A Pastor’s Heart: Bishop Mark Eckman’s Journey of Faith and Service

In this warm and wide-ranging talk, Bishop Mark Eckman shares the story of his vocation, his path to the episcopacy, and his hopes for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Speaking with humor, humility, and a clear pastor’s heart, Bishop Eckman reflects on his upbringing in St. Valentine Parish in Bethel Park, the people and experiences that shaped his priesthood, and the way prayer guided each major turn in his life.

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He begins by thanking the women of Magnificat for their witness of faith, emphasizing that their pursuit of holiness strengthens the whole local Church.

From there, he recounts how a 7th grade teacher introduced him to conversational prayer, how a confirmation prayer for vocations first took root in him, and how a conversation with a parish priest in high school helped him begin to discern a call to the priesthood.

Bishop Eckman walks listeners through his formation at St. Paul’s Seminary and St. Vincent Seminary, his ordination in 1985, and the many roles he held over the years: parochial vicar, high school chaplain and teacher, pastor, vicar for clergy, auxiliary bishop, and eventually Bishop of Pittsburgh. Along the way, he shares memorable moments from parish life, his love of planning and organization, and his longstanding commitment to serving wherever the Church asked him to go.

A major theme of the conversation is service rooted in prayer.

Bishop Eckman explains his episcopal motto, “To serve in faith and charity,” and describes his diocesan listening sessions focused on how parishes can strengthen the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. He outlines his desire for a pastoral plan centered on charity, unity, and practical expressions of Christian love.

The episode also includes a lively Q&A, where Bishop Eckman discusses who a bishop reports to, what helps him sleep peacefully at night, how laypeople can live their faith simply and faithfully, how parents can nurture children in the faith, and why he is hopeful about priestly vocations and young adults entering the Church.

This episode offers a compelling portrait of a bishop who sees himself first as a pastor: grounded in prayer, attentive to people, and committed to helping the Church love God and neighbor more deeply.

Topics covered

• Bishop Mark Eckman’s upbringing in Bethel Park and St. Valentine Parish
• Early influences on his vocation
• Seminary formation and priestly ordination
• Parish ministry, education, and diocesan leadership
• Becoming auxiliary bishop and later Bishop of Pittsburgh
• His episcopal motto: To serve in faith and charity
• Listening sessions across the diocese
• Vocations, evangelization, and signs of hope in the Church
• Practical advice on prayer, parenting, and living the faith

Key themes

• Prayer as the starting point for discernment
• Charity as the practical expression of faith
• Pastoral leadership rooted in service
• Hope for the future of the Church
• The importance of Catholic witness in daily life