PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For Catholics in our region, Christmas Day Mass is an obligation. For many others, it's an enduring tradition.
Parishioners at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul spoke to KYW Newsradio about the feeling of the celebration this year.
Many who attended Christmas Mass this year did so cautiously. A masked Kathy Keogh of Center City said she's concerned about the omicron variant and being indoors with strangers.
"I think we all are, so we’re just trying to be as careful as we can be," she said, "but we'd like to keep up the tradition of Christmas Mass."
Cara Quinlin said she feels better this year compared to last year. "Last year, we didn't come to church. I think everyone was still a little nervous," she shared.
"It’s definitely a little bit better, but with omicron the past week or so, we are a little bit nervous," agreed Keogh. "We've all been vaccinated and boosted, so we're hoping everyone else is, here."
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"We feel a little bit better this year because of the vaccines, because of the boosters," added Quinlin. "I think people know what kind of precautions they have to take."
Joe D'orazio of Plymouth Metting said he's not worried this year, but he's also vaccinated. "We try to protect ourselves as much as possible. Maybe God will look after us," he said.
One woman, however, was definitely thinking about omicron while in church. "It's everyone with masks inside and we're very worried about it," said Marilia Rosa. She admitted attending Mass at the Basilica was a new experience.
"It's very different for me because it’s my first Christmas away from home," said Rosa, an au pair from Brazil working in Center City. Back home, she said, it was summer.
"So it's everyone in the pool with the family and like, I'm here on a rainy day," she said.
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While Rosa is used to her Brazilian Christmases being full of sunshine, this year in Philadelphia, she was wishing for snow.
"Actually to be like a real Christmas that we always saw on the TV," she said, "but I think the important thing is being with who you love."
Keogh, meanwhile, wished "for a healthy and happy New Year — and to get rid of this virus."