As part of the Diocese of Greensburg’s Mission Co-Op Appeal, next weekend, August 31 and September 1, we welcome the Reverend Lazarus Langbiir, CSSp. Fr. Langbiir is a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, once known as the Holy Ghost Fathers, and now more commonly known as the Spiritans. Fr. Langbiir is a missionary priest from Ghana. Fr. Langbiir is presently serving as a professor of theology at Duquesne University, which was founded by the Spiritans in 1878. The Spiritans are an international community that is engaged in a wide variety of missionary activity in over 60 countries throughout the world. When Jesus said: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Mt. 28:19),” He made the spread of the Gospel an essential part of our Catholic life. Fr. Langbiir will be speaking at all of the Masses next weekend. Please use the green envelope that is attached to this weekend’s bulletin to make a contribution to the missionary work of the Spiritans. More information about the Spiritans can be found at www.spiritans.org, and there is a brief presentation by Fr. Langbiir himself at https://spiritans.org/news/fr-lazarus-langbiir-cssp-on-the-joys-of-living-in-community. Thank you for your prayerful consideration of the missionary work of the Spiritans.

GREENSBURG – The Most Reverend Larry J. Kulick, JCL, Bishop of Greensburg, will lead the faithful of the Diocese on a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, on Saturday, September 21.

The pilgrimage, entitled “The Joy of Joseph: To Jesus through Mary”, is a special trip to honor Jesus Our Lord, his mother Mary, the patroness of the Diocese of Greensburg; and his foster father Joseph, to whose protection and guardianship Bishop Kulick entrusted the Diocese of Greensburg in March of this year. It will be the first Diocesan pilgrimage led by Bishop Kulick to the Basilica of the National Shrine and the first since Bishop Emeritus, Lawrence E. Brandt led a Diocesan pilgrimage.

Bishop Kulick said the pilgrimage is designed to call to mind our Diocesan patroness, Our Lady of the Assumption, our special three-year dedication to Saint Joseph, and to serve as a prelude to the coming Holy Year 2025 with the theme “ Pilgrims of Hope”.

“ A good pilgrimage by nature requires a challenging itinerary and a commitment of time,” Bishop Kulick said.  “The result is many graces and inspirational experiences.”

Buses will leave from Christ Our Shepherd Center outside of Greensburg early in the morning with a scheduled 11:30 a.m. arrival at the Basilica. Additional departure points may be added subject to the number and location of registrants.  The pilgrimage will offer an opportunity for confession, recitation of the Rosary, devotions to Saint Joseph and Mass celebrated by Bishop Kulick. Optional activities include self-touring of the basilica grounds and a shuttle to the nearby Saint Pope John Paul II Center.

“This pilgrimage with the faithful from all four corners of our Diocese will be in honor of our blessed Mother and to ask for her special intercession for us, our Diocese and our nation,” Bishop Kulick said.

The cost of the pilgrimage is $135 and includes transportation, shrine activities, gratuities, materials, and a dinner stop on the way home. Breakfast food at the first rest stop, and lunch at the shrine’s cafeteria, will be on your own. A reduced cost registration is available through the Francis Fund.

For more information or to register, visit dioceseofgreensburg.org/national-shrine-pilgrimage/

Accept a challenge and pray for our Church, that we may all draw closer to Christ through the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith.

ALL LITURGICAL VOLUNTEERS, COUNCIL MEMBERS, COLLECTION COUNTERS, FOOD MAKERS, AND ANY OTHER PARISH VOLUNTEER:

Check your clearances! The following must be RENEWED every 5 years:

1. Virtus update: Recertification, 5th Edition – OR – “Keeping the Promise Alive 3.0”
2. PA Criminal History Check
3. PA Child Abuse Check
4. Volunteer Affidavit – OR – Fingerprint Certification (if you have them through an employer)

How to acquire your clearances/renewals:

https://www.dioceseofgreensburg.org/youth-protection/Pages/childservices.aspx
The following are/were done once only and do NOT have to ever be renewed:

1. Virtus: Protecting God’s Children
2. Mandated Reporter Training
3. Diocesan Code of Pastoral Conduct

Copies of renewed clearances must be returned to the parish office as soon as possible.