Thanks to the generosity of our many volunteers and donors, the Red Door was able to celebrate Thanksgiving and provide all those who came by with a hot meal. Nature of Fire Food Truck shared a homemade meal on Wednesday and for Thanksgiving Day, the Red Door received 150 pies from friends of the Red Door as well as 130lbs of mashed potatoes provided by the Huffmyer family. The Huffmyer’s also donated 100 Blessing Backpacks the previous weekend. Donations like these truly make a difference in serving those in most need in the Downtown Pittsburgh area. We are so grateful for everyone who made this Thanksgiving a memorable one!

The adult catechism course on our Blessed Virgin Mary complemented the Consecration to Jesus through Mary, because both forums enabled us as the Body of Christ to meditate on Our Blessed Mother and her intercessory role during the month of October. I was very grateful to the parishioners for all their assistance, support, and interest. The discussions inevitably lead to opportunities for future consideration of our Blessed Mother’s role in the Gospel and our lives today. Indeed, focusing on Our Blessed Mother during these difficult times in our society and the Church was enlightening and refreshing.  Due to time constraints, we only touched upon some of the devotions to Our Lady with the hope that this initial invitation to discuss Our Blessed Mother will lead to further discovery through reading and discussion at home. I hope the adult catechism classes will spark an interest for us as members of the Church  to learn and evangelize during these times. I plan to do more adult catechism courses when the COVID-19 crisis is further abated, so stay tuned! During the interim, I will seek to obtain a consensus from the members of the parish as to most convenient times for seminars as well as subject matter and types of forums as we grow together in faith. Thank you and have a Blessed Advent. -John Paul Corcoran

The Red Door now has its very own Facebook page and Instagram account! Be sure to check them out to stay up to date with the latest news as well as opportunities and ways that you can participate in helping the ministry serve those in most need in the Downtown Pittsburgh area.

Return to the Lord, a night of Adoration, confession, and Lectio Divina, is a night of readings, meditative music, as well as movement of the faithful into confession and quiet prayer. All are welcome to attend! The following is a reflection by Marie: “This passage came to mind during our first Return to the Lord event.  Matthew 15:32-34 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” I know we’ve all heard the story of the feeding of the multitude many times, but I never noticed or lingered on the part that says the people were with Jesus for 3 days and were so hungry they were on the verge of collapse.  They were nearing a state of starvation, yet their spiritual hunger for Jesus was so much greater, they didn’t want to leave. I can only speak for myself, but that spiritual hunger was present at Return to the Lord as well - would love to do another!”

A Eucharistic Procession from Planned Parenthood to Epiphany Church closed the 40 Days for Life vigil last Sunday, on November 1. Despite challenging weather conditions with relentless winds, Bishop Waltersheid led the procession carrying the monstrance and ended the event with a closing Mass.