Our Welcome Ministry
Holy Trinity's new Welcome Ministry is off to a great start in their work to make all who come to Holy Trinity feel welcome! To learn more about the group's recent activities - click here!
May - The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary
from Fr. Kenneth Keene on May 1, 2013
The Catholic practice of assigning a special devotion to each month goes back to the early 16th century. Since the best known of those devotions is probably the dedication of May as the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it might come as a surprise that it wasn't until the late 18th century that this devotion arose among Jesuits in Rome. In the early years of the 19th century, it quickly spread throughout the Western Church, and, by the time of Pope Pius IX's declaration of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854, it had become universal.
From this time period we see the devotions of May crowning celebrations and other special May events in honor of Mary, such as public recitation of the rosary or May altars beginning. Sadly, such communal events are much more rare today, but we can take the month of May as an opportunity to renew our own devotion to the Mother of God by dusting off our rosaries and adding a few more Marian prayers to our daily routine.
Parents, in particular, should encourage Marian devotion in their children, since the non-Catholic Christians they encounter today often downplay (if not denigrate) the role that the Blessed Virgin played in our salvation through her fiat--her joyous "Yes" to the will of God.
Particular prayers we might want to include in our daily prayers are: the recitation of the Rosary, in which we focus on the various aspects of the life of Jesus and Mary; The Hail Queen, in which we hail Mary as enthroned in heaven. This is one of four anthems to Mary, Mother of God; the prayer of St. Augustine to the Blessed Virgin Mary; Petitions to Mary of St. Alphonsus Liguori; prayer to Mary, refuge of sinners; Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary which asks for her protection and grace to imitate her life; An Act of Reparation to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this prayer, we offer praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the Holy Trinity in reparation for offenses against the Mother of God. There are many others.
PRAYER INTENTIONS OF OUR HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS:
Administrators of Justice: That administrators of justice may act always with integrity and right conscience.
Seminaries: That seminaries, especially those of mission churches, may form pastors after the Heart of Christ, fully dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel.
RCIA News
This Easter Vigil we rejoiced as four new members were birthed into the Catholic faith. And what a celebration it proved to be!! Matthew Dahl was washed in the waters of Baptism, fired with the Spirit in Confirmation and fed with the food of Jesus in the Eucharist. Ashley Harff and Samantha Lee renewed their baptismal promises, made their profession of faith to the Catholic Church and along with Jennifer Dunbar celebrated the life of the Spirit in Confirmation. Their formal journey of faith began in late August and continued throughout the year with faithful attendance to weekly sessions, a development of personal and communal prayer life as well as continued moral conversion. And what a glorious journey it proved to be!! Our parish community is so richly blessed to have Matthew, Ashley, Sam and Jennifer as new members and we look forward to worshiping with them and having them join in our parish ministries.
Our neophytes, as they are now called, continue to meet for weekly sessions leading up to Pentecost. During this time they will open up the meaning of their new found Catholic faith and receive encouragement from the community for their faithfulness. Congratulations to Matthew, Ashley, Sam and Jennifer!! As a parish community we promise the support of our prayer and example. Alleluia!! Alleluia!!
At this time we also say a sincere “Thank You” to Shirley Stoffella who is such an integral part of our parish initiation process. Shirley faithfully walks with our neophytes providing catechetical support as well as stories from her personal experience of Catholic living. Thank you for so richly enhancing our parish initiation journey.
Donations Needed: Parish Festival
Dishes, glasses, bowls, vases, and mugs are needed for the very popular Glass Pitch Game! Any donations can be dropped off at the car rider door at the School.
Time to get that creativity flowing and get the whole family involved in your Chinese Auction Baskets! Or, how about donating items to the White Elephant Sale? More information on the drop off location for baskets and sale items will be included in the next update.
Getting ready for summer and ready to replace your grill? We could sure use it for the Festival! Some of the equipment that has served us well in the past needs to be replaced. If you have a grill (old or new) that you are willing to donate to the Festival, please let us know!
The Holy Trinity Parish Festival will be Wed, Jul 31 through Sat, Aug 3 from 6:00-11:00pm.
[ Parish Festival ]
Holy Trinity Catholic School Car Raffle
Come one come all and purchase tickets for a chance on a new Soul. Yes, the school is raffling off a 2013 Kia Soul. Please help to support the school by purchasing a ticket.
This year we are offering new pricing.
Tickets costs are 1 ticket for $10.00 or 3 tickets for $20.00.
Stop by the ticket booth in the parking lot, the rectory office, and the school office to purchase your tickets.
The winning ticket will be pulled at the Festival on Sat, Aug 3.
Thank you in advance for your support!
[ Holy Trinity School ]
Beginning Experience
Jun 3, 2013 (7:00p - 9:00p)
How do you cope with the grief, loss, and pain? How about the emptiness, loss of direction, fear of the future? A weekly support program, ”Coping with Life Alone” for those who lost a spouse will be offered by Beginning Experience volunteers on 4 Mondays, Jun 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 7:00-9:00pm at St. John Neumann Parish, Franklin Park (North Hills). All are welcome.
Call Steve 412-367-4948 or Mary 412-523-2405 for info or to register.
