From the Pastor's Desk - 01-November-2009

Today the Universal Church celebrates the feast of All Saints. What does the word "saint" mean, and why is it used to designate certain people? The word itself is very simple. It just means "holy," and it is used to designate people who have demonstrated by their lives that they have striven to be holy by loving God and their neighbor as best as they could. Some people have been officially canonized "saints" by the Church. This means that after an intense investigation of their lives, and after proven miracles have happened because of their intercession with God, the Church holds them up for the Universal Church as examples of holiness for all to see and imitate. But besides these "canonized saints," there are countless others who have led good and holy lives, whose souls dwell with God in heaven, and who deserve our honor and imitation. These are the "saints" we celebrate today. Many of them could be our own deceased family members or friends. Many could be people we have lived with in our neighborhoods, went to school with, or worked with in our jobs or as volunteers. These are the unsung heroes of Jesus Christ: those who love Him, took His teachings to heart, and lived them in their service of others. Truly, this is day when the Church celebrates its universality and inclusivity. This is also a day which should give us inspiration and hope. We, too, are all called to be "saints." Few, if any of us, will see formal canonization. But that does not exclude us from the obligation to strive for holiness in our lives and from living in the hope that one day this universal feast of All Saints will be our feast, too!

At the noon Mass today the Cathedral family welcomes the Retired Pittsburgh Firefighters, their families and friends, and representatives from the active firefighters of our city, as they remember all those firefighters who have died during the past year. We all should remember these brave women and men as true public servants who devoted their lives to protecting all of us from harm. Thanks to them and all public servants.

Bishop Zubik will celebrate the 6:00pm Mass this evening and join the college students in their social and discussion after Mass. It is always a pleasure to have our Bishop celebrate with and for us and we hope many of the students will take advantage of listening to and dialoguing with our Bishop. This social and dialogue happens every Sunday after the 6:00pm Mass, is only for the college students, and is sponsored by the Newman Club. All students are welcome tonight and every Sunday evening.

Tomorrow, November 2, we celebrate All Souls’ Day. This is the day set aside by the Church to remember all our loved ones who have passed from this life to the life prepared for them from the moment of their creation. We remember them in prayer today, and all through the month of November. This month remembers those who crossed over to the next life; but, because of their own failings in life, are not yet prepared to enjoy the fullness of God’s presence in Heaven. We have traditionally placed them in "purgatory," meaning "not yet heaven," but a place on the way where they receive purification from their sins. It is not a place of agony and suffering, but rather a place of longing for the presence of God and anxiously awaiting the fullness of his presence. We believe, as Catholics, that our prayers and Masses offered for them will help our beloved souls leave the place of longing and enter the presence of God forever. Tomorrow we celebrate all the Masses for these souls, remembering our own family members, the deceased members of our Cathedral family, our deceased benefactors, friends, religious, Bishops, and priests who have gone before us "marked with the sign of faith." At 7:00pm we will also have a special Mass for all those who were buried from the Cathedral since last November 2. All their family members have been personally invited to participate in this Mass, but everyone else is also most welcome.

I had forgotten to mention that the Ladies of Charity had their National Convention is Pittsburgh this past week and came together for the celebration of the Eucharist at the Cathedral last Thursday, October 29. It was a privilege to host these wonderful women who dedicate themselves to works of charity in imitation of St. Louise de Marillac and St. Vincent de Paul. Our own Cathedral Ladies of Charity helped to show the national ladies the great Pittsburgh and cathedral hospitality.

Next Sunday the Cathedral parish welcomes those couples from all over the diocese who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversaries. I want to take the opportunity not only to congratulate them, but also to thank them for the witness to the Sacrament of Marriage that they have given! This celebration will be at a special Mass celebrated at 3:00pm.

Every year we priests are urged to recharge ourselves spiritually by going on retreat. This is so necessary because we can’t give what we ourselves don’t have. This coming week I will be making a five-day retreat followed by five days of R&R. I promise to remember you during this time of prayer and ask that you please remember me. I will be absent from the parish from Nov. 3 until Nov. 14. Father Andrew, Father Kim, and Father Ray Utz will ably cover for me in my absence.

Fr. Donald Breier