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On February 22, 1891, a meeting
was held in the home of Thomas Barrett on Beaver Road in Clifton
(now Emsworth) to discuss plans for building the first Catholic
church in the area, forming Sacred Heart Parish. Father Anthony
J. Zielenbach, C.S.Sp. presided at the meeting and Mr. William
P. Kuipers acted as secretary.
The first holy Mass read within
the confines of what is now Sacred Heart parish was celebrated
in the home of the Boleky family on Center Avenue on March 22,
1891.This first Mass was celebrated by Father Zielenbach. Prior
to that time, priests from St. Mary’s on the North Side of
Pittsburgh came periodically to serve the people of the
Glenfield and Emsworth districts in a chapel, and later a frame
church, in Glenfield. These priests came by carriage and
horseback until 1878, when the Holy Ghost Fathers of Duquesne
College (University) began to minister to the people on
weekends.
The priests of the Holy Ghost
Order came to this country in 1870 from Germany, where the
persecution of Bismarck’s “Kulturkampf” ousted all religious
orders. Having founded Duquesne University, known as Holy Ghost
College, in 1878, the Holy Ghost Fathers devoted their weekends
to the needs of the people in the outer districts of Pittsburgh.
The first entry in the original
records of our parish reads as follows:
“We the undersigned, agree to
give the following sum toward buying ground and a building for a
Catholic Church in Clifton.” Then the names of those present and
the amount of their pledges are given. The list includes the
following original committee members of the parish: A. Bahl,
Thomas Barrett, Peter Bierweiler, A. Boleky, Mary A. Egan, James
Farrell, William P. Kuipers, Charles Nock, Sr., Joseph O’Neil,
A. Schneider, Bryan Scully, E. Sexton, Joseph Wohnhas and A.
Winterhalter.
Another notation reads: “W. P.
Kuipers and Mrs. C. A. Boleky collected donations for Sacred
Heart Church on May 1st 1891.” Various donations are listed from
Boggs and Buhl, Rosenbaum’s and Kaufmann’s. Mercy Hospital
donated the statue of St. Joseph. Mrs. L. M. Heyl gave “one pair
of lovely candelabras”; Miss Terheyden donated three pair of
brass candleholders and six candles; Mrs. Edward Frauenheim
donated “ one front stained-glass window.”
The Sisters of Mercy and the
priests of St. Augustine’s parish donated vestments and linens.
The Ursuline Sisters gave linens, vestments and altar cards.
Father Suhrs supplied the missal, three vestments and two copes.
Father Rain gave two vestments and a cope. St. Nicholas Church
donated a monstrance and a ciborium. Father Zielenbach donated
the high altar. Father Tobin donated the first baptismal font. A
Mrs. Blanchard generously donated the first organ.
Practically all the appointments
of the church were obtained by donations. It is clearly evident
that the parish owes its beginning to the zeal of its original
members, and the generosity of people in other parishes.
Father Zielenbach became the
first pastor of the parish at a meeting held on March 20, 1892.
The new church was built on land adjacent to the old rectory on
Walnut Street and was dedicated in the fall of 1892.
Father Zielenbach left the parish
on November 20, 1892, for other duties and was succeeded by
Father Theophile Meyer, C.S.Sp., who at the same time continued
his teaching duties at Holy Ghost College (now Duquesne
University). This double duty proved too much for Father Meyer;
he soon was relieved of his parish duties, though he still
ministered to the people in the Glenfield area on weekends from
the college.
Father Michael Boyce, C.S.Sp. was
sent to Emsworth as pastor on December 18, 1892, “at a salary of
$450.00 a year.” In June 1895, Father Boyce was succeeded by
Father Patrick McDermitt, C.S.Sp., who remained as pastor only
until October 1895, when Father Meyer was relieved of his
teaching duties and once again took up residence as pastor of
Sacred Heart Parish. At this time the congregation of St. Mary’s
Glenfield became officially attached to Sacred Heart Parish as
its mission.
