New Parish, New Home

The Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Pittsburgh has a new home, and an official status as a new, full parish. Adopting the name “Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish,” the first High Mass was celebrated on July 1st by the newly-installed pastor, Canon William Avis, of the Institute of Christ the King.

With a new name comes a new home; Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish was established at St. Francis Xavier Church (formerly Risen Lord Parish) on California Avenue in Brighton Heights, still on the north side of Pittsburgh. While St. Boniface Church will be greatly missed, the facilities at Risen Lord are much more accommodating to a fast-growing community of faith, with residence for clergy onsite, a school for catechism and social events, and a dedicated practice space for the scholas.

Already, the parish has shown their great dedication by helping with various projects to clean and prepare their new home. Volunteers poured in to transport vestments, sacred vessels, and building materials for the sacristy, communion rail, and confessionals; others to assist with landscaping and general cleaning of the facilities. The exciting sense of ownership of a new home is apparent throughout the community!

On Sunday August 4th, Bishop Zubik, of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, officially installed Canon Avis as the new pastor of the parish. After professing his Catholic faith, making the Oath of Fidelity, and publicly rejecting the philosophies of Modernism, Canon Avis received the pastoral stole from the Bishop and celebrated a Solemn High Mass, concelebrated by Parochial Vicar Canon John O’Connor and the Institute’s Provincial Superior, Canon Matthew Talarico. In a short address, Bishop Zubik assured Canon Avis that as he enters into this new office, he does so with our continued prayers.

As for the music program, John will continue to serve as the director of the Schola Cantorum, while Mrs. Sharon Burchill will resume her position as the director of the Gradus Cantorum (young adult choir) and the Pueri Cantorum (children’s choir). With a dedicated rehearsal and work space in a permanent home, everyone is looking forward to further expanding the program. One of the first projects is to tune and restore the Wicks organ in the church. Stay tuned for those developments as they come!

As the Traditional Latin Mass community begins this exciting new chapter, we remember and thank all of the excellent priests, ministers, and parishioners that have served so faithfully throughout the years; their continued support and dedication was vital for the success of this parish!

The street address for Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish is:
3250 California Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
The parish also has a new website:
www.institute-christ-king.org/pittsburgh-home

Here are some pictures of Canon Avis’ installation ceremony and Solemn High Mass: