BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – Churches are carefully planning Christmas Mass this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Christmas Mass has historically been one of the most attended events for churches. For some people, it may be the only time they attend church each year.
"We've thought about this an awful lot and have checked with other churches," Father Paul Seil of St. Bernadette Church in Orchard Park said. "My main concern is, of course, to keep people safe but also to allow them to come and worship at one of the holiest times of the year: Christmas."
Their plan is to alternate pews for each mass. In between masses, the pews will be sanitized.
But to accommodate more people, they've also set up their gymnasium to act as a second location for mass.
"Our church can comfortably hold, at a six foot distance and social distancing, about 150 people," Father Seil said. "Our gym can hold about 110 to 120 people with the same requirements. We're thinking 250 to 300 per time of the masses."
New York State's orange zone limits churches to 33% capacity or 25 people, whichever of the two is lower. Houses of worship under the yellow zone are only allowed 50% capacity. However, the U.S. Supreme Court last month ruled against the governor's restrictions on churches and synagogues. The two organizations that sued the state were no longer under state restrictions and it is not clear if the current limits under the orange zone are constitutional.
The Diocese of Buffalo has discouraged congregational singing and suspended full choirs. The Diocese of Buffalo is also encouraging parishioners to attend a Mass that is not the popular 4 p.m. Vigil.
At St. Bernadette, Father Seil said he's encouraging parishioners to register for Mass either online or by calling the church. Christmas Masses are already booked for several Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
"We can't just jam everybody in at the 4 p.m. Mass as usual because it's the most popular Mass," Seil said. "We have a limit. You sign up. Hopefully you'll be able to go to the Mass you want to go to."
Seil said there have been fewer people attending religious services since the orange zone restrictions came out. He said anyone who cannot attend Mass in person could attend virtually, including on Christmas.
"It's really important that you come together as a community," he said. "Watching it on TV is second or third best, at most."
More guidelines from the Diocese of Buffalo on Christmas Mass can be found here
