Connection The
KING’S
Reflections on Returning to Mass Following the
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t the end of May, Christ the King was able to open its doors to the public for the first time in over two months. During the time of church closure due to the COVID-19 crisis, parishioners were able to watch Masses being livestreamed over the internet. While this technology proved an incredible blessing in terms of keeping the faithful in touch with cathedral life, the livestream Mass could not compare with being in the true presence of the Lord Jesus and receiving Him in the Eucharist. Thus, for the many parishioners who decided to come back to Mass in person over the summer,
walking back into Christ the King was a joyous homecoming. Taking into account the continuing pandemic, a great deal of planning needed to take place in order to ensure the safety of parishioners returning to church. To maintain six feet of social distancing, the number of people seated in the cathedral for each Mass was limited to 125. Masks were required, and people were asked to reserve a seat in the Mass through the Eventbrite ticketing page linked to our parish website. Those who hadn’t reserved a spot online were still invited to come and be seated
in any remaining space. The Eucharist was only distributed in the form of the Body. Even with all the changes, Deacon Tim Weinmann was thrilled when Christ the King was able to welcome the faithful back for Mass. “It was great,” Deacon Tim says. “It was odd because of the social distance and because you were looking at the masked people, but you knew they just couldn’t wait to be there. And I think people understood we are doing what we are to protect people. As far as pro-life, the precautions we are taking are the most pro-life. I think people understand that
Masks and social distancing were in place for the parishioners' protection when public Masses resumed at the end of May.
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