Saint Sylvester Parish has been a viable parish
since it was founded 81 years ago in 1924. Today it
numbers over 2,260 families, about 5810 individuals.
Such a large parish may at times seem impersonal, but
it can be as personal as we are willing to make it.
The information in this Parish Guide will tell you
about our parish life and talks about the
opportunities that are currently available that may be
of interest to you. The heart of our parish is the
people. I invite you to become part of the people of
Saint Sylvester Parish, sharing the faith, offering
hospitality, helping to make God's presence more
widely known to this section of the world.
The ministries, groups and organizations of our parish
will be as good and as effective in building the
Kingdom of God as each of the people who are involved.
If you want to become part of the parish, simply get
involved. If there is an area that is lacking, step
forward to organize it. It can be done! Always needed
are people of faith who are willing to share their
faith with others. The biggest measure of our vitality
is our willingness to share the faith.
I hope you will find a home at Saint Sylvester Parish
and join us in listening to the message of the Spirit,
who is always calling us to a deeper relationship with
God. Together may we rejoice in the gift of God's
unconditional love for us and celebrate God's presence
in our midst.
ADULT EDUCATION:
Various religious topics are offered throughout
the year to enrich adults in their continual process
of spiritual formation.
ALTAR SERVERS
The servers are responsible to assist the
celebrant at Mass, weddings, funerals, and all other
liturgical functions held in the parish. It is open to
boys and girls, as well as to men and women interested
in serving Our Lord at the altar.
BAPTISMAL HOST COUPLES
Married couples who provide ongoing contact with
the parents and families of newly baptized infants of
the parish. This contact normally continues for about
a year after the baptism, providing the new parents
with support and a point of contact with the parish.
BAPTISMAL PREPARATION PROGRAM
Parents who have not participated in a Pre-Baptism
Evening in the last five years are asked to attend one
prior to calling to schedule a Baptism. The evening is
designed to help parents reflect on the many ways they
are called to instill and nurture the faith in their
child. The Baptism Preparation Program is offered on
the 4th Monday of every other month beginning in
January.
BEREAVEMENT COMMITTEE
The Bereavement Ministry is a means by which the
parish reaches out to a family who has been touched by
death. This group provides support, comfort and other
assistance for a period of time after the funeral. It
is a ministry of presence both during and following
the time of loss.
BINGO
Provides fundraising for Saint Sylvester School.
The Bingo is conducted by Saint Sylvester School
parents and provides a social atmosphere as well as an
opportunity to participate in a game of chance.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE
Provides for the proper care and maintenance of
the parish facilities. Various projects around the
parish are accomplished by volunteers who offer their
talent and time to the care of the parish plant.
CATECHISTS
To continue personal journeys with God, while
taking on the catechetical ministry, these teachers of
the Faith, echo and re-echo the Good News of Christ to
all. As role models, they set an example of authentic
discipleship with the goal of promoting a deeper
relationship with God and one another.
CCD PROGRAM
To promote religious formation through the four
movements of catechesis: Message, Community, Worship
and Service. This program calls all students, as
members of the Body of Christ, to learn about the
teachings of the Catholic Church through the Gospel;
to celebrate these for God's honor and glory through
Liturgy and prayer; to love as Jesus did, through
serving the needs of others; and to live the Good News
by sharing it in everyday living. CCD is offered to
students enrolled in public schools from Kindergarten
through grade Eight.
CHILDREN'S LITURGY
Presents the Liturgy of the Word to children up to
grade 3 in a simplified form. This group consists of
four teams who work with the youth to prepare them as
readers and ushers. Each team meets separately to plan
the liturgy for the bimonthly Children's Liturgy
celebrated on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month
during the evening mass.
CHOIR
The Choir ministers weekly at the 10:00 a.m.
Sunday liturgy from the month of September through the
Feast of Pentecost. The choir rehearses on Thursdays
at 7:00 p.m. to prepare the music for Sundays and Holy
Day services.
CHURCH CLEANERS
Did you ever wonder how the song books are
restored to order and the church looks so good for
weekend masses? It's not by accident. Each week, a
team of Church Cleaners spends time dusting,
vacuuming, and cleaning the church. There are several
cleaning teams of two or more people each. Each team
coordinates their schedule and cleans the church
sometime between Monday and Friday of their week.
