The Catholic Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania announces the theme for the 2006 Monsignor Francis A. Glenn Essay Contest.

The Third Annual Cathedral Centennial Lecture will feature Sr. Patricia McCann RSM, Director of Archives for the Sisters of Mercy, Pittsburgh, PA. She will be talking about "The Role of Women Religious in the Development of Catholic Education in the United States."

The talk will take place on Wednesday, April 19, 2006, at 7:00 pm in Synod Hall (located directly behind St. Paul's Cathedral). Free to the public.

Father David J. Kriss (age 51) died unexpectedly on October 6, 2004. Fr. Kriss was traveling with a group of Pittsburgh priests to Mount St. Mary's Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. He collapsed before celebrating mass and died immediately. Fr. Kriss was Pastor of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Donora, PA. He served as a Member of the Board of the Catholic Historical Society from 1986 to present. He was the dear son of Florence and the late Edmund Kriss; beloved brother of Ellen (John) Walkowiak, Mark (Amy) and Father Aaron Kriss; uncle of Laurel and Erin Walkowiak, Kerry and Julia Kriss. In memory of Father Kriss, family suggests contributions be made to The Sisters of St. Basil at Mt. St. Macrina, Uniontown, PA or to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Former CHS Board Member, John (Jack) Farmerie, died on June 28, 2004, at age 77. A resident of Beechview, he was retired as a design engineer for U.S. Steel. He served as president of the Holy Name Society in St. Pamphilus and the Southwest Deanery before being elected as diocesan president in 1960. He also helped to form the society on the state and antional level and served as national president and vice president. He was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He served as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Historial Society of Western Pennsylvania, beginning in 1990. Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth, and five children.