Greensburg Diocese restricts activities
The Catholic Diocese of Greensburg said Thursday that Catholics aren’t obligated to attend Sunday Mass because of the concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.
It also stated that all large group non-liturgical parish and diocesan gatherings, will be canceled beginning Saturday. The popular fish fries will be open for sit-down meals in the churches on Friday, but will be restricted to takeouts beginning Saturday and the remainder of the Lenten season, until notified otherwise, the diocese said.
The announcement came after a joint conference call with bishops from around the state.
While Sunday Mass will remain open, Bishop Edward Malesic, in concert with the other bishops in the state, decided that Catholics will not be obligated to attend Sunday Mass beginning this week.
The church also is suspending, until further notice, the clergy providing nonessential homebound and nursing home pastoral care, the Greensburg diocese said in a statement. Clergy will continue to respond to pastoral emergencies, including life-threatening situations where people require the Anointing of the Sick or Viaticum — the giving of the Eucharist to Catholics near death.
For the duration of the coronavirus outbreak, Malesic strongly urged the faithful to consider receiving communion in the hand rather than on the tongue.
The decision to cancel sit-down meals for the fish fries held by so many parishes “takes into account the health and safety of employees, volunteers and participants,” Malesic said in a statement.
Takeout services at the fish fries still are permitted, as long as all existing food preparation protocols are in place and being followed, Malesic said.
Church fundraising events also will be canceled, Malesic said.
To remain updated with communications, recommendations and actions taken by the Greensburg diocese to combat the spread of the coronavirus, text “Faith” to 724-305-3057. Communication is available on all diocesan social media outlets — Facebook, Twitter and Instagram — and at www.dioceseofgreensburg.org/healthalerts
Joe Napsha is a TribLive reporter covering Irwin, North Huntingdon and the Norwin School District. He also writes about business issues. He grew up on Neville Island and has worked at the Trib since the early 1980s. He can be reached at jnapsha@triblive.com.
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