Churches reopen after COVID-19 lockdown
Father Gerard Power has worn many hats over the past three months.
In addition to ministering to parishioners at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Niagara Falls, both online and over the phone, he has served as a milkman and an infection control specialist.
When the province announced the closure of schools and non-essential services in mid-March, Power realized children who are normally supported by various food programs, including the church’s breakfast program, may go without.
He put out a call for help on the church’s website and the donations came flooding in.
“I had one person in Thorold donate fresh milk so I would deliver milk to people’s doorsteps. I never thought as a priest I’d be a milkman,” he quipped.
On Sunday, Power returned to the altar as the historic Victoria Avenue church opened its doors for the first time in three months.
“What a joy it is to be back,” he said following the second of four masses.
“But, it’s also a bit scary, there’s still some fear because, as I reminded people, COVID-19 is not over year.”
Members not only followed their faith, but also followed new safety protocols.
Before they could enter, people were instructed to read signs posted at the entrance which listed COVID-19 safety recommendations, as well as cautions to anyone who may be experiencing symptoms of the virus or has recently travelled.
From there, members used hand sanitizer before finding a seat inside. Face coverings were recommended but not mandatory.
A number of pews were roped off in order to comply with physical distancing guidelines and only three people could sit together in a pew, unless they were from the same household.
Each mass was limited to 50 people.
There was no holy water and members had to stay two metres apart during communion. There was also no congregational singing.
The Ontario government announced Thursday that places of worship could reopen with certain safety measures in place.
By Friday, 26 people volunteered to help the local church transition to reopening. Power trained them on required health and safety protocols.
On Sunday, volunteers ushered people inside, sanitized the church before and after each mass, and lit votive candles on behalf of others.
Power said it was a “privilege” to return.
He had been holding masses on Facebook.
“I wasn’t going to do it in this big echoey church alone, so I brought the altar stone from the original altar from 1895 to the dining room at the rectory,” he said.
“A lady in the parish brought me a tripod so I could put the iPhone on it and I was all set.”
In addition to hosting masses and delivering food to people in need — the church also opened a food pantry and distributes toiletries and snacks to homeless people in the area — Power received training in infection control from the public health department.
He and a fellow priest underwent the training so they could support people in hospital during their final days.
“I was trained, thank God, so nobody had to die without their sacrament,” Power said.
St. Patrick’s was one of several parishes within the Diocese of St. Catharines that reopened over the weekend.