The congregation was at a
standstill until 1908 when the extension of the Pittsburgh
Railways Company lines through the borough brought a number of
new families to live here permanently.
Father Meyer served as pastor
until his death on June 30, 1938, following a tragic automobile
accident. He was 81 years old. He was affectionately known as
the “Bishop of Emsworth” to his wide acquaintance of both
Catholic and non-Catholics. In the years of Father Meyer’s
pastorate from 1895 to 1918, the parish grew from 30 to 130
families.
The parish was without debt in
1918, and consideration was given to the building of a new
church. A committee meeting was held on October 6, 1918, and
Father Meyer proposed the purchase of the lot and house (old
convent and school property) owned by Michael J. Slattery on
Ohio River Boulevard (Beaver Ave.) between North and Orchard
avenues. The committee included Robert Reilly, secretary, and
Messrs. Dennis Foltz, J.W. Kelly and J.J. Stauffer. The record
of the meeting reads:
“It was the general opinion that
the purchase of the Odd Fellows Hall (later the YMCA) on the
corner of Beaver Road and North Avenue should be taken into
consideration before any decision was reached as to the purchase
of the property in question.”
It was moved and seconded that a
committee be appointed to ascertain the amount for which the Odd
Fellows Hall could be purchased. Father Meyer appointed the
following committee members to report at an early date: Messrs.
Dennis Foltz, J.W. Kelly and J. J. Stauffer. Although the Odd
Fellows Hall was not obtained at that time, the Slattery
property was purchased for $11,000. It is interesting to note
that on November 3, 1919, at a church committee meeting, it was
proposed to sell the property on which the Walnut Street rectory
and the old church once stood.
Plans for the building of a new
church were set aside and on Labor Day 1924 ground was broken
for the present school in accordance with plans prepared by
William P. Hutchins, a noted Pittsburgh architect. The
construction of the school was under the supervision of Father
Joseph Rossenbach, C.S.Sp., who had been acting as assistant
pastor since 1920 and who was also the national director of the
Holy Childhood Association. In September 1925, the school opened
with a registration of 120 children under the direction of the
Sisters of St. Francis of Mount Alvernia in Millvale. The school
cost $87,000 and the lot and former convent building cost
$11,000. This debt was paid off gradually until 1945 when the
parish again became debt-free.
Following the death of Father
Meyer in 1938, the Rev. Sebastian Schiffgens, C.S.Sp. became
pastor. Father Schiffgens had been an assistant in the parish
since December 1934. During his pastorate, the parish grew to
300 families. Assigned to the post of treasurer at Duquesne
University in 1945, Father Schiffgens was succeeded by Father
Henry Thessing C.S.Sp., whose zeal for the physical condition
and maintance of the parish, and skill in carpentry, painting
and other trades were remarkable and will be remembered by his
parishioners. Because of difficulties that developed at his
former parish in Dayton, OH, Father was recalled to that post in
February 1948. Later assigned to his home parish in Arkansas,
Father Thessing died suddenly on February 8, 1951.
Father Louis Schenning, C.S.Sp.
was appointed pastor on February 6, 1948, but returned to
teaching at Duquesne University in September of that year. In
spite of his short stay, Father Schenning made many friends
among the parishioners. Father Leo J. Kettl, C.S.Sp., succeeded
Father Schenning and remained until July 1950. Two new
classrooms were opened in the school in September 1948 making a
total of six in service. Because of the poor health of Father
Kettl, many of his duties fell on his assistant, Father
Sylvester Dellert, C.S.Sp. Under Father Dellert’s direction, the
inside of the old church was renovated and painted.
The parish grew rapidly, making
it necessary to have five Sunday Masses, all of which were
crowded. During the Masses it was impossible for everyone to get
into the church. A new and larger church was needed.
