June 27, 2021
Dear Parishioners,
Dear Parishioners,
The Diocese of Pittsburgh now has a new priest Fr. Joseph Uzar. How wonderful for the church, but this is a particular blessing at Our Lady of the Valley Parish. Here we are not even officially one year old, and we have helped to produce a priest! His service to you and your support and encouragement of him have been the final confirmation for the Bishop and for Joe himself, that indeed this ordination should happen. You helped form him. “Father Joe” will be back to celebrate with us at the Saturday 5 p.m. Mass on July 10 and the noon Mass on July 11. A reception and opportunity for priestly blessings will follow each Mass.
We have been asked to help maintain the Ten Commandments Shrine up on 9th Street in New Brighton. Other churches have been doing this; so, it is our turn this year. It involves weeding around some flowers on a very small plot of land. If anyone is willing to help, please call me or Dana at 724 630 7437.
Now that life is returning to normal, so can the life of the Parish. We have been so limited in what we were permitted to do but now it is time to sail ahead. There is a lot in the Parish that is moving nicely: the combined staff, religious education, St. Vincent de Paul, Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus, and picnic committee, for starters.
However, there is so much we still can do and become. Do you have a vision or dream for the Parish? We need people to come forth with their ideas and energy. Some possibilities might include:
Pre-Marriage Program, Marriage Enrichment evenings, Socializing for young couples and families, Expansion of community outreach and evangelization, Pro Life activities, Vocation Council, Horse shoes and Bocci. There could be far better ideas. These are only the ones that immediately flew out of my head. However, all of these need people to coordinate and get things started. Why not you? Your priests can not do everything, we need your energy.
Fr. Bob