Tag Archives: Pennsylvania

Catholics in Pittsburgh

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Youth focus of Catholic meeting
Touches on pope’s childhood, and renewing the faith

By Ann Rodgers-Melnick, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

“Teaching young people to stand up for life and faith in a culture of death and despair was a running theme at yesterday’s Total Catholic Education Conference at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.”

FOCUS

Founded in 1998 by Curtis Martin, FOCUS, The Fellowship of Catholic University Students, is a national outreach to college campuses, to secular and Catholic schools. Through small group Bible studies, large group leadership training, and one-on-one discipleship, FOCUS brings the fullness of life and truth in the Catholic Church to college students and gives the tools to help them share this good news with their friends. FOCUS is working to play a vital role in the new evangelization called for by Pope John Paul II.

FOCUS teaches recent college graduates, trains them in the teachings of the Church, Scripture and practical aspects of ministry, and sends them out typically in teams of four to serve on college campuses. FOCUS staff members make an initial two-year commitment to this full-time work. FOCUS works with the blessing of the local bishop and the support of the pastor and existing ministry(ies).

The Young and the Bored

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Here’s an interesting sequence of articles and letters regarding Pittsburgh’s hopes for attracting young people. I like Pittsburgh and I think I’d like to raise a family here. I think I’m a rarity, though. I came to Da Burgh in ’95 to go to Pitt. I’ve been here ever since. Most students, it seems, fly like bats out of hell after graduation day. I think Pittsburgh’s a nice town and instead of cursing the darkness, I’m going to light a candle.

Pittsburgh Is A Pit For Singles
By Davide Dukcevich

“Pittsburgh may be the best place in the world to watch a football game, but it’s the worst place in America to be stuck with a lonely heart.”

Forbes magazine, you’re nuts: I’m 21 and I love Pittsburgh
By Megan Branning

“I would like to respond to the Forbes magazine ranking of Pittsburgh as the worst city for young singles (“No Place to Be Single,” June 8 Business). I think Forbes is way off on this.”

The Post-Gazette’s perky pen pal
By Dave Copeland

Megan Branning, I’m glad you love it here, but I still think you’re going overboard when you call Forbes magazine “nuts” for ranking Pittsburgh the worst of 40 cities for singles. Needless to say, your letter was emailed among the boosters today as if to say “Look! A real live young person likes us!” Unfortunately, Megan is only one of a dwindling many.

A case for Pittsburgh
By Dave Copeland

Way back at the start of the summer (when, having reviewed the archive, I seemed to be much more bitter) I bashed Megan Branning and her letter to the Post Gazette. Megan finally found my little rant, took the high road and sent me this email last night:

I just read your entry regarding my letter to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about Forbe’s magazine’s ranking of Pittsburgh. After reading what you said, I want to clarify some things.

Hill Street Blues

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This is an interesting article just on the face of it. What makes it cooler, is that it wasn’t published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette or Tribune Review.

When I first heard about what the Hill District used to be like, I was bummed that I never got to hear all that great jazz. The neighborhood is really a hell-hole now and I sincerely hope the renewal projects are successful.

A Black Enclave in Pittsburgh Is Revived
By LYNETTE CLEMETSON

“PITTSBURGH – Most people look puzzled when Steven Radney talks about moving from a quiet town south of Pittsburgh into the Hill District, one of the poorest, most beleaguered areas of the city. When they ask gingerly what he hopes to gain from the move, Mr. Radney answers, ‘an experience.'”

Live in PA? Stop Phone Spam NOW!

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State debuts its ‘do-not-call’ list
The aim is to provide protection from those pesky telemarketers

Linda Och of Knoxville was thrilled yesterday to put her name on the new statewide “do not call” list. It means that she no longer has to screen her telephone calls to avoid those annoying telemarketers. She had been getting as many as 30 calls a day. One came on Christmas Eve. She said a phone salesman lured her into a credit card scam that cost her $400. Never again. “We’re all victims of telemarketers, I think,” she said as she registered her phone number on the do-not-call list. “This is the best thing since sliced bread. I’m thrilled.”

To complement this wonderful service, we need the following:

  1. the other 49 states to follow suit
  2. a “Do Not Email” list to deter unsolicited email marketing spam
  3. a “Do Not Snail Mail” list – see above