Prayers for Our Director of Pastoral Care

     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
Pastor of All Saints Parish

Happy Easter!

What the Resurrection of Jesus the Christ promises us is beyond intellectual capacity.  It appeals to the human and divine desire to sustain, or regain, the goodness of life to last forever!

Through the eyes of faith, and in the spirit of faith in the reality of Resurrection, may we join with Jesus in his victory over death, and our shared victories over the death of sin in our lives now, and after our time is done on earth, when we receive the fullness of life in total communion with our triune God who is Love itself.

A few weeks ago at the Masses I celebrated I read from a book written by Rev. Henri J.M. Nouwen titled "In the Name of Jesus." I highly recommend any of the books that he has written if you desire to grow deeper in love with Love itself as we all journey through life.

I pray for you daily.
 

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Kevin C. Fazio

For messages from our staff, click here.

Journey of Faith

     This weekend is the first of three Scrutinies that the Church has in place for catechumens (unbaptized) and candidates (baptized and desiring full reception in the Church) who are currently in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program.
    A Scrutiny is a ritual that is celebrated on the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent.  We will have each Scrutiny at the 10am Mass at St. Paul Church.
    Our catechumens and candidates will be coming into full communion with the Catholic Church by receiving the Sacraments of Initiation — baptism (for some), Holy Communion and Confirmation — at our Easter Vigil.
    Please pray for, congratulate, and welcome our men and women who are taking another step deeper into their journey of faith in Jesus Christ and his Church:

Dick Ashe, Abigail Gardener, Luke Gorman, Nicholas Jacox, Rebekah Klein, Heather Parsons, David Sherman, Jennie Spohn, David Walowen
 

I pray for you daily.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Kevin C. Fazio
 

Congratulations to Mike Kaufman

     Congratulations to Mike Kaufman for taking another key step on the road to becoming ordained a deacon.

     At a special Mass on March 3, Bishop David Zubik formally installed Mike and his fellow candidates in the Deacon Class of 2022 in the Ministry of Acolyte. The installation Mass was held at St. Matthew Parish.

     The primary role of a duly instituted acolyte is to attend to the service of the altar and to assist the deacon and the priest in liturgical celebrations, especially in the celebration of Mass.

     Let us pray for Mike as he continues his journey toward becoming a deacon.

Welcome to Judy Gschnell

     Please welcome our newest employee, Judy Gschnell.

     Judy joined our staff as the daytime administrative assistant at our main office at St. Paul Church where she will be answering phones and the door, along with a plethora of other administrative duties, from Mondays through Fridays.

     Judy formerly worked for 7 years as an accounting associate for the Felician Sisters of North America in Beaver Falls. For nearly 11 years, she served as the executive secretary to the president of Vogel Disposal Services in Mars.  A graduate of Butler Area Senior High School, Judy also worked as an associate manager at Altmeyer’s Bed, Bath & Home in Butler.

     The next time you are in the St. Paul office, please be sure to welcome her.

Safe Environment Clearances

     We follow a Savior whose love for children was so great that he called all of us to become like them, and warned that it would be better to drown than to cause harm to their souls. This is why for many years the Diocese of Pittsburgh has exceeded all child protection requirements of both civil law and the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

     If you are volunteering at All Saints Parish – whether you are working at our All Saints Parish Fish Fry or you plan to help out with our Parish Picnic and 5K in July or participate in other parish activities or ministries ‒ you must have your clearances.

     We do this because we are entrusted by God with the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of children as they participate in activities sponsored by our parish and diocese. It is our responsibility and commitment to provide an environment that is safe and nurturing and to ensure that children in the care of the Church come to no harm of any kind.

     You can start the clearances process by reaching out to our safe environment coordinator, Georgene Natali, at GNatali@AllSaintsButler.org or 724-482-2690 ext. 223. Georgene has helped many people through this process; she understands that you might have questions and she will happily answer them. 

     I pray for you daily.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Kevin C. Fazio
 

Lent is Here!

     While Lent is a solemn, penitential and sacrificial season in the life of the Church, we do have some good news to share:

     Deacon Jim Shope has recovered his health enough to return home!

     He, his wife Carol, and their family have been through an awful lot since his health struggles began in early October. He has suffered through numerous surgeries on his stomach and colon (90% of his colon has been removed); suffered brain injury; pneumonia; and COVID. He was on intravenous fluids for nutrition for over two months.

