One in a series of regional Masses celebrating the November beatification of Blessed Mother Clelia Merloni will be held at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg, on Sunday.
Greensburg Bishop Edward C. Malesic will be the celebrant of the 11:30 a.m. service.
Mother Clelia founded the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1894. Eventually, the women’s religious congregation established itself in Westmoreland County. Sisters currently serve at Clelian Heights School for Exceptional Children in Hempfield, Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg Central Catholic and Mother of Sorrows Catholic School, Murrysville.
The Vatican opened the cause for Mother Clelia’s canonization in 1988. Beatification is a crucial step on the path to sainthood in the Catholic Church.
“We wanted to celebrate the gift of the beatification in each of the areas where we serve, so that our foundress would be better known,” said Sister Ritamary Schulz, provincial superior for the U.S. Province. “All of the sisters in the different areas are getting together to celebrate with the people we minister to.”
Previously, Masses were held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City and in Waterford, Ireland, Schulz said. Other regional Masses are scheduled for Pensacola, Fla., St. Louis, Mo., and Hartford, Conn.
Sisters with the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus also have ministered at Geibel Catholic High School and St. Rita and Immaculate Conception parishes, Connellsville, and at schools and parishes in Brookline, Butler, Brushton, New Castle, Oakmont, McKees Rocks and Pittsburgh.
The Greensburg area sisters are inviting all former students, coworkers, friends and benefactors to join them for the Sunday Mass. A reception will follow.
