05/14/2020
Message from the Pastor -Thursday, May 14,2020
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Dearest Parishioners,
He is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Happy Easter everybody! As you know doubt have heard by now, Bishop Malesic has convened a diocesan Committee for Recommencing In-Person Worship and Operations to assist him in making the decisions as to how and when to re-open our parishes. As it will provide a bit of context, I would ask that before reading anymore of this letter, if you have not already done so, please read the diocesan press release from this past Friday, May 8th. You can find it at the diocesan webpage under Health Alerts or click on the link on our website.
Now that you have a bit of context please allow me to shed some light onto just how this First Phase will look for us in Ford City and Cadogan. It appears that this First Phase will last for a couple of weeks. The diocese is moving forward with “an abundance of caution” and evaluating as we go. At the time of this writing, the implementation of the Second Phase has not yet been announced. So, as a reminder, right now, we are only talking
about churches being opened for private prayer and confession, not weekday or weekend Masses.
Regarding the church building at Saint Lawrence: Prior to COVID-19, Saint Lawrence was usually locked anyway during the day. And, because we are doing the live streamed Mass from Saint Lawrence, keeping it locked as we move into this First Phase will allow us to maintain the ‘integrity’ of the space for those who are using it for the live stream. We will continue to live stream the Mass on Saturdays at 5pm as long as we are in Phase One. In addition, please note that, even though it is not a Holy Day of Obligation, we will be live streaming a Mass on Thursday, May 21st at 7pm in celebration of Ascension Thursday.
Regarding the church building at Christ Prince of Peace (CPOP): Beginning Friday, May 15th, it will be unlocked from 11:30am to 3:30pm seven days a week and running through the length of the Phase One. Please be assured that we will be following the diocesan guidelines for daily and weekly cleaning and sanitizing.
Please note that we are encouraging entry into the church only through the rear center doors (facing Fourth Ave). If you are with someone who needs the handicapped entrance, you are encouraged to enter through the rear center doors then go over to the handicapped entrance to let in someone who may be in a wheelchair or walker. However, as a reminder, anyone who is immune compromised is encouraged to stay at home and anyone who is sick – MUST stay at home! Some sort of face covering will be required in the building and visitors are expected to adhere to appropriate social distancing guidelines. Although hand sanitizer may be provided in the church, parishioners are encouraged to bring and use their own as well. And, while any exterior door of the church may be used as an exit, especially in an emergency, visitors are encouraged to only use the rear center doors when leaving the building.
Upon entering the church, you will notice that the entire right side of the church
(St. Joseph side) will be roped off and unavailable for use. The left side of the church (Marian Side) will be roped off to provide for appropriate social distancing and limited seating for ease of cleaning. Signage will be posted appropriately. There will also be a
few metal chairs near the baptismal font if someone does not want to enter the pews.
In addition, all hymnals, missalettes and other material will be removed from the pews. Visitors are welcome to bring in their own reading material but are encouraged to take it home with them when leaving. Please do not place or leave any type of material in the church.
During the ‘shut down’ we always have been permitted to do baptisms, funerals and weddings while limiting the number of participants to 10 or fewer. On Friday, May 15th, the number of participants at these events will increase to 25, again, following social distance guidelines. This increase in the number of participants at baptisms, funerals and weddings will remain in place throughout Phase One unless otherwise noted.
Regarding confessions: During the ‘shut down’, we always have been permitted to do confessions by appointment. Confessions by appointment will continue through Phase One – please call or email Fr. Grote or myself. In addition, confessions will be heard on Saturdays beginning at noon, starting this Saturday, May 16th. All confessions will be heard in the sacristy at CPOP and not the confessional. Please follow the directions as posted in church. In the event of a funeral at CPOP on a Saturday morning, confessions may be canceled.
Please note that all of these plans and directives are subject to change without notice based on necessity and need. I will apologize ahead of time for any inconvenience.
Please be reminded that we are proceeding with “an abundance of caution” for the health and wellbeing of all involved.
On a completely different and unrelated note to these Phase One implications: All liturgical ministers and volunteers at the parishes may be receiving a call or letter from the parish office in the near future to update their clearances. Kim or Susan will be able to assist you with the necessary paperwork and instructions.
Also, I want to assure you that your offertory contributions, DLA contributions, Mass stipends and other financial assistance are being received and processed accordingly.
We hope to be printing the bulletin again shortly as well as providing a transparent picture of parish finances as we transition into a new fiscal year in July. Thank you so much for your continued support of the diocese and of the parishes.
In addition, I want to offer a word of thanks to all of you for your patience throughout this pandemic. We are not ‘out of the woods’ yet, but we are making good progress and hope to continue to do so. Please continue to look out for one another and to check in on the most vulnerable among us. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, regarding this or anything else, please feel free to contact me.
Peace and Easter blessings to all of you,
Fr. Alan N. Polczynski
As concerns surrounding the spread of the coronavirus continue to grow, Bishop Edward C. Malesic has decided to temporarily suspend all weekday and weekend public Masses in the Diocese of Greensburg. The following events are also temporarily suspended: Faith Formation / Youth Group, Stations of the....