    Deacon Jim now is tasked with gaining weight and strength at home. He is in good spirits, conversing and as cognizant as ever.

    Carol, who has been by his side throughout, also has faced health issues. We are grateful to hear that she is coming to the end of her cancer treatments.

    The two of them can now focus on returning to good health in the comfort of their own home.

     Thanks be to God for the healthcare professionals, and for the many people who have kept Deacon Jim and Carol in prayer during this challenging time.

     I pray for you daily.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Kevin C. Fazio

Note: If you would like to help the Shopes by providing a meal, please sign up at https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/goy8n8
 

Lent is Here!

     Please join us during this Lent however you can to grower deeper in love with the heart of Jesus Christ and with his Mystical Body, the Church.

     We have many opportunities to do so through prayer, sacrament, volunteering, and participating in parish and community life with a spirit of love.

     Browse through the bulletin and visit our website for a complete list of the aforementioned events happening at All Saints Parish and in the Butler community this Lent.

     I pray for you daily.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Kevin C. Fazio

Synod on Synodality

     Please consider signing up and participating in one of our two parish meetings on the “Synod on Synodality” that every parish in every diocese around the world is expected to host in the coming months.

     These meetings are in response to Pope Francis’ invitation to every Catholic to advise him on how to discern the Church’s path forward in advance of a 2023 Synod of Bishops.

     As you can imagine, this is a very ambitious global undertaking!

     All Saints Parish will host two sessions:

• Monday, February 21, at 6:30pm at the St. Michael the Archangel hall
• Sunday, February 27, at 12:30pm at the St. Andrew hall

     If you are interested in attending either session, please register by clicking here or call 724-482-4690 ext. 221. This helps us to plan ahead regarding setup and refreshments.

     The sessions will have a facilitator and notetakers to keep the objectives and flow of the meeting moving in the direction outlined in the Participant Guide that is available to you online and in our offices. 

     Upon completion of the meetings, the facilitator and notetakers will synthesize the feedback they receive and compile it into a report that will be submitted to the diocesan Synod committee. It will then synthesize information received from parishes around our diocese and forward a report to a Synod committee in Rome, which will eventually report to the pope.

     Each session is to last approximately two hours with an agenda that includes an introduction and welcome, opening prayer, overview of the Synod process, small group discussions on fundamental questions and core topics. It will conclude with what is being called an “honorable closure” and closing prayer.

     May we be open to the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit through this synodal process, and at all times in our lives.

Fish Fry

     Our Lenten Fish Fry is back, beginning on Friday, February 25, at our St. Conrad campus!

     The setup will be similar to last year’s. You will be able to order takeout online at AllSaintsButler.org/fish-fry and then pick up your order without getting out of your vehicle ‒ just pull into the St. Conrad parking lot and follow the lot attendants’ directions. 

     You also will be able to park and go inside St. Conrad Social Center, place your takeout order and pick up your food to take home.

     Please consider purchasing meals for you and your family from us during Lent, and/or volunteering as often as you can by signing up at tinyurl.com/AllSaintsFishFry2022. Volunteers who don’t have a computer can call the St. Conrad office at 724-482-2690 ext. 221 to sign up.

      I pray for you daily.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Kevin C. Fazio
 

Synod on Synodality

     Please consider signing up and participating in one of our two parish meetings on the “Synod on Synodality” that every parish in every diocese around the world is expected to host in the coming months.

     These meetings are in response to Pope Francis’ invitation to every Catholic to advise him on how to discern the Church’s path forward in advance of a 2023 Synod of Bishops.

     As you can imagine, this is a very ambitious global undertaking!

     All Saints Parish will host two sessions:

• Monday, February 21, at 6:30pm at the St. Michael the Archangel hall
• Sunday, February 27, at 12:30pm at the St. Andrew hall

     If you are interested in attending either session, please register at tinyurl.com/AllSaintsSynod or call 724-4690 ext. 221. This helps us to plan ahead regarding setup and refreshments.

     The sessions will have a facilitator and notetakers to keep the objectives and flow of the meeting moving in the direction outlined in the Participant Guide that is available to you online and in our offices. (Click here for the guide.)

     Upon completion of the meetings, the facilitator and notetakers will synthesize the feedback they receive and compile it into a report that will be submitted to the diocesan Synod committee. It will then synthesize information received from parishes around our diocese and forward a report to a Synod committee in Rome, which will eventually report to the pope.

