Although Masses have been temporarily suspended in the Diocese of Greensburg because of the coronavirus outbreak, parish members may want to conduct a home prayer service.  One consideration is a Spiritual Communion.

Toddlers through 5th grade children of Our Lady, Queen of Peace and Saint James Parishes, and their extended family members, are invited to participate in a ‘take-out’ kids fest [in light of the coronavirus outbreak].  Participants are to call [724-478-4958] or email [dsummerhill@dioceseofgreensburg.org] the parish office with your child(ren)’s name(s) and phone number.  A kids fest packet of crafts, tattoos, snacks, and a Bible lesson will be prepared for you to pick-up at the parish office. Because of the unemployment situation at this time, there is no cost for the Trolls Kids Fest packet.  Those who are interested in participating are to contact the parish office by Monday, June 1.

Because of the coronavirus our weekly offertory collections have decreased dramatically and our fundraising activity has come to a halt.  As a result, Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish will experience significant deficit spending for the fiscal year.  Needless-to-say, we are in need of income to aid the parish. One new source of income will be a year-round rummage sale in the basement of the church.  Items will be priced and left in the basement year-round.  We will hold a sale one weekend a month:  Saturday morning and early afternoon, and Sunday after Mass.  Starting date to be determined. People may drop off 'new' donations year round, and these 'new' contributions will be priced prior to the next monthly sale.

          Over the past 2 months many people have been cleaning house. Please consider donating any sellable items to our fundraiser. We are in need of knick-knacks, small appliances, small pieces of furniture, collectables, etc. We are not accepting clothes, used mattress or box springs, headboards without footboards or frames, cribs with drop sides, car seats, entertainment centers, furniture that is not in good condition, TVs, computers [keyboards, monitors, mouse], typewriters and fax machines, console stereos, console sewing machines, suitcases without wheels, exercise equipment, organs or pianos, bowling balls, guns or bows and arrows, and broken items or items with missing parts.

          We invite you to contact the parish office at (724) 478-4958 for drop-off and/or pick-up information.

The Diocese of Greensburg will allow parishes to recommence Holy Mass on June 1. At this time parishioners will be required to wear masks, remain six feet apart, and sit in every other pew. Additionally, the Sign of Peace will no longer include a handshake, instead we will turn to the person next to us and offer a reverential bow. All communicants will be encouraged to receive the Sacred Host in the hand and the chalice of the Precious Blood will not be offered to the congregation.  For the foreseeable future, all people will remain dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays. Those who are elderly or have a medical condition that puts them at greater risk for serious complications from this disease should especially use this dispensation. Additionally, those who feel vulnerable because of their age or health are encouraged to stay home, while those who are sick should not attend public Masses. Various streaming Masses will continue.

Beginning Friday, May 15, our partner parishes will be unlocked and will re-open for private prayer. Because our confessionals do not meet safety requirements, confessions will heard at alternate locations by appointment only. Since the public celebration of Mass is prohibited for the foreseeable future, all people will remain dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays.

Toddlers through 5th grade children of Our Lady, Queen of Peace and Saint James Parishes are invited to an outdoor movie night ‘drive-in’ style [in light of the coronavirus outbreak] in Saint James Parish parking lot on Friday, June 12, beginning at 8 p.m.  Participants will remain in their vehicles.  Hot dogs, popcorn, rice crispy treats, and juice boxes will be provided. Because of the unemployment situation at this time, there is no cost for the event.  Those who are interested in participating are to call or email the parish office with your child(ren)’s name(s) and phone number by Monday, June 8.  In case of inclement weather the event will be held on Friday, June 19.