THE FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT ISSUED BY BISHOP ZUBIK, ON FRIDAY, MAY 14, FOR THE DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH, REGARDING UPDATED COVID DIRECTIVES:
Yesterday, the CDC announced that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask in most settings. The state of Pennsylvania has adopted these recommendations effective immediately.
Therefore, in continued alignment with local, state, and federal health guidelines, effective immediately, the fully vaccinated may attend Diocese of Pittsburgh Masses and all gatherings on parish property without wearing a mask. To accommodate those who are not fully vaccinated, and those who may feel more comfortable seated around others who are wearing a mask, a section in every church will be maintained for mask wearing.
“Fully vaccinated” is defined as being 2 weeks after a second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. People who don’t meet those requirements are not considered fully vaccinated and must keep taking all precautions.
As a reminder, at this point, federal and state directives on eliminating social distancing do not go into effect until May 31, 2021.
“As we have seen at several points throughout this pandemic, health guidance and directives can change rapidly,” said Bishop David Zubik. “I continue to express my gratitude for the flexibility of the faithful, and the hard work of our clergy and their parish teams in implementing the changing directives into our parishes. Our loving Lord has seen us through our masks and is here with and for us during this next transition.”
From Fr. Dan
I think it is safe to say that everyone is eager to move past the whole COVID experience and on to a pre-pandemic level of activity and behavior. With more and more people being vaccinated and a slowing rate of new infections, we can now hear GOOD news for a change, such as the above statement from our bishop, and see the “light at the end of the tunnel” getting brighter!
It appears that, as we move into June, our liturgical celebrations, parish activities, and use of parish facilities may start to look more like they did prior to March of 2020. We'll anticipate doing away with distancing requirements and having our churches open to full capacity. As has been the case throughout this pandemic, directives sometimes change very quickly -- and efforts to comply with those directives can be challenging at times. As always, your understanding, patience and cooperation are extremely important and greatly appreciated.
There will be more information in future Flocknote messages and bulletins as to what positive changes we can look forward to in St. Catherine Labouré Parish.
Parish Office Reopening - Monday, May 24
One important step forward, which will happen on Monday, May 24, is the reopening of the Parish Office located in LeGras Hall at our St. Louise de Marillac site. Although the parish staff has done a tremendous job of keeping things on track as we’ve moved through these difficult times (some working remotely, some coming into their offices, and some doing a mixture of both), as a Catholic Christian PARISH community there is no substitute for personal interaction. The tables that were placed in the entrance of LeGras Hall, to serve as a place to drop-off and pick-up all kinds of items, have seen heavy use and have gotten quite cluttered at times. As of May 24, one will be able to come into the parish office in person. AND, if one is fully vaccinated, there is no need to wear a mask. (Those who are not fully vaccinated will need to continue to wear a mask over their nose and mouth when inside LeGras Hall for any purpose.)
Thank you for your understanding, patience and cooperation!
In each of the first three weekends of May, we had special Masses in which the 2nd grade boys and girls of our parish will receive their First Holy Communion!! To allow these children and their families to celebrate this special sacramental moment, and because of limits on the number of people we can have present in our churches, there were six Masses in all, to accommodate the 135 children of this year’s First Communion Class. Please keep these children and their families in your prayers.
Custodian Needed
A full time custodian is needed at Saint Catherine Labouré Parish, Saint Louise de Marillac site. Duties include but not limited to Church, Parish Office, and School cleaning, parish and school event set ups and teardown, grounds garbage collection and sidewalk snow removal. Position is 40 hours a week with benefits. Weekend and weekday hours. Potential for additional earnings by working party set up and cleanup.
If interested, please contact Mike Buechel at 412-833-1010 to set up an interview. You must have the required diocesan clearances before starting the position.
If interested, please contact Mike Buechel at 412-833-1010 to set up an interview. You must have the required diocesan clearances before starting the position.