Body
WHEREAS, with a mission to provide a resource for all youth from 8th grade to 12th grade in which to build leadership, to foster a desire to serve others, to provide a faith-based education, and to build community, the St. Basil Youth Ministry serves South Pittsburgh, and beyond, from their parish located at 1735 Brownsville Road in the neighborhood of Carrick; and
WHEREAS, in service to others, the St. Basil Youth Ministry has developed a tradition of annual mission trips to Louisa, Kentucky, the heart of Appalachia, initiated by Father Tom Lewandowski a decade ago; and
WHEREAS, the St. Basil Youth Ministry lends their time and energy while on their Appalachian mission trip doing yard work and home repair, hosting religious education sessions, and donating goods from Pittsburgh parishes; and
WHEREAS, at home, the St. Basil Youth Ministry take an active role in clean-ups in the Carrick neighborhood, volunteer their time at the Jubilee Soup Kitchen and Carrick Food Pantry, and lend a helping hand to local seniors through cleaning and yard work for elderly shut-ins of St. Basil Parish, by baking cookies for Meals on Wheels and for residents of senior residences, and by caroling around the holidays and assisting with parties at local nursing home; and
WHEREAS, the St. Basil Youth Ministry assists in fundraising efforts: for Angels' Place, the Brookline support center for young single mothers and their children, for St. Jude's Children's Hospital, for the Children's Institute, and for Birthright International; and
WHEREAS, through leadership and service--and by having fun, like during diocesan softball games and parish homecoming festivals--the St. Basil Youth Ministry has provided inspiration and direction for South Pittsburgh youth, with one former member having been recently ordained a Catholic priest and two former members having become youth ministers themselves; and
WHEREAS, St. Basil Catholic Parish, which has expanded to include members from St. Albert the Great in Baldwin Borough and St. Wendelin in Carrick, has for years been a center of worship and an agent of community service, dedicated to the parish, the neighborhood, the City, and beyond.
Title
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare October 22, 2013 to be St. Basil Youth Ministry Day in the City of Pittsburgh.