WHAT ’ S NEWS IN BETHEL PARK
PITTSBURGH CHINESE ACADEMY FALL CLASSES
The Pittsburgh Chinese Academy offers Mandarin Chinese lessons and Chinese culture classes . Class sizes are small , and are led by experienced native Mandarinspeaking teachers . All students are welcome , whether or not families speak Chinese at home . The academy is located at Center Presbyterian Church on Center Church Road in McMurray . Fall classes start on Sunday , Sept . 11 , with culture classes from 2 to 3 p . m ., and language classes from 3 to 4:30 p . m . Practical Self-Defense and Chinese Martial Arts for Teens and Adults meets 3 to 4:15 p . m . Students are welcome to try out a class or two free of charge , with no commitment .
Please contact the academy at principal @ pittsburghchineseacademy . org or visit pittsburghchineseacademy . org .
BISHOP ZUBIK CALLS FOR NEW CLASS TO BEGIN DIOCESAN DEACON FORMATION PROGRAM
The Diocese of Pittsburgh is initiating the nomination and application process for admitting a new class of interested and qualified Catholic men into the Deacon
Formation Program , according to Bishop David A . Zubik .
In addition , as previously announced in 2014 , the bishop said he intends to continue calling additional classes into the formation program every other year in order to prepare men to eventually serve in ordained ministry as permanent deacons .
Deacons along with bishops and priests constitute the three levels of ordained ministry in the Roman Catholic Church . The Diocese of Pittsburgh currently has about 100 permanent deacons plus 15 men in the Deacon Formation Program .
Although deacons often assist priests at Mass , preach on occasion , and sometimes preside at baptisms , weddings , funeral services , and other liturgical functions , the primary focus of their ministry is rooted in works of service and charity .
Deacons may be called upon to minister to those who are sick , elderly , imprisoned , hungry , poor , lonely , and forgotten . They might work with immigrants , youths and young adults , those in special need , or those on the fringes of society . Many deacons work to share the faith by catechizing and evangelizing . Some deacons also have administrative duties in the church .
A prospective deacon should be a man of solid faith , deep spirituality , and good reputation and character . He should be fully initiated into the sacramental life of the Catholic Church and living in conformity with all of its teachings . He also should be physically , psychologically , and emotionally healthy ; generously willing to serve the diocesan church ; and capable of assuming a leadership role and working well with a diversity of people .
Applicants must be between the ages of 30 and 59 . They should have at least a bachelor ’ s degree and be able to financially support themselves and their family . A married applicant must be in a stable , well-established marriage and have the full support of his wife to enter the formation program , which lasts at least five years .
To begin the process , a prospective applicant ’ s pastor must submit a nomination on his behalf . The deadline for nominations is Sept . 15 , 2016 . Applications without a nomination will not be considered .
For more information , contact the Diocese of Pittsburgh Deacon Formation Program : deacons @ diopitt . org or 412.456.3124 .
HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES WIC GROCERY STORE CHANGES
The Allegheny County Health Department ( ACHD ) recently announced that Shop ‘ n Save located at 2381 Mountain View Drive in West Mifflin , in the Century Square shopping plaza , will now accept food vouchers for the Women , Infants and Children ( WIC ) Supplemental Food and Nutrition Program .
More than 100 grocery stores throughout the county participate in the WIC program . Locations and directions to the stores can be found on the Health Department ’ s website at achd . net / wic / vendor . html .
WIC is a federally funded program for pregnant women , postpartum and breastfeeding mothers , infants and children under the age of 5 . Eligibility is based on income and nutritional risk .
The 2016-17 income limits for eligibility start with an annual gross income of $ 21,978 for a family of one ; $ 29,637 for two ; $ 37,296 for three ; $ 44,955 for four ; and $ 52,614 for five . Unborn children are counted when the woman is pregnant . Allegheny County residents with family sizes larger than five should contact the Health Department directly for benefit information .
WIC families receive nutrition counseling , breastfeeding support and food vouchers redeemable at participating grocery stores for infant formula ; infant cereal ; milk ; eggs ; cheese ; juice ; cereal ; peanut butter ; whole grains , including bread , tortillas , oatmeal and rice ; soy beverage ; tofu ; jarred baby foods ; dry or canned beans ; canned tuna / sardines /
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