Part XVIII

The 1970’s saw the effects of dwindling population in the town, limited resources, and rising costs to support parish life, especially Catholic education. Bishop Vincent Leonard, formerly an auxiliary of the diocese, succeeded to head the Church of Pittsburgh in 1969, just as it was looking at the challenges the city and small-town parishes along the rivers were facing.

Even in the suburbs, costs had to be addressed. A pledge drive for memorials was held at Holy Trinity in 1971 to defray a debt incurred from capital improvements. A community-based kindergarten was established there, called Forest Grove, when the parish joined two other congregations as sponsors. School tuition had been established, and the result was a 30% loss of students.

Father Lavelle attempted to merge the high school at Saint Francis de Sales with the high school at Saint Mary, Help of Christians, but when that was not accepted, the school closed in June 1971. The writing was on the wall, as they say, and Saint Mary High School only lasted another four years.

Continuing his strong support of religious education, Father Farina brought the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity to Mother of Sorrows in 1971, for the purpose of directing it, as well as for other parish work. The construction at the new church for Saint Malachy Parish was completed, and the contemporary structure, filled with symbolic meaning, was dedicated in April 1972.

That year brought a change of pastors for Saint Francis de Sales, with Father Thomas Kirby replacing Father Lavelle. At Saint Vincent de Paul, the pastor, Father Girdis, was transferred, and was replaced by Father Carl Gentile, Diocesan Mission Director, as Administrator. After a brief time, a pastor was appointed, Monsignor Paul Lackner, known for his work with the blind. Father Ken Oldenski was appointed the pastor of Saints Cyril and Methodius in 1973, with the transfer of Father Filip.

In addition to the closing of Saint Mary High School in 1975, that same year brought the retirement of Father John Sima as pastor of Saint Mark Parish. Bishop Leonard appointed Father Albert Goralka as his successor. It was also in 1975, that a young priest arrived in the community to work for its advancement. Father Regis Ryan was a resident at Saint Francis de Sales and remains among us as a beloved figure of Christ’s call to service.
The decade introduced a new rite for the sacrament of Penance, with confessions “face to face” as an option. It also revived the ancient practice of receiving Holy Communion in the hand, another option for the faithful. Parish Councils began to be established among the parishes during the 70’s and lay people, men and women, were permitted to assist the clergy in the distribution of the Holy Eucharist.