PITTSBURGH (100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA) The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh has announced their plans and changes being made to traditional Ash Wednesday proceedings.
On Wednesday, Feb. 17, Catholic Bishop David Zubik will celebrate Mass and preach at Divine Mercy Parish in St. Mary of Mercy Church, Downtown, at 12 noon.
Then at 6:00 p.m. Bishop Zubik will be at Saint Paul Cathedral in Oakland.
Both Masses will be live streamed through the diocesan website, the Catholic Diocese YouTube channel, and also on Comcast channel 95 in Pittsburgh.
Due to the COVDI-19 pandemic, some changes have been made to how Ash Wednesday will be celebrated within the churches.
In directives sent from the Holy See, clergy members are not to make the sign of the cross on the foreheads of others, rather they are to sprinkle the ash on top of everyones head.
This is a common practice in other countries, already.
“It will help the priest or deacon to avoid having direct contact with a large amount of people,” said Father Tom Kunz, diocesan associate general secretary and vicar for canonical services. “This method of receiving ashes is common in other countries.”