Father Edward M. Smith C.S.Sp
succeeded Father Kettl as pastor in July 1950 and was instructed
to build a new church. Although he had been a teacher his entire
priestly career, Father Smith quickly adapted himself to parish
duties.
During this time, the North
Borough YMCA acquired the Odd Fellows Hall. This was the
property best suited for the location of the new church.
Repeated attempts to purchase the property resulted only in
failure. However, perseverance was rewarded when in March 1953,
Father Smith succeeded in purchasing the property for the
parish.
On April 26, 1951, a drive to
raise funds for a new church was inaugurated at a dinner at
which Father Francis Clifford, pastor of St. Scholastica’s
Church in Aspinwall, gave the address.
On July 27, 1953, Casimir
Pellegrini, a Pittsburgh architect, was commissioned to draw
plans for the new church. Initial plans were studied and
considered by Father Smith and the church committee, which
consisted of Victor Ackerman, Thomas Guehl, Joseph Lang, Herbert
Scheller, George Sinclair and James Vaughn. In January 1954, a
new committee was elected, consisting of Victor Ackerman, Martin
Carroll, Henry Loedding, Paul and Thomas Reilly and Walter
Summers. These men continued the work of their predecessors,
critically inspecting the sketches and plans submitted by the
architect and making suggestions for changes. Initially it was
believed that a seating capacity of 600 would be sufficient, but
Bishop John Dearden insisted that the church should be built to
seat 700, a decision whose wisdom was obvious for that era.
Agreement was finally reached and drawings and specifications
were submitted for bids. Navarro Corporation was awarded the
general contract and ground was broken on November 21, 1954,
with Father Smith officiating in the presence of nearly 500
parishioners. The cornerstone was blessed on the afternoon of
July 26, 1955 by Father Michael Hinnebush, pastor of the
Assumption Parish in Bellevue, assisted by Father George Rengers,
C.S.Sp., pastor of Sacred Heart in Tarentum and Father Joseph
Rengers, C.S.Sp., chaplain of Duquesne University, as deacon and
sub-deacon. Father Joseph Rossenbach, C.S.Sp., who built our
school 30 years prior, delivered the sermon.
The church bell was removed from
the steeple of the old church and placed in the tower of the new
church on June 1, 1955. The bell was cast by Meneely and
Company, West Troy, NY, in 1896 and placed in the old church
that same year.
The new church was dedicated on
Saturday morning, December 10, 1955, at a solemn pontifical Mass
celebrated by Bishop John F. Dearden (later Cardinal), assisted
by Father Aloysius Reilly, O.F.M. (the brother of Paul and
Thomas Reilly of this parish). The celebrant was Father William
E. O’Donnel, C.S.Sp., and two former pastors; Father Schiffgens
and Father Schenning were deacons of honor. Father Robert N.
Puhl, C.S.Sp., a native of our parish, was deacon and Father
Charles C. Behl, C.S.Sp., a former assistant here, was
sub-deacon. The master of ceremonies was Monsignor Jacob C.
Shinar assisted by Father William J. Crowley, C.S.Sp.
Continued growth of the parish to
well over 600 families totaling, 1,900 people with 350 children
in the grade school necessitated the removal of the stage in the
auditorium, which also served as a gymnasium, and the division
of this entire area into three rooms. One of the rooms was
completed and put into service in 1957. Later, the other rooms
were finished so that there were eight classrooms, an activity
room and a library.
Although advised by his doctor
that he should take things easier, Father Smith’s nature was
such that he had to be active at all times, and he continued to
work long hours. With the help of a substantial legacy, the debt
of the parish was paid off only a short time before Father
Smith’s sudden and unexpected death on September 6, 1958. Father
Peter Gross, C.S.Sp., who had come to Sacred Heart Parish in
1948 and who was the acting assistant of the mission in
Glenfield, was appointed acting pastor by the Bishop . On
November 1, 1958, Father Vincent G. Kmiencinski, a veteran of 33
years of pastoral experience in Bay City, Michigan, was
appointed pastor of Sacred Heart. It was not long before Father
Vincent, as he was best known, endeared himself to the
parishioners, especially the children. Father Vincent, a lover
of sports, organized the parish’s first Athletic Association and
grade school football teams in 1959 and 1960.
