Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
For the past few months we have been celebrating Masses in our parish halls in a way that could be safely done. The Centers for Disease Control, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Allegheny County Health Department, and the Diocese of Pittsburgh recommend three primary ways to help attenuate the spread of COVID-19: proper hand washing/sanitizing; proper physical distancing of 6 feet; and proper/correct use of a face mask.
After consultation with Fathers Joachim and Canice, and after discussion with, and the unanimous agreement from our parish grouping advisory council, in accord with the diocesan guidelines, we are happy to announce that we will be returning to our respective churches for Masses next weekend (August 29/30). The pews designated for use will be clearly marked.
Most importantly, we remind you that if you have been exposed to someone with the COVID-19 virus, are not feeling well or are definitively ill, please stay at home and call your doctor or other healthcare professional. To be sure Bishop Zubik has dispensed all Catholics from attending Mass; however, if you are healthy please consider returning to Mass. If you choose to stay at home, the spirit of the dispensation assumes you will watch Mass on EWTN, or by some live-stream option through the internet. Again, no one is obligated to attend Mass in person at this time.
Thank you for your patience in all of this, but more importantly, thank you for your faithfulness to our Lord and to our Catholic Faith.
In the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Father Jean-Luc, OSB
Father Joachim, OSB
Father Canice, OSB