[naviga:h3]Pittsburgh Diocese to reopen churches[/naviga:h3]

The Diocese of Pittsburgh is preparing to allow churches to reopen for private prayer, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The changes will take effect Friday when four more counties in the diocese — Allegheny, Butler, Greene and Washington — will move to the state's “yellow” level of reopening.

The first phase, starting Friday, includes the following:

All previous directives remain in effect.

Limited funeral Masses and weddings continue, with cleaning/sanitizing guidelines in place, expanding to groups of no more than 25 people.

Churches will be permitted to open for private prayer with safety guidelines in place including seating in designated areas only, the use of masks, hand sanitizers, and social distancing.

Churches will open for Confessions. Confessionals do not meet public health safety requirements, and as such, Confessions will be heard at posted times and in a manner that preserves the sanctity of the. Sacrament.

Livestream Masses and prayer services will continue.

[naviga:h3]Marty's Marchers lunch canceled[/naviga:h3]

Thursday's Marty's Marchers monthly luncheon at Grace @ Calvary Lutheran Church, 123 E. Diamond St., is canceled.