CIC (CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF CHILDREN)
The Christian Initiation of Children is a process
intended for children not baptized as infants, who
have attained the use of reason and are of
catechetical age. This usually translates to an age
span of about seven to fifteen. This process invites
children to experience God through Jesus within the
Christian tradition and the Church community.
COLLECTION COUNTERS
To provide an accurate and secure accounting of
the parish envelopes and cash collected during Mass.
This group opens, counts and deposits all monies
received from the collections, and forwards a detailed
report to the rectory office every Monday morning.
CRAFT WORKSHOPS
To produce quality items which will be sold in the
Craft Booth of the Fall Festival. The group is open to
all interested in developing craft skills.
FESTIVAL COMMITTEE
The Annual Parish Festival provides fundraising
for the parish by conducting a week long festival with
rides, games and food; providing a social atmosphere
and community celebration. We need more than 200
volunteers to staff the booths, lead committees and
organize activities.
FINANCE COUNCIL
The Parish Finance Council is a consultative body
established to advise the Pastor in matters related to
the financial affairs of the parish. The Council's
function is to assist the Pastor in the planning and
administration of parish budget. The council is
concerned with the expenditures and solicitation of
parish monies.
FOLK GROUP
This group of musicians provides contemporary
music for the 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month evening
liturgies and other liturgical activities.
FOOD PANTRY
Saint Sylvester Parish participates in the
Brentwood Food Pantry which provides food for the
needy of the community. This group runs programs to
generate food donations to relieve the ever-growing
need for assistance for needy families in our
community. Food donations may be left inside any
entrance of the church at any time.
GOLDEN AGERS
To give senior citizens an opportunity to meet in
a social setting. There is a minimal fee, dessert and
beverages are served.
LADIES OF CHARITY
To provide visitation and personal service to the
sick and poor, giving spiritual and corporal help as
needed. This is accomplished by visitation to
shut-ins, hospitals and nursing homes. Founded in 1617
by Vincent de Paul, the Ladies of Charity is a
world-wide association of Catholic women drawn
together by their love for Christ and His poor.
LECTORS
Lectors proclaim God's Word to the Body of Christ
that is assembled. Their effective proclamation
reveals the God of history to those who have gathered
to worship. The Lector also vocalizes the needs of the
community in the Prayers of the Faithful.
Those considering this ministry should have good
diction and a basic comfort of standing before sizable
crowds. The life of one wishing to enter this ministry
must be lived in conformity within the norms of the
Church.
LECTORS- FUNERALS
To proclaim the Sacred Scripture at funeral
liturgies. Those performing this ministry must be
available during weekday mornings.
LIBRARY
Located next to the Convent Chapel, the Parish
Library offers many volumes of religious titles on
various spiritual topics. The Library is open every
day following morning mass and on Sundays following
the 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. masses.
MEN'S BOWLING
Men 21 years of age or older are welcome to bowl
at Princess Lanes every Thursday evening beginning at
9:30 p.m. from September to May.
MEN'S RETREAT GROUP
To provide informational literature and encourage
all men to join in the annual Men's Retreat at St.
Paul of the Cross Retreat Center.
MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST
Eucharistic Ministers share the Body and Blood of
Christ with their fellow worshippers in a dignified
and reverent manner. They also bring Eucharist to the
homebound and to those whose illness keeps them from
Mass.
To be a Minister of the Lord's Body and Blood calls
for a deep love for Christ in the Eucharist and a
genuine love for brothers and sisters of Christ. The
life of one wishing to enter this ministry must be
lived in conformity within the norms of the Church.
PASTORAL COUNCIL
The Pastoral Council meets in a spirit of prayer
and discernment to offer the Pastor guidance in the
policies, directions and spirit of the parish. This is
a consultative body that makes recommendations to the
Pastor. The council aims at spiritual growth of the
parish community and plans ways to seek to carry out
the pastoral plan of the parish. Its membership seeks
to represent the interest and pastoral needs of the
whole parish community.
P.T.G.