Father Gross’s manifold duties at
St. Mary’s in Glenfield required the major part of his time so
that the amount of help he could give the pastor was limited. It
was necessary to have two visiting priests from Duquesne
University every weekend since, in addition to the two Masses at
Glenfield and four at Sacred Heart, a mass was also said at the
mental hospital at Dixmont.
One of these visiting priests was
Joseph A. Healy, C.S.Sp. The parishioners soon looked upon
Father Healy as a member of the parish and he spent much, if not
all, of his free time at Sacred Heart. Hence, when the Bishop
requested the parishes throughout the diocese to establish units
of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, it was Father Healy
who established our official unit on Sunday afternoon, September
13, 1959. Under his leadership as spiritual director our C.C.D.
became one of the outstanding units in the diocese. C.C.D.
religious instruction classes for those attending public schools
began on Sunday, October 18, of that same year. (Father Healy
died tragically in 1999).
Under Father Vincent,
baccalaureate services for all graduating high school students
of Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s parishes were held annually. The
first of these services was on Sunday, June 12, 1960. On June
11,1961, Father Healy celebrated the baccalaureate Mass and
Bishop Wright delivered the sermon.
Under Father Smith there began a
cordial atmosphere between the Protestant clergy and
non-Catholics within the confines of the parish. Father
frequently was in demand as a speaker for community affairs.
Father Vincent continued this work, which was climaxed by a
“Good Will Sunday” on February 19, 1961. This included an open
house with guided tours of the church and explanations of church
furnishings, and catholic rituals, customs and practices,
followed by an informal discussion and question period. Hundreds
of people, including Catholic, non-Catholic and members of the
Protestant clergy, were present. Because this was the first such
event in the diocese, representatives of other parishes came to
observe and study the procedure. A second Good Will Sunday was
held on April 1, 1962.
Under the direction of Father
Vincent, the old church was torn down, and the garage on Walnut
Street moved and enlarged to improve the looks of the rectory
grounds and to better serve the needs of the priest. While a new
convent and rectory had been needed for a long time, heavy
school expenses precluded building either of these buildings,
although it was hoped that a new convent would be built soon.
The remaining two rooms in the space occupied by the auditorium
were completed and new desks were purchased for the school. The
school’s electrical system was completely rewired and a new and
much better lighting system installed. A new fire alarm system
was installed, and the exits were modernized to ensure the
safety of the school children.
The heavy burden on Father
Vincent and Father Gross was reduced when Father Leonard
Tuozzolo, C.S.Sp. was appointed assistant pastor in September
1961. Father Tuozzolo soon became a favorite among the
parishioners. It was thus a shock when it was announced in
August 1964 that Father Tuozzolo was being transferred. A
farewell party was given for Father Tuozzolo at which his
successor, Father John P. Skaj, C.S.Sp. was introduced to the
parishioners. Since the inception of the new liturgy of the Mass
was on November 29, 1964, Father Skaj was instrumental in
directing the parishioners and instructing the commentators
through the various changes so that Sacred Heart had become a
leader and an example for other parishes.
In 1966, Sacred Heart celebrated
its diamond jubilee, having 655 registered families comprising
2,070 souls. That same year, Father Vincent celebrated his
golden jubilee in the priesthood. The whole parish and community
came out in multitudes to honor this dearly beloved priest at
many occasions held for him by his friends. He was held in such
esteem that the provincial feared an uproar if he retired Father
Vincent at the age of 77. The Solomon’s decision was to let
Father Vincent stay in the parish for another 10 years as pastor
emeritus after he retired in 1968. He spent those 10 years by
remaining very involved with the parishioners. Father Vincent G.
