Confessions offered, doors open for prayer at some Modesto-area Catholic churches
As places of worship continue to adjust to the coronavirus pandemic, some Modesto region Catholic churches are coming up with new ways to provide confession and devotions.
Masses and other gatherings were halted early with the stay-at-home order, and adoration chapels – where parishioners gather before the Host, or body of Christ, in prayer – were closed.
The first step many churches took was to live-stream Masses. Now, some Catholic churches are offering confession, some displaying the Host in parking lots for drive-by blessings or adoration and others opening their doors for private prayer.
Churches direct parishioners to follow all social distancing guidelines, which include remaining 6-feet apart and wearing masks.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Modesto held its first drive-up parking lot adoration Monday. People stayed inside their cars around the monstrance – the vessel holding the consecrated Host. Several cars lined up, allowed to remain for a limited time to make room for others.
“I think it was really beautiful. I could really sense the people were really hungry to be able to pray before our Lord and to pray together,” said the Rev. Sam West, pastor at St. Joseph’s, “to be able to spend time with Jesus and to see him there and to be able to spend time with each other there.”
West said they’ll offer adoration 5:30-6