Parent-Teacher-Guild's goal is to advance Catholic
education and the welfare of all the children
attending St. Sylvester School. The group is also
committed to promoting parent-student activities, and
increase interest of the members in civic affairs.
Further, the PTG works to instill in its members a
spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding so that
parents and teachers can work together for the
development and education of the children.
PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRY
To empower the parish as People of God in
fulfilling the Church's mission of love, justice,
freedom and peace by communally responding to societal
and individual human needs. In our parish we try to be
of service wherever there is a need, wherever there
are people in pain and to work collaboratively with
others in discerning ways to accomplish charity and
justice.
RCIA (RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS)
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
is a process by which adults, wishing to become
Catholic, are introduced to the community, the
traditions, the liturgical rites, and beliefs of our
faith. The RCIA journey begins in October and
culminates on Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
To respond to the needs of all parishioners,
assisting in the formation journey of each, so that
Faith in Christ becomes living, conscious and active.
Formation in the Catholic Faith is meant to enable all
persons from birth to death to be in touch with, live
in communion with and experience the intimacy of our
God. This Office is responsible for the CCD program,
RCIA, CIC and sacramental preparation for all students
of the parish community, as well as Vacation Bible
School and Children's Liturgy.
RESURRECTION CHOIR
This choir leads the singing at all funeral
liturgies. No experience is necessary. The choir
gathers 15 minutes before the Mass of Christian
Burial.
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION PROGRAMS
To offer opportunities for families, parents,
guardians and spouses-to-be to grow closer to the Lord
as they experience the intimacy of our God through the
Sacraments of the Catholic Church. These include
gatherings/meetings for Baptism, First Penance, First
Eucharist, Confirmation and Matrimony. The gatherings
are scheduled through the Office of Religious
Education or the priests of the parish. They are
offered to all who wish to participate in the
sacramental life of the Church.
SAINT SYLVESTER SCHOOL
Saint Sylvester School provides quality,
values-based academic instruction to students in
Pre-School through 8th grade. The primary purpose of
our Catholic School is to teach the message of Christ
through daily emphasis on the values of respect,
self-discipline, self-esteem, truth and love. We
strive to create a close knit environment where we
recognize each student's capabilities and one in which
each child is encouraged to develop academically,
morally, emotionally and spiritually.
SCRIP
Anyone can participate in this activity. SCRIP can
be purchased before or after any Saturday evening or
Sunday morning Mass or at the Rectory Office during
the week. SCRIP can be used at a large selection of
stores. One dollar buys one dollar of SCRIP. The store
donates a percentage to the school. Half of this
percentage is applied to family tuition; the other
half is donated to the Angel Fund which is distributed
to needy families to offset tuition. For a list of all
the stores that participate in this program, go online
to
www.glscrip.com.
SCRIPTURE STUDY
Through this group study of scripture,
participants grow in their understanding of God's Word
as it applies to daily life. Scripture passages are
taken from the following Sunday's readings.
SILENT AUCTION
Each March a Silent Auction is conducted to raise
funds to support the school. Items are donated
throughout the year from local, national and
international businesses. Bids are accepted for these
items throughout the night. Included in the price of
the ticket is a wonderful meal. The Silent Auction
will be conducted at the Georgetown Centre on
Saturday, March 12, 2005.
SPORTS CLUB
Saint Sylvester School Sports Club members
volunteer to manage the athletic programs in
accordance with the bylaws and policies established by
the Association and the Office for Catholic Schools of
the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Its mission is to provide
the necessary framework and organization to ensure
that every child has a positive experience
participating in Saint Sylvester School Sports
Programs. This includes enacting fair policies and
procedures, selecting qualified coaches, ensuring
appropriate instruction, providing adequate
facilities, and supplying safe equipment.
USHERS
These Ministers of Hospitality assist in welcoming
everyone to our time of worship. Ushers assist in the
seating of the congregation, help to gather the
collection at offertory time and see to the
distribution of the weekly bulletin. This ministry is
open to anyone wishing to greet others in the name of
Christ.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
To continue learning and celebrating the Love of
God, through the summer, in a fun and creative way!
