EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS — Have you
thought about serving as a Minister of the Eucharist?
Please give some thought and prayer to this wonderful
ministry. If you are interested, please give me a
call.
ANNUAL STATISTICS — Each year we are asked to
compile for the Diocese our Sacramental Statistics.
The following Sacraments were celebrated at Saint
Sylvester Parish during 2005:
Baptisms: 74
First Eucharist: 54
Confirmation: 53
Marriages: 31
Funerals: 83
Number of Families: 2250
Number of Members: 5780
Number of School Children: 195
Number of CCD Children: 472
WITH SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS - Bernice McNulty
was buried from our parish this past week. We express
our deepest sympathy to her family and offer them our
prayers.
REBORN IN CHRIST - Mallory Lynn and O’Malley
Ryan Daly and Olivia Leigh VanWie were baptized in our
parish this past week. We rejoice with their parents
and thank God for the gift of new life in our midst.
BAPTISM SEMINAR -
Our next pre -Baptism Seminar will be held on March
27, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the Rectory. Parents planning
to have a baby baptized within the next few months
MUST ATTEND THIS SEMINAR. Godparents are also invited
but do not have to attend.
SCRIPTURE STUDY - The Scripture Study is held
every Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Rectory
Meeting Room. All are welcome to learn more about the
Sacred Scriptures.
ST SYLVESTER MEN’S RETREAT - Do you need to get
away from the daily routine? Would you like to have
time to meditate, to think and to pray? Can you spare
one evening, one day or an entire weekend? If you
answer “Yes” to any of these questions, it is time to
join the Men’s Retreat Group at St. Paul of the Cross
Retreat Center , March 17-19, 2006. Sign up at the
entrance to the Church or contact Gus Dentel, Ed
Cleary or Ed Haney for more information.
SETON-LA SALLE SCHOLARSHIP - Eight grade
students who plan to attend Seton-La Salle Catholic
High School are urged to apply for the Pittsburgh
Foundation Scholarship for St. Sylvester Students at
Seton-La Salle High School. There is a brief essay and
service participation requirements. The application is
available at St. Sylvester and the deadline for
submittal is April 15, 2006. For further information,
call 412-563-6378.
CRAFT WORKSHOP - Winter Blahs? Help stock
the Festival Craft Workshop! The success of our
Workshop depends on our many talented parishioners. We
have a wide variety of items that may be worked on at
home in your leisure. There are kits to needlepoint,
in addition to crewel and counted cross-stitch. When
doing your crafts, keep us in mind. We’d like to have
as many different items as possible. Any completed or
partially completed projects may be left at the
Rectory marked “for Craft Workshop.” For more
information, please call Pat Woods, 412-884-7308.
SOUPER BOWL FOOD FAST - The high school teens
of the parish will be at the doors of the Church after
Mass today to collect money in soup pots to help those
in need. They have been fasting from food this weekend
to raise money and awareness for the hungry. All of
the money will go to the Brentwood Food Pantry, St.
Sylvester Social Ministry, and Catholic Relief
Services. This Super Bowl Sunday, let us be mindful of
those who do not even have a bowl of soup to eat. We
appreciate your support.
HAVE YOUR DOLLARS READY - February
4-5, the teens of the parish will be participating in
the Souper Bowl Food Fast, fasting for 24 hours to
raise awareness and build solidarity with those who
often feel the pangs of hunger. The teens will be
standing at the doors of the Church after each Mass to
collect money for organizations that help those who
face hunger. We appreciate your support to help those
in need.
A TASTE OF ST. E’S - St. Elizabeth of
Hungary Youth Ministry located at Grove Place in
Pleasant Hills is hosting a sampling of cookbook
recipes that are featured in our St. E’s Cookbook on
Sunday, February 26, 2006. The event will be held in
the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Gymnasium. Join us for a
taste of some of the best recipes in the South Hills.
It will be held from 3:00-6:00 p.m. The cost is $15.00
for an individual ticket or $20.00 for a couple. You
will receive one complimentary cookbook with each
ticket purchase. Local talent will provide
entertainment. Childcare is available with advanced
registration. To make arrangements for childcare or to
purchase tickets, call 412-882-5023.
FREE INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE - Internal
Revenue Service trained VITA (Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance) volunteers will prepare Federal and State
Income Tax returns, as well as property tax and rent
rebate requests for low-income families and senior
citizens.
No appointment is necessary. Just bring your tax
forms, (including your 2004 Tax returns), Social
Security statements, W- 2 and W-2P forms, interest
statements, property tax receipts, rent receipts, and
any other documents necessary to complete your tax
return.