Kmiecinski died in 1985 at the age of 93.
Father Louis A. Dietrich, C.S.Sp.
was appointed pastor in the summer of 1968, but failing health
caused him to resign in 1971. Father William Maguire, C.S.Sp.,
who had succeeded Father Skaj as assistant, remained until
replaced by Father Stanley L. Otto, C.S.Sp. in 1969. Father Otto
was named administrator in March 1971. Being well acquainted
with the parishioners and people in the boroughs, Father Otto
guided the Parish in various changes and gave spiritual
direction to all.
Father Otto administered the
parish for four months until Father Vernon F. Gallagher, C.S.Sp.
became pastor. But, eight months later, Father Gallagher was
named director of Holy Childhood in the USA. Father Joseph A.
Brennan, C.S.Sp. took over in 1972 and earned high praise from
the Bishop for his management and direction of the parish
through some difficult and tumultuous times. Father Brennan was
responsible for buying the duplex at the corner of Orchard
Avenue and Ohio River Boulevard, which was converted into the
new convent. This paved the way to tear down the old convent to
build the present rectory. Father Joseph A. Brennan died in
1991.
In October 1976, John Gerlach was
hired as Sacred Heart organist/cantor.
Father Francis X. Malinowski,
C.S.Sp. succeeded Father Brennan as pastor in 1977, followed by
Father Martin J. Conroy, C.S.Sp. from 1978 to1984. Father David
C. Marshall, C.S.Sp was appointed pastor in August 1984. Father
Rengers was assistant to Father Conroy from 1983 to 1984 and to
Father Marshall from 1984 to 1988.
In the 1980s, Sacred Heart School
and Parish continued to grow and prosper largely due to the hard
work of many parishioners, some very creative fund-raising and
through Father Marshall’s and Father Rengers’ vigilance to
increase parish revenue by a very successful 38 percent. Many
school programs were added during this time, including boys and
girls soccer, scouting, adopt-a-student program, apples for
students, along with the well-established and very successful
girls and boys basketball programs.
In April 1985, Mrs. Kathleen
(Kathy) Donovan school secretary for the past five years takes
over duties of parish secretary/business manager.
On September 20, 1987, Sacred
Heart purchased, ($10,000), received and renovated a majestic
19-rank Moeller pipe organ, a generous bequest of a deceased
parishioner, (Margaretta M. Kelly). The organ was dedicated to
Catherine Burke Marshall, Father Marshall’s mother. This organ
was previously used at St. Joseph’s Parish, Manchester and was
originally dedicated on October 23, 1955. An interesting side
note to the dedication of the organ at St. Joseph’s was that
Sacred Hearts present organist/cantor John Gerlach’s father John
E. Gerlach was on the church committee and a donor for this
organ 32 years ago at St. Joseph’s. The newly renovated organ
was formally dedicated on December 6, 1987, by Ann Labounsky
Steele, an internationally acclaimed organist, assisted by the
parish choir under the direction of Henry C. Adams. By 1988, the
parish had 3,197 registered souls, school enrollment was above
200 students with a staff of 11 teachers and four aids. The
school was rebounding and showing growth.
On May 25,1988, Father Rengers
was transferred to St. Mary’s, Sharpsburg, after five years of
devoted service to Sacred Heart. Father Marshall spoke highly of
Father Rengers: “Father fulfilled his obligations and duties at
Sacred Heart in a simple and humble style”. Father Rengers
returned to our Lord at the age of 85 after a tragic accident on
March 3, 1998.
Father Rengers replacement as
associate pastor was Father Ralph Poirier, who was ordained in
1963, and came after performing missionary duties in Africa for
more than 20 years. In March 1989, Father Marshall resigned as
pastor of Sacred Heart due to failing health after presiding
over the parish for five years. Eventually Father Marshall
regained his health and was re-assigned to a parish in Rhode
Island.
