Churches across the eight-county Catholic Diocese of Cleveland looked essentially the same on the outside when the faithful returned to Sunday Mass this weekend for the first time in more than two months -- except for notices posted on some doors about safety precautions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Inside, the faithful were greeted with reminders about wearing masks, sanitizing their hands, observing social distancing – including which seating areas were available – and new procedures for the reception of holy Communion.
Despite the changes, Mass-goers expressed joy at being able to be physically present at Mass and especially to receive Communion.
“I’d love to hug you, but I know I can’t. I’m just so glad to see you and everyone and to be here again,” said one woman at Holy Family Parish in Stow, when she saw the pastor, Father Paul Rosing, at the 5 p.m. vigil Mass on May 30.
“Welcome,” said the greeter at St. Agnes + Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Cleveland as she guided people into the church for 8:30 a.m. Mass on Pentecost, May 31, and explained the seating arrangements. “You can sit anywhere you see a bulletin.” Some pews were marked off for social distancing. She also reminded them to sanitize their hands and asked if they needed a face mask. Most had their own, but the parish had a limited supply if anyone needed one.
At Holy Family, Knights of Columbus greeted parishioners inside and reminded them that face masks and hand sanitizing were required. Individually bagged, homemade masks were available for those who did not have one. Hand sanitizing dispensers were mounted to the walls outside the sanctuary doors and additional sanitizer was available in the church.
Blue painter’s tape marked seating areas the faithful were to avoid in order to provide adequate social distancing. Father Rosing said church capacity was capped at about 300. Normally, the church can seat about 900. About 145 people attended the May 30 Mass, which was livestreamed. Another 70 socially distanced chairs were available downstairs in the church hall for overflow seating. Father Rosing said screens were available downstairs for people to watch the Mass.
“We did a survey last week to ask people about their plans to return to Mass,” he said. Results showed about 60% wanted to wait longer to be certain it was safe, while the other 40% said they planned to come back. “Many told us they are excited to be back,” he added.
Meanwhile, at St. Agnes + Our Lady of Fatima, pastor Father Bob Marva, OFM Cap said he wasn’t sure what to expect on Pentecost, especially after protests turned violent in downtown Cleveland on May 30 in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week. He indicated attendance would be limited to 75.
About 30 people attended the May 31 Mass, greeting each other with waves and elbow bumps. “So good to see you again,” one woman said to a fellow parishioner.
The liturgy at St. Agnes + Our Lady of Fatima, a primarily African American parish, is always animated, filled with music, clapping and hospitality. Despite a choir that was scaled down to three people and a musician, the Mass was energizing.
Socialization is important at St. Agnes + Our Lady of Fatima, but Father Marva said in order to follow the health guidelines, there will be no post-Mass gatherings for the foreseeable future.
Neither parish had servers or extraordinary ministers of holy Communion. At Holy Family, parochial vicars Father Michael Denk and Father Andrew Gonzalez concelebrated the vigil Mass, acted as lectors and assisted with communion distribution, as did Deacon John Green. St. Agnes + Our Lady of Fatima had lectors.
Father Rosing used one of Holy Family’s new Communion shields that was developed by a parishioner’s company. The shield resembles a doorway made from pipe with Plexiglas attached. There is a hole cut out to allow the reception of Communion in the hand while providing protection for the priest or minister. Everyone distributing Communion at both parishes wore masks and some also wore plastic face shields. Sanitizer was available for the faithful to use before receiving the Eucharist.
Despite the new policies and guidelines, Mass proceeded smoothly at both parishes and the faithful seemed happy to be there.
“I hope we’ve created an environment in which you feel safe,” Father Rosing said.
In his homily, he reflected on how different things were at Easter this year, recalling the empty churches and silenced choirs. “But Easter still came and we still found a way to celebrate.”
He said the celebration of Easter encompasses four things: faith, prayer, a way to communicate the message and a way to celebrate with the Church. For most, that mean listening to or watching a streamed Mass.
The world changed dramatically from when Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, through Holy Week, his Passion Crucifixion and Resurrection. The way the early Christians looked at their faith also changed – and they had nothing to say about it -- much like what we’ve been experiencing during the health crisis, Father Rosing said.
“The Church was born on Pentecost amid such chaos. But it survived and thrived,” he added, noting that never again will we take for granted the opportunity of being together weekly for Mass. “And hopefully, we’ll have a renewed devotion for holy Communion,” he said, likening the inability to receive the Eucharist for the past two months to a type of fast.
Father Marva echoed those remarks, telling his parishioners, “We need this more than ever with what’s going on in these troubled times. Amen?”
“Amen,” replied the congregation.
“Thank you for overcoming the fear to step out today and attend public worship,” Father Marva said, acknowledging that the African American community has been impacted dramatically by pandemic.
He also noted that although singing was discouraged, “How does a black church come together without singing? It’s who we are.”
In his homily, Father Marva said there was a righteous indignation growing throughout our nation and that more violence cannot be condoned. He read a statement issued on May 29 by several bishops from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, including Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Perez, former bishop of Cleveland. In the statement, bishops said racism is a life issue. They also asked God to heal our deeply broken view of each other and our deeply broken society.
“The true spirit of God that came down on the disciples so many years ago and rested on them allowed them to be transformed,” he said. “We need that ongoing transformation that only God can provide.”
Although we may be praying for a return to normal, Father Marva said that may not be the best thing. “We need to find a new way forward,” he said. “We can’t isolate from the realities and problems of our world. Only with the power of God’s spirit can we work to overcome our fears and anxieties.”
He noted the first thing Jesus said to the disciples on Pentecost was “Peace be with you,” adding that the Lord wants to give us peace. “He knows evil is in our world and the devil is alive,” he said, telling the congregation that “We can and must make a difference. We can’t allow this virus to separate us. We need to be cautious and prayerful. The Church is a renewed outpouring of God’s spirit. The Church is about a way of living and having an attitude of caring about each other,” Father Marva said.
“As people of faith, we must bring these things back together,” he said, but we need God’s help.
“With the gift of God’s spirit, we can continue to push for change and to hold our leaders accountable as true leaders who will bring us forward to that day when we can dance with joy and thanksgiving before God. Brothers and sisters, pray this Pentecost that we may have a renewed peace and healing in our hearts, in our land and in our Church,” Father Marva said.