Church Universal

Diocese of Pittsburgh Updates Covid-19 Directives for Parishes & Schools

February 15, 2022

The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh will take preliminary steps to ease COVID restrictions in schools and parishes while remaining committed to protecting everyone’s health and safety.

Beginning in parishes on Saturday, February 26 and in diocesan elementary and high schools on Monday, February 28, masks will not be required, except in limited circumstances.
     
“For more than two years, the leaders in our parishes and schools have worked diligently to protect themselves, each other, and our community from COVID-19,” said Bishop David Zubik.  “We have learned to create safe environments and to quickly adapt when outbreaks require us to exercise greater caution. We thank God that local infections have dropped and pray that our anticipated adjustments will be the first of many steps toward resuming ways of worship and learning that we have all missed so much.”

Effective for parishes on Saturday, February 26:

• Priests, deacons and liturgical ministers in the sanctuary as well as ushers and greeters will no longer be obligated to wear masks at Mass.
• Parishioners will again be invited to share the Sign of Peace.
• Laity can present the gifts of bread and wine used for consecration.
• The distribution of Precious Blood from the cup remains suspended at this time.
• All parish events outside of Mass may be held in-person.  Livestream options for Mass and activities will continue for those who are unable to attend in person.

Effective for schools on Monday, February 28, masks will no longer be required.

• However, masking will continue on school buses, as required by federal law.
• Masks will also be required for anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 for five days after their return to work or school.

The number of new cases of COVID has been steadily dropping in our area, and positive cases have declined in diocesan parishes and schools. Waiting until the end of February to implement these changes allows time for cases to decline further, for hospital staffing levels to improve, and for more people to receive vaccinations.

As always, if the number of positive cases surges in a specific county—or within a specific parish or school—mitigation measures, including mandatory masking, may be reinstated.

Bishop Zubik joins Pope Francis in urging everyone who is eligible to get COVID vaccines and booster shots as an act of love for all people, especially the most vulnerable.

“Getting vaccinated is a sign of our concern for our neighbors. It should be done out of love for our Lord who told us to care for the health of others,” Bishop Zubik said.

The CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and local health officials continue to advise masking at indoor gatherings, especially for those who are unvaccinated or have certain medical conditions. Based on their age, health history, and family considerations, parishioners and school families must make prudent decisions to avoid catching or spreading the disease. Anyone who is sick, feels at risk, is a primary caregiver, or has serious anxiety about being part of a large group at this time is excused from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and may have remote learning opportunities available.

The Diocese of Pittsburgh has 70 parishes, 29 elementary schools, and 7 high schools spanning Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington counties.

— Diocesan News Release found at: https://diopitt.org/news/diocese-of-pittsburgh-updates-covid-19-directives-for-parishes-and-schools

The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, in cooperation with area interfaith leaders and organizations held "A Prayer Gathering for Peace" in solidarity with the Pittsburgh-area Ukrainian community. The prayer service was held at Saint Paul Cathedral in Oakland on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

Welcoming everyone to Catholic parishes – whether they are first-time visitors, longtime members or have been away – is the topic of Bishop David A. Zubik’s new pastoral letter, The Church Welcoming!  “Christian hospitality is one of the most consistent themes in scripture, and something that my family taught me by example from an early age,” Bishop Zubik said. “We need to reclaim this christian virtue, joyfully welcoming all people to our churches with an open heart, so that they may experience the love and mercy of Jesus in the sacraments."  The official release date of the bishop’s letter is the Solemnity of Pentecost, June 5, 2022. Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit to fill Christians with gifts necessary to build the Church. Among them is the gift of hospitality.  To access it online, CLICK HERE.

Below are videos from various sources reporting on the news and topics of the day.

Videos and articles to lend inspiration, stimulate thought, and stir conversation...

The Eucharistic Revival calls every Catholic across the United States to rekindle the fire of love and devotion for the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.  Every Catholic diocese, parish, school, apostolate, and family is invited to be a part of renewing the Church by fostering a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.  This nationwide revival launches on the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), June 19, 2022.  Over the next three years, dioceses will host Eucharistic Congresses and processions.  All of this will culminate in a National Eucharistic Congress, not held in the United States in almost fifty years. From July 17 to 21, 2024, thousands of Catholics will journey on pilgrimage to Indianapolis, IN to personally encounter Jesus in the Eucharist and be sent back out into their parishes and communities.  This will be capped by the International Eucharistic Congress which is scheduled for 2025.

For information on plans at the Diocesan level, go to the Eucharistic Revival page on the Diocese's website. You can also visit the National Eucharistic Revival website for greater details.

Open yourself to deepening your love of the Eucharistic Jesus.

JOURNEYING TOGETHER: 2021 SYNOD

Pope Francis has invited every Catholic  to advise him on how to discern the Church's path forward. This process, called a “synod, ” means “journeying together.”

From now until Spring 2022, Catholics from across the Diocese of Pittsburgh and across the world can share what the Holy Spirit has laid on their hearts. This journey of listening will conclude in October 2023 in Rome. There, Pope Francis will listen to bishops who have been listening to their people worldwide about the best ways for the People of God to help him discern the Church's path forward.
 

Text "Synod2021" to 84576
to receive regular updates on the Synod.

For further information, go to:
https://diopitt.org/journeying-together

DIOCESE RELEASES

LOCAL SYNOD REPORT

August 8, 2022

After compiling input from more than 3,600 people, who for the past months have gathered in parishes, schools, healthcare institutions, religious houses, private living rooms, and various other places, the Diocese of Pittsburgh has released results of the local phase of the two-year worldwide Synod on Synodality in a document entitled Diocesan Synthesis for A Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission.

The Diocesan Synthesis was compiled by a team of diocesan officials, with input from many of the faithful across the diocese. Bishop David Zubik has approved the document. It has since been forwarded to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as part of the synodal process begun by Pope Francis in October 2021.

For further information and access to the Diocesan Synthesis document, visit https://diopitt.org/news/diocese-of-pittsburgh-releases-local-synod-report.

January 6, 2021

With a heavy heart, I have watched
the unfolding, violent protests
at our nation’s Capitol.
To all of you, my sisters and brothers
in southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond:
I invite you to join me in prayer
that our shared love for our nation
will truly unite us.

May God guide us
to respond to the challenges of our day
with a spirit of peace, and of faith, hope and love.
God bless America!  God bless us all!

An online version of the Pittsburgh Catholic is now available!  It offers some of the stories, columns and updates you loved in the printed newspaper alongside fresh, new content to connect you to your faith.  Issues can be downloaded from the site for readers to print for their own reference or to share with others who do not have internet access.  We welcome it back and pray for a successful relaunch.
 

About The Pittsburgh Catholic
Founded in 1844 by the first bishop of Pittsburgh, The Pittsburgh Catholic was a print publication until the COVID-19 Pandemic hit in March 2020.  At that time it was the oldest Catholic newspaper in continuous publication in the United States. The news operation resumed, with an online edition only, in late September 2020.
Access the new online edition by clicking on the image.

The Pittsburgh Catholic is the official news source of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, and serves as a valuable resource for the history of this region.