Parishioners at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Hollywood pray the Our Father during Mass, on Sunday, May 31, 2020. Today marks the first Sunday that churches have returned to in-person masses since March.(Joe Cavaretta / South Florida Sun Sentinel) 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,’” the Rev. Bryan Garcia said. Father Bryan Garcia of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Hollywood offers Communion as Otto Crump, 13, walks away, Sunday, May 31, 2020. Today marks the first Sunday that churches have returned to in-person masses since March.(Joe Cavaretta / South Florida Sun Sentinel) 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. 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 […]
