WHEELING, W.Va. — Many West Virginians were back in pews for Easter Sunday this year, following closed services in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But churches were far from full, as congregations were socially distanced and masked up.
Mark Brennan, the Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston led services at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Wheeling that were also streamed online. He praised Catholics in West Virginia for following the COVID-19 guidelines.
“It’s so good to see so many of you here. Again I’ll commend you for wearing the masks. I’ll wear one when I am not talking,” he said.
“We Catholics have been doing it right in West Virginia since last May. I look for any coronavirus cases traceable to any Catholic mass in the state since then. That’s a testimony to you, our pastors, and their teams. Let’s keep it up because as you know, the cases are rising.”
In his homily, he gave a message of hope, what he said the Easter season is all about.
“Jesus Christ rose from the dead not just for himself but for us too. To give us the sure hope of eternal life and the confidence of with him at our side, we can face the challenges that come our way,” Brennan said.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden shared a similar message in an Easter video release on Twitter Sunday morning.
“For a second year, most will be a part of families, their friends, the full congregations that fill us with joy. Yet as the Gospel of John reminds us, the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it,” President Biden said.
The president encouraged Americans to get the COVID-19 vaccine, saying he and Jill shared the sentiments of Pope Francis that getting vaccinated is a moral obligation.
Biden said that getting the vaccine can save your life and the life of others and can bring Americans to a normal time during holidays.
“By getting vaccinated and encouraging your congregation and communities to get vaccinated, we not only can beat this virus but we can hast the day where we can celebrate the holidays together again,” Biden said.
From our family to yours, we wish you health, hope, joy, and peace. Happy Easter, everyone! pic.twitter.com/3NHPrbFCVt
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 4, 2021
Brennan looked to the future to wrap up his homily, in remaining faithful in Jesus Christ to lead us out of dark times, including a pandemic. The bishop said the tomb is still empty and everyone has to decide what that means
“I believe with St. John, that Jesus rose to new life and has the power to sustain me as I follow him. I encourage you all to see with the eyes of faith and to believe,” Brennan said.
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Easter services once again different with COVID-19 but leaders share message of hope - West Virginia MetroNews
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