SAN DIEGO (KGTV)- After a rise in COVID- 19 cases, the governor closed many indoor activities, including places of worship. Churches around the county were forced to make changes to their services, but some embrace the new scenery.
Sunday morning mass was held outdoors for parishioners at Saint Agnes Catholic Church. Members brought their beach chairs to worship in the church’s parking lot.
“I love being able to see people here, gathered together, and worship together,” says Father Bill Marquis.
The changes came after the governor’s announcement to stop indoor activities due to the rise in COVID-19 cases across the state. San Diego county is one a few dozen on the state’s watchlist.
Saint Agnes Catholic Church says it is still offering virtual services, but it was the members who requested to have the “beach chair mass” on Sunday morning.
“Parishioners asked me if we were going to have mass on Sunday, I said we were going to live stream it,” says Father Marquis. “She says we would still like to have an outdoor mass on Sunday, if possible. I said why, and she said because we want to receive communion. That was the deciding factor for me.”
As many churches around the county make changes to their services, some places of worship are working with city leaders to hold outdoor services. Poway officials approved a plan to share park space with places of worship and fitness centers. The City of El Cajon is looking into a similar idea.
