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Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Among the 20 names that we had presented to Bishop Zubik for his consideration as a possible name for our new parish were two Marian titles: Queen of Heaven and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  Neither one of these names were accepted by the bishop.  However, at the request of some of you, I appealed the decision of the bishop and asked if the title “Our Lady of Perpetual Help” might be included among the list of approved names, for a number of valid reasons:

• We share the distinction of being the first parish in the area and in the Diocese of Pittsburgh to be dedicated to Mary in 1840.
• During our common history, i.e., prior to 1909, for ten years (1854-64) the Redemptorist Fathers, including St. John Neuman and Bl. Francis X. Seelos, were the pastors of our parish, and the Redemptorists were charged by Pope Pius IX to promote devotion to O.L. of Perpetual Help.
• Nobody else petitioned to use this title of Mary as a name for their parish.

Bishop Zubik listened to our appeal and reinstated “Our Lady of Perpetual Help” as an approved name to be considered for our new parish.
Thank you Bishop Zubik!