Houston area churches and synagogues are closing their doors to large, in-person traditional services this weekend. Instead, many are electing to hold services online.
Many churchgoers are upset the Coronavirus outbreak means they won’t be able to gather as a community to pray.
“[I saw them] and they read the signs on the doors that said ‘No Public Masses’, and they were crying,” Father Norbert Maduzia, the pastor at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring, Texas, told KTRH. Maduzia says many Catholic services, like Masses and Stations of the Cross will be online via the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston: https://www.archgh.org/onlinemass
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo and other Catholic clergy members are offering daily spiritual reflections via video: https://www.archgh.org/resources/health-updates/daily-spiritual-reflections/
Rabbi David Lyon, with Congregation Beth Israel, says Coronavirus concerns are forcing them to also make difficult choices.
“We really do care about the people we shepherd through their lives,” Lyon said. “And to have to stand back and or say I can’t [hug you], is difficult for us.” Congregation Beth Israel has been asking their members to watch their Shabbat Service Friday evening: https://www.beth-israel.org
Worshipers are asked to check individual websites for more details on live streams and other online services.