Eastern sunlight through the stained-glass windows of Holy Family Church in Freeburg poured tall, red Chi-Rho images onto the pews and Father William Debo’s vestments the morning of May 6.

The Chi-Rho is an ancient symbol for Christ.

About 16 people were present for the first publicly celebrated Mass at Holy Family since the Third Week of Lent.

“Here we are in the Fourth Week of Easter, filled with Easter joy as we come together for the first time to receive Jesus in the Eucharist after a long period of longing and anticipating,” Fr. Debo, pastor of the Freeburg parish, and of Sacred Heart parish in Rich Fountain, stated.

He noted in his homily that no one has been immune to the sacrifices made necessary by the pandemic.

“We’ve had to challenge ourselves,” he said. “We’ve had to change our very way of living. Our very way of praying and worshiping has been altered in various, very significant ways.”

And the days ahead will likely remain filled with uncertainty and challenge — the very things that made the weeks leading up to Easter so memorable.

“We know as Christians, as followers of Christ, that every day, regardless of the season, is a time of prayer, of fasting if we are able, of almsgiving and reaching out to those in greatest need among us,” Fr. Debo stated.

“So we continue that journey in the midst of this beautiful Easter Season,” he said. “And in that prayer and in that sacrifice and in that concern and help for those who are suffering through this time of pandemic — that is where we truly celebrate Easter joy and encounter Christ in His resurrection.”

SAFEGUARDS

Bishop W. Shawn McKnight had suspended the public celebration of Mass in the Jefferson City diocese in mid-March in response to the order of Governor Parson to slow the spread of the dangerous COVID-19 virus.

Upon expiration of Missouri’s statewide stay-at-home order on May 3, the bishop authorized parishes to resume the public celebration of Mass, so long as state and local health regulations continue to be followed.

At the same time, Bishop McKnight has lifted until June 30 the obligation for all the faithful of this diocese and for all who are present within its 38-county territory to attend Sunday Mass.

People who are 65 or older or who have health conditions that increase their vulnerability to COVID-19 are encouraged to refrain from attending Mass until further notice.

People who are sick or who have been exposed to the coronavirus most not attend Mass.

All people, including children over age 2, who enter a church must have a face mask or other covering for their mouth and nose. It must be worn at all times except when they are seated in a pew.

At least six feet of social distance must be maintained at all times between members of different households.

The Offertory Procession, the Sign of Peace, the holding of hands at the “Our Father,” and the reception of Holy Communion from the chalice is suspended until further notice.

Pews and frequently touched surfaces are to be cleaned with disinfectant before and after every Mass.

LOST AND FOUND

Lifelong Freeburg parishioner Nancy Maxwell said this was her first time at Mass since March 16.

“It was wonderful today to be able to receive the Body of Christ,” she said.

She hopes the time of separation from communal participation in the sacraments has created in many a deeper appreciation for what was being missed.

“You just can’t match the joy of being in the Real Presence of God and sharing that with your fellow parishioners, receiving the Body of Christ in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass,” she said. “It needs to be like, ‘Oh wow! It’s great! Let’s go to church!’”

Mary Jane Bexten, a lifelong Rich Fountain parishioner, went to Mass early the previous morning in Sacred Heart Church.

“To receive the Eucharist was like reuniting with a loved one after a long absence, desiring some time to just be in His true presence,” she said. “And to think, all this time He was waiting for us!”

Priests of the diocese offered Mass privately each day during the suspension of public Masses.

Fr. Debo said having people in church again felt like a homecoming, with the exception of being able to greet them before Mass and shake hands with them afterward.

“I still miss that,” he said.