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In the year 1903 St. Anselm Parish and Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish were established to
serve the need of people living in Swissvale and in Rankin. This was followed in the year 1906 by the establishment
of St. Barnabas Parish. The following years saw many changes within all three parishes and within the communities they
were formed to serve. The years witnessed growth and decline.
On May 27, 1994 all three parishes were suppressed
as part of the re-organization of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Within the decree of suppression, Bishop Donald Wuerl directed
that all parishioners become members of the newly established parish the Word of God. On May 28, 1994 the parish of
the Word of God was established.
The Parish of the Word of God is a symbolic way of bringing together the three suppressed
parishes. Mary, as we witness her at the time of the Visitation, carries within her the Word of God made flesh.
St. Barnabas was one of the first preachers about the Word of God, Jesus Christ. St. Anselm was a philosopher/ theologian
who devoted much of his teachings to understanding the Word of God. What we are comes from what we have been - all centered
around the Word of God among us.
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