Vatican representative to attend 75th anniversary celebration
Events will take place Friday & Saturday in Greensburg.
The Diocese of Greensburg will celebrate 75 years of faith this weekend with two days of worship and a distinguished visitor from the Vatican.
Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, the Vatican’s diplomatic representative to the United States, will join Bishop Larry J. Kulick and other bishops for the diocese’s Diamond Jubilee celebration.
The events, set for Friday and Saturday in Greensburg, will coincide with the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Our Lady of the Assumption, is the patroness of the Diocese of Greensburg, which serves Catholics in Westmoreland, Fayette, Armstrong and Indiana counties.
Caccia, who serves as Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, is making one of his first official visits to the diocese following his appointment by Pope Leo XIV earlier this year.
He will be joined by bishops from across Pennsylvania as well as Bishop Edward C. Malesic of Cleveland, who served as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg from 2015 to 2020.
The weekend’s events will serve as the principal celebration of the diocese’s 75th anniversary, bringing together clergy, religious and parishioners from across its four-county territory.
The anniversary carries a local connection for Catholics throughout the Mon Valley.
Communities in Westmoreland and Fayette counties are part of the Diocese of Greensburg, including parishes serving Belle Vernon, Monessen, Rostraver, West Newton, Perryopolis and Brownsville.
Kulick said the anniversary is an opportunity to recognize the generations of clergy, religious and parishioners who have contributed to Catholic life in the region.
“Our Blessed Mother is the patroness of the Diocese of Greensburg, and we will celebrate in thanksgiving for her protection as we mark 75 years of faith, the service of our clergy and religious, and the dedication of parishioners across western Pennsylvania,” Kulick said. “We are honored to welcome Archbishop Caccia to the Diocese of Greensburg. His presence, along with my brother bishops, underscores the communion we share with the Holy Father and the universal Church.”
The celebration will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Christ Our Shepherd Center in Greensburg.
Kulick will lead solemn Evening Prayer in Saint Joseph Chapel, followed by a candlelight Rosary procession with Caccia and several of the visiting bishops.
The event is open to the public.
The Diamond Jubilee’s main celebration will begin at noon Saturday at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg with Mass on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Caccia will serve as principal celebrant and homilist, while Kulick and Malesic will concelebrate the Mass.
The public is also invited to attend the anniversary Mass.
For those unable to attend, the Diocese of Greensburg will livestream the Mass on its Facebook and YouTube pages.
