Posted on 10/01/2020 6:36:17 PM PDT by marshmallow
PITTSBURGH —The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh said parishes will be allowed to increase attendance at Mass to 50% capacity, starting this weekend.
"I actually wanted to do it a little bit earlier, but I wanted to wait to see how things were going to fare following the opening of schools," Bishop David Zubik said Wednesday. He added, "I think people are eager to be able to get back to church."
Parishioners say the decision to increase capacity is significant, easing a mental and emotional burden. Many have expressed a sense of isolation and even loneliness under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"You begin to realize that the large, Christian, practicing family is a huge strength, and you miss that strength. You need that strength. It's like coming home," parishioner Dorrie Donahue said.
Zubik said recent attendance has varied throughout the diocese, with some parishes seeing lower numbers and others as full as they can be.
"What you really miss is the connection of being with people in the same room," Zubik said. "I think it's all part of the struggle we're all having."
The diocese said COVID-19 safety practices must remain in place as capacity increases. Each parish can determine how many people will be allowed inside church for Mass, up to the 50 percent limit.
(Excerpt) Read more at wtae.com ...
Awesome, cool, need to send this to my priest.
Can’t wait till people at my church who arrive together get to sit closer than 6 feet apart. People like my husband. Or people like friends with young children. Yes, let’s continue to keep families apart. Each member 6 feet apart from each other. I say that with sarcasm.
Also can’t wait till I don’t have to wear a friggin mask inside.
Does anyone realize that CoVid was already here before the lockdown, and nobody got sick from going to Sunday Mass? Or any Mass?
I don’t know one person in my town who has even gotten CoVid. I know people in my family who live far away from me who have. Anyone younger than 85 survived.
Open Mass back up, full capacity, no masks required. Those who want to wear them may. I just don’t want to.
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