Beginning October 3rd, A maximum of 600 people are allowed to attend Masses at Saint Anne Church and 322 people are allowed to attend Masses at Saint Winifred Church. We ask that you please be prepared to don a mask while inside church buildings and practice social distancing from members of the congregation. Registration is not required to attend Mass. Sanitizing stations will be available for congregants upon entry. As a reminder, the Holy Eucharist will be offered during the Mass. Reception is permitted by hand and by mouth; however, the Holy Eucharist may not be taken by hand if you are wearing gloves.
Weddings, Funerals, and Baptisms are permitted with 50% capacity of the church building (600 people at Saint Anne Church, and 322 at Saint Winifred Church). Please contact the Main Office for information or to schedule (412) 531-5964.
Confessions will be held every Tuesday from 5:15 p.m.-6:16 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m. in the confessional. Confessions will be offered at Saint Winifred Church from 4:45 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. on Saturdays.
Organizations that would like to reserve space for meetings should contact the Parish Office to make requests. Attendees will be expected to wear masks and practice social distancing on the property. Staff members will arrange for sanitation between meetings. Please email Rachel with requests and inquiries at rwanovich@stpaulofthecross.com.
The Parish Office at Saint Anne Church is open. Office hours are Monday and Wednesday between 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and Sundays from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
The Faith Formation Office at Saint Winifred Church is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12pm-6pm. Our Faith Formation staff can be reached via email or phone. Their contact information can be found
here.
As the pandemic continues, I would like to encourage everyone to continue to follow the health safety requirements that have been put into place for Masses in churches of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Recently, as many people desire to get back to Mass, but because some local parishes have yet to resume their pre-Covid schedules, our parish has been experiencing an increase in attendance at many of our weekday and Sunday liturgies. In many cases this has brought newcomers to our parish – a positive development to be sure! All are welcome at Saint Paul of the Cross Parish, and we have worked hard to make our liturgical schedule and Masses as normal as possible. Many of you have expressed appreciation for that.
However, at the same time, because some of the newcomers are unfamiliar with our church buildings and safety procedures, concerns have surfaced, many reasonable, some not.
In any event, by way of reminder, for everyone attending Masses in either Saint Anne Church or Saint Winifred Church, the following apply:
- Sanitizing of hands upon entering the church
- Wearing of a facemask for everyone over two years of age
- Facemasks are not required for those with certain medical conditions. There are several people in this category, so it is best to follow our Lord’s injunction to withhold judgment in this regard.
- Social distancing (sitting staggered and every other pew for weekday Masses – and sitting in the seats where the worship aids are “strategically” placed for Sunday Masses)
- Maintaining adequate social distance (6ft) in the Holy Communion line
- Families and those residing in the same household may sit together without social distancing
- Liturgical ministers sitting in the sanctuary are not required to wear masks
- If one feels uncomfortable for any reason, the bishop’s dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation remains in effect
My hope is that people will be attentive to these guidelines so that we will continue to be able to continue to provide for the Sacramental needs of all who come to our parish. It is impossible for Fr. Richard, myself or the ushers to police people at Mass; therefore, we are counting on you, in Christian charity, to be reasonable, mature and, yes, even patient with others.
Updates will continue to be posted on this page, as well as our Saint Paul of the Cross Facebook Page, and via Flocknote updates.
See below for information about streaming Masses, options for prayer at home, and information about online giving.
Please be assured of our continued prayers and support for you during this time of trial.