Catholic bishops in Pennsylvania reinstate obligation to attend Mass

Catholics in Pennsylvania will soon again be required to attend Mass.

Bishop David Zubik of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced Thursday along with bishops across the state that a special dispensation issued during the covid-19 pandemic will be lifted on Aug. 15.

During normal circumstances, Catholics are obligated to attend Mass on Sundays and on “Holy Days of Obligation,” unless illness, disability, severe weather or another pressing circumstance prevents them from going.

Now that public health restrictions have relaxed, Zubik said it’s time for Catholics to go back to church.

The dispensation began in March 2020.

“More and more people are returning to our churches to celebrate the sacraments and for other events that reflect who we are as the Body of Christ,” Zubik said. “I thank God for their faith and for this opportunity to worship Him together and to receive His healing grace in the Eucharist.”

Bishops from across Pennsylvania issued an announcement, saying, “It is time for everyone to return to the Eucharist with renewed faith and joy.”

The Rev. Ken Zaccagnini was joyous. He is a pastor at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Lower Burrell, and also Mt. St. Peter, St. Joseph and St. Mary of Czestochowa in New Kensington.

“No question about it. I’m excited to hear that,” he said. “But I need to compliment the people at the parishes I serve because they’ve done a very nice job of coming back to Mass slowly and cautiously and safely. Our numbers have really been growing steadily since we opened back in June. I know that we’ll get back to the congregation size that we had before the pandemic, because people have shown that desire to come back.”

In the Diocese of Greensburg, Bishop Larry J. Kulick also shared enthusiasm about gathering for Mass after the pandemic had disrupted religious gatherings throughout the world.

“It is a blessing to be able to reunite with our faithful, to rejoice in the message of the Gospel and share in God’s grace through the Eucharist together,” he said.

Online Mass encouraged for the ill

Zubik is encouraging parishes to continue online streaming Masses. He urged those who are ill or may carry a contagious illness to stay home.

“Many, many shut-ins have come to appreciate such beautiful opportunities for them to be connected to the Church,” he said. “Those who are legitimately excused are also encouraged to view a broadcast of the Mass, which is intended for those who cannot participate in person.”

Pennsylvania’s bishops said the obligation does not apply to “those who have serious anxiety about being a part of large groups at this time.”

The Diocese of Greensburg was unable to provide exact figures on Mass attendance during the time when the special dispensation was in effect, but pastors have reported that Mass attendance is “steadily increasing” even before the obligation is reinstated, said diocesan spokesman Paul Paterra.

The Rev. Tom Burke, pastor of St. Mary Magdalene Parish, a group of three churches in Pittsburgh’s East End, is happy to see more people returning.

“We’re not totally back to normal, obviously, but it’s a step in the right direction,” he said. “I’m hopeful that by reinstating the obligation that people will come back to Mass and back to some type of normal routine.”