That’s how Father Edward Blanchett refers to the “cautious but joyful” ongoing reopening of in-church Masses at Brick’s Visitation Parish.

“Walk-ins are accepted,” Father Blanchett said. “We have had a slow but steady increase in people entering the church for Masses. We use our [new] ‘Take Your Place at Table’ online telephone reservation system to ensure that we do not go over capacity requirements.”

The reservation system at Visitation is a prime example of the ways pastors and their staffs throughout the Diocese continue to welcome parishioners to in-person Masses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘Going Very Well’

The uptick in in-church attendance has been underway since limited Masses resumed the week of June 8 under guidelines by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., which included input from the Post-Pandemic Parish Task Force of Pastors he established. It’s a sign of the times that have been evolving since the coronavirus arrived, forcing church doors to close across the state in late March.

Faithful have continued to journey back – which began with private prayer in church and parking lot Masses in mid-May, followed by the return to in-church Mass with restrictions such as facemasks and social distancing in pews. Currently, churches can welcome one-third of their capacity under the multiphase plan for parishes to fully reopen in the Diocese of Trenton.

“For the most part, people have been quite cooperative in observing the guidelines. ... Whenever we have to ask people to go beyond the accustomed ways, the ministers, ordained and otherwise explain the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ of a policy,” Father Blanchett said. “Even when we’ve had to say ‘No’ to a request, we’ve done our best to engage people’s reason as well as the requirements.

“Doing this, I think has helped both our processes and the congregation’s acceptance of the new policies,” he said.

Meanwhile, alternatives to in-church Masses, such as livestreaming and those celebrated in parking lots, continue.

In St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish, Spring Lake, parishioners avail themselves of every opportunity to celebrate their faith. “It’s been going very well,” said Father Damian McElroy, parish pastor. “People have been delighted to go to Mass [in person], and we’ve had wonderful [attendees] who keep their social distance.”

Especially rewarding: celebrating First Holy Communion for 75 children and weddings that were on hold until recently. “There’s a huge reservoir of weddings,” he said, explaining that due to the limited number of guests allowed, weddings have become more intimate affairs.

“Over-complications have been avoided. I’ve seen the bride and groom and their parents relaxed and laughing. The focus is where it should be,” Father McElroy said – on God and the young couple exchanging vows with the community.

Still, challenges remain for the Jersey Shore parish, which faces financial shortfalls even with strong parish attendance and planned giving. There are concerns that the financial increase typically received from its summer congregation may not materialize this year, he said.

“What we’re doing is a work in progress. We’re doing our best,” Father McElroy said. “We always keep reviewing the situation.”

Open Communication

In St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown, reopening the church began with two weekend Masses – one in English and one in Spanish.

“We’ve had no problem at all since we reopened,” pastor Father Oscar Sumanga said, explaining that the services have been filled to the allowable capacity with all protocols observed. “Ushers bring the parishioners to their seats, leaving a vacant pew in-between. People can stand or kneel for Holy Communion, and we have increased our Mass schedule because of demand, adding a [bilingual] Mass.”

For those who wish to remain in their cars and not attend in-church Mass, the Eucharist is distributed to motorists as they exit the large parking lot.

Father Sumanga said many in the diverse community have been hard hit economically by the coronavirus. “Many have lost their jobs. [To assist with family expenses,] we have been able to hold drive-through food giving and fill up their trunks weekly [with donations],” he said.

At the same time, Father Sumanga said he has been open about how the pandemic has affected the parish’s finances. “People respond generously. The parish should be a threshold of truth in whatever situation we are in.”

Adapting to the Times

Father Philip Pfleger, pastor in St. Isaac Jogues, Marlton, and St. John Neumann, Mount Laurel, said the reopening has been going well. “Parishioners have been following the guidelines. They are so gracious and just happy to be back in church.”

[[In-content Ad]]

Many families are following livestream Mass, he explained. “There are not many families with children coming to church. I understand that. It’s a scary time,” he said.

In his 41 years of ministry, Father Pfleger said he has nothing to compare to the circumstances brought on by the pandemic. “Life has changed, and we are all trying to do the best we can. It has helped us realize that our faith isn’t based in a building or a small community. It’s based in the people of God.”

“That’s what we’re trying to show,” he continued. “That it’s the same Church wherever we are, and we are here for the Eucharist.”

No matter how they attend Mass, parishioners have been actively engaged in helping meet the community’s needs through the parish food bank, Father Pfleger said.

“People have been so generous,” he said. “They realize that this is what we need to do as a family.”