GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Attending church services in-person is something most people have missed out on since the coronavirus pandemic arrived in Wisconsin.
The Catholic Diocese of Green Bay is bringing back public Mass after more than two and a half months of empty pews.
Bishop David Ricken is looking forward to getting parishioners back together.
“When people come back to their churches all throughout Northeast Wisconsin. I hope they feel ‘It’s so good to be home,” Ricken said.
This phased reopening will make your next visit to church a whole different experience.
Churches are capping capacity at 25%, blocking off pews to promote social distancing and highly recommending parishioners wear face masks.
“We’re trying to find a place where people can feel comfortable and safe but not afraid,” Ricken said.
Communion will be received in one line with the priest wearing a mask. However, he will not wear a mask during the rest of the Mass.
There will be other changes in this second phase of reopening. No church wine, passing of the baskets, sign of peace or choir will be present.
Father Brian Belongia at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay says he misses seeing the smiles, reactions and just connecting with people at Mass.
“We don’t normally say Mass to a private church, or an empty church. You don’t have the babies crying, you don’t see the facial expressions, you don’t have your people here and it’s actually heartbreaking to see no people here,” Belongia said.
And while things will certainly be different, Belongia says they’re doing the best they can with the unusual circumstances.
“You might have a little trouble hearing. You might think it’s different. But we are all doing the very best we can. We all want the same thing. We all want Masses to come back,” Belongia said.
