Bishop Eckman celebrates first Christmas in new role

At St. Paul Cathedral on Christmas Eve, Bishop Mark Eckman celebrated his first Christmas as bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. “We get a lot of people from other parts of the diocese who come to, to pray and celebrate, which is just nice,” Bishop Eckman said. “It shows the universality of the church. And you know how people want to come together to pray.”That rang true for the Thrash family, who typically worship at Saint Elizabeth Church in West Mifflin. “Normally, our son works on the holiday. He’s a medic for Baldwin EMS, so normally we don’t get to spend holidays together,” Randy Thrash said. “So this is one of the first times in a while we’ve actually had the chance to spend it as a family. So we thought, why not come to the cathedral?”The family said Bishop Eckman leading the Mass was another reason they chose to attend.Bishop Eckman said he felt both excited and humbled to celebrate Christmas with the community.“His presence in the world, his willingness to come into the world, to help us to be redeemed,” Eckman said. “And if people can remember that throughout the year, what a blessing that would be.”He also shared his Christmas message.“To continue to live out that hope and to be charitable toward each other,” Eckman said.Looking ahead to the new year, Bishop Eckman said his focus will be on works of charity and increasing vocations, particularly to the priesthood. On Jan. 6, he will begin visiting every parish in the diocese through October.

PITTSBURGH —

At St. Paul Cathedral on Christmas Eve, Bishop Mark Eckman celebrated his first Christmas as bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

“We get a lot of people from other parts of the diocese who come to, to pray and celebrate, which is just nice,” Bishop Eckman said. “It shows the universality of the church. And you know how people want to come together to pray.”

That rang true for the Thrash family, who typically worship at Saint Elizabeth Church in West Mifflin.

“Normally, our son works on the holiday. He’s a medic for Baldwin EMS, so normally we don’t get to spend holidays together,” Randy Thrash said. “So this is one of the first times in a while we’ve actually had the chance to spend it as a family. So we thought, why not come to the cathedral?”

The family said Bishop Eckman leading the Mass was another reason they chose to attend.

Bishop Eckman said he felt both excited and humbled to celebrate Christmas with the community.

“His presence in the world, his willingness to come into the world, to help us to be redeemed,” Eckman said. “And if people can remember that throughout the year, what a blessing that would be.”

He also shared his Christmas message.

“To continue to live out that hope and to be charitable toward each other,” Eckman said.

Looking ahead to the new year, Bishop Eckman said his focus will be on works of charity and increasing vocations, particularly to the priesthood. On Jan. 6, he will begin visiting every parish in the diocese through October.