Administrator of new Shaler Area parish urging members to 'focus on the whole'

Recent parish mergers by the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh can be likened to Jesus’ death and resurrection, according to the Rev. James Gretz, administrator of a new grouping in the Shaler area.

“In this corner of the Kingdom, we travel that same path,” Gretz said. “There are things through which we will suffer. These are the growing pains of clergy changes, adjusted schedules and locations of Masses, to name a few.

“But after we suffer, we rise to a new life.”

Gretz is the leader of the newly formed Saint Matthew parish, comprising All Saints in Etna, Saint Aloysius in Reserve, Saint Bonaventure in Glenshaw and Holy Spirit in Millvale.

It is among 14 new parishes whittled from 40 that were announced by Bishop David Zubik on Nov. 28.

Changes will be effective Jan. 4.

Zubik said it is a pivotal time for future planning and that the mission is to strengthen the diocese.

The move is part of the ongoing “On Mission for the Church Alive!” initiative, designed to help capitalize on resources of individual parishes before they are squandered.

Gretz said there are some events, programs and traditions that won’t be carried forward. But he pointed to post-resurrection accounts of Jesus to alleviate concerns of parishioners.

“(Jesus’) apostles and best friends didn’t recognize him,” Gretz said. “He was different afterwards and so will we be different in the future.”

The diocese spans Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington counties. It had 200 parishes in 2015 but has streamlined them dramatically over the years.

The January merger will cut the total of diocesan parishes from 107 to 81.

Each of the mergers was requested by the priest/administrator of the grouping, after talks with parishioners.

Zubik cited the region’s changing demographics, saying “southwestern Pennsylvania is radically different than it was 100, 50, 20, even 10 years ago.”

“Yet the work of the church and our call from God to bring his love to everyone continues as strong as ever,” Zubik said.

The changes will position each new parish for effectiveness by addressing financial needs, sharing resources and allowing leaders to focus on spiritual work, he added.

Other North Hills area parishes impacted by the merger include some in Hampton and Richland.

The newly formed Saints Martha and Mary will comprise Saint Catherine of Sweden in Hampton and Saint Richard in Richland.

Gretz said he’s already been working to unite parishioners by urging them to “focus on the whole and not four quarters.”

One example is the formation of a committee to plan combined fundraisers. The new grouping is selling a year-long lottery calendar which will benefit all four churches, and Gretz said there is strength in numbers.

“The more we can see with one eye, the better we will be,” he said.