Attending Mass at St. Joan of Arc and St. Louise de Marillac

Thank You to all those who have been cooperative, understanding and patient as we strive to gradually re-open our churches. As we have resumed the public celebration of the Mass, many people are eager for things to be as they were before the pandemic. However, we are striving as a Diocese and as a faith community, to move forward in a cautious manner that allows for joining in the celebration of Mass, but also respects the health and safety of all who visit or minister in our churches, and protects the broader community as well.

PLEASE NOTE:

► THE OBLIGATION TO ATTEND SUNDAY MASS IS CURRENTLY SUSPENDED (see point 1 below)

► THOSE WHO ENTER THE CHURCH BUILDINGS FOR ANY REASON, MUST WEAR A MASK COVERING THEIR NOSE AND MOUTH

► WE MUST LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ATTENDING ANY PARTICULAR MASS ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTIVES WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN (see point 2 below)

► FOR THE WEEKEND MASSES ON JUNE 6 AND 7, WE WILL BE ABLE TO WELCOME PEOPLE IN THE ORDER THAT THEY ARRIVE, UNTIL WE REACH OUR CURRENT, SAFE CAPACITY: 200 people per Mass at St. Louise; and 110 people per Mass at St. Joan (see point 3 below)

► DUE TO SPECIAL SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR THOSE DISTRIBUTING HOLY COMMUNION, THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE EUCHARIST WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE END OF MASS

► AS IT IS NECESSARY TO CLEAN THE PEWS BETWEEN MASSES, (and since the Mass will already have been concluded) WE ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO LEAVE ONCE THEY HAVE RECEIVED HOLY COMMUNION.

► ALSO, TO ALLOW FOR THE NECESSARY CLEANING, NO ONE CAN BE ADMITTED TO THE CHURCH UNTIL 20 MINUTES BEFORE MASS.

► PLEASE HELP TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT OUR POLICIES AND PRACTICES REGARDING THE CELEBRATION OF THE MASS BY NOTIFYING YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.

(1) It is important to remember that the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday is suspended until further notice. Therefore, at this present time, a faithful Catholic is not required to attend Mass on Sunday. Thus, watching Mass on TV or internet (and making an Act of Spiritual Communion) is allowable and even encouraged for those who are ill or are in high-risk categories for contracting COVID-19. Another acceptable option, while the Sunday Obligation is suspended, is to attend Mass on a weekday instead of a Sunday. Smaller crowds are anticipated on weekdays and there should not be any concern about being over capacity and thus being unable to maintain safe distances.

(2) Just as every building has a maximum capacity based on fire and public safety codes, and elevators have a maximum capacity based on safe weight limits, so do our churches at present. AS OF THIS WEEKEND, June 6 and 7, our Diocesan Directives are allowing for Mass attendance of 25% of a church’s capacity. This allows for safe distancing. This means that at St. Louise we will be able to accommodate a MAXIMUM of 200 people. At St Joan we will be able to welcome a MAXIMUM of 110 people. It is absolutely imperative that we observe these limits. It is unfortunate, but when we reach our capacity at any given Mass, it will be necessary for those who come after to either go to a later Mass, or watch the Mass on TV or internet. To successfully move forward and return to full capacity, we need to do our best to insure everyone’s safety. That will require the cooperation and patience of everyone who wishes to attend.

(3) For this weekend, we will welcome people to the Mass on a “first-come/first-admitted” basis. In other words, the first 200 people at St. Louise and the first 110 people at St. Joan will be able to participate at THAT particular Mass. Those who arrive after we have reached our capacity will be directed to try and attend a later Mass, return home and watch Mass on TV or Internet, or attend Mass on a weekday when the church will most likely not be at it’s allowable capacity. Should Mass attendance become unmanageable and, thus, unsafe, we will have to re-examine this procedure. While a more structured approach might be necessary, hopefully we will be able to continue to celebrate Mass with a congregation.

Consider Signing Up for Eucharistic Adoration

Eucharistic Adoration will be available every day, 7 days/week from 12 noon until 9 pm throughout the month of June. 'Adorers' may drive up and park near the rectory and pray from their cars. Two spaces will be reserved for those who have committed to an hour and signed up.

Many are taking advantage of this wonderful gift of Our Lord's Presence! Please consider signing up, even if it's a few hours before you come to adoration. It is important to know that we have at least two cars to cover each hour time slot.

Please use the SignUpGenius link below to sign up for your Holy Hour.

Sign Up for Adoration During June

A word of thanks to our parishioners and staff who have continued to work together to schedule our daily Eucharistic Adoration. Thanks also to all of our committed ‘adorers.’ You all have helped provide a much needed and much appreciated opportunity for our parishioners and neighbors to spend time in prayer with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

The Blessed Sacrament will continue to be exposed in the Monstrance, placed in the bay window at the front of St. Louise Rectory (312 McMurray Road, 15241).

Satement from Bishop Zubik on Racial Healing

This has been a tough week. Since the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis at the beginning of last week, we have been confronted again with a number of ugly issues, perhaps the most notable of all the sin of racism. Given the violence which we witnessed in Pittsburgh these past days and the escalating tensions in many major cities throughout the United States, we continue our prayers for peace and calm in the midst of ongoing violent protests following the death of George Floyd.

In 2018, we bishops in the United States released a pastoral letter entitled “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love—A Pastoral Letter Against Racism.” I can think of no better time than now for us to use any opportunity that comes our way to read and reflect on an issue that is as ugly as racism. This is truly a time for us to recognize the effects of that sin, which are stunningly evident in our streets and in our news stories. It is equally important for us to search our hearts to see if that sin is within us.

Read Bishop Zubik's Entire Announcement Here

Read the USCCB's Pastoral Letter Against Racism

Road Closure Notification - June 6 through 13

PennDOT will be closing State Rt. 88 at Clifton Rd. on Saturday, June 6 – Saturday, June 13 to complete a bridge replacement. A pedestrian bridge will be in place to enable local foot traffic to safely navigate the area. Once the bridge is replaced, the road will reopen.

The area will be closed again tentatively from Sunday, July 5 – Sunday, July 12 for a second bridge replacement.

For more information, visit https://gis.penndot.gov/paprojects/Construction.aspx

Thanks for your cooperation!