A Clear Identity in a Diverse Community

By Nicole Berlucchi, Advancement and Engagement Associate

As pastor of St. Benedict the Moor Parish — a mission parish for Black Catholics in the Diocese of Pittsburgh — Fr. Matthew Hawkins leads a Next Generation Parish community whose very identity embodies welcome, reverence, and joyful belonging. His approach is rooted in his own journey into the Catholic Church and shaped by a conviction that a parish can be both deeply rooted and broadly embrace others.

Fr. Matt’s path into Catholicism included honest questions about race, belonging, and identity — particularly what it means to be both Black and Catholic. What he encountered was a Church alive with vibrant liturgy, authentic community, and faithful accompaniment. Fr. Matt shares, “As a pastor, I recognize the beautiful responsibility of honoring St. Benedict the Moor parish’s rich history within the Black Catholic community while ensuring that its doors remain open to anyone seeking Christ.”

In its Next Generation Parish journey, St. Benedict the Moor chose three parish priorities: Liturgy, Evangelization, and Discipleship. These were selected not only with the Black Catholic community in mind but also considering Protestant neighbors (many of whom send their children to the parish school) and other members of their diverse congregation that gathers each Sunday. “This is a parish where its uniqueness does not dilute its Catholic identity, it strengthens it,” Fr. Matthew said.

Liturgy That Celebrates and Unifies

The parish envisioned a liturgy that feels celebratory, drawing strong participation from all who attend. One simple but powerful decision to incorporate Latin chant and hymns has become a unifying thread. With parishioners from many countries and dialects, the familiar cadence of Latin offers common ground, restoring a sense of home for immigrants while honoring the Church’s universality.

Fr. Matt’s pastoral vision is to build a community where community extends beyond the final hymn. He recalls a season in his life when post‑Mass conversations formed into a dinner group — friendships where personal stories and faith reflections deepened his faith and built community. He also remembers once being asked to usher for Sunday Mass as a teenager — a small ask that instilled in him a deep sense of responsibility and belonging.

These memories drive Fr. Matt’s commitment to the parish’s priorities. Today, St. Benedict the Moor continues that culture: inviting more people into ministries, recognizing gifts, and forming disciples who build up the Body of Christ.

Calling Forth Gifts

This inviting spirit has a face: Lisa-Joy Finch, a long-time parishioner known for spotting visitors, taking them by the hand, and leading them to a front pew beside her and her mother. Lisa-Joy’s presence captures the parish’s charism — honoring the past, embracing the present, and preparing for the future — making a home for the newcomer without losing sight of the parish’s history and heart.

St. Benedict the Moor’s identity is its strength: a mission parish rooted in Black Catholic heritage, joyfully Catholic in worship, and radically hospitable to a diverse and ecumenical neighborhood. Under Fr. Matthew’s steady leadership, St. Benedict the Moor is an example of what happens when a parish knows “who” it is, offers that identity as a gift, and makes a home for others to belong.