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getting ready to go back to church
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Reopening News
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September 16
Saint Benedict the Moor elementary school will be closed for in-person instruction effective September 17, 2021, and will resume on Monday, September 27, 2021. School administrators learned of eight positive COVID cases involving members of the school community in the past four days.Read More -
August 17
Schools of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh will begin the 2021-2022 school year with mandatory masking indoors for students, faculty, and staff -- regardless of vaccination status -- unless medical or developmental conditions prohibit their use.Read More -
August 6
As variants of the COVID-19 virus continue to spread, the Diocese of Pittsburgh is updating safety procedures at Mass and Bishop David Zubik is urging everyone to get vaccinated and to wear masks when indoors with others.Read More -
July 15
Bishop David A. Zubik is overjoyed to join all the Catholic bishops of Pennsylvania in reinstating the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days, starting August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.Read More
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YOUR MASS REOPENING GUIDE
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FAQ about safe practices at Mass
Am I obligated to attend Mass?
- No one is currently obligated to attend Mass. Bishop Zubik will continue to live stream Sunday Mass from St. Paul Seminary.
- If you feel ill, are older than 64 or have health issues, you should stay home, due to your higher risk from COVID-19. If you need pastoral care, contact the parish.
How many people can attend Mass?- Effective Memorial Day, May 31, 2021 and until further notice, all Diocese of Pittsburgh churches may be open at 100% seating capacity.
- Bishop Zubik encourages pastors to consider maintaining an area of pews marked for socially distanced seating to accommodate parishioners who may feel more comfortable attending Mass in that way.
How will people be kept safe from the spread of germs?- The fully vaccinated may attend Diocese of Pittsburgh Masses and all gatherings on parish property without wearing a mask.
- Everyone must use the hand sanitizer available at church entrances.
- There will be no holy water, offertory procession or exchange of the sign of peace.
How will I receive Communion?- To avoid contaminating the minister’s fingers with saliva, everyone is strongly encouraged to receive Communion in the hand. Gloves cannot be worn while receiving Communion in the hand.
- Those who choose to receive on the tongue must tilt their head back and fully extend their tongue until the host is placed there.
- The Precious Blood will not be distributed, due to the risk from saliva.
Because this situation is fluid, things can change easily. We will remain in alignment with local, state, and federal health and safety guidelines.
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how will churches be cleaned?
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Each parish will have a COVID-19 Safety Team, including a health professional. The team will train, clean, sanitize and the evaluate whether those efforts meet federal guidelines. It will determine all the items that must be cleaned and disinfected before and after each church service, such as pews, tables, doorknobs, light switches and bathrooms. Porous surfaces such as carpets must also be regularly cleaned.
Cleaning staff are to wash their hands before work, wear a face mask and gloves while cleaning, and disposing of the gloves after each use. They must clean all objects and surfaces on their list with a disinfectant federally-approved to kill COVID-19, and record every item they clean.
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receiving communion on the hand is encouraged for everyone's safety
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Many of us have strong beliefs about why we choose to receive in the hand or on the tongue. Our different choices should never divide us but unite us in our love for Jesus in the Eucharist. In light of how the COVID-19 virus is transmitted, however, we encourage each person to receive Communion in the hand until it is again safe receive on the tongue.
Communion on the tongue carries a much greater danger of spreading the COVID-19 virus through saliva, a primary carrier of the virus. Priests frequently get saliva on their fingers when they place the host on someone’s tongue. While our guidelines require priests to immediately sanitize their hands if they believe they have touched someone’s mouth or hand, the risk to the priest and to the next communicants in line remains far higher when Communion is given on the tongue.
The Church declared in 2004 that Catholics have a right to receive on the tongue. However, given the threat from COVID-19 in saliva, it would be a sacrificial act of Christian love for those who normally receive on the tongue to temporarily receive in the hand. This is an opportunity to give up something we treasure, for a limited time, in order to preserve the life and health of our sisters and brothers. Offer it up as a sacrifice to end the pandemic or for any holy desire of your heart.
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join bishop zubik virtually for mass
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Stream live Mass and prayer with Bishop Zubik
Though Masses have resumed, Bishop Zubik will continue to live stream Mass at 10:00 am every Sunday from the chapel at St. Paul Seminary. Click below to pray virtually with him.
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guard against the coronavirus
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We urge everyone to follow the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Protection and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
These include:- Covering coughs or sneezes with elbows instead of with hands.
- Washing hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer.
- Cleaning surfaces frequently, including countertops, light switches, cell phones, remotes, and other frequently touched items.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Staying home if you are sick, until you are feel better.
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healthy practices in catholic schools
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Keeping our students educated and safe
The health, safety and well-being of our students, staff and families is a top priority at our schools. As the pandemic continues, students are wearing masks and following safe social distancing protocals in schools. Parents, students, and staff will be notified if a school temporarily moves to virtual learning due to a positive COVID-19 case.
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faith at home resources
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We are here to help families and faith formation leaders with free tools, prayers, and activities.
Click here for family resources
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