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March 3, 2024
3rd Sunday of Lent
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On March 9th & 10th we will
celebrate the Joyful Sunday of Lent. And for us at Holy Spirit
Parish, it will be even more
significantly joyful because of the wonderful gift being bestowed on our parish on March 9th from the Saint Pio Foundation.
125 years ago, Padre Pio’s father, Grazio Mario Forgione, emigrated to the United States and settled here in Mahoningtown, PA. Some of his relatives, in fact, still live in our parish. Grazio worked on a local farm in Mahoningtown and sent money back in order for Pio to be educated and allowed to
enter the novitiate with the Capuchin Franciscan Friars in
Morcone.
The Saint Pio Foundation had a statue made commemorating the connection between the United States, Italy, and Padre Pio. The statue was then presented to the shrine of Padre Pio in Italy in 2021.
(The Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina; Italian: Santuario di San Pio da Pietrelcina, or colloquially called the Padre Pio Shrine or "Shrine of Saint Padre Pio," is a Catholic shrine in San Giovanni Rotondo, Province of Foggia, Italy, owned by the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.)
A documentary regarding this event was done on Vaticano/EWTN. You may view this video on our website: https://youtu.be/rhhEAXlefEMsi=QPB_xeWBVGR4N6xZ
About a year ago, the Foundation contacted Bishop Zubik with their request to gift to our parish an exact replica of the statue which is now at the Padre Pio Shrine in Italy. They wanted to underscore the connection between America and Padre Pio’s vocation to the priesthood. The Bishop asked me if I would be in communication with the Foundation and if I would accept their gift. After consulting with them and all the parameters surrounding their offer, I joyfully accepted. On March 9th, during a very special Saturday evening Mass at 4:00PM, with Bishop Zubik presiding, we will have the unveiling of this amazing statue at St. Mary’s. Why St. Mary’s?
St. Mary’s was under construction at the time that Padre Pio’s father lived here. We believe and hope that perhaps Grazio Forgione may have seen the foundation of St. Mary’s as it was being prepared and constructed. Also, St. Mary Church is the oldest of our churches and is centrally located in our parish.
A special floor is being prepared to receive the statue just to the side of the Mary altar in the sanctuary. Padre Pio is celebrated
throughout the world for his powerful intercession. May the receiving of this statue and our prayers to him bring upon all of Holy Spirit Parish tremendous blessings and a revitalization and reinvigorating of faith and commitment to Almighty God.
We see in the statue the image of Our Lord on the Cross and blood flowing from His wounds down the Cross to Padre Pio and onto Padre Pio’s stigmata and from Padre Pio on to the world globe highlighting the United States in North
America. Please see the flyer on page 13 of this bulletin for more about this exciting event.
God love you,
