At a packed 11 a.m. Mass at Holy Child Church in Bridgeville, the Rev. Dennis Yurochko explained he was wearing rose-colored vestments to mark Gaudete Sunday \u2014 the third Sunday in the Advent season that signifies a time to rejoice as Christ\u2019s birth approaches.<\/p>\n
Another reason for celebration, he told the Roman Catholic congregation, is that Holy Child will officially merge on Jan. 6 with nearby St. Barbara and St. Mary churches to create the new Corpus Christi Parish.<\/p>\n
Unlike many parishes in the Diocese of Pittsburgh grappling with empty pews and uncertain futures, Corpus Christi \u201cis thankfully managing growth rather than decline,\u201d Father Yurochko said.<\/p>\n
About 10,000 individuals are registered in what will be the new parish, he said, including about 6,600 at Holy Child; 2,700 at St. Barbara, also in Bridgeville; and about 1,500 at St. Mary in Cecil, Washington County.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n A new Catholic parish merger is ‘managing growth rather than decline’ https:\/\/t.co\/Qsm2d04wgU<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (@PittsburghPG) December 16, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n