St Mary church holds 6 masses

St Mary’s Basilica had six masses on the first day after the lockdown was relaxed and churches resumed services. Worshippers observed all the rules of social distancing to stay as safe as possible. Seating arrangements were marked, with each bench that allowed seating for six people, now seating just three. Sanitiser stands were evident everywhere, the holy water pits inside the church were dry, and the traditional holy sacrament was given in the hands.

The Vicar General Swarna Bernard, who served the mass on Monday at the basilica, said Church masses will be starting at 6 am. After each mass there will be a gap of half an hour so that sanitisation can be done. “We, the Catholic clergy, are excited that regular church services have been started. All the days of the lockdown virtual services were held online,” he said.

Derrick Richard, a member of the parish, said “it feels like a festival after the lockdown. I am attending church and we are praying for this world to be healed from Coronavirus.”

Fr P. Jaya Paul Reddy, parish priest of St Theresa’s Church, Erragudda, said very few worshippers came today. “The number of devotees who participated in the mass was less. We are seeing to it that more masses will be offered so that the gathering will be less in number.”

Joji Babu who attended the mass with his family, said, “Worshipping at the church definitely has a divine feeling, and we feel blessed when we attend a mass at the church.”

Methodist churches in Hyderabad will remain closed considering the accelerating number of Covid-19 cases in these few days. The decision to reopen will be known on June 30. The virtual church will be going on as usual. The decision was taken by the bishop and the pastors after a series of meetings, said Rev Dr D. H. Paul.