Modifications to Ash Wednesday rituals

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February 12, 2021
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Modifications to Ash Wednesday rituals

GREENSBURG – Faithful parishioners in the Diocese of Greensburg are preparing to celebrate Ash Wednesday on Feb. 17. Masses will be modified this year to protect their health and safety as part of the Diocese’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The traditional contact between the celebrant and parishioners will be eliminated, as COVID-19 cases remain high in the four counties served by the diocese: Armstrong, Fayette, Indiana and Westmoreland.

Ash Wednesday is a day of prayer and fasting that marks the start of the Lenten season leading up to Easter. Traditionally, ashes are placed on a person’s forehead in the shape of a cross as a reminder that we come from dust and will return to that state at death. This year, the Diocese will follow United States Conference of Catholic Bishops guidelines that allow ashes to be sprinkled on the heads of the faithful, preventing direct contact.

An Ash Wednesday service will be celebrated by Bishop Larry J. Kulick at 11:45 a.m. from Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, 300 N. Main St., Greensburg, and will be livestreamed. The Mass will be available on the diocesan website, www.dioceseofgreensburg.org, Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Parishioners can find the times for Masses on their parish websites.

The diocese has had safety protocols in place at Masses, and services such as weddings, baptisms and funerals. Visitors must wear masks and must adhere to social distancing requirements, sitting six feet apart. There also is a dispensation of the obligation to attend Mass for the foreseeable future.

Kulick encouraged the continued patience of the faithful as the Diocese continues to navigate through the pandemic.

“I know we are all very anxious to return to some normalcy,” Kulick said. “We pray and know with God’s grace that we will get there.”

Ash Wednesday services

Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg – Masses at 11:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The 11:45 a.m. Mass will be available on the diocesan website, www.dioceseofgreensburg.org, Facebook page and YouTube channel.

St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Kittanning – Word service at 12:05 p.m. Mass at 7 p.m.

Holy Family, West Newton – Mass at 8 a.m.

St. James, New Alexandria – Masses at 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. with confessions to follow Masses.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Indiana – Mass at 7:30 a.m.

St. Thomas More University, Indiana – Masses at 12:10 p.m. and 7 p.m.

St. James, Apollo – Communion service at 7:30 a.m. Mass at 7 p.m.

Our Lady Queen of Peace, East Vandergrift – Mass at noon.

St. Rita, Connellsville – Mass at 8 a.m.

Immaculate Conception, Connellsville – Mass (ecumenical service) at 12:10 p.m.

St. Aloysius, Dunbar – Mass at 5 p.m.

St. John, Connellsville – Mass at 6 p.m. The mass will be live streamed.

St. Joseph, Everson – Masses at 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

St. John the Baptist, Scottdale – Mass at noon.

Our Lady of Grace, Greensburg – Mass at 6:45 a.m. Liturgy of the Word at 12:10 p.m.

St. Benedict, Marguerite – Mass at 9 a.m. Liturgy of the word at 6 p.m.

St. Barbara, Harrison City – Masses at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Ascension, Jeannette – Masses at 8 a.m. and noon.

St. Edward, Herminie – Mass at 11 a.m. Service at 6 p.m.

St. John the Evangelist, Latrobe – Mass at 9 a.m.

St. Rose, Latrobe – Mass at 6 p.m.

Saint Vincent Basilica, Latrobe – Masses at 6:50 a.m., 8 a.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The 7 p.m. mass will be live streamed.

Mother of Sorrows, Murrysville – Masses at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Liturgy of the word at 12:15 p.m.

St. John the Baptist, Perryopolis – Masses at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Holy Family, Seward – Liturgy of the Word at 9 a.m. Mass at 7 p.m.

St. Sylvester, Slickville – Mass at 8:30 a.m.

St. Ambrose, Avonmore – Liturgy of the word at noon

St. Matthew, Saltsburg – Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Regis Trafford – Masses at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Service at noon.

St. John the Evangelist, Uniontown – Mass at 8:30 a.m. Word service at 12:10 p.m.

St. Joseph, Uniontown – Masses at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

St. Mary (Nativity), Uniontown – Masses at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

St. Therese, Little Flower of Jesus – Word service at 12:05 p.m. Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Florian, United – Masses at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Christ the King, Leechburg – Masses at 12:10 p.m. and 6 p.m.

St. Gertrude, Vandergrift – Masses at 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

St. Francis of Assisi, Footedale – Masses at 8 a.m., noon, 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

St. Cecilia, Whitney – Mass at 8 a.m. Service at 7 p.m.

Sacred Heart, Youngstown – Brief prayer at noon. Service at 5:15 p.m.

St. Mary, Mother of God, Yatesboro – Word service at 9 a.m. Mass at 5:30 p.m.

Holy Cross, Youngwood – Mass at 8 a.m., Midday prayer at 12:10 p.m. Evening prayer at 7 p.m.

Simon and Jude, Blairsville – Masses at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

St. Peter, Brownsville – Mass at 7 p.m. Distribution of ashes at noon.

St. Cecilia, Grindstone – Masses at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

St. Lawrence, Cadogan – Mass at 8 a.m.

Christ Prince of Peace, Ford City – Liturgy of the Word at noon and 6 p.m.

St. Bartholomew, Crabtree – Masses at 8 a.m., noon and 7 p.m.

St. John the Baptist de La Salle, Delmont – Masses at 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

St. Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, Export – Liturgy of the Word at 12:10 p.m.

St. Hubert, Point Marion – Mass at noon

SS Cyril & Methodius, Fairchance – Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Joan of Arc, Farmington – Masses at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

St. Mary, Freeport – Masses at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

St. Bruno, Greensburg – Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Paul, Greensburg – Mass at 8 a.m. Service at 12:15 p.m.

Immaculate Conception, Irwin – Masses at 7:45 a.m., noon and 6:30 p.m.

Holy Trinity, Ligonier – Masses at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

St. Margaret Mary, Lower Burrell – Masses at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The Epiphany of Our Lord, Monessen – Mass at 8 a.m. Service at 6 p.m.

St. Pius X, Mt. Pleasant – Service at 12:05 p.m. Mass at 6 p.m.

Visitation of the Blessed Mary, Mt. Pleasant – Mass at 7:30 p.m.

Mount St. Peter, New Kensington – Masses at 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Liturgy of the Word at 4 p.m.

St. Joseph, New Kensington – Liturgy of the Word at 7:30 a.m. Mass at noon.

Church of the Resurrection, northern Indiana County – Masses at 9 a.m. (Heilwood), 10:30 a.m. (Glen Campbell), 5 p.m. (Rossiter) and 7 p.m. (Clymer). Services at noon (Clymer) and 6 p.m. (Ernest).

St. Agnes, North Huntingdon – Masses at 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Liturgy of the Word at noon.

St. Sebastian, Belle Vernon – Mass at 8 a.m. Service at 4 p.m.