Masses to resume June 1 in Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese

The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced new directives as it resumes Masses next week.

Daily Mass will begin Monday, June 1, and weekend Masses will begin June 6 and 7.

Parishioners will be required to wear masks, use hand sanitizer and maintain a social distance of six feet at all phases of the diocese’s reopening plan, according to a news release.

“I ask for your continued prayers and patience as we find our way back home to our churches together,” Bishop David Zubik said in a statement.

No more than 25 people can be in attendance for daily Mass on June 1, in addition to private prayer, weddings, funerals and baptisms, Zubik said. Social distancing of six feet and other safety guidelines must also be followed.

During weekend Masses, churches may open up to about 25% seating capacity to allow parishioners to adhere to social distancing.

Beginning Monday, June 8, and continuing until further notice, Zubik said daily Mass will also increase to 25% seating capacity. As the weeks progress, the percentage rate may also increase.

Masses will continue to be livestreamed as they have been since mid-March.

Zubik also said that while churches are permitted to open for daily Mass in June, it should not be expected that all churches in the diocese will do so. The decision to reopen will be that of the pastors. According to the release, the diocese is offering support to pastors and parish teams as they assess their spaces and ability to meet health and safety guidelines.

Zubik had announced intentions to resume worship with a strategic plan earlier this month, as much of Western Pennsylvania moved into the yellow phase.

The Diocese of Greensburg will resume in-person Masses June 1 with similar precautions in place.