Speak up!
As a native Pittsburgher, your travelogue has me intrigued. You taught me things I never knew about Catholic Pittsburgh, and I suspect that there's much more to discover. Hmmm... could be a book in there. Hint: May/June would be much more pleasant (i.e., less hazy/hot/humid) than July in Pittsburgh.
Its nice to see such complimentary writing about my hometown!
Two years ago, I did a round-up post about all kinds of connections between Pittsburgh sports and Catholicism . When you are at the Heinz Museum, for instance, pay attention to how many rosaries are on display in the Sports History department (I last counted four!).
Will you also be making a side trip to St. Vincent College, an hour east of Pittsburgh?
For tastes of Pittsburgh, can I also recommend (if it doesn't offend you) The Church Brew in Lawrenceville. Their pierogies are out of this world. However, if you want a more pure pierogie experience, you will want to lunch or supper at the Union Grill when you are doing your walk-around Oakland. You may want to see if it is still true, but when last I ate there 2 years ago, they were still buying their pierogies fresh daily from a church-run pierogie kitchen on the South Side. I cpuldn't help but picture little old ladies with covered heads making them while praying the rosary in Ukranian every time I ate there. Oh, and you know Lidia Bastianich has a restaurant in Pittsburgh.
Will you be going to St. Vincent in Latrobe, only an hour a way?
Also, an afternoon at Kennywood is mandatory for any of the coaster enthusiasts. I was surprised when I started moving around the US that some people would be so impressed that I had been to Kennywood (for, like, every marching band trip all through high school).
Oh yeah, regardless of what happens in the NFL in the next three weeks, you will want to leave your Cowboys gear at home. 
Early to mid-summer, huh? We might be around there, too, then.
I'm reading the Moon guide book which seems pretty good...it got me excited about Kennywood.
That pretty much sums it up.
Oh, and speaking of meeting people...you're still on my list of bloggers I want to meet. So if you ever make it up in the direction of MN, I'd be very offended if you didn't let me know! lol
(By the way...the soonest I could get to the Ohio region if the money is possible, is July. So...)
I'd only disagree with one thing you were told: Public transportation is OK but you would really have to be good with a weekend bus schedule to make it work that way. You'd probably want to rent a car or two for your group.
For instance, St. Nicholas Church in Milvalle would be a wonderful place to visit -- and maybe even go to Mass. But, by public transportation, you'd have to use a bus that you might not find to be that convenient. Same goes for the chapel on Troy Hill.
Also, if there are any baseball fans in your group, you may want to consider going to a Pirates game. PNC Park is a wonderful place for a family to take in a ballgame.
Happy travels!
If you're looking for some neat Catholic churches, may I suggest: St Bernard in Mt Lebanon, St Mary of the Mount in Duquesne Heights/Mt Washington, Epiphany and St Benedict the Moor in Uptown. All are accessible via public transportation.
Dormont Presbyterian church (down the street from the Dor-Stop restaurant featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives) is on the National Register.
Duquesne University is really pretty and Handyman Negri from Mr Rogers Neighborhood is on the faculty there. He's a jazz guitarist and plays regularly at the Red Ring (a restaurant on campus).
Get some Morning Cheer coffee at Nicholas (on Market square) to take home. It's the best and they do mail order.
For a side trip, go to the Frank Lloyd Wright designed house Fallingwater, about 90 minutes away.
And a plug for my sister's parish, Sacred Heart, in Shadyside. It's gorgeous. I'm a fan of St. Joseph in Bloomfield, also on the historic registry. Old German parish.
No one's mentioned the Warhol yet? Not even me? I love that place.
PNC park is one of the best ballparks in the US. Too bad our Pirates have been wrecked by years of mismanagement. But the park is cool, and they serve pierogies there, too (pierogies, pierogies everywhere). I'm tryin' to think where you might get to sample some good old halushki, too.
If you eat lunch at the Carnegie, do not say no to the cupcakes. The cupcake trend hit Pittsburgh in the past two years, and while the cupcake-devoted bakeries make pretty cupcakes, those at the carnegie are out of this world.
ok...i am totally homesick
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