Reverend Michael J. Crookston
Father Mike is the current pastor of Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Church.
He can be reached by calling the Parish office at 724-684-7661. If it is after hours, a live answering service will pick up the call.
He can be reached by calling the Parish office at 724-684-7661. If it is after hours, a live answering service will pick up the call.
Letter from the Pastor: |
concerns surrounding the spread of the coronavirus, Bishop Edward C. Malesic, after consulting with the Presbyteral Council and Senior Staff, has decided to temporarily suspend all weekday and weekend public Masses in the Diocese of Greensburg effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Last Tuesday was the final day of public Masses until further notice.
This will affect all of us in ways that we can’t even imagine yet. The Eucharist is the very soul of what we are as Baptized Catholics and the loss will certainly be felt by all of us. However, we believe that we become what we receive and we all make up the Body of Christ and it is our mission to continue in His service. During this time without the celebration of Public Mass, we still can offer our prayers and support of one another in different ways.
It seems as though we always focus of how we are personally affected by everything that goes on in life, and this can become problematic in many ways. We become angry when there is no “toilet paper” or the “Liquor Store” is closed and we tend to forget what lies behind all of these important decisions. It is the prevention of spreading this disease that we all need to focus on, it is the health of all those already infected that we need to pray for. This pandemic is much greater than simply our own wants and needs. It is the suffering of all God’s children around the world that need our concern and support through our prayer.
For now, we all simply have to hunker down and stay inside as much as we can. There will be opportunities to come to Church for private prayer and Confessions will still be made available. There are many spiritual things available online to help us through this. Hopefully this will not last for very long and we can get back to our routines in life, but until that happens we all need to stick together and be aware of one another. Take the time and make the effort to check up on one another, a phone call can make the world of difference to a lonely person.
Fr. Joel and I will certainly offer a daily private mass to satisfy the intentions that have been booked. Until God in His love and mercy brings us back together as a whole and healthy family, know I will keep you in my prayers and ask that you do the same for me, Fr. Joel and all the Church.
In the name of Jesus,
Fr. Mike
This will affect all of us in ways that we can’t even imagine yet. The Eucharist is the very soul of what we are as Baptized Catholics and the loss will certainly be felt by all of us. However, we believe that we become what we receive and we all make up the Body of Christ and it is our mission to continue in His service. During this time without the celebration of Public Mass, we still can offer our prayers and support of one another in different ways.
It seems as though we always focus of how we are personally affected by everything that goes on in life, and this can become problematic in many ways. We become angry when there is no “toilet paper” or the “Liquor Store” is closed and we tend to forget what lies behind all of these important decisions. It is the prevention of spreading this disease that we all need to focus on, it is the health of all those already infected that we need to pray for. This pandemic is much greater than simply our own wants and needs. It is the suffering of all God’s children around the world that need our concern and support through our prayer.
For now, we all simply have to hunker down and stay inside as much as we can. There will be opportunities to come to Church for private prayer and Confessions will still be made available. There are many spiritual things available online to help us through this. Hopefully this will not last for very long and we can get back to our routines in life, but until that happens we all need to stick together and be aware of one another. Take the time and make the effort to check up on one another, a phone call can make the world of difference to a lonely person.
Fr. Joel and I will certainly offer a daily private mass to satisfy the intentions that have been booked. Until God in His love and mercy brings us back together as a whole and healthy family, know I will keep you in my prayers and ask that you do the same for me, Fr. Joel and all the Church.
In the name of Jesus,
Fr. Mike
|
Because of many concerns surrounding the spread of the coronavirus, Bishop Edward C. Malesic, after consulting with the Presbyteral Council and Senior Staff, has decided to temporarily suspend all weekday and weekend public Masses in the Diocese of Greensburg effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020. We will continue to post Mass online.
Making his entrance at the 25th Anniversary Dinner.
|
|
Welcoming his new puppy, Hazel, on April 12, 2016.
Fr. Mike received a citation from the state, congratulating him on his 35th Anniversary
of the priesthood. The citation is presented by Hon. Ted Harhai (left) on May 2, 2015
of the priesthood. The citation is presented by Hon. Ted Harhai (left) on May 2, 2015
