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Churches Prepare To Celebrate Second Easter Since Beginning Of Coronavirus Pandemic

www.hippopx.com

Easter Sunday is one of the most important dates in Christianity and because of that, it’s a day when church pews are usually packed, but due to the coronavirus, many church buildings were empty last year. 

Thanks to declining case counts as well as the vaccine, some congregations are preparing to meet in person this year, while following CDC safety precautions. 

At St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in North Logan, church members have been practicing these safety measures like social distancing and mask-wearing since the beginning of the pandemic.

 

Leaders expect that this Easter Sunday attendance will be at maxim capacity and they are prepared to make accommodations as needed. They have a schedule for Holy Week, with a variety of time frames for mass services to allow for social distancing.

 

“We follow the same rules that we’ve had, the social distancing, use of masks. For the last year, we’ve had the same rules, we do the same every weekend, the people have done a really good job and there isn’t anything different. We follow the rule of six feet and the people respect it, if the amount of people increase we haven’t had any problems, they follow the same rules of the six feet plus the mask," said Father Rogelio Felix. 

 

Easter Sunday is also General Conference for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this year, which means local in-person meetings will not be held. Henry Vera is the first counselor in his ward’s bishopric in the valley and said they are still reaching out to help people in their community remember Holy Week. 

“We are talking to the people, with the members of the church, with the non-members. Talking to them about Holy Week and the opportunity we have to be grateful with God for giving us life every day,” said Henry Vera.

 

Vera said the pandemic has taken a lot from us, such as loved ones that have passed because of COVID-19, but that this virus has also brought us together in humanity and has given us a softer heart to seek God in these times of need.

 

“COVID has certainly taken lives and has also served us to help others, so their hearts can turn more to God," Vera said.

 

When it comes to worshiping in person on other weeks, Vera said they are still taking precautions and inviting anyone to participate in their services.

 

“The people can still attend with the measures that are taking place," Vera said.

 

Click here for information about worship services at the Catholic church this weekand click here for some ideas for celebrating Holy Week.

Jasmine Meza is a bilingual reporter at UPR. She writes stories in English then translates them to Spanish so you can read both versions on our website. She works to inform Spanish speakers about updates related to COVID-19, or events happening in the area.