Father Ralph Poirier, C.S.Sp. was
officially installed as pastor of the parish in May. Later that
year, a heavy workload and only one parish priest, the Sunday
Mass schedule was revised from four Sunday Masses to three.
School attendance peaked at 218 students (largest attendance in
25 years) with a school staff of 17.
The convent was sold in February
1990 for $45,000; the monies received helped to pay off mounting
costs of the school and parish. This was also the year that the
parish resumed hosting Parish festivals and sponsoring the very
successful St. Patrick’s Day dances (previously sponsored by the
Athletic Association) in the auditorium. May 1991 marked the
100th anniversary of celebrating the Eucharist at Sacred Heart
Parish.
In 1992, with shrinking school
enrollment, the parish secured a loan from the diocese to help
defray the rising cost of daily operation of the school and
church/rectory. Sacred Heart entered a period of debt.
In September of that year, Father
Francis P. Meenan, C.S.Sp was appointed as parochial vicar at
Sacred Heart. Father Meenan was ordained June 16, 1944.
By 1994, after holding parish
meetings with parishioners to search for solutions for the very
serious indebtedness of the parish and school due to declining
enrollment, and after recommendation from the parish finance
committee, a decision was made to close Sacred Heart School at
the conclusion of the 1993-1994 school year. After review by the
diocese, the Bishop granted permission in March to close the
school at the conclusion of the school year.
At the same time Holy Family
Institute contacted the parish about leasing the school building
for use as a day care facility for students with learning
deficiencies. On June 10, 1994, Sacred Heart School officially
closed its doors after teaching students for 70 years. The
school was staffed in its entirety by members of the Sisters of
St. Francis at Mt. Alvernia in Millvale. With the school now
closed, the parish hired a director of religious education, Mrs.
Linda McKenzie, to assist in the needs of youth for their
religious education.
Also in 1994, Father Meenan, also
known affectionately as Father Frank, celebrated his golden
jubilee in the priesthood. The entire parish community was
invited to honor this dearly beloved and devoted priest. That
same year the church auditorium was renamed Smith Center in
honor of the 1950s pastor Father Edward Smith, who handled the
task of building our present day church for a growing parish.
Father Ralph Poirier was
reassigned in July 1996; during his pastorate, the parish had
stabilized with more than 900 families and had celebrated the
centennial of its foundation. Father Ralph’s replacement was
Father John P. Skaj, C.S.Sp., who was ordained in 1963. Father
Skaj’s return to Sacred Heart was a very pleasant surprise for
many parishioners who remembered Father’s stay at Sacred Heart
in the mid 1960s. Father Skaj administered to many parish duties
over the years, most recently at St. Catherine of Siena in
Little Rock, RI, for the past nine years. Father Skaj’s “coming
home” to Sacred Heart was liturgically celebrated and he was
installed as pastor on September 22,1996. Also in September the
Sacred Heart religious education program began holding weekly
CCD education classes in the school building.
In April 1998, Sacred Heart
opened its hearts and doors to welcome Bishop Donald Wuerl,
Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, for the celebration of the
Mass and reception following in Smith Center. In June of that
year a thank-you reception in honor of Mrs. Jane Gruber was held
in Smith Center for her unselfish and loving service as organist
of 33 years. Mrs. Gruber touched the lives of so many in the
parish at countless weddings, Masses, celebrations and funerals.
In 1999, Father Nicholas Nnabuaka,
C.S.Sp. from Nigeria stayed at Sacred Heart while completing his
studies at Duquesne University. With Father Nick’s help in
celebrating the Eucharist daily, the tremendous backlog of Mass
offerings was greatly reduced. Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh
David A. Zubik came to celebrate our Pastoral Feast of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus, along with the provincial of the Holy
Ghost Fathers of this province, Father Christopher Promis C.S.Sp.
