Deacon Robert Sabatelle returned to our Lord on January 13, 2012. Fondly known as “Deacon Robert,” he has been a part of our parish family for so long. Well known as a physician and parishioner, he was ordained to the diaconate for the Church of Pittsburgh on June 26, 1999. Bishop Wuerl assigned him to diaconal service at the hospital and within St. James Parish, and more recently to St. Margaret Mary Parish in Moon Township. Both he and his wife, Ann Marie would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 30th. Our hearts go out to the entire Sabatelle family. With his passing from this life, we can now be assured that he will be watching over us from heaven! ‘We love you Robert—you made Christ real to us’…….Fr. Dan

This week I received notice that I have come to the end of my 6 year term as pastor. I have requested a second term from Bishop Zubik. He will base his decision on the needs of the diocese and parish. As a priest ends his term of office, the Clergy Office conducts a Periodic Review from parishioners and staff to assist him as he gets ready to begin a new assignment.

2011 END OF YEAR PARISHIONER STATEMENTS - Each year we MAIL an annual report of parishioner contributions. Our goal is to have the report to you by January 31. Please watch your mail for them.

Beginning January 2, the 9:00am Monday morning Mass will be discontinued. A priest is only permitted to celebrate one mass a day. For a long time we have offered three masses on Mondays. Of the three masses the 9:00am was the least attended. We will continue celebrating 6:45am and 7:30pm Masses on Mondays. We have planned this to coincide with the New Year, and have not accepted any intentions for the 9:00am Mass beginning in 2012.

In times of great difficulties scoffers taunt us, "Where is God? Why hasn't your Lord come to save you now?" And we of faith respond much in the same way as Peter did in today's second reading: the "delay" of the Lord's second coming is not any type of punishment or failure to keep the divine promise, but a loving sign of God's patience. God is giving everyone the chance to seek repentance. God does not make life more difficult. Rather, God lessens our burdens as once before for the Jewish exiles returning home to Judea after captivity in Babylon. It was God who personally led them, making a "straight highway" for them across the desert. We join with our ancestors of faith, who hoped that they might see God's Chosen One before them and who eventually realized that the Lord was also walking with them side by side.

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