When Will You Return To Church?

[Colleen Steele]

There is a lot of talk in the news this week about reopening churches,synagogues and mosques. What are your thoughts about attending services again at your place of worship? Will you return right away or wait the virus out a little longer? How will you protect yourself if you do start attending your place of faith again? How are your practicing your faith while at home?

I’ve been making use of on-line Mass and praying privately. Personally, as much as I miss attending Mass, if they open their doors again soon I won’t be returning just yet. I would rather wait things out a little longer but that’s me, what are your thoughts?

[Jen Cueva]

@colleensteele, our pastor send us a message yesterday that our church will not open until at least June 6th. I have heard in the media that some are open already. My Dad lives in a small rural area, and their church started back last week. I asked if it looks different. He said the pews are spread out, and they have hand sanitizer. They have a small congregation, but he said that they had about 10-15 people attend last week.

I, like you, am not planning to attend anytime soon. I can watch it live streaming each week. I also have had a chance to watch my cousin’s church in another state during this time. This is something that I have thoroughly enjoyed.

Has anyone else found another service to watch besides your own during this pandemic?

[Janet Barry]

I’ve been attending daily mass for two weeks now. My cardiac surgeon discharged me from his care and back to my cardiologist so I thought it was probably safe as long as I adhered to rules and regulations. We have not been open for all to attend until this Sunday. We will not be in the church but are using our parish hall which allows for social distancing. It is set up with chairs, not pews which are spaced appropriately. Our daily mass attendees have increased from about 8 to about 20. Since Sunday will be the first time we are open for all parishioners. We know that everyone will not attend but we can accommodate 120. Usually we have about 400+ at each of three masses. We plan to have people use their computers to watch the mass on Facebook in their cars in the parking lot. Our pastor plans to bring communion to the cars. Everyone is socially distancing wearing face masks, and washing hands before entering and before receiving communion. I know everyone will be happy to return to our normal worship.
Blessings to all of you.
Janet

[Jen Cueva]

Hi, @jbarry28, that is excellent news that your surgeon has released you back. I hope that you are feeling stronger as you recover. Did you complete rehab?

It sounds like your church is taking steps to protect everyone. Do you wear a mask during the mass? I know for me this would be difficult as it makes me struggle more for air. I know that many churches are doing their live streams on Facebook. I was wondering how they did communion. I know that those who cannot attend inside will appreciate the “drive-thru” communion.

Stay safe, continued prayers for your recovery.

[Colleen Steele]

@jenc I have only watched Mass on-line from my own parish so far, but I’ve been enjoying you-tube and tiktok videos of creative ways clergy from other places of worship have been lifting the spirits of their congregation. My favorite is a priest in Ireland skipping to an Irish jig after a service. Another funny one is a priest baptizing a baby with a water gun. Have you seen either of those?

[Colleen Steele]

@jbarry28 it sounds like your health has started going in a better direction. I’m happy to hear it! Your church is the first I’ve heard of the pastor offering communion from car to car. I think that is wonderful! That’s what I’ve been missing the most. Having the option to watch Mass from FB is helpful but not being able to receive communion has been hard.

Catholic’s drink from the cup for communion and I’m wondering if that is going to change for the long-term. My in-laws are Lutheran and they receive the wine from individual little cups. I wonder if that is what Catholic’s will start doing.

[Jen Cueva]

Hi @colleensteele, I have not seen those. I do not have TikTok, but the videos sound funny. I think that having social media has helped the places of worship reach their audiences during this COVID. I have heard of some interesting ways that they do this.

In my Dad’s small church, they had service in their cars for weeks. He did not go. He said that was not a drive-in movie- hehe. I am guessing since they are an older small church, the members are older, so maybe not up on social media.

[Janet Barry]

Thank you, Jen. We’re not receiving the communion cup. I’m thinking we probably will not for a very long time.
Father has offered “drive through” reconciliation.
I start cardiac rehab on Monday. We do wear masks which I find quite uncomfortable, but I endure. We use sanitizer upon entering the hall, sanitize hands again prior to receiving, place the mask under our chin when Father approaches and extend our hands towards Father as far as possible.
Thank you for your prayers.

[Jen Cueva]

@jbarry28, I am happy that you are finding your religious services available in some form.

I, too am not a fan of wearing the masks. It makes me feel like I am suffocating. I have been trying to purchase a Vogmask since January and they are sold out, still. Theirs offer a valve that helps that suffocating feel. Many transplant patients use these. Colleen and another post-transplant friend told me about these.

Wishing you the best at cardiac rehab. Stay safe. Thank you for your positive thoughts.

[Colleen Steele]

@jbarry28 I agree. I don’t think the cup will be used again for a long time. I wouldn’t be surprised if another option such as individual little sip cups replace that practice all together.

As Jen mentioned, the Vogmask is much more comfortable and washable. You can order them from Amazon.

Good luck with your cardiac rehab. Keep us updated on how it is going and have a nice weekend.

[Jen Cueva]

@colleensteele, I am still unable to find one on Amazon. The Vogmask website now says a new supply at the end of June. I was told last month, May 23. I am still waiting and checking in every few days.

@jbarry28, here is the Vogmask site, in case you want to sign up for email notifications. They said that they would let me know once the new supply arrives. If anyone sees any before then, please let me know.

[Jen Cueva]

I wanted to update here to see if anyone else is seeing this. This morning, I received an email from our local pastor. We are taking reservations for the first church services that will be next Sunday, June 14. I understand that we will only have a limited number of guests, never thought that I would see when churches and other places of worship are taking reservations.

Have y’all seen this? Will this be a new norm for places of worship? Let’s talk about this.

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