Social distancing is especially hard on those in the faith community when houses of worship are mostly closed.
Saint John Bishop Christian Riesbeck said they are learning how to do church in new and creative ways because of COVID-19.
“We are encouraging the pastors to reach out to them [parishioners] even with a phone call, an email or through social media so they can remain connected that way,” Riesbeck said.
He said they need to cooperate with public health authorities which is why all masses are cancelled for now.
“All dioceses in the states and in Canada I’m pretty sure now have cancelled all public masses. We are doing our part to mitigate and reduce the spread of this illness,” Riesbeck said.
Riesbeck said the needy on the street are some of the most vulnerable people in our communities right now.
“One of the reasons we are keeping the church open is right at the entrance there is a place next to the statue where people can leave much-needed items and supplies like canned vegetables, canned fish, peanut butter and Kraft Dinner.”
Those items support the nearby St. Vincent De Paul location, where Riesbeck says supplies are running low.
He said the cathedral on Waterloo Street is open for silent prayer a few hours a day for parishioners who practice physical distancing.