In July, Sacred Heart was blessed
to receive and welcome its first deacon, Stephen Deskevich, to
help assist at Eucharistic celebrations and ceremonies. By
August, Father Nicholas completed his studies at Duquesne and
left to enter into doctoral studies. He was replaced in
September by Father James Akpagher, C.S.Sp from Nigeria.
In the year 2000, the 45th
anniversary of the dedication of the church was celebrated with
Auxiliary Bishop David A. Zubik, Pastor Father Skaj and
Assistant Pastor Father Meenan. New church signs were erected on
the Ohio River Boulevard side of the church, a gracious donation
from the family of Amelia and Anton Yavorka. Receiving the
Manifesting the Kingdom Award from Bishop Wuerl was parishioner
Mrs. Pat Fitzgerald for her 33 years of teaching religious
education at Sacred Heart. In January 2001, Father James
completed his studies at Duquesne University and informed the
parish of his return home to the Holy Ghost Fathers in Nigeria.
On May 12, Auxiliary Bishop David A. Zubik consecrated a new
altar installed at Sacred Heart in a powerful and moving ritual
well attended by parishioners.
This milestone in the life of
Sacred Heart was an event rarely witnessed by many bishops,
priest or parishioners, a fact presented by Father Frank who
witnessed and participated in his first altar consecration,
after celebrating the 57th anniversary of his ordination into
the priesthood in June of 2001. The new altar was the bequest of
Mrs. Florence Braunstein in memory of herself and her late
husband Robert.
In September the Sunday Mass
schedule was voted on by the parishioners and approved by the
diocese to be changed to two Sunday Masses due to a drop in Mass
attendance. In October, Father Meenan resigned as parochial
vicar at the age of 87 and requested to stay at Sacred Heart to
carry on a lighter load of duties and to be involved with the
parishioners at Sacred Heart. Father Meenan’s request was
overwhelmingly approved by Bishop Wuerl. Also in October,
organist/cantor John Gerlach celebrated 25 faithful years in
making Sacred Heart’s celebrations truly inspirational as
organist and cantor. Finally, in December 2001, the church
received a donation for a new and much needed public address
system.
During 2002, the parish witnessed
many improvements to the church and grounds alike. In April, a
parishioner donated new flower stands at both the Blessed Mother
and St. Joseph plaques. In May, three gardens were installed
around the rectory and church buildings, a project donated by a
young Eagle Scout parishioner. In August and September, a
generous parishioner donated new and refurbished cabinets in the
sacristy and vestments areas. New flooring was added in the
church, along with new kneelers, new sidewalks and railings
around the rectory , which were funded by the parish share
program.
In August, Father Skaj was
re-appointed by the Bishop for a second six-year term as pastor
of Sacred Heart. A reception in Father’s honor was held in Smith
Center.
At the end of October, the parish
witnessed the retirement of William (Bill) Belch, who had been
the parish custodian since 1965. Bill saw many changes occur
within and around the parish during his 37 years of loyal and
dedicated service to the school, rectories and church buildings.
January 2003 started off with Mr.
Henry Adams receiving the Manifesting the Kingdom Award from
Bishop Wuerl. The award recognized exceptional service to the
church. Mr. Adams had been the Sacred Heart choir director for
the previous 37 years. Sadly due to lack of volunteers, Sacred
Heart held its 14th and last St. Patrick’s Day dance in March.
On June 8, the Parish enjoyed
celebrating the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Holy
Ghost Fathers. The Holy Ghost Fathers had been involved with
Sacred Heart since its inception well over 100 years earlier.
Also in June, new hymnals were purchased and donated to enrich
the celebration of the Eucharist. In August, Father Casmir Nyaki,
C.S.Sp., Holy Ghost Father from Tanzania, was welcomed at Sacred
Heart. Father Casmir was completing his studies for a doctorate
in philosophy at Duquesne University and helped tremendously
with the Mass load along with Father Skaj and Father Meenan.
