The coronavirus pandemic emptied area churches for Easter this year. For many Christians, this religious holiday is dramatically different: a home-bound, shelter-in-place holy day. No Easter parades, no egg hunts at church, no church at all.
However, the parishioners of the Church of St. Patrick, Shieldsville were able to attend a live Easter service on Sunday - in their cars.
Like many other church leaders, Father Tom Niehaus, the pastor of St. Patrick’s and Most Holy Redeemer, has live-streamed his Holy Week services on his social media platform. On Sunday, for area Christians, he held a drive-in service for members in approximately 25 cars.
The coronavirus forced everyone to practice social distancing.
A snowstorm with blowing winds forced Niehaus to deliver his service from a three-sided shelter.
St. John Lutheran Church taped and edited its Holy Week Services by Pastor Jason Pollington and posted them to Youtube.
As there's been all Lent, there's a solemness in the air. It doesn't escape many Christians that they're celebrating Jesus' resurrection at a time of rampant sickness and death.
Easter service in a snowstorm and COVID-19
