St. Titus Church- Titusville recently issued the following announcement.

SOME THOUGHTS FROM FATHER PACKARD… Brrr!!! It’s cold outside! It is as I write this to you for this weekend. Frost warnings for two nights in a row. The furnace kicked in more than once over the last few days. But let’s not forget that last Tuesday was the first day of fall. Who doesn’t want fall to enter gradually instead of overnight? But by the time you are reading this, the days for the latter part of this week have been a little warmer. So, get ready – cooler days are in store for us now. But who doesn’t like autumn? Living where we do, it is a beautiful time of the year as we watch the fall foliage surround us with vivid colors. Just a reminder. We are all encouraged to get our flu shots as soon as possible. 

There are reminders to have this done everywhere you look. I got mine this past week at a drive-thru clinic. Didn’t even have to get out of my car. Just drove up and rolled up my sleeve and that was it. With the COVID19 pandemic still with us, we are all being warned of the importance of getting a flu shot, so don’t procrastinate – just do it! It’s especially important for those of us who are 60 years of age or older. This past week, Bishop Persico and the members of the Presbyteral Council revisited the COVID19 protocols that have been in place in all parishes of the Diocese of Erie since May 21, 2020. How will these modifications affect our parish Church of St. Titus? Beginning this weekend, we will begin to allow seating in every other row of pews. Instead of sitting in every third row of pews, seating will be changed to accommodate persons in every other row, while still maintaining the required “social distancing” that has been mandated. We have redesignated the blue stripes on the ends of the pews so please be aware of this change. Families may sit together but all others in any given pew should distance themselves by being six feet apart. Hand sanitizing before receiving Holy Communion is still in effect. Also, please use the hand sanitizer dispensers when entering and leaving the Church. 

This is not just for your benefit, but it benefits everyone else gathered in our Church for worship. Please do your part in abiding by these necessary protocols. The Bishop has also given us the green light to begin once again the distribution of Holy Communion to the sick and homebound of the parish. Beginning with the First Friday of October, October 2nd, home visitations will resume if the persons give their consent. We will also begin to resume singing during our weekend Masses. This will include only the sung parts of the Mass, but no singing of hymns. What is RCIA and is it for me? RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. If you answer YES to any of the following questions, then RCIA may be for you: 1. A non-baptized person? 2. Baptized as Catholic but were never confirmed or received Holy Communion? 3. Baptized, made First Communion but never had any religious instruction beyond these sacraments? 4. Non-Catholic interested in knowing more about the Catholic Faith? For further information, contact Father Packard at 814-827-4636 ext. 3. Hope to hear from you soon! October 4th is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi! In honor of Saint Francis, we will be having the Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 4th at 12Noon. This is an opportunity for all parishioners to have their pets blessed in honor of St. Francis, the patron saint of all God’s creation. Over the past number of years we have had a wonderful response from members of our parish wishing to have their pets receive this special blessing. Those wishing to participate are asked to bring their pets on leashes, harnesses or in appropriate cages. There will be treats for them as well as a special St. Francis medal for each pet. So bring your dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, etc. 

Remember that pets are part of the family and are part of God’s creation. Weather permitting we will gather on the patio outside of the Church for this blessing. If the weather is inclement, we will have the blessing in the Gathering Space inside our Church. Together we will give praise to God for all of creation in honor of St. Francis!! We will practice social distancing and everyone should wear an appropriate face mask. I look forward to greeting all of your “special members of God’s family”! By now everyone should have received your packets of registration materials for Faith Formation in the mail. The forms need to be updated and returned as soon a possible to the Church or to the Parish Office or placed in the mail. All forms are due by September 29, 2020. If Crawford County keeps their virus counts under control, we would like to plan on having our first session of Faith Formation on Wednesday, September 30, 2020. According to the schedule, Grades 2, 3, and 11 would meet that week. Grade 11 will meet in the High School Room, and Grades 2 and 3 will meet in the Third Grade Room upstairs. Classes will begin at 6:30PM. Everyone will use the right side staircase for going upstairs and the left side staircase for going downstairs. 

Everyone must wear a face mask and stay socially distant. Also that night, we would like one parent from each family to come in and pick up materials for children who will not be meeting that first week. These materials the children will use at home and the parents will need to guide their child through the lesson using on-line lesson plans and activities. To reduce on the number of people, we would like to start the pick-up at 6:45PM. Families whose last names begin with N – Z should come after 7:15PM. If your child is in Grades 2, 3 or 11, they will receive their materials during class. You do not need to come in for a pick-up of materials unless you have students in other grades. All parents must wear a face mask. We are excited to get our Faith Formation Program to begin and we are excited for everyone to see this year’s new program! We look forward to seeing our Youth and their parents! St. Titus parish continues to be able to have public worship each week! Thank you to everyone for following the necessary protocols we use in Church. 

Your cooperation is so important for us to be able to gather each week for Mass. Thank you, too, for your continued financial support of our parish that helps us with the day-to-day obligations we have in maintaining St. Titus Church! Let us continue to be vigilant in being safe during these challenging and uncertain times. Please practice social distancing, wash or sanitize your hands often, wear a face mask when in public places, and respect yourselves and one another. Keep praying for whatever is needed to help restore us to normalcy again. Keep a smile on your face – even though it is covered up! Have a wonderful week and God bless you all! Father Packard

Original source can be found here