SGCPS News & 2019 in Review

Happy New Year to the St. George Family: Alumni, Friends, Neighbors, Supporters and Parishioners of St. George and St. John Vianney   NEWS   Vatican Appeal, Final Decision Soon Our appeal of the closing of St. George Church (St. John Vianney) advanced to the Apostolic Signatura (Supreme Court) at the Vatican in February, 2019. Under the guidance of our canon lawyer in Rome, we were notified that our case has now moved to the Collegium, which is the last stage of the appeal process. We expect their final decision in early 2020. Regardless of the decision, we intend to maintain the St. George Church Preservation Society along with our web site, PO box, phone number and other accounts to support our network of contacts and to keep the St. George Family connected. Also, we will continue to organize fellowship events that bring our family together. As we pray for a positive decision from the Vatican, we can hope that the Spirit will inspire the Diocese to reconsider their contentious position and embrace our obvious solution. Meanwhile, look for updates when we hear of the final decision on the appeal.

2020 St. George Spaghetti Dinner The tentative date for our next Spaghetti Dinner is Saturday, May 16, 2020. Reservations will start in April. If you know of any friends and family who would like to be notified of future events, please ask them to contact us at: savestgeorge@gmail.com or call 412-502-5062.   Please note: 2019 SGCPS Membership Cards are expired. Click HERE to renew your membership for 2020. 2019 IN REVIEW January We launched our first membership drive to provide an opportunity to expand the St. George Family to include everyone who supports our mission while enjoying member benefits. The sales of our 2019 St. George Calendars and sketches continued in the St. George Store. April We noticed that Diocese workers mutilated the 125 year old St. Canice cornerstone that had been relocated to the grounds of St. George Church (St. John Vianney) in 2007. After we notified the Diocese of our concern and offered to move and restore the artifact, they removed it and buried it at the cemetery. May On May 19, a sellout crowd filled the St. Pius X Auditorium in Carrick for the St. George Spaghetti Dinner as the St. George Family and supporters gathered for a fun filled evening of dining and dancing. We honored Fr. Donald Breier on his 50th anniversary of ordination. June After notifying our supporters about the our efforts to preserve the St. Canice cornerstone, we welcomed 48 new contacts from the St. Canice family. August After receiving several requests for St. George T-shirts, we launched another successful T-shirt sale. September Our fall event this year was St. George 10% Night at Texas Roadhouse in Pleasant Hills. The St. George Family & supporters gathered for an evening of food, drinks and fellowship along with raffles and St. George items for sale. October The former St. George High School (St. John Vianney Parish Center) was sold by the Diocese to Blitz Ventures LLC for $150,000. The sale did not include the parking lot or the church. December We started our 2020 St. George Calendar sale and prepared to celebrate Christmas. Also we launched our 2020 SGCPS Membership drive. Click here to renew or get your membership. Once again in 2019, hundreds of individuals, organizations and businesses have supported our efforts. Click here to see the list of supporters   During 2019, SGCPS continued to network with these organizations to support our mission: Allentown CDC Allentown Senior Citizens' Center Brashear Association German American Chamber of Commerce Hilltop Alliance Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Preservation Pittsburgh Young Preservationists Association Teutonia Mannerchor Sen. John Heinz History Center Looking Forward:   In 2020, our efforts will continue to reach an agreement with the Diocese to reopen and restore the Church. With the help of the St. George Family and supporters, we are ready to provide for the care and restoration of the Church at no cost to the Diocese. There are over 60 Catholic churches in other dioceses that are being cared for by similar organizations.