Neighbor Spotlight: The Rev. Michael Decewicz retires from St. Juan Diego to focus on leading Addiction Recovery Ministry in Harmar

Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would like to nominate someone as a Neighbor Spotlight, see foxchapelherald.com, select the “Post Story” button in the upper right corner and complete the form to publish your nomination. Questions? Email Neighborhood News Network editor Katie Green at kgreen@triblive.com.

The Rev. Michael Decewicz, parochial vicar at St. Juan Diego Parish in Sharpsburg, is well-known for small talk, a short story and, perhaps most of all, his black rescue dog, Ricky.

The pair is a common site walking around town, to and from the John Paul I Center along Ninth Street and their house across the street.

“Everyone stops to talk to Ricky,” Decewicz said of the shelter dog that his niece asked him to babysit 11 years ago.

“I think more people talk to Ricky than talk to me,” he said, with a laugh.

Decewicz plans to remain a frequent site in his adopted hometown, albeit no longer as administrative leader at the church.

He is retiring July 1.

“I love Sharpsburg,” he said. “It will be a challenge leaving friends in the neighborhood but my health is such that I can’t continue to do as much.”

Decewicz, 70, has battled four major illnesses in recent years, including a kidney transplant and a severe case of pneumonia. He’s been hospitalized four times in five years.

“It’s time to slow down,” he said.

Leaving his administrative duties at the parish will mean he can dedicate time to his passion, which is the church’s Addition Recovery Ministry (ARM).

Decewicz piloted the program in 2018 and it has since flourished to include weekly meetings, virtual programs, expert speakers in recovery, Facebook Live reflections and fundraisers.

Last month, Decewicz led a reflection on June 23 at Madonna of Jerusalem Church along Ninth Street. It was streamed on Facebook, on the Addiction Recovery Ministry Pittsburgh page, and available on the website.

On July 24, ARM will join with Light of Life Rescue Mission for a fundraising dinner and concert at Our Lady of Victory in Beechview.

Long-range plans include the possibility of an ARM three-quarter house for people adjusting to life after rehab.

“I’m excited to focus on this mission and have time to really reach out to those who are suffering,” Decewicz said.

“Covid-19 has exasperated the problem, and we need to reach out in love and break down the walls of shame that inhibit the chance for recovery.”

Longtime parishioner Evelyn Troyan said Decewicz possesses a unique caring for people in need.

“We’re really gonna miss him,” said Troyan, who served as a Eucharistic Minister and president of the parish Christian Mother’s Guild for years.

“He’s such a good person and we were lucky to have his spiritual leadership and caring for our community.”

Parishioner Mary Ann Panza agreed, saying Decewicz has recruited many new members because of his likeable personality.

“We’ve had so many people join because he is so kind,” she said. “He talks to everyone. He kids around, and he makes people laugh.”

Raised in nearby Bloomfield, Decewicz served previously at St. Bernadette in Monroeville and at St. Peter and Paul in Beaver.

Decewicz said he was eager to accept a position in Sharpsburg 10 years ago, partly to be closer to the city. Now, he said, he’s grateful for his time in the small river town where people welcomed him like family.

In 2018, when the Diocese of Pittsburgh whittled its 188 parishes into 57 multichurch groupings, St. Juan Diego was lumped with St. Pio in Blawnox and Harmar, St. Joe’s in O’Hara and St. Scholastica’s in Aspinwall.

At that time, Decewicz transitioned from pastor of St. Juan to parochial vicar of the newly former Lower Allegheny Valley grouping.

Just a few weeks ago, the diocese announced that the grouping will become one parish, Christ the King, as of July 1.

Decewicz will live at St. Francis of Assisi, formerly part of St. Pio, in Harmar.

“I’m most proud of the people in Sharpsburg and how they have pulled together to get through this,” he said. “The previous merger was a difficult process but we formed one vibrant, caring community and we will continue that now.

“I’m confident with their compassion and their love for the church that it will succeed. Sharpsburg is someplace special.”