All students ages 3 through 3rd grade are invited to
participate. Anyone from 4th grade through adult may
volunteer to be a helper. Learning experiences
include: song, puppetry, arts, crafts, storytelling,
Scripture, prayer and much more!
WOMEN'S GUILD
Membership in the Saint Sylvester Women's
Guild/Christian Mothers is open to all women of the
parish. Our purpose is the social and spiritual
development of the women of the parish. We are
affiliated with the Diocesan Council of Catholic
Women, and the National Council of Catholic Women.
Dues are $5.00 a year, which helps to defray the
expenses of the programs and activities.
Below is a calendar of some of our meetings, programs
and events. Please watch the bulletin for
announcements of programs and additional special
events. Our meetings are short, the programs are
interesting and or entertaining, and the refreshments
are delicious! Please join us for any or all of the
events we have planned for this year.
If you have any questions, please call President, Toni
Lenart at 412-884-8408 or Vice President, Ann Lusardi
at 412-881-7358.
W.G. CALENDAR
September 13, 2004 (Monday) General Meeting, 1 p.m.,
Church Hall
Program: Medicare Prescription Drug Cards
September 21, 2004 (Tuesday) Annual Retreat: St.
Emma's Retreat House
October 9, 2004 (Saturday) Fall Harvest Card Party &
Luncheon 12 Noon, Church Hall
November 8, 2004 (Monday) General Meeting, 7:00 p.m.,
Church Hall
Program: The Fat Fallacy & Chocolate Tasting
December 13, 2004 (Monday) Annual Christmas Party,
7:00 p.m. Church Hall
Program: Entertainment
February 14, 2005 (Monday) Afternoon Valentine's Day
Party, 1:00 p.m.
Annual Pastor's Address and Bingo
March 1, 2005 (Tuesday) Annual Day of Renewal, 9:30
a.m., Church
March 14, 2005 (Monday) General Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Church Hall
Program: TBA
March 18, 2005 (Friday) Make & Bake Nut Rolls for Palm
Sunday Bake Sale 1:00 p.m., Church Hall
April 11, 2005 (Tuesday) General Meeting, 7:00 p.m.,
Church Hall
Program: TBA
April 30, 2005 (Saturday) Spring Fling Card Party 12
Noon, Church Hall
May 9, 2005 (Monday) General Meeting, 7:00 p.m. Church
Hall
Program: TBA
WOMEN'S RETREAT GROUP
To provide informational literature and encourage
all women to join in the annual Women's Retreat at St.
Paul of the Cross Retreat Center
WORSHIP COMMITTEE
The Worship Committee assists, supports and plans
liturgical celebrations throughout the Liturgical
year. Parish groups falling under the direction of the
Worship Committee are: Ministers of the Eucharist,
Lectors, Choir, Ushers and Servers. The Worship
Committee coordinates the following activities:
- World Marriage Day celebration
- Anointing of the Sick Liturgy
- All Souls Day Mass
- The Giving Tree
- Baby gifts for Life
- Pro-Life Christmas Cards
YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
The Young Adult Group is for anyone 18 - 40 years
of age, single or married. The programs encourage
individuals to enhance their spiritual lives, become
more active and involved with the church community as
well as their social community all while interacting
in a fun and welcoming atmosphere.
YOUTH MINISTRY
To provide opportunities for worship, service,
guidance, catechesis, community-building and
leadership development for all confirmed teens of the
parish. The Youth Ministry Program hopes to bring all
young people into active roles within the parish;
enables them to continue to grow in their faith and
knowledge of God and His Church; and keeps them
informed of deanery and diocesan-wide events, retreats
and sacramental services. It also serves as an
advocate for the young people within the church and
within the larger community.
All high school aged teens are encouraged to
participate and are invited to attend any events that
interest them. All events are published in the parish
bulletin and in the Youth Ministry Update, a
bi-monthly newsletter which is mailed to all
registered high school aged teens in the parish.
Generous adult parishioners make this ministry
possible. Adults serve as chaperones, drivers, and
help in countless other ways. Also, adults support the
ministry financially by participating in fundraisers,
which include the annual St. Nicholas Pancake
Breakfast in December and Car Washes throughout the
summer.
