November 3, 2019

Your Help is Needed
         When I arrived at Saint Alexis, there was one personal care home within the parish boundaries and three priests to serve the spiritual needs of its residents.  Today, with the construction of new facilities in our area and expanded responsibilities as a result of the parish groupings, there are six personal care homes, two more soon be constructed and the new Allegheny Health Care hospital in Wexford, and there are only two priests to serve all the residents of these facilities.  What’s happening is that the needs of  the sick are not being adequately met, and two priests cannot keep up with the reasonable expectations of the residents.
     Your help is needed.  We have a number of amazing volunteers who are already serving in these capacities, but not enough.  We need volunteers to assist patients in gathering for Mass at the scheduled times, and serving as Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion during the weeks when the Mass is not celebrated at these facilities. 
The current schedule is as follows:

• Grace Manor, Babcock Boulevard - First Monday of the month
• Wexford House, Old Perry Highway - Second Monday of the month
• North Hills Health & Rehabilitation Center, Swinderman Road - Second Friday of the month
• Sunrise, off Babcock Boulevard - Third Monday of the month
• Concordia of Wexford, Brown Road - Fourth Monday of the month
• Anthology, McCandless (to be determined)

 The Mass time at each of these homes is 2:00 p.m.

     Care for the sick is one of the corporal works of mercy.  Responsibility for the care of the sick doesn’t come from sacred ordination, but from Baptism.  Therefore, this and all the works of Mercy are the responsibly of ALL of us as the baptized.  Can you help in celebrating Jesus and bringing Jesus in his Eucharistic presence to others?  For more information or to sign-up, please call Gail at 724.935.1151, ext 210.
   The beautiful truth is when we minister others, the rewards we experience are far greater than any sacrifice we make.  Don’t believe me?  Try it.  We are made to serve others, and without the giving of self, we are always incomplete.  Thank you for your prayerful consideration to this serious appeal.
 
November -The Month of Remembrance
     November is the Month of Remembrance.   The Church enters this holy season with the celebration of All Saints Day, on November 1, a holy day of obligation, followed by the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed – All Souls Day on November 2.
     Our Mass of Remembrance will be at Saint Alphonsus, Monday, November 4 at 7:00 p.m.  All are welcome to enroll the names of loved ones who have died in recent months or the distant past in a Book of Remembrance at each parish.   Now is also the time to begin scheduling Masses for 2020.  You may pick-up Mass Request Forms in the back of the church at Saint Alphonsus or the Narthex at Saint Alexis or by visiting the Parish Center. 
     Our prayers for the dead are important, for they can no longer pray for themselves; they depend on us.  Use this hallowed time to remember loved ones to God along with all the faithful departed.  May they who have gone before us rest in the arms of God’s mercy in the company of all the saints.  Amen.
 
Help Make a REAL Difference!
     Looking for a great way to support Catholic schools?  Business owners can receive tax breaks for donating to the school of their choice through Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program.  The money is on the table waiting for your application and request.  For more information, contact the diocesan Office for Stewardship at 412.456.3085.  Your participation can help make a difference in making Catholic education accessible for more families who qualify. 
Thank you!