Noll and Bruno Sammartino are all buried in Christ Our Redeemer Cemetery on Cemetery Lane in the North Hills. If you know of any other locals that we missed, please let us know!
Deacon Bill Homily Archive
Here are four recent homilies. Hover over the icons below to see the dates and topics.
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Thanks for visiting, and remember...
God loves you right where you are!
Deacon Bill Palamara 412-596-3370