[ Around the Diocese ]
Ministry Fair
Jun 8, 2013 to Jun 9, 2013
The Ministry Fair has been scheduled for the weekend of Jun 8/9 and will take place outside the church after all masses that weekend. The Ministry Fair will provide our parishioners a fun way to learn about all of the ministries that our parish has and discover the many ways they could choose to become more involved and lend support. You can expect to see and hear much more about this exciting event in the weeks ahead!
If you have any questions about the Ministry Fair, feel free to call our Stewardship Committee Chair (and Director of Advancement) Dave Haseleu at the parish office at extension 152.
[ Ministry Fair ]
Summer Concert Series
Jun 12, 2013
Holy Trinity Summer Concert Series:
Wed, Jun 12 at 7:00pm - Rhian Kenny, flute, and Jack Howell, clarinet
Mon, Jun 24 at 7:00pm - John DiCesare, tuba, and Kenton Bandy, trumpet
Wed, Jul 10 at 7:00pm - Cinquefoil Ensemble, organ, strings & flute
Mon, Jul 22 at 7:00pm - Alyssa Ostryzeck, flute
Mon, Aug 12 at 7:00pm - Rochelle Agnew, violin
Mon, Aug 19 at 7:00pm - Josie Merlino, organ, and Caye-An Muldowney, soprano
A free will offering will be collected at every concert to raise money for a new piano for the church. If at any time you would like to make a donation for the piano, please make out a check to Holy Trinity with "new piano" in the memo line.
[ Concert ]
Service Outreach Experience
Jun 20, 2013 to Jun 24, 2013
The Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill invite single Catholic women ages 18 to 40 to “Pray and Serve” with them Jun 20-24, 2013. Participants of these service days will have the opportunity to reach out to those in need in Fayette and Westmoreland Counties. In addition to providing service to the underserved and marginalized, guests will have opportunities to reflect on the experience of service in the spirit and tradition of charity, shared prayer and Eucharistic Liturgy, enjoy quiet time inside and outside, interact with the Sisters of Charity, meet new people, and make new friends.
The service experience will begin with dinner on Thu evening, Jun 20 after guests arrive at 6:00pm. Friday through Sun, Jun 21–23, will be full days of prayer, service, liturgy, fun, sharing, reflection, and great food. The program will conclude on Mon morning, Jun 24, after morning liturgy, prayer, breakfast, and a departure blessing. There is no fee.
For more information, contact Sister Barbara Ann Smelko at 724-836-0406, ext. 622, or bsmelko@scsh.org. Brochures and registration forms are available for download at www.scsh.org.
[ Outreach ]
Weekend Retreat for Post-Abortion Healing
Jun 21, 2013 to Jun 23, 2013
Rachel’s Vineyard, a weekend retreat designed to heal the emotional and spiritual wounds of abortion, will be held Jun 21-23 at the Spiritan Center in Bethel Park. In a confidential and supportive atmosphere, Rachel’s Vineyard demonstrates God’s love, forgiveness, and compassion to women and men struggling with abortion’s aftermath. Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Pittsburgh co-sponsor this retreat.
To register or for more information, call Toni Jester at 412-352-5348. Registration information is also available at www.ccpgh.org.
[ Around the Diocese ]
2013 Vacation Bible School
Jun 24, 2013 to Jun 28, 2013
2013 Vacation Bible School will be Mon, Jun 24 through Fri, Jun 28. Classes will be held for kindergarten, grades 1 & 2, and grades 3 & 4.
If you would like your child/children to attend Holy Trinity’s Bible School, please complete the form that was sent home and return it in an envelope marked Bible School—Attention: Cathy Wilkinson. Any questions, call Cathy Wilkinson.
[ VBS ]
Holy Trinity Catholic School Football Pool
Aug 1, 2013
Holy Trinity Catholic School is again sponsoring a football pool (hopefully pools!) for the 2013 Steeler football season. There are 100 squares on the pool. Each square costs $80.00. That is just $5.00 per week. The weekly payout will be as follows: Half time - $100.00, Final score - $200.00
Payments due: 1 payment of $80.00 on or before August 1st or 2 payments of $40.00 due on or before August 1st and October 1st. Make check payable to Holy Trinity Catholic School and note "Steeler Pool" in the memo.
Assuming all squares are sold, the total payout for the pool is $4,800.00 and the School profit is $3,200.00. You will receive all 16 games at the start of the season. Football pools will be emailed to parents, parishioners and other family members or friends. The numbers are drawn for each weekly game and therefore your numbers will be different each week.
Remember, the more squares that are sold the more pools we can fill and the more profit the School makes. Forms are due back to the school office with payment on or before August 1st. Winners will receive a check in the mail.
Note to parents: $32.00 for each square purchased/sold will be credited toward your fundraising assessment.
Questions - call the School office at 412-787-2656 or Mr. & Mrs. Reimer at 412-489-5232 or email at Jeffrey.reimer@comcast.net.
[ Holy Trinity School ]
Alive in Prayer
Oct 19, 2013 (8:30a - 4:30p)
Save the Date..."Alive in Prayer" on Sat, Oct 19 from 8:30am-4:30pm at Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown.
This day-long program planned by women for women begins with morning prayer, is filled with thoughtfully planned workshops to enrich women’s prayer life, and concludes at Mass with Bishop Zubik.
Registration begins Thu, Aug 1.
[ Around the Diocese ]
