As counties move into the yellow phase of Governor Wolf’s reopening plan, parishes and other entities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh will need to be prepared to adopt the new guidelines. Some current shelter restrictions will be lifted, but additional requirements will be in place for public spaces. As such, our reopening process will be gradual, and in continued alignment with public health and safety guidelines, so that we may respect life, and the well-being of all. Due to the nature of the virus, these guidelines are fluid and may change with little advance notice. Our strategic reopening plan includes phases based on comprehensive recommendations from the diocesan COVID-19 Task Force in coordination and consultation with state and regional healthcare leaders. We have, and will continue to be vigilant in doing our part to help ‘flatten the curve’ of the spread of COVID-19.
On Friday, May 22, 2020, we in Beaver County joined the rest of the Diocese in the "yellow phase" of reopening as a result of the corona virus pandemic. The churches in our parish grouping are now unlocked for private prayer, but please abide by the restrictions posted there, including masks, sanitizing, social distancing and using only the portable chairs, not the pews. This is so only the chairs need to be cleaned daily, not all of the pew surfaces.
All visitors MUST follow public health directives including: wearing masks, honoring the 6-feet social distancing requirement, and that congregating is not allowed. Through all of this we have seen in so many ways that Christ is with us always!
As Catholics, we believe that Christ becomes truly present within the Blessed Sacrament during the consecration at Mass. As promised by Him, His Presence is abiding, not something that vanishes at the conclusion of Mass. In order for the Faithful to honor the Eucharistic Presence of Christ outside of Mass, a priest or deacon removes the sacred host from the tabernacle and places it in the monstrance on the altar for Adoration by the Faithful. During Eucharistic Adoration, we can sit silently in His Presence and open ourselves to His graces which flow from the Eucharist. By worshiping the Eucharistic Jesus, we allow God to transform us and walk away with great peace, being renewed by God himself.
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“Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the Sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us. The Eucharist is a priceless treasure: By not only celebrating the Eucharist, but also by praying before It outside of Mass, we are enabled to make contact with the very Wellspring of Grace.”
— St. Alphonsus Liguori
The above weekly Adoration Times as public paraliturgical gatherings have been temprorarily suspended due to the COVID-19 situation. However, you are welcome to make private visits in accordance with the current directives.
Please note that currently every Friday at the Church of St. John the Baptist, Monaca, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed from 1:00PM to 2:00PM; also, on Fridays at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Hopewell Twp., following the 8:30AM Mass until 10:00AM (adjusted to 9:45AM to accommodate funerals).
Anima Christi, sanctifica me.
Corpus Christi, salva me.
Sanguis Christi, inebria me.
Aqua lateris Christi, lava me.
Passio Christi, conforta me.
O bone Iesu, exaudi me.
Intra tua vulnera absconde me.
Ne permittas me separari a te.
Ab hoste maligno defende me.
In hora mortis meae voca me.
Et iube me venire ad te,
Ut cum Sanctis tuis laudem te
in saecula saeculorum.
Amen.
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Your wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from You.
From the malignant enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death, call me.
And bid me come unto Thee,
That with all Your saints,
I may praise You forever and ever.
Amen.
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Our Seminarian David Schmidt offers some thoughts on Eucharistic Adoration during this time of COVID-19 and social distancing.
Jesus in the Real Presence, David states, patiently calls to us: "He yearns to spend time with us; He is love, and all He desires is for us to share this love with Him in return."
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Though Masses and various religious services, parish activities and events are cancelled in the Diocese of Pittsburgh due to the coronavirus, many resources are available to help us live out our faith.
To access a sampling of these online resources, CLICK HERE.