Pittsburgh Catholic Newspaper - News and Features

News & Features

Father Cain installed as vicar of Vicariate 2
archived from: 2009-11-16
by: William Cone, Editor

As he watched the two earlier installations of regional vicars, thoughts came to Father Frederick Cain.

He remembered his priestly ordination in May 1970, lying on the cold cathedral floor, listening to the litany of the saints, and “thinking to myself, ‘God, I am not worthy,’ and almost just as quickly thinking, ‘God, if this is your will, stay with me.’”

“And in the course of these years I think to myself that God, who is so patient and is so incredibly wise and generous, has stayed with me, even to this morning,” Father Cain said.

He was installed Nov. 3 as regional vicar of Vicariate 2 by Bishop David Zubik. Priests, deacons and lay people from the region witnessed the events at St. Thomas More Church in Bethel Park.

Father Cain thanked all those in attendance, especially members of his former parishes, including Holy Child in Bridgeville and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Carnegie.

Following the order of the other installations, the night began with a prayer service and homily by the bishop, who spoke of the faithful’s need to embody the church, “the presence of God in, with and among his people.”

“May we remember always and embrace who we are: the temple of God built on the foundation of Jesus himself,” he said.

During the installation ceremony, which included the renewal of Father Cain’s priestly promises, Bishop Zubik encouraged him to be a steadfast servant of his flock.

“I urge you always to be a loving father, a gentle shepherd and a wise teacher of your people, so that you may lead them to Christ, who will strengthen all that you do,” the bishop said.

Father Cain delighted the crowd as he talked about his mother, who was asked when he was a child, “How do you get a priest in your family?” She had a brother, cousin and nephew who were priests.

His mother said, “without batting an eye, ‘Pick the most impossible one and say, Dear God, do something with him!’ Now I have brothers and sisters here tonight who could testify that I was the most impossible one.”

Father Cain said the work of the four vicars will not be done alone but in collaboration with God’s faithful people.

“The work of the vicariates in the Diocese of Pittsburgh is not the work of four men,” he said. “It is the work of four priests who first and foremost have promised to be servants of the servants of God.

“We must work together to live out now the responsibility of our call to mission.”

The installation of Father Robert Guay as regional vicar of Vicariate 1 was to be Nov. 10 at St. Sebastian Church in Ross Township. It will be the fourth and final installation of regional vicars in the diocese.

E-mail this story