Governor Wolf has directed that on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31st, all restrictions (except for wearing masks) will be lifted. The current order requiring Pennsylvanians to wear masks will be lifted when 70% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated.
The Governor’s action sets in place significant changes in how we worship and gather. While the lifting of restrictions takes effect several weeks from now, our parishes will immediately work toward that goal. Parish groups and Church related organizations may begin to schedule use of parish property for meetings and gatherings. Non-parish groups will not be permitted to use parish facilities until we determine the extent of parish needs.
Our worship and devotional life will also soon change. Most significantly, all seats in our churches will be available. Plans for the return of liturgical ministries will be put in motion.
We anticipate the diocese will also issue guidelines in the coming days that will give parishes further direction regarding the lifting of restrictions in Pennsylvania.
What does not change is our commitment to hospitality and care for one another. People will be joining us who may be new to our parishes, we need to make them feel welcome. We also need to continue our efforts to safeguard each other’s welfare. This certainly includes the wearing of masks until this is not needed. It also includes not attending worship or gatherings when we are sick. Finally, we need to prayerfully consider how vaccination against the coronavirus impacts our own welfare and that of others, as well as speeding our common “return to normal.”