St. John the Evangelist & St. Rose

               It is with joy and gratitude that His Excellency, The Most Reverend Larry J. Kulick, JCL has appointed The Reverend William G. Berkey as the new Pastor of St. John the Evangelist and St. Rose Parishes, effective June 24.
     Father Berkey is currently the Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Western Fayette County.  As many of you probably know, Father is a native son of St. Rose Parish and was ordained to the Priesthood in 2002. 
     It may very well be in God’s Providence that, as I prepare to begin my new assignment as Pastor of my home parish in Ford City, Father Berkey will be returning to his home community of Latrobe as well. 
     I would ask that you keep Father in your prayers as he begins this period of transition, and that you continue to keep me in your prayers over these next few weeks as welI. 
     I will have a chance to bid farewell to everyone from our partner parishes the weekend of June 12 & 13 at a reception following both the 5:00 Mass at St. John and the 10:30 Mass at St. Rose. 
     I assure you that both Father Berkey and I are praying for all of you who are a part of our beloved community of faith.
Gratefully in Christ,
Father Dinga

General:

•  It is strongly encouraged that face coverings be worn by everyone while in church.
•  No restrictions on Seating Capacity.
• It is not necessary to block pews such as to maintain six foot distancing.
• Cleaning/Sanitizing required regularly.
• High-contact surfaces should be sanitized once each day.
•  Doors should be kept open to reduce contact points.

• Hand Sanitizer should be available at church entrance.
• Holy Water Fonts are to remain empty.
• Vessels may be provided to enable the faithful to obtain Holy Water for use at home.
•  Baptismal Pools are to remain empty.
•  Reusable Hymnals are permitted.
•  Receptacles for Offertory Envelopes should be provided.
• Baskets are not to be passed through the Assembly.
• The Procession of Gifts remains suspended.
• Vessels with Bread and Wine are to be kept at the Credence Table.
• The Sign of Peace is to be exchanged in a non-physical fashion.
• Restrictions remain in place for Communion from the                                Chalice
  • Concelebrants continue to receive by Intinction.
  • Restriction maintained on Reception from the Chalice by Deacons.

Liturgical Ministers

• All liturgical ministers (includes Ushers, Greeters, Altar Servers, Communion Ministers, Readers, Cantors, Instrumentalists, etc.) must wear a face covering while in church. 
  • Readers and Cantors may remove face coverings during the exercise of ministry, provided they are able to maintain six-foot distancing from other persons.
  •  All ministers to Hospitals, Nursing Homes, and other Care Facilities must wear a face covering.
• Priests and Deacons must wear a face covering:
  • During the distribution of Holy Communion.
  • Any time their ministerial role brings them within close proximity (six foot) of other persons.

Music Ministry:

• Choirs and Scholas are prohibited.
  • Healthcare officials have advised us that choirs produce a sizeable amount of aerosols, which can promulgate the spread of coronavirus more readily. Effective immediately, choirs are to postpone all activities, including practice or singing at Liturgy, until after September 6. This policy will be regularly evaluated. Further guidance will be provided.
  • Wind instruments are permitted.
  • Brass and woodwind players should use a bell cover when playing their instrument.

Pastoral Practices:

• Vessels for the Bread to be consecrated and distributed to the assembly are to be placed, on the Altar, at some distance from the Priest Celebrant.
  • The “priest’s host” is to be placed in a vessel separate from the bread for the assembly.
  • Large Concelebrants’ hosts are prohibited.
• Hand sanitizing is to be practiced before, during, and after the distribution of Holy Communion:
  • After receiving Holy Communion, Priests, Deacons, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are to put on a face covering.
  • Once the face covering is secure, all Communion Ministers are to sanitize hands.
  • During the distribution of Holy Communion hand sanitizing is to be employed:
    • When contact is made with a communicant.
    • Following the distribution of Holy Communion on the tongue.
    •  
  • Following the distribution of Holy Communion all Communion Ministers should sanitize hands.

Please consider donating to Unbound, a ministry promoted by Fr. O'Shea, that strives to build lasting connections between people of vastly different cultures, and to give assistance to the impoverished. To donate, or look into the ministry itself, please visit the Unbound Outreach page put together by Fr. O'Shea:

Unbound

To stay continuously updated with communications, recommendations, and actions taken by the Diocese of Greensburg to combat the spread of the coronavirus, text "Faith" to 724-305-3057 to sign-up for important text message alerts. Up-to-the-minute communication is available on all diocesan social media outlets - Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram - and on its website: www.dioceseofgreensburg.org/healthalerts

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) has become popular with parishioners for their offertory monthly donation especially during this difficult time. The parish sends confidential and secure payment files to the bank for the 4th and the 15th of each month, whichever day you choose, to have your monthly offertory deducted from your account (savings or checking). If you are interested in enrolling, please either pick up a form in the vestibule or contact the offices at either
724-537-3709 or 724-537-8909

Another way to be able to consistently offer your giving is to use the link below from the diocesan website.  Of course, you may always continue to bring or mail in your envelopes to the parish offices as well.  Thank you for your generosity and support as we strive to move forward together as best we can. 

https://www.dioceseofgreensburg.org/giving/Pages/Parish-Giving.aspx