The Ladies’ Auxiliary celebrated
its 90th anniversary. The mission of this auxiliary is to
sanctify the members and their homes and families through
devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and to unite all the
women of the parish for welfare, civic and social activities,
and to promote the interests of the parish. This organization is
truly the backbone of Sacred Heart Church.
In February 2004, Father Meenan
celebrated his 90th birthday. In May, Sacred Heart enjoyed the
visit of former pastor Father Martin Conroy, C.S.Sp. The parish
was touched and honored to have Father Conroy celebrate the 50th
anniversary of ordination at Sacred Heart.
On June 16, Father Meenan
celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the
priesthood by celebrating the Eucharist with the parish followed
by a reception in Smith Center. Also in June, there was a title
change of the Holy Ghost Fathers to Holy Spirit Fathers. This
process was ongoing in the Spiritian Provinces internationally.
Because the third person of the Trinity was no longer referred
to as “Holy Ghost” but as “Holy Spirit,” and is the namesake of
the order, a change was proper.
On August 15, former pastor
Father Martin Conroy returned to the Lord after a short illness.
Father Conroy’s returning visit in May was a blessing to many
parishioners who had a chance to talk and reminisce with him
before his untimely death. Also in August, a decision to install
much needed ceiling fans was approved and funded by various
donations from the Ladies’ Auxiliary and parishioners.
In September, the provincial and
provincial council granted the request of Father Meenan to allow
his retirement to the retirement residence in Bethel Park. A
tremendous outpouring of parishioners gathered for a thank-you
and going-away ice cream social to honor Father Frank’s many
years of dedicated service.
In November, the parish held a
Ministry Fair and witnessed the power of the Stewardship
Initiative by celebrating Mass and the Eucharist in Smith Center
(first time in more than 20 years). This Stewardship Initiative
of time, talent and treasure asked the question, “Lord, what do
you want to do through me to accomplish your will for Your
church.” Sacred heart responded with overwhelming success by
adding the involvement of more than 100 new parishioners and 13
new ministries to meet the changing needs of our parish and
community.
In December, the diocese started
the diocesan-wide Envisioning Ministry, which asked parishes to
consider how ministry would be provided by fewer priests and
make recommendations to the diocese on how to best serve all
parishes and parishioners. Sacred Heart along with “clustered”
parishes Assumption and St. Mary’s Glenfield formed a ministry
to address these and other issues challenging our parishes.
To end 2004, the children’s youth
ministry presented the parish with a much-appreciated live
Nativity scene the weekend before Christmas. The children’s
youth ministry plans to continue this special gift to the parish
for years to come.
Sacred Heart social events
continued throughout 2005 with a Valentines Day ball, father
-Daughter dance in February, Family Movie Night in April and a
Parish picnic in August.
In February 2005, Sacred Heart
welcomed the return of Sacred Heart and Emsworth native USAF/astronaut
Lt. Col. Michael Fincke (son of parishioners Elma and Edward
Fincke) for a reception in Smith Center in honor of his work as
an astronaut and his recent trip to the International Space
Station.
In March, Sacred Heart entered
the electronic age by launching its Internet web site,
www.sacredheartemsworth.org.
On June 18, Sacred Heart is now
the soul remaining Spiritian parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh
(Eastern Province), after the Diocese formally acquired duties
of Holy Spirit parish in Millville.
In September the parish
participated in a new parish photo directory.
On December 11, 2005, a
celebration Mass for the 50 anniversary of the present church
building was celebrated with Bishop Donald W. Wurel as the
principal celebrant at the Mass of Thanksgiving. A reception
brunch for all invited guest and parishioners followed in Smith
Center. A side note to the dedication was lifelong parishioner
Regis Costello also celebrating 50-years as a Sacred Heart usher
serving at the Dedication Mass on December 10th, 1955. |
