"A Message from Bishop Mark: Wear a Mask in Church!"

"Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 
 
Someone recently told me that she could hear the sigh of relief recently as restrictions were lifted that allowed for our churches to reopen...
 
I have not heard any criticism about the need for distancing or the way in which the financial offerings of the people are collected in a manner that avoids unnecessary physical contact. 
 
However, there is one concern that is increasingly being brought to my attention. It has to do with the use of face masks. A better way to describe it is the growing number of letters and email messages advising me that people are simply not wearing face masks inside church...

In places throughout the country where businesses have reopened and people are gathering without using face masks, there has been an alarming increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. News reports indicate that the number of confirmed cases in the past month have doubled in many of those places. As a result, the restrictions and closures are being reinstated. 
 
The people of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown have been known as being pro-life. That value and commitment of being pro-life is not limited to being against abortion of children. It extends from conception to natural death. It extends to every human person because we are all made in the image and likeness of God.

The care we have for ourselves and for the well-being and safety of others is found in Sacred Scripture...

We are responsible for each other...

Wearing a face mask is a way in which we can love ourselves, since it is for our individual protection. Wearing a face mask is a way in which we can love our neighbors, so that an invisible virus is not spread from one to another. And remember, there are lots of people who have COVID-19, but they don’t have any symptoms; they don’t know that they have it. 
 
I AM REPEATING MY PERSONAL APPEAL TO ALL OF YOU TO USE A FACE MASK WHEN YOU ATTEND MASS AND OTHER PARISH GATHERINGS..."

Click here to read the Bishop's entire message.