News - August 2020 RSS Feed

We hear Jesus say to us, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” The challenge is to let go so God can lead us. This month, through your gifts, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul enabled the poor to experience Jesus’ presence by assisting many families, providing food, financial assistance for utility and rent bills, etc. Thank you! If you or someone you know is in need, please call and leave a message with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at 724.494.8864. All calls are confidential.

Please spend some time saying the rosary this week for our families, our MACH1 Grouping and our world. “If you put all the love of all the mothers into one heart it still would not equal the love of the Heart of Mary for her children.” (St. Louis, Grignion de Montfort) Let us follow and live the example of that love.

Like Peter in the gospel, we can find that when we open our eyes to see, our ears to hear and our hearts to experience Jesus’ presence in our daily lives, God reveals Himself to us. Have you considered answering the call to help serve the poor by joining the Society of St. Vincent de Paul? And if you or someone you know is in need, please call and leave a message with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at 724.494.8864. All calls are confidential.

We are happy to announce that we will be returning to our respective churches for Masses the weekend of August 29/30, 2020. The pews designated for use will be clearly marked. (For further details, click the heading)

We are in the process of purchasing needed new vestments for our parishes. Some have already arrived. The purchasing of vestments today is not nearly as costly as it has been in the past. These days there are vestment makers who offer well-made, high-quality goods online with prices far below those in religious attire catalogues. If you would like to assist with a contribution toward the vestments,... (click heading to continue reading)

Have you or someone you know been baptized but never received the other sacraments? Were you baptized into another Christian faith and wish to learn more about the Catholic faith? Are you married to a Catholic and want to know more about your spouse’s faith. Even if you have never practiced any faith, and wish to learn about the Catholic faith, then you should attend. (For further information, click on the heading)

Baptism class for first-time parents will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2020, at 7 :00PM at St. Frances Cabrini’s O’Connell Hall. Parents must attend, godparents are welcome to attend. No registration necessary.

Our Lady of Fatima School is looking for a qualified candidate to help run their after school daycare program. Hours are Monday thru Friday from 2:00PM to 6:00PM. Applicants must have all Diocesan required clearances for working with children. For details, please call Mrs. Martin at 724.375.7565.

The gospel today announces that the kingdom and salvation are for all people. It is our persistent calling out to Jesus and our faith that count, for Jesus always responds. With love for your neighbors who have nothing, look around your house to see what furniture, household items, and clothing you no longer use...and give it to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.   If you or someone you know is in need, please call and leave a message with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at 724.494.8864. All calls are confidential.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, To all of you in each of our parishes, greetings in Christ the Lord! It is a blessing to be here in your midst with Father Joachim and Father Canice and now Brother Cassian.  The faith of the parishioners here is inspiring and, in a age when our religious observance as Catholics is unfashionable and even mocked, to see the faith lived out here so vibrantly is beautiful. This coming Saturday is August 15, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The following is... (to continue reading, click on the heading)

You are welcome to call the Pastoral Center Office if you would like to have Masses offered for your loved ones, or to schedule a Blessed Sacrament sanctuary or Marian shrine candle. Our office hours are: Monday through Thursday, from 9AM to 3PM; and Fridays, 9AM to 1PM.

We are pleased to offer online giving for one-time as well as recurring donations! Simply make a secure offering via an electronic check or debit/credit card at mach1diopitt.org/donate or you can mail your envelope (checks & money orders/no cash) to: St. John the Baptist Pastoral Center, 1501 Virginia Avenue, Monaca PA 15061. Thank you for your continued support of St. John the Baptist Parish.

Confessions are being heard at St. John the Baptist Parish on Saturdays from 12:15PM to 1:00PM. Please practice social distancing and respect for the privacy of those confessing.

For daily Mass, please use only the portable chairs, not the pews. This ensures social distancing and makes sanitizing easier. At this time, plans call for weekend Masses to take place in Msgr. Farri Hall, also to ensure social distancing and ease the sanitizing process.

Due to COVID-19 issues, the Beaver County Holy Name Society had to cancel its Annual Blessed John Vercelli Banquet. Unfortunately, the event will not be rescheduled. Despite the unfortunate circumstance, a well-deserved congratulations goes out to Susan Polce on being awarded the prestigious award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the Holy Catholic Church, the Holy Name Society, and our community.

In the gospel, Jesus stretches out His hand and catches Peter, and says to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Please help the Society of St. Vincent de Paul bring respite and hope to the elderly who are not able to find relief from the summer heat, and you will bring them faith and hope! If you or someone you know is in need, please call and leave a message with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at 724.494.8864. All calls are confidential.

After consulting with the Diocesan Vicar of the Northern Vicariate regarding COVID 19 precautions, two new practices will be implemented for daily Masses at all four parishes in the MACH 1 Grouping: 1) Until their is a reduction in COVID-19 cases in our county, the use of lectors at daily Mass will be suspended in order to minimize the number of people in the sanctuary. The priest will lector for the first reading, responsorial psalm, and gospel. 2) To follow the practice that is being used in the Diocese for the reception of Holy Communion, the faithful will come forward to the center aisle to receive from the priest. Please be sure to leave 6 feet of distance between you and the person in front of you, and please remove your mask when it is your turn to receive. As we pray for the end of this pandemic, we thank you for your patience and understanding in the midst of all these adjustments. Thank You, Fr. Jean-Luc, OSB