Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
BACK IN THE PEWS
South Florida churches reopen with hand sanitizer, masks, reserved seating
South Florida’s faithful are worshiping together in person for the first time in more than two months, adding hand sanitizer and face masks to their prayers.
Catholic churches held in-person Sunday Mass for the first time since March when religious services were moved online to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus.
St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Hollywood averaged about 40 people for each of its four Sunday Masses. The church marked off pews to ensure people sat far enough apart. Capacity was limited to 25% of usual attendance.
“One of my parishioners said, ‘It was the best tasting Eucharist I’ve ever had,’” Father Bryan Garcia said.
“One of my parishioners said, ‘It was the best tasting Eucharist I’ve ever had.’ ”
The Rev. Bryan Garcia, above, of St. Bernadette Catholic Church
The resumption of in-person Mass served as another sign that South Florida was lifting out of its lockdown. Beaches, restaurant dining rooms, gyms and shuttered shops have also been reopened at reduced capacity.
Church looked much different with coronavirus still a threat.
Hands weren’t held during the “Our Father” prayer, and masked parishioners didn’t greet each other with hand shakes.
At St. Bernadette, parishioners had the choice of receiving the wafer signifying the body of Christ in their hand or mouth. Only one person took Holy Communion by mouth. Communion cups were not offered. The priest wore a mask during Communion and kept hand sanitizer by his side.
Other denominations are getting back into the pews. Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale held
its first Sunday services since March 8.
About a dozen parishioners sat spaced far apart in the mostly empty sanctuary during the early 9 a.m. service. Normally about 100 people attend the early service.
An usher greeted parishioners with a dab of hand sanitizer and a bag containing a church bulletin, a packet of Communion and an envelope for the offering.
Nicholas Gunn, 34, said he felt both “nervous” and an “intangible energy” to be back in church, rather than watching it online. Parishioners had to reserve a seat in advance and wear a mask.
“This is in no way normal,” Gunn said as he stepped into the church. “I am in gloves and a mask. I have to reserve in advance. I can’t sit next to my friends. But it’s closer to normal.”
Gunn said he appreciated the steps his church took to keep parishioners as safe as they could be.
Although Gov. Ron DeSantis did not order churches and other houses of worships to shut their doors to the public, many congregations in South Florida decided to suspend in-person worship.
Like many places of worship, Sunshine Cathedral broadcasts its services online, racking up 31,000 views for the previous week’s sermon. Sunshine Cathedral is affiliated with the International Council of Community Churches.
Durrell Watkins, the church’s senior minister, couldn’t see the smiles of those in the pews because of their masks, but he said he was glad to have them back.
“This still feels better than Zoom,” he said.