Pittsburgh Catholic Newspaper - News and Features

News & Features

New master of ceremonies announced
archived from: 2009-08-17

Bishop David Zubik announced in an Aug. 6 letter to priests that Father Daniel Straughn will begin Aug. 22 as episcopal master of ceremonies. As a secondary assignment, Father Straughn is being appointed to replacement ministry.

The bishop explained that Father Straughn will be working closely with clergy “in anticipation of, and in preparation for, any pastoral visits which I will be making to parishes and faith communities of our local church.”

The duties of a master of ceremonies include supervising, directing and coordinating a religious ceremony, seeing to it that it is properly celebrated, according to “Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia.” “He especially guides the actions of the celebrant and his assistants according to the rubrics of the sacred liturgy.”

As a replacement minister, and in coordination with his work with Bishop Zubik, Father Straughn will work with Father Harry Bielewicz, vicar for clergy, to fill in sacramentally where needs arise in the diocese. For example, he will occasionally celebrate Mass where a parish pastor is on vacation.

Father Straughn, who was ordained to the priesthood in June 2004, will live at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Green Tree.

He will take over as the bishop’s master of ceremonies for Father Edward Yuhas, who has served in the post for 23 months under Bishop Zubik. Father Yuhas will remain as diocesan master of ceremonies and director of the Department for Worship.

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