Late last night, we had more changes issued by our Bishop
Here are the key points:
- We are no longer opening our Churches; they will remain locked at all times
- We are no longer able to offer confessions in churches or in the parking lot.
- We are no longer scheduling funerals; memorial Masses may be done after
- All weddings are postponed until the crisis subsides.
- All scheduled baptisms are postponed until the crisis subsides.
This is what we are doing:
- We have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament available 24/7 via a tabernacle in the front window at St. John the Baptist Church. We are looking to set this up at St. Joseph and Our Lady of Joy Churches as they have doors visible to the parking area.
- Our priests are continuing to have private Masses in each church and livestream when possible (every day at 9 a.m.; Monday and Wednesday at 6:30p.m. and several on the weekend).
- Our priests are praying for all our parishioners at every Mass. Livestream Masses are simulcast on Facebook. Anyone may share their prayer intentions for us to add to our prayers in the comments section on our Facebook feeds.
- We will livestream Holy Week Services for Palm Sunday and Triduum
- If someone is near death, we can anoint with special procedures if the person is in a personal home. At nursing homes or other institutions we can only offer general absolution over a PA system to those wishing to receive "last rites."
- While we may no longer schedule funerals, direct burials are encouraged, but we will reschedule memorial Masses for those deceased at a later date.
- We are continuing CCD, RCIA, Youth Ministry online for two weeks now.
- Our two parish schools have had a full week of online instruction already.
- All scheduled events in May are still hopefully scheduled as planned.
Giving During this Crisis by Envelope
- Thanks to those who have mailed in donation envelopes. Please mail to 444 Saint John St, Pittsburgh, PA 15239 as there are two priests there to help get these processed.
- Thanks to those who have dropped off envelopes. Now that churches are locked, the only two ways to drop off envelopes for OPV is at St. John rectory and Our Lady of Joy rectory at the office/residence main door mail slot.
- We may be able to place drop safes at St. Irenaeus and St. John (we'll let you know if we do).
- Especially at this time, checks are preferred to cash.
Online Giving
Thanks to those who have set up online giving. This really the easiest way year round even outside of a crisis. With online giving, we don't need money counters to count and it is more secure and safe. Please note these details if you have set up an account:
- If you set it up last week for OPV and are not a SJB parishioner, you might have received a notice that it was received for St. John. That's correct, but we can move the donation to the proper parish. As of this weekend, we now have accounts for each parish set up. You can set up a new account for your proper parish or continue as you have. If you need any help with this, contact Dave Hall, our business manager, by phone or email (412-793-4511 or business@opvcatholic.org
- If you donate online, there are minimal charges for processing paid to banks and credit cards. The least cost is to have a direct debit from your bank by entering the bank details in your account. The second least cost is to use a debit card. The final option is to use a credit card. You can also select the option if you would like to cover the costs for the online transation. Whatever you are able to do is fine as the charges are very small.
The two attachments contain the more detailed Diocesan updates.
I am healthy and so are Father George, Father David and Father Jinto. We are online regularly offering our private Masses and praying for you. Thank you to those who have reached out to us to offer assistance or prayers for our health.
In Christ's love,
Father Kevin
