KNOW HIM:Diocese of Greensburg

By The Catholic Accent

UNITY TOWNSHIP – Students and the faithful from the diocese gathered at Christ our Shepherd Center, on March 19, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for KNOW HIM:Diocese of Greensburg.

The day began in Saint Joseph Chapel for a Gospel reading and a look at the history of the Diocese of Greensburg.  This latest KNOW HIM was in celebration of the 75^th Diamond Anniversary of the Diocese of Greensburg.

Each session began with the story of Saint Joseph and how God spoke to him, telling him not to be afraid to take Mary in as his spouse and to become the foster father of Jesus.

There were then reflections and discussions of Faith Formation Programs and Catholic Schools, how the Diocese has served the poor and needy for the past 75 years, personal reflections on the liturgy and sacraments, and community and making all feel welcome in our parishes.

Each reflection introduced a Saint who had a special connection to the Diocese of Greensburg.  

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was the foundress of the Sisters of Charity including the first Catholic Schools in the United States.  After becoming Catholic, she gave herself completely to forming young people – helping them grow now only in knowledge, but also in holiness. She founded the first Catholic schools in the United States and showed the Church that education is about much more than information. It is about helping hearts and minds.

As a novice, Saint Katharine Drexel lived at the Sisters of Mercy House in Latrobe.  Saint Katherine Drexel was born into great wealth, but instead of keeping everything for herself, she gave her life to serving others – especially Native American and African American communities who were often forgotten or excluded. She founded schools and missions so that others could experience dignity, opportunity, and the love of Christ. 

One of the local saints who help us understand how the Eucharist sustains the life of the Church is Saint John Neumann. As a priest, he traveled extensively throughout Pennsylvania, founding and visiting growing Catholic communities. He knew how deeply people needed the sacraments to stay strong in faith and united in Christ.

He built parishes and schools, including the founding of Most Holy Sacrament Parish, which we now know as Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.

Saint John Neumann reminds us that the Eucharist is not just something personal. The Eucharist strengthens the entire Church. It builds up families, parishes, schools, and our whole diocese.

The sessions concluded with Eucharistic Adoration.

Participants were invited to write responses to questions asked during the KNOW HIM event on a transparent diamond, which was then placed onto the windows outside Saint Joseph Chapel at Christ our Shepherd Center, forming several larger diamond, representing the faithful of the Diocese in this anniversary year.