In response to President Trump’s news conference this afternoon, calling on governors to allow places of worship to open this weekend, Bishop Zubik explains that we are maintaining our previously announced schedule.

   “As Catholics, our faith is essential to our lives, and it is encouraging that our churches are recognized as essential nationwide. As we have since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Diocese of Pittsburgh will continue to follow all public health guidelines. We are working carefully toward our goal of gathering again for worship, with appropriate health and safety measures in place. We have outlined our reopening plan in our guide, Moving Forward Together, which our pastors and their parish teams have been reviewing and using to prepare to reopen for daily Mass starting June 1, 2020 and weekend Masses on June 6-7.  The guide is available at www.diopitt.org.”

   At St. Joan and St. Louise, our clergy and staff have been working to begin offering daily Mass beginning on Monday, June 1, the soonest time we are able according to our bishop's decision.  We plan to follow with Sunday Masses on June 6-7 as we are permitted. Please appreciate the needed planning and the measures we will ask all parishioners and visitors to our churches to observe, in order to comply with the above-mentioned public health guidelines and diocesan policy.  We all are very much looking forward to welcoming you all back to celebrate the Eucharist together in our churches.  I sincerely ask you to please be patient and cooperative so that we can proceed with these next steps.

   Thankful for your attention and, as always, with prayers,