Fire fails to stop Point Marion parish from worshipping
Despite two fires last week that destroyed their church building, the parish of St. Hubert Roman Catholic Church in Point Marion is carrying on and continues to worship together. The parish held Masses on Thanksgiving Day and this past weekend at the Lions Skating Center.
“Thank God we had a place to go – the Lions Club. They opened their doors and we had an excellent service,’ said the Rev. Joseph Sredzinski.
The Thanksgiving Day 9 a.m. Mass was made extra special by the surprise visit of a parishioner who had been stationed in Iraq and came home. Carol Shusko is a former altar boy at St. Hubert Church and a graduate of Geibel High School, Rev. Sredzinski noted.
“He returned to his family unexpectedly and joined us for Thanksgiving Mass,’ said Rev. Sredzinski, who noted the congregation warmly welcomed Shusko.
Rev. Sredzinski reported the parish had a fine turnout for both the Thanksgiving and weekend Masses. The parish, established in 1909, is composed of 108 families from Fayette, Greene and Monongalia, W.Va., counties.
St. Hubert will continue to offer weekday Masses at 9 a.m. in the CCD Center, which is behind the church at 9 Sadler St. Weekend Masses will continue to be held at the Lions Skating Center on Railroad Street until further notice. Masses will take place Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 8 and 11 a.m.
Rev. Sredzinski said the CCD program that offers religious education to youths will continue as normal in the CCD Center.
In addition, the Altar-Rosary/Christian Mothers of St. Hubert Church will host their annual Christmas dinner on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Jedo’s on the Mon. Participants will leave the parish parking lot at 1:30 p.m.
Rev. Sredzinski said the parish plans to hold its annual parish children’s Christmas party on Sunday, Dec. 21, but a place has yet to be designated.
Asked about funerals and weddings, Rev. Sredzinski said, “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.’
Meanwhile, the parishioners of St. Hubert have received support from the Point Marion community as well as the Catholic Church throughout the region.
“(In Point Marion,) the Foodland, local churches and pastors have been calling, asking if we need anything,’ said Rev. Sredzinski.
Rev. Sredzinski noted that the Rev. James Bump, pastor of All Saints Roman Catholic Church in Masontown, visited him the day of the fire. He also received visits from the Rev. Kenneth Zaccagnini, pastor of St. Therese Roman Catholic Church in Uniontown and head of the local deanery; the Rev. Alexander Pleban at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Uniontown, and the Rev. Richard Curci of Mount St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in New Kensington. He’s also received phone calls from clergy in the Pittsburgh and Altoona-Johnstown dioceses.
A decision about the church building has yet to be made.
Angie Burrows, executive director of Infomedia Services for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg, said, “We’re going to secure the site and make it safe. It’s premature to make any decision. We need more information – damage and insurance estimates – before determining the next step.’