The first year is dedicated to prayer and study. We pray the prayer for On Mission at our Masses. We study the changing realities of our diocese such as fewer people attending Mass, aging buildings without the financial resources to care for them, and less priests.

Our parishes are changing rapidly. In less than five years we will have more parishes than priests. On Mission for The Church Alive! is an effort to re-envision parish life, taking into account the changes we face. It is an effort to inspire every Catholic in our diocese to make Christ a focal point of their lives, and offer their prayers, service and material goods in order to promote vibrant worship, life-changing faith formation, outreach to the marginalized and evangelization to those who don’t know Jesus.

Starting in fall 2016, consultation will begin to take place at the district, cluster and parish level to provide feedback from the priests, deacons, religious and lay faithful on the draft models of ministry.

This process will require realignment of resources in every district of our diocese. It will result in new structures, staffing and strategies for our parishes and schools, ensuring effective pastoral care so that Catholics in the six counties of the Diocese of Pittsburgh can “learn Jesus, love Jesus and live Jesus.”

For more information, click on the Church Alive logo OR go to OnMissionChurchAlive.org