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getting ready to go back to church
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Reopening Phases
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Your physical and spiritual wellbeing is our priority.
Imagine you're preparing to welcome guests to your home for the first time after quarantine. What are the first two things on your mind? You'll need to clean the house and make sure that guests can receive the food you offer in a safe way.
Now imagine you're welcoming tens to hundreds of people back into a whole church. Every pew and surface needs to be cleaned before the Masses resume, and then between each Mass. The faithful need to receive the Eucharist in a way that won't spread germs. Pastors need to figure out how many people can safely fit in their space, following social distancing guidelines for health and safety. Parish leaders also need to think about simply how to direct people into and out of the building in the safest way.
These are just some of the challenges that our pastors and parish staff face. Reopening will look different at every parish. If conditions change, some may need to temporarily revert to greater restrictions.
Please note: The PA Dept. of Health re-evaluates public health county-by-county on a regular basis. There is the potential for counties within our diocese to move between the color-coded reopening levels at different times. We need to be prepared to adapt to changing directives.
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reopening updates
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July 12
An employee at Blessed Trinity Parish in the South Hills has tested positive for the coronavirus. Out of an abundance of caution, churches and other buildings in the parish will be closed for extra cleaning and sanitizing.Read More -
July 9
A parishioner at St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Bentleyville received a positive result from a COVID-19 test today.Read More
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YOUR MASS REOPENING GUIDE
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How many people are allowed at Mass?
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Because this situation is fluid, things can change easily. We will remain in alignment with local, state, and federal health and safety guidelines. As such, this timeline is subject to change.
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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 Mass and prayers 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?- The number of people attending Mass will be limited by public health guidelines. You may need to sign in so you can be contacted if someone at the Mass is later found to have COVID-19 exposure.
How will people be kept safe from the spread of germs?- You must wear a mask during Mass and whenever you are on church property. Only remove it after you have received the Eucharist and step away to consume the host.
- Everyone must use the hand sanitizer available at church entrances.
- The number of entrances and exits may be limited so they can be continually sanitized. Ushers will direct you.
- Everyone must stay at least six feet apart, except people in the same household, who can sit close together.
- Pews and aisles will be marked so you know where to sit or stand. You will need to keep socially distanced everywhere on church property.
- 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. Only remove your mask after you have received the Eucharist and step away to consume the host.
- 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.
For a printable version of the guidelines, click here.
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will every church reopen for mass?
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The diocese supports pastors' decisions
All of our priests are anxious for the failthful to partake of the Eucharist again. Some pastors may have conditions at their parish that do not allow them to open some or all of their churches right now. The diocese supports them in these difficult decisions.
These circumstances, among others, might prevent pastors/administrators from offering public Masses in their churches:- A parish is not equipped to complete the necessary church cleaning and/or to celebrate Masses in adherence to the reopening guidelines at this time.
- A pastor may have health conditions that he determines make it unsafe for him to celebrate public Masses and open his church right now.
- It may not be possible for a pastor to open and keep sanitary all the worship sites in his parish or grouping. He may choose to only open select sites.
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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 every day
Though Masses are resuming, Bishop Zubik will continue to live stream Mass, adoration, and prayer every day 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:- Adhering to the rules of social distancing.
- 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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Virtual learning keeps students educated and safe.
The health, safety and well-being of our students, staff and families is a top priority at our schools. During this time of social distancing, students are learning from home and our teachers are finding innovative and creative ways to teach virtually.
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faith at home resources
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As families and faith formation leaders continue to learn at home, we are here to help with free tools, activities and ideas.
Click here for family resources
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