As some of you are already aware, Sue Cadwallader, our director of pastoral care, suffered a stroke a few weeks ago. She is currently at Forbes Hospital in Monroeville for rehabilitation, which includes both physical and occupational therapy.
Please keep her in your prayers, and consider sending a card filled with well wishes to:
Sue Cadwallader, Room 7062
Forbes Hospital
2570 Haymaker Road
Monroeville, PA 15146
Regarding pastoral care ministry in Butler (and the other responsibilities that Sue handled), we will do our best to fill the gaps with current staff members and volunteers until we have a better idea about Sue’s timeline for returning to serve our community.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Kevin C. Fazio
Dear Friends in Christ,
This week we celebrate Ascension Thursday ‒ a Holy Day of Obligation and a crucial event in salvation history. In Philippians 2:7, St. Paul writes about the Incarnation, the remarkable moment Jesus came from heaven to earth, “Rather he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness.” Jesus, second person of the Blessed Trinity, becomes one of us in all things but sin. Jesus does this so he can fulfill the Father’s plan, and lift earth to heaven.
On Good Friday, Jesus, the Lamb of God, offered himself on the Cross as the one perfect sacrifice. In this singular act of love, Jesus fulfilled all the Temple sacrifices that had been going on for centuries. No longer would the blood of oxen, sheep, doves, etc., be offered. Even the Temple itself, center of Jewish life and worship, and the only place sacrifice could be offered, would be destroyed by the Romans in the year 70.
Easter Sunday is the great day of victory. By his resurrection, Jesus broke the bonds of death, opened the gates of heaven, and truly showed he is the Resurrection and the Life. The Ascension is the climax and fulfillment of these remarkable events.
St. Luke describes the Ascension in the Acts of the Apostles, ”When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.” (1:9) When we come together for Mass on Sunday or another Solemnity, we pray the Nicene Creed, which states, “He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.”
We can imagine the Apostles feeling a sense of loss as they watched Jesus being taken from their sight. Yet, they understood, as we understand, the Ascension is an important part of God’s plan. While Jesus walked the earth he was limited by his humanity. He certainly had the power to work miracles, but Jesus lived his life in one very small part of the world. At the time of the Ascension, a tiny fraction of people knew Jesus even existed. Yet, Jesus is a universal Savior, with all people being invited to share in his Kingdom.
After the Ascension, and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, history would change. Jesus taking his seat at the right hand of the Father represents power and authority. From his place in heaven, Jesus would direct the Church to bring his good news to all people of all places. Jesus is not a distant figure disconnected from history, but an active participant. Jesus is the head of the Church, which is the Body of Christ, and the Church would fulfill the Great Commission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations … and know I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.
Similarly, the age of Temple sacrifice would come to an end, but the age of representing and remembering the perfect sacrifice of Jesus was just beginning. Because Jesus is in heaven, he is not bound by time or space. This allows Jesus to be present on every altar all over the world. At the Last Supper Jesus told the Apostles to “do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19. This is the beauty of the Mass! Because of the Ascension, Jesus comes to us in the Eucharist ‒ Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.
Let us celebrate our Resurrected and Ascended Savior who has been taken from our sight, but is closer to us than we can imagine.
Thanks be to God!
For more bulletin messages from our pastor, Father Kevin Fazio, click here.
We will honor our high school, vocational school, and college graduates on Sunday, June 12, at the 11:30am Mass at St. Conrad.
A celebration luncheon for graduates and their family members will be held afterward in St. Conrad Social Center. Graduates are asked to RSVP by June 1 by signing up at tinyurl.com/ButlerGrads2022 or calling 724-287-1759. Please let us know how many family members will attend the luncheon with you.
A gift from All Saints Parish will be presented to each graduate at the luncheon.
Note: Graduates are invited to wear their caps and gowns as they join the priest in the opening procession at Mass. After Communion they will be asked to come to the altar to be recognized when their names are announced.
Congratulations to the following who came into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil:
Dick Ashe
Abigail Gardner
Luke Gorman
Nicholas Jacox
Rebekah Klein
Heather Parsons
David Sherman
Jennie Spohn
David Walowen
Graduating high school seniors who are All Saints parishioners have the opportunity to apply for these scholarships:
Sisters in Faith Scholarships
The Sisters in Faith are offering two $500 scholarships to young women who are members of All Saints Parish. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors who plan to continue their education in college or vocational school. The scholarships are awarded to students who have best demonstrated service to the parish that promotes a faith foundation built on Catholic values through good works in the church and community. Interested students should submit an essay detailing examples of their service and good works to
SistersInFaith@AllSaintsButler.org
no later than May 20.
Men’s Groups Scholarships
The Men's Club at All Saints Parish and Butler Knights of Columbus Council 866 are offering two $500 scholarships to young men who are members of All Saints Parish. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors who plan to continue their education in college or vocational school. The scholarships are awarded to students who have best demonstrated service to the parish that promotes a faith foundation built on Catholic values through good works in the church and community. Interested students should submit an essay detailing examples of their service and good works to
info@AllSaintsButler.org
no later than May 20.
Cookie Salak Memorial Scholarship
The All Saints Parish Choir is once again sponsoring the Cookie Salak Memorial Scholarship.
The $500 award honors graduating high school seniors who are active in the music programs in their church, school, and community. Applicants must be an active member of All Saints Parish.
Applications are available at www.AllSaintsMusicMinistry.com; the deadline is May 20.
Cookie Salak’s passion for music was undeniable. Her relentless efforts to help others pursue their musical dreams helped shape countless lives and brought high-quality music to the Butler area for 60+ years.
Does your ministry meet in one of our churches’ facilities? Do you want to rent a hall for a wedding reception or baby shower?
Effective Jan. 1, All Saints Parish is changing the way its facilities are reserved and rented.
ALL requests are to be directed to Kelly Livermore, business administrative assistant, at 724-287-1759 ext. 124 or KLivermore@AllSaintsButler.org. This includes the meeting rooms, classrooms and halls at St. Andrew, St. Conrad, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Paul and St. Peter campuses.
Kelly is working closely with our staff to meet the challenge of coordinating the maintenance and use of our five campuses at a time when demand for our facilities is increasing. She will coordinate the following:
For more information and to see a rental contract, please go to AllSaintsButler.org/Facilities.