Help will be available Thursdays, February 2nd to
April 13th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Room 108,
St. Pius X Hall (formerly, St. Elizabeth High School
building, across from St. Elizabeth Church), Grove
Place, Pleasant Hills. Senior citizens and low-income
families are encouraged to take advantage of this FREE
Tax-Return Assistance!
ATTENTION MOTHERS OF ALL AGES - Are you looking
for a place to give and receive personal and spiritual
nurturing? Starting February 22, 2006 the Ministry of
Mothers Sharing (MOMS) will be offering an 8 week
program on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 a.m.-11:30
a.m. at the Franciscan Spirit & Life Center, 3605
McRoberts Rd. in Whitehall. For information call: Lisa
Achtzehn, facilitator, at 412-886-0404.
FITNESS FOR SENIORS - Sit and Get Fit!!! Have
better flexibility and balance. St. Norbert Church
Hall, Mondays and Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30
a.m. Call Shirlee Porro at 412-881-2205 or
412-721-4506.
TAE KWON DO - St. Sylvester’s Tae Kwon Do
classes have been moved to St. Norbert’s Church Hall
Thursday nights, 7:00 p.m. The classes are free and
all ages are welcome. For information call
412-884-3218.
LA ROCHE COLLEGE - is offering parish
scholarships of $6000 to academically talented high
school seniors. To be considered, students must be a
member of a parish in the Catholic Diocese of
Pittsburgh, be recommended by their pastor and have a
grade point average of 3.0 or higher. For more
information, please contact the parish office.
MOPS - Mothers of Preschoolers of Pleasant
Hills is a Christian organization that reaches out to
all mothers of children under school age (from birth
and up). MOPS provides encouragement, support,
teaching, and friendship through biweekly gatherings,
small group studies, playgroups, and numerous other
events. They meet at Pleasant Hills Community
Presbyterian Church, and now, at the beginning of the
new year, is a great time to check it out. For more
information, please call Suzanne Maloney 412- 819-0534
or view the website at
www.mops.org.
SINGLES 21 & OVER - Looking for a new way to
meet people, make friends, and share good times with
others? Check out the Catholic Alumni Club. The group
offers parties, picnics, dances, hiking, volleyball,
softball, dinners, trips, and many other great events.
For more information, go to their website:
www.cacpittsburgh.org. or call 412-341-4070.
CHILD CAREGIVER OPPORTUNITIES - Providence
Child Care Center-400 Hoodridge Drive, has full and
part-time positions are available for persons
interested in working with Infants, Toddlers, and Pre-schoolers;
we also have openings for children six weeks to five
years of age. For additional information, call
412-531-3360.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Volunteers are a very
special sort of people who have the desire to give of
themselves to others who are in need. You can share
your unique gifts by becoming a volunteer at Jefferson
Regional Medical Center. Your help is needed to escort
patients, serve customers in the Guest Shoppe, and
staff the information center, among many other
important services. A minimum commitment of only four
hours per week is all that is required. Day, evening
and weekend hours are available. Training and
orientation is provided. To share your talents with
others, call Jefferson Regional Medical Center’s
volunteer office at 412-469-5885.
SCHOOL MASS — During the school year, Mass is
celebrated every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. All
parishioners are welcome to attend this liturgy. In
the event of a funeral, the school mass is cancelled.
School News
APPLES FOR THE STUDENTS - You can help St.
Sylvester School earn FREE equipment every time you
scan your Giant Eagle Advantage Card. There are Three
Easy Steps:
1. Register now at
www.gianteagle.com or 1-800-474-4777
2. Enter our School ID # 1176
3. Then shop with your Giant Eagle Advantage Card
If you have previously registered you are
automatically registered each year. As always, thank
you for your continued support of our School.
REGISTRATION - for our Preschool and
Kindergarten classes for 2006-2007 is scheduled for
February 9, 2006 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Providence
Room. (Located in the Convent).
SPORTS NEWS - THIS WEEKS GAMES:
Monday, February 6 Boys JV - 6:30 p.m. Varsity
- 7:45 p.m.
Thursday, February 9 Girls JV - 6:30 p.m.
Varsity - 7:45 p.m.
8TH GRADE RECOGNITION BEGINS AT 7:30 P.M. - LAST HOME
GAME
POT OF GOLD GALA - It’s time to get ready for
the Annual St. Sylvester School “Pot of God Gala!”
Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 11, 2006 so you
won’t miss this exciting St. Sylvester School Benefit
dinner and auction. This event will once again be held
in the spacious Georgetown Centre in Pleasant Hills.
Each year this event grows bigger and better. As you
may recall, the Auction has enabled us to raise over
$90,000 for our school in only five year's time.
St. Sylvester School is self-sustaining and depends on
the kindness of neighbors and friends to maintain our
excellent academic program. By Diocesan requirement,
the school has a yearly obligation to raise funds.
These funds are used to balance the annual operations
budget that maintains our program for 155 young St.
Sylvester School students. Furthermore, the success of
our fundraising efforts help to minimize the level of
financial support we receive from the parish. Tickets
are now available.
BASKETS NEEDED - Don’t know what to do with all
those Holiday Baskets that you receive during the
holidays? Please consider donating them to the St.
Sylvester Gala. The baskets are needed to make gift
baskets for the Gala. So if you have received any over
the Holidays or just have them lying around the house,
please send them to the School or Rectory Office
marked “Attention Gala Committee.” Thank you!
PAPER NEEDED - The School is in need of scrap
paper that is used on one side only. If you have any
to donate it can be dropped off at the School or the
Rectory.
LOTTERY CALENDARS - St. Sylvester Lottery
Calendars are available. If you want your same number
reserved call Pat Atkinson at 412-882-8593 and ask for
the calendar hot line. Reservations will be taken
until November 1st. These pocket calendars are only
$30 and pay the indicated amount each day ($30, $50,
or $250 on holidays). The three digit number on the
calendar must match the PA state lottery three digit
number which is drawn at 7:00 p.m. There also are 12
discount coupons totaling $24 to be used at St.
Sylvester’s weekly bingo. All proceeds benefit St.
Sylvester School!
VERIZON EXTRA CREDIT FOR SCHOOLS - lets your
long distance calls work to create a difference.
Enroll today and Verizon will make a financial
donation equal to 5% of your monthly Verizon Long
Distance spending to the school you select. Just call
1-877- X-CREDIT to find out how you can turn your long
distance calls into cash for our school.
SCRIP PROGRAM - We are adding Civic Light Opera
Subscription Packages to our SCRIP Program. When you
purchase any CLO Subscription Package, 5% will go
towards your children’s school tuition and 5% will go
to the Angel Fund. More information will be sent home
with the school children or you can call the Rectory
at 412-882- 8593.
Women's Guild News
BOARD MEMBERS - There will be a meeting on
Monday, February 6th at 7:30 p.m. in the Rectory
Meeting Room. Thank you!
GENERAL MEETING (AFTERNOON) -Please mark your
calendars for Monday, February 13th for the first
Women’s Guild General Meeting in 2006! This will be an
afternoon meeting. We will pray the Rosary in the
Church Hall at 2:00, followed immediately with our
meeting. Father Charles Speicher, our new parochial
vicar, will give a special Valentine’s Day message.
Jackpot Bingo will also be played! Our Social
Committee will serve Valentine’s Day treats. New
members are always welcome! Dues for the 2005-2006
year are $5 (benefits: interesting programs, food
treats, and much fellowship). We’re looking forward to
spending a pleasant afternoon and Valentine’s Day with
you!
DAY OF RENEWAL - St. Sylvester’s Women’s Guild
will sponsor their annual Day of Renewal on Tuesday,
March 7th. All women of the parish, and their guests,
are invited to attend. Father Charles Speicher, our
Parochial Vicar, will lead the retreat. The activities
will begin at 10:00 a.m. with conclusion at 3:00 p.m.
The cost for the day, which includes lunch at 1:00
p.m., will be $8. For reservations and questions,
please call Vickie at 412- 882-9239 or Ann
412-881-7358.
News from Sisters of St.
Francis of the Providence of God
PART-TIME HELP NEEDED - Sisters of St. Francis
of the Providence of God have an immediate need for a
part-time Accountant. Must be accurate,
detail-focused, self-starter with a Degree.
Experience, Quickbooks, Pro & Excel preferred. Send
cover letter & resume to CFO Sisters of St. Francis
-3603 McRoberts Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15234. For
further information call 412-885-7219.
HELP NEEDED - The Sisters of St. Francis
Providence of God in Whitehall are in need of the
following position LPN or MA. If you enjoy working
with the elderly in a quiet atmosphere you are needed
here. We are a Community of retired religious Sisters.
If interested call Pat Enscoe D.O.N. at 412-885-7241.
