Communities to mark consecrated life day

Bishop David Zubik is set to officiate at a Mass celebrating World Day for Consecrated Life at noon Sunday, Feb. 5, at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood, in honor of religious sisters, priests and brothers.
As part of the celebration, 13 area communities of religious women also will conduct a week-long food drive for the poor.
Pope John Paul II established the annual celebration 15 years ago and designated it to fall on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord to heighten awareness of men and women called to the consecrated life.
This year's event, following the theme of "For the Sake of the Gospel," should serve as a way for parish leaders "to educate parishioners about consecrated life and to note the many contributions to the church by men and women religious and members of secular institutes," said Sister Geraldine Wodarczyk, diocesan delegate for religious.
The church sees consecrated men and women as part of the fabric of the faith community because they "stand as a visible witness to the Gospel message of Jesus," according to Serra International.
Sisters and religious-order priests and brothers also work to make real the kingdom of God through the charism of their founders.
"They stand in relationship with the people of God and oftentimes become the face of God to the poor, disenfranchised, the abandoned, the weak, the sinner," the organization said. In addition, the consecrated men and women "serve as beacons of hope in an increasingly secular world."
Local religious communities will lead up to the celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life by conducting a food drive the week of Jan. 29-Feb. 4. Women religious will accept donations at their motherhouses:
-- Benedictine Sisters, 4530 Perrysville Ave., Ross Township.
-- Felician Sisters, 1500 Woodcrest Ave., Moon Township.
-- School Sisters of St. Francis at Mount Assisi, 934 Forest Ave., Bellevue.
-- Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, 8200 McKnight Road, McCandless Township.
-- Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, 144 DePaul Center Road, Greensburg.
-- Sisters of Divine Providence, 9000 Babcock Blvd., McCandless Township.
-- Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth at Mount Nazareth, 285 Bellevue Road, Bellevue.
-- Sisters of the Holy Spirit, 5246 Clarwin Ave., West View.
-- Sisters of the Humility of Mary in Villa Maria, Pa.
-- Sisters of Mercy, 3333 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood.
-- Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, 146 Hawthorne Road, Millvale.
-- Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God, 3603 McRoberts Road, Whitehall.
-- Sisters of St. Joseph, 1020 State St., Baden.
For a complete list of collection sites, drop-off dates and times, visit www.sistersofwpa.org or call 412-885-7232.
Donations will be given to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, North Hills Community Ministries, St. Winifred Food Pantry in Mount Lebanon, the Ladle in Ambridge, Little Sisters of the Poor, Our Lady's Pantry at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School in Moon Township, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry of Greensburg and Emmanuel Community Care Center in Ohio.
The sisters will also distribute black and white ribbons along with a prayer of gratitude for those serving in religious life.