Central Deanery
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Central DeaneryEffective July 1, 2025, Saint Benedict the Moor Parish will become part of the newly formed Central Deanery, which consists of 10 neighboring parishes within the North Vicariate of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
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Central Deanery UpdateA deanery enables neighboring parishes to come together to share resources, support one another, and collaborate more effectively in ministry. The goal is to make our ministry even stronger by sharing ideas and working together with neighboring parishes. Through this partnership, we can strengthen our communities and improve communication.
Divine Mercy│St. Benedict the Moor│St. Jude│St. Mary Magdalene│ Saint Paul Cathedral │ St. Pio of Pietrelcina │The Shrines of Pittsburgh Parishes (Immaculate Heart of Mary, Most Holy Name of Jesus (St. Anthony Chapel), St. Nicholas, St. Patrick/St. Stanislaus)
Our Deanery's goals for the year are:Collaboration: To cultivate a vibrant and sustainable culture of collaboration among the pastors in the Central Deanery, fostering unity, shared purpose, and mutual support for the greater mission of the Church.
Communication: To establish clear, consistent, and effective communication channels across all levels (clergy, staff, ministries, and faithful) within and between parishes in the Central Deanery, fostering transparency, engagement, and a shared understanding of the Central Deanery Parish Planning.
Administration: To streamline and enhance administrative practices across the parishes in the Central Deanery through collaboration and shared resources, promoting efficiency, good stewardship, and freeing up resources for direct ministry.
Ministry: To enhance the effectiveness and reach of ministries across the Central Deanery through collaboration, shared learning, and the development of innovative approaches to better serve the spiritual and temporal needs of the faithful and the wider community. -
Central Deanery MapMap of the parish boundaries which make up the Central Deanery in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
This includes personal parishes: St. Nicholas in Millvale, Immaculate Heart in Polish Hill, and St. Benedict the Moor in the Hill District.
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Join Central Deanery on Flocknote
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A Collaborative Future for our ParishesJuly 1, 2025At the end of May 2025, Bishop Zubik announced a growing spirit of collaboration among ten pastors in the City of Pittsburgh. These pastors had been exploring exciting possibilities for how to work together, more fully embracing the Church's mission and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
To nurture this hope, Bishop Zubik formed the Central Deanery within the North Vicariate of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, effective July 1, 2025. This new deanery is comprised of the parishes of:- Divine Mercy
- St. Benedict the Moor
- St. Jude
- St. Mary Magdalene
- Saint Paul Cathedral
- St. Pio of Pietrelcina
- the Shrines of Pittsburgh Parishes (Immaculate Heart of Mary, Most Holy Name of Jesus (St. Anthony Chapel), St. Nicholas, St. Patrick/St. Stanislaus).
Fr. Tom Gramc was appointed as the Dean of the Central Deanery to guide this collaboration while he continues as pastor of St. Pio Parish.
This initiative aims to foster cooperation, facilitate communication, and coordinate shared pastoral activities. This first year will focus on shared envisioning and careful listening to parishioners from all ten parishes. Your input is vital, and listening sessions will be held in each deanery parish this fall. Details will be forthcoming. Please keep our clergy in your prayers as we embark on this exciting journey to strengthen our Church and bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all.
Pastoral Team
The dedication of our pastors powers the collaborative spirit within the new Central Deanery:- Fr. Matthew Hawkins (St. Benedict the Moor)
- Fr. Brendan Dawson (St. Jude)
- Fr. Larry Adams (St. Mary Magdalene)
- Fr. Kris Stubna (Saint Paul Cathedral)
- Fr. Thomas Gramc (St. Pio of Pietrelcina, also the new Dean)
- Fr. Nicholas Vaskov (Shrines of Pittsburgh Parishes: Immaculate Heart of Mary, Most Holy Name of Jesus (St. Anthony Chapel), St. Nicholas, St. Patrick/St. Stanislaus and Divine Mercy Parish)
These pastors are committed to uniting their unique gifts and talents, and enabling the Body of Christ to more fully extend the love and message of Jesus Christ to all.
As our clergy embark on this collaborative work, let us pray together for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them and all the faithful, that together we may grow in unity for the sake of God’s Kingdom.
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