Mt. St. Peter Parish Was Named

St. Peter's Congregation was organized in 1902.  Our church received this title due to two specific circumstances:

• At the time of the initiation of the Italian Catholic parish in New Kensington-Arnold-Parnassus, the Italian citizens of these three areas were ministered to by the Italian Friars Minor who were in charge of the Pittsburgh St. Peter's Church.

• St. Peter was a common patron saint known to the Italian Catholics of the geographic community.

(Fusco, Nicola, Mount Saint Peter, Story of St. Peter's Church, Springdale, PA; Guideline Printing Co., 1970)

• St. Peter was originally known as "Simon".

• Jesus changed his name to "Cephas", which means "Rock"

• Jesus indicated to Peter that his vocation would also be changed, from a fisherman, to a "fisher of men".

• He also told him that "... you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church".

• St. Peter is often depicted in religious art as an elderly man holding the keys to the Kingdom and a book.

• He is also symbolized by an inverted cross, a boat and the rooster.

• St. Peter was not a perfect man - he denied knowing Jesus three times after Jesus was arrested.

• After the Resurrection, he asked Peter three times if he loved him.

• The risen Lord also told Peter to "Feed my lambs ... Tend my sheep ... Feed my sheep".

• St. Peter was the first Bishop of Rome.

• St. Peter was crucified during the reign of the Emperor Nero, around year 64.