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The Most Reverend William J. Winter

Bishop William J. Winter was named auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and titular bishop of Uthina on December 27, 1988. He was consecrated on February 13, 1989.

Born on May 20, 1930 to Margaret (Wallisch) Winter and William F. Winter (both deceased) in the Beechview neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Bishop Winter has two brothers, James and Laurence. Bishop Winter attended Saint Catherine of Siena Grade School in Beechview and Saint Michael High School on the South Side before entering Saint Vincent Seminary at Latrobe. His theological training was at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he was ordained on December 17, 1955.

He will celebrate his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood in December.

The bishop served briefly in 1956 as assistant pastor at Saint Bernard Parish in Mount Lebanon before returning to Rome for graduate studies. He received a doctorate in sacred theology from Gregorian University in 1958. After receiving his degree, he was appointed assistant pastor at Holy Innocents Parish in Pittsburgh's Sheraden section where he served until 1963.

He was an assistant chancellor of the Diocese of Pittsburgh from 1963 until 1969, when he was named vice chancellor of the diocese, a post he held until 1973. During this decade, he also was chaplain at Mount Mercy College, now Carlow College, and the motherhouse there (1964-66) and spiritual director of Saint Paul Seminary (1966-73).

In 1973, he was appointed pastor of Holy Innocents Parish and, in 1986, was named pastor of Saint Philip Parish, Crafton. In 1990, he was named administrator of Sacred Heart, Pittsburgh, and became pastor there in October 1993.

Bishop Winter is chairman of the diocesan College of Deans and headed the Parish Reorganization and Revitalization Project. He has also served as a member of the Diocesan Theological Commission (1968-69), dean of the Southwest Deanery (1974-77 and 1986-89), a diocesan consultor (1974-77, 1986-present), a member of the Canevin High School board (1975-79), a judge in the diocesan tribunal (1976-1989), a member of the Theological Committee for the Pennsylvania Conference on Interchurch Cooperation (1976-1990), a member of the Pennsylvania Conference on Interchurch Cooperation (1991-1998) member of the Priest Council (1979-81 and 1986-present), a consultor for the Priesthood Candidate Admissions Board (1986-present) and a trustee for the Clergy Benefit Plan (1987-1999).

Mrs. Rita Ferko Joyce

Rita Ferko Joyce is a canon and civil lawyer who has served as General Counsel for the Diocese of Pittsburgh since 2002. She began her service to the Diocese as a canon lawyer in 1995 as Case Director for the Office of the Tribunal, and continues presently as a Collegiate Judge in the Diocesan Tribunal.

Prior to joining the Diocese she worked for 15 years in a general legal practice in Pennsylvania and Ohio representing individual clients and non-profit religious communities and entities. She graduated from Duquesne University and its School of Law.

Rita earned a MA in Theology from the University of Dayton, leading to the study of Canon Law at Katholieke Univ. Leuven, (Louvain) Belgium where she was awarded a license in Canon Law.

Rita has served as a member of several national boards including the former Legal Resource Center for Religious, the Board of Governors of the Canon Law Society of America and as General Convention Chairperson, and chair of the Civil and Canon Law committee for the Society. In 2010, Rita was elected Vice President, President elect of the Canon Law Society of America, and is the first lay person to hold the position since its founding in 1939.

As General Counsel she serves the diocese in various capacities and is a member of the Bishop's Senior Staff. In that role she is a member of numerous diocesan corporate boards such as Catholic Cemeteries Association, St. Anthony Programs, Serra Catholic and Bishop Canevin High School Boards, and is the current chair of the Pittsburgh Catholic Board.

She is married to Dr. Patrick M. Joyce Director of Stewardship & Development for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, a member of the BLS Class of '67. Rita is the mother of two adult sons, Jesse married to Haley and Matthew married to Nakita both in 2010. Rita and Pat are members of Holy Trinity Parish in Robinson Township.

Mr. William A. Steidle Jr.

William A. Steidle Jr. graduated The Bishop's Latin School in 1966, then Duquesne University and graduated from Duquesne University School of Law in 1974. He was a partner at several law firms in Pittsburgh including Attorneys Aides and Elder and Steidle before joining the diocese in 1983.

He gave many years in service to the law by assisting many people in the parishes and schools throughout the diocese. He was known by every principal and pastor and offered them legal advice to assist them in their ministry. He was a principled man of the highest integrity. He was passionate in his unrelenting voice on behalf of the protection of children. His work on internal diocesan committees proved that he was a consummate professional, willing to take even unpopular positions if he believed this was necessary to protect children.

Bill passed away on March 8, 2010 after a long illness.The Bishop's Latin School Alumni is honoring him posthumously at the 2011 Awards Dinner. Bill's brother, John, will accept the John Cardinal Wright Award in Bill's behalf.