Part XVII

Even as the suburban parishes expanded, those in the mill towns and the City, including McKees Rocks, began to experience decline. As the numbers of Sisters who were available to teach began to drop, more lay teachers had to be hired in their place. Debts increased as the parishes struggled to keep the schools running and the pastors looked for additional sources of income, outside the Sunday Offertory. Saint Francis de Sales started a weekly bingo in the hope of meeting the escalating costs.

Father John Maher was appointed pastor of Saint Francis de Sales Parish in 1966, following the death of Father Cusick. He oversaw repairs to the church and school buildings in the years he served the parish.

1967 was a year for new churches in our area. There were building dedications at two of the parishes in May, Holy Trinity, first, and then a week later, Mother of Sorrows. The following year brought the groundbreaking ceremonies for a new church at Saint Malachy, and Father Krysmalski celebrated his 25^th anniversary as pastor of Holy Trinity Parish.

As the 60’s came to an end, there were concerns locally. High inflation, school taxes, and a downturn in the economy affected parish income. School enrollments began to decline when tuition became the norm for meeting the operating costs. In many places the number of students enrolled in the religious education catechetical programs were larger than the number attending the parish school. Father Farina arranged for the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother to lead this work of catechetical instruction and the new church building at Mother of Sorrows included an attached C.C.D. Center and convent.  

Another sign of the times was the closing of Saint Vincent de Paul School in 1969. Low enrollment and high costs became the reason for the closing of multiple schools. The schools at Saints Cyril and Methodius and Saint Mark merged, with grades K-4 at Saint Mark, and grades 5 – 8 at Saints Cyril and Methodius.

Father Becker, pastor of Saint Mary Parish, was transferred that year. His successor was Father Francis Feldmeier, who would have to face the changes that came in the 1970’s. At Saint Francis de Sales, Father William Lavelle, having served as an assistant in the parish, returned as pastor.