The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh on Saturday announced plans to create four new, merged parishes.
Fifteen parishes will be part of the mergers, which will take effect July 1, Bishop David Zubik said.
“This has not been a simple task,” Zubik wrote in a letter to parishioners. “Jesus never promised that this would be easy to carry his message of love and mercy to others. He was clear that sacrifice would be necessary. 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.”
The four new parishes are:
• Christ the King, which merges the parishes of Saint Joseph in O’Hara , Saint Juan Diego in Sharpsburg, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina in Blawnox/Harmar and Saint Scholastica in Aspinwall
• Our Lady of Perpetual Help, which merges the parishes of Saint Mary of the Assumption in Glenshaw and Saint Ursula in Allison Park
• All Saints in Butler County, which merges the parishes of Saint Andrew in Center Township, Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen in Lyndora/Meridian with Butler parishes Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Paul and Saint Peter
• Mary, Queen of Saints in Beaver County, which merges Saint Frances Cabrini in Center Township, Saint John the Baptist in Monaca, Our Lady of Fatima in Hopewell Township and Saint Titus in Aliquippa
Each of the mergers was requested by the priest-administer of the grouping after consulting with parishioners. Zubik consulted with the diocesan Priest Council and Vicars General before approving the requests.
The mergers are part of the ongoing On Mission for The Church Alive! strategic planning initiative, which is meant to “help parishes mobilize their resources to prioritize mission over maintenance.”
“This is a pivotal time for our diocese as we plan for the future of the Church of Pittsburgh,” 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. As we address the challenges we face in the church today, the witness of working and growing together reflects the unity of the Body of Christ that is essential to our mission.”
The mergers will bring the number of parishes in the diocese from 81 to 70.
