St. Raphael parishioners value neighborhood ties

On an August evening on the streets of Pittsburgh’s Morningside neighborhood, residents gathered on sidewalks or next to their American flags on front porches to watch the opening parade of St. Raphael Catholic Parish’s annual picnic.

Classic cars blared classic rock, Irish dancers stepped to reels and Shriner’s musicians played on a floatturned-bandstand. After the parade wound back to the church, hundreds poured in for the usual church-festival food fare, booth games, raffles and other activities.

In many ways the festival represented Catholicism’s past, hearkening to St. Raphael’s roots in parishes with German, Irish and Italian roots.

But the displays included photos of a recent church mission trip to Jamaica and other forward-looking religious activities. The parish has hired a new director of religious education and recruited other staff and lay volunteers.

The pastor, the Rev. Christopher Donley, said St. Raphael has followed the trajectory of its neighborhood, from early 20th century growth to later decline to current revitalization.

“There’s a buzz of excitement,” said Father Donley. “We have new families joining the parish every single week” from Morningside and adjacent neighborhoods.

When he talks about the On Mission for the Church Alive! process, “people think it’s all about closing down churches and it’s all about consolidation,” he said. “Really it’s about growth, it’s about evangelizing, it’s about bringing the Lord in new ways to the community.”

As Joseph and Julie Schivins took their turns at tables to raise funds for the parish school, they said their children get a strong education and sense of community there.

“It’s very depressing when I hear about churches closing,” said Mrs. Schivins. “That’s why I’m here tonight working. If we can keep our parish alive, we can keep the church alive.”

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