     Each session is to last approximately two hours with an agenda that includes an introduction and welcome, opening prayer, overview of the Synod process, small group discussions on fundamental questions and core topics. It will conclude with what is being called an “honorable closure” and closing prayer.

     May we be open to the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit through this synodal process, and at all times in our lives

     I pray for you daily.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Kevin C. Fazio

Upcoming Events

Fish Fry

     Our Lenten Fish Fry is back, beginning on Friday, February 25, at our St. Conrad campus!

     The setup will be similar to last year’s. You will be able to order takeout online at AllSaintsButler.org/fish-fry and then pick up your order without getting out of your vehicle ‒- just pull into the St. Conrad parking lot and follow the lot attendants’ directions. 

     You also will be able to park and go inside St. Conrad Social Center, place your takeout order and pick up your food to take home.

     Please consider purchasing meals for you and your family from us during Lent, and/or volunteering as often as you can by signing up at tinyurl.com/AllSaintsFishFry2022. Volunteers who don’t have a computer can call the St. Conrad office at 724-482-2690 ext. 221 to sign up.

Parish 5K Race and Picnic

     You may have noticed “save the date” ads on the calendar page of  our bulletin for the past few weeks for our first annual All Saints Parish 5K Run/Walk on July 29, and our parish picnic on July 31.  Both events are scheduled to take place at St. Conrad.

     The race will start on campus at 7pm, cross Buttercup Road, and use the Farm Show grounds for the course, then return to the St. Conrad campus. There also will be a 1-mile fun run.

     The parish picnic will begin after the 11:30am Sunday Mass at St. Conrad.

     We are looking forward to these weekend events as celebratory occasions during which people gather to build up God’s kingdom on earth; promote community, health and wellness; and gratefully praise God for his blessings upon us.

     Taking on two large events in the same weekend will require much volunteer assistance and cooperation, and I am confident that our parish family and the Butler community at large will indeed rise to the occasion.  Please keep your eyes and ears open for volunteer opportunities for both events.

     This past Friday, I announced at the conclusion of the Butler Catholic School Mass that proceeds from the race will benefit All Saints Parish and a new Sarah Kasunic/Emily Leyland Scholarship at Butler Catholic School.

     Sarah and Emily were beloved BCS graduates whose lives on earth were ended much too soon due a tragic accident, and a terminal disease. The scholarship(s) will be available to 7th and 8th grade BCS students. The number of scholarships awarded will be determined by various factors that will be disclosed in the coming weeks.

     As we continue to value the importance of a Catholic education, we hope that this scholarship will keep the memories of Sarah and Emily alive at BCS while also helping children and their families with financial assistance for years to come.

   I pray for you daily.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Kevin C. Fazio
 

Marriage Validation

   We oftentimes receive requests at the parish to produce a sponsor certificate for parishioners who have been asked to be a godparent or a Confirmation sponsor, yet who are not sacramentally married in the Catholic Church.

  While we want to be as pastoral as possible and offer every person the opportunity to participate in the life of the church in such ways, we also need to preserve the integrity of the roles that we play, and our intention to practice the faith as regular worshippers, handing down the gift of faith to our children, godchildren, and family/friends who look to us as leaders in the faith.

  The process of validating, i.e. having a civil marriage “blessed” in the church, is really not that complicated, especially if no annulment needs to be sought and completed. No annulment necessary means that a man and woman who have not been married previously were civilly married in some type of ceremony that the church does not recognize as valid. We have seen numerous people decide to enter into a civil union as such during the pandemic.

  If you, or a family member or friend falls into such as category, and desires to have their marriage validated (for the aforementioned reasons, and others), please contact one of us priests or Deacon Mitch, and we would be glad to assist you in the process and the church ceremony of validation. These ceremonies are oftentimes very simple, yet simultaneously very beautiful and intimate.

  Even if an annulment is needed to begin the process of validating a marriage, sometimes the type of annulment necessary is not the kind that takes quite a bit of effort and time to complete, depending upon the situation. Again, please contact one of us priests or Deacon Mitch for assistance.

Blessing of Throats

  Our annual blessing of throats will take place at the conclusion of each Mass (8am at St. Paul and 12:05pm at St. Andrew) on Thursday, February 3, the feast of St. Blaise.  The priest will offer a general blessing for everyone in attendance after communion is distributed.

  I pray for you daily.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Kevin C. Fazio