Simply Good News: The State of Our Parish.

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Gospel: Matthew 21: 33-43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
“Hear another parable.
There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,
put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. 
Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.
When vintage time drew near,
he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. 
But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat,
another they killed, and a third they stoned. 
Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones,
but they treated them in the same way. 
Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking,
‘They will respect my son.’
But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,
‘This is the heir.
Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’
They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 
What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?”
They answered him,
“He will put those wretched men to a wretched death
and lease his vineyard to other tenants
who will give him the produce at the proper times.” 
Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?
Therefore, I say to you,
the kingdom of God will be taken away from you
and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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A woman came into the office this week and asked me, “Father, is it possible to be registered at two different parishes?”

I asked her, “What do you mean?”

She said, “Well, I’m registered at another parish, but I often come here. I like being here. I feel like I belong.”

So, of course, I said, “Absolutely! You, Ma’am, just made my day!”

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That’s the story of Saint Pius X: A parish journey of discovery, return, renewal.

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To document our journey, we’ve started a tradition whereby each year we publish an Annual Report. (This was our first Annual Report from last year). 

It takes the pulse of the parish: How much we have grown. What ministries we offer. How many weddings and baptisms we have celebrated. What our finances are like.

Shortly, we will be publishing our second Annual Report, which will document our journey over the last year, in particular. It’s being dedicated to Linda Spilka, a beloved parishioner and friend, who died from pancreatic cancer just a month ago.

Linda was the head of our Marketing and Communications Ministry. She, along with Rosemarie Loffredo, our Pastoral Council Chair, and Rose Flynn, our Pastoral Council Secretary, worked tirelessly to complete this year’s report.

Would you believe, even a week before she left us, Linda was working on her laptop, adding images, offering edits, imagining its completion?

That’s the type of love and dedication I see unfolding in our parish.

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In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a parable about a landowner and his vineyard. 

His words were an immediate rebuke to the religious authorities of Israel, who were given the mission of preparing the way of the Lord. But when Jesus arrived in the flesh, they neither recognized nor worshipped him. 

So, “the kingdom of God will be taken away from you,” he says, “and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” People like you and me.

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My words this morning have a single purpose: to offer a glimpse into the state of this vineyard. I can say with deep gratitude and confidence, “Yes, we are bearing good fruit.”

In this year’s Annual Report, you’ll see the numbers, the names, and the pictures of many parishioners like you who’ve dedicated their time, treasure, and talent to our parish.

Here are a few vignettes to help tell our story:

St. Pius X is the story of a woman who spent her entire morning meticulously twisting twenty-five napkins into roses for a parish dinner she didn’t even attend. 

It’s the story of a two-year-old who came to an 8 AM Sunday Mass. Afterwards, he wobbled eagerly over to the café only to find not a single cookie, chocolate covered treat, or juice box. The SPX café was closed. (We were preparing for a barbeque after the Color Run.)

Stunned, he had absolute meltdown. Still, I smiled because it reminded me just how much even the little ones look forward to the treats you lovingly bake each week.

St. Pius is the story of Tim and Joyce Papa. Tim has cancer and Joyce has limited mobility. They asked for our help to do simple things around the house. Suddenly, 18 parishioners signed-up. 

Now there are volunteers journeying with them seven days a week, assisting with meals, simple chores, chemo appointments, and a great deal of tender loving care.

St. Pius is the story of 28 parishioners, including a family with two young children, who help to feed the hungry by cooking in our parish soup kitchen on a weekly basis.

It’s the story of Chris Bozzella, a recent college graduate, who stood before us at the 10 am and 12 pm Mass last week, sharing his faith, and inviting us to listen to a mentor of his Jerry Palmieri, who’s giving a talk here on Wednesday evening, “What is a Christian athlete?”

It’s the story of children and adults who sing in our choirs; who bring Communion to the sick and homebound; who teach our faith; who serve on staff; who welcome you by name.

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No wonder our newest parishioner came to the office this week, asking me, “Father, is it possible to be registered in two different parishes?”

Of course. All are welcome here. All are loved.

As our vision statement reminds us, “We are all generations journeying together with Jesus to satisfy our hungry hearts. Come and see!”

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Image credits: (1) (2) New Kensington Catholic Community (3) slide player