Churches: Our churches are closed, even for private prayer. Although it breaks my heart to do this I think it’s important to stick to this. What we do now in controlling the spread of the virus, hopefully, will pay dividends in three weeks from now. Namely, if someone needs medical attention or a hospital bed, it will be available for them.
Masses: In the meantime, we priests are celebrating private Masses with the Mass intentions which people have scheduled. We will be posting those in the weekly parish bulletin which is available on our webpage. As the virus continues to develop, please use the form on our webpageto list the name either of someone who has the virus or someone who is on the front line such as a health care worker. We will print the list daily and place it on the altar as we celebrate daily Mass.
We are working on having a video feed to broadcast this Sunday’s Mass on our web page at St. Benedict, at 4 pm on Saturday. It will be archived for people to watch it whenever they like. In the meantime, daily Mass is available online from St. Mary’s Downtown and St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh. Bishop Zubik is leading the Rosary online every day. See our website for information.
Communication: There are three online presences for our three parishes: 1) Our website at: www.sbapeters.org 2) Flock Notes (text and E-Mails from the parish and 3) Parish Facebook page. Please refer to our website on how to get on Flock Notes and the Parish Facebook Page.
Feeding the Soul: There will be a Facebook Live broadcast of a Family Catechesis program. Details will follow.
We’re looking to do regular broadcasts of Scripture Study and some other things to have some interaction between the parish and you. We’re open to suggestions. Email the faith formation office at: faithformation@sbapeters.org
In the meantime, for daily prayer at home the Scripture readings for daily Mass are wonderful as we approach Holy Week and are readily available online. Two sources of solid reflections are: The Word Among Us at: wau.org and the Jesuits in England at: pray-as-you-go.org.
Sick and homebound: We have a Master List of the sick and elderly, who receive regular visits from the parish. We will be calling them regularly on the phone to check on them.
***We anticipate many needs developing over the upcoming weeks. We are putting together a group of people interested in helping those who will be in need in our three parishes – e.g. meals or shopping or whatever the needs may be. If you would like to be involved, please contact the Parish Office at 724-941-9406 ASAP.
Please check back for updates as things continue to develop. Please keep one another in prayer by praying the Prayer For A Pandemic on the home page.