Grouping 101 

The Clergy Team along with Marian, and Elaine, would like to prepare for the celebration of First Communion.  There are a number of items to bring to your attention.

First, we are wishing to schedule First Communion on Saturday mornings.  The following schedule has been established:

11 July            11:00 AM        8 Candidates   ASP (limit of 80 people)

18 July            11:00 AM        18 Candidates SBP (limit of 180 people)

25 July            11:00 AM        18 Candidates SBP (limit of 180 people)

1 Aug              11:00 AM        16 Candidates HSP (limit of 160 people)

Please visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0c45aeaf2fa5fd0-grouping to register the date for your child to receive communion.  You are welcome to participate in any of the four sessions, first come, first served.  If other arrangements need to take place, let Marian or Elaine know.

When the Sign Up Genus asks for the “quantity” attending, please select ONE (1), your child, unless you have multiple children receiving Communion.  You are welcome to put the number of guests in the comment section.  If you select a quantity that includes your guests, it bars others from registering.”

 Second, we are concerned about maintaining the proper health and safety protocols of the Diocese and PA Health Department.  Therefore, we are asking you to limit the numbers in attendance to your child and nine (9) others.  We will be live-streaming the Masses on our Facebook page – www.Facebook.com/PittsburghCatholicGrouping101.

As for some further details, I mention the following:

     All adults are required to wear masks or face coverings.  We ask that they be appropriate to the sacred nature of the liturgy.  Your child who is receiving Communion need not be masked.  I know how fussy children can be with them and it is best that they are not burdened by it. 

     Upon arrival in the church, we ask that you sanitize your hands.  A pump or spray bottle will be offered to you.

     Your child and all family/guests should occupy the same pew, as long as you are comfortable doing so.  You will be directed to be seated every other row.  Your child should be seated at the end of the pew along the center aisle. 

     To maintain the dignity of the celebration, we ask that you refrain from taking pictures in the center aisle. 

     Details will be given that day as to the procedure for receiving communion.  It is hard to explain in a letter such as this. 

     Afterwards, there will be no group picture taken.  We ask that any pictures you wish to take be done outside the church building. 

     The three of us Priests – Fr. Jim Mazurek, Fr. Miro Stelmaszczyk, and I – will be scheduled to these Masses based on our rotation to cover the other Masses each Saturday. 

Finally, Marian has shared with me that some of our St. Bonaventure families need to complete assignments.  If there are difficulties doing so, please be in touch with her.    

If there are any other concerns or issues, please feel free to raise them with any of us.  On behalf of my brother Priests, our directors, and catechists, we look forward to sharing in the joy of First Communion with you and your child!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. James R. Gretz, D.Min., M.T.S.

Permission to Live stream the music in our services obtained from OneLicense with license #A-718998

Whether you were a product of Catholic Education and/or proudly sent your children or grandchildren to Catholic schools, you know the value of a Catholic Education.  Catholic Education reinforces the core foundation of our faith to encourage a lifetime of service to God, our church, and the community.  At this time, our North Hills Regional Catholic Elementary Schools are facing unprecedented challenges due to the Covid-19 crisis, and we need your help. Our traditional financial model is being tested as families may be unable to pay tuition due to job losses, fundraising efforts driven by community gatherings have been all but halted and the suspended physical assemblies for Masses have reduced collections earmarked for education across the diocese.  

We are asking for your support to help us sustain our schools in this time of need. If you have the means to help, Diocesan parishes and schools need to continue to receive your donations to aid in this most important mission of Catholic Education. 

Please refer to the attached flyer for details on how you can help or visit  www.nhrces.org/donate 

We thank you for your consideration!