PITTSBURGH \u2014 Worshippers filled St. Paul\u2019s Cathedral on Christmas Eve, continuing a long-standing tradition of faith and family during one of the church\u2019s most sacred celebrations.<\/p>\n
For many parishioners, the Mass is an annual tradition centered on music, reflection and the celebration of the birth of Christ.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe music is always so wonderful on Christmas Eve, and just the birth of Christ,\u201d said Diana Hoffmaster, who attended the service with her family. \u201cWe do a nine-day novena.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoffmaster said this year\u2019s service was especially meaningful, marking her family\u2019s first Christmas Eve Mass inside the cathedral.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a student exchange from the Czech Republic, so we wanted to really show him the cathedral,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
This Christmas Eve also marked a milestone for Bishop Mark Eckman, celebrating his first Christmas leading the Diocese of Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpiritually, you want people to be able to come to know the Lord so their faith is stronger and to know that they\u2019re not alone,\u201d Eckman said.<\/p>\n
As the Jubilee Year of Hope comes to an end Sunday, the bishop encouraged parishioners to continue living out that message beyond the holiday.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy message is we need to live out that hope, to recognize God\u2019s love and his presence in our lives,\u201d Eckman said.<\/p>\n
Bishop Eckman said he plans to begin a diocese-wide parish tour beginning in January, with the goal of visiting every parish by the end of next October.<\/p>\n
Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92025 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n