Following social distancing and other safety precautions, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh is permitting priests to offer daily Mass on Monday and weekend Masses starting June 6 and 7.

According to a media release, parishioners will be required to wear masks, use hand sanitizer, and maintain social distancing of six feet (side-to-side, as well as front and back). Only 25 percent capacity will be permitted in churches, officials said.

“I ask for your continued prayers and patience as we find our way back home to our churches together,” Bishop David Zubik said in the statement. “May knowing that Jesus is there waiting for us in the Holy Eucharist give us the strength we need to continue to navigate through these challenging times.”

Zubik went on to thank clergy and their parish teams.

According to diocesan officials, pastors will determine a method to control attendance so it does not exceed allowable limits.

However, while churches are permitted to open for daily Mass, not all will do so. The decision to reopen rests with pastors, who need to base their decisions on a number of factors, including their ability to comply with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines with regards to cleaning and sanitizing protocols.

On Monday, churches also may open for private prayer and confessions, weddings, funerals and baptisms, with no more than 25 people in attendance.

The bishop reminds parishioners that the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains in effect and live streaming Masses will continue.

The diocese has a new Moving Forward Together tab on its website geared toward helping parishioners with what to expect as they return to worship together in church. To access those resources, go to: https://diopitt.org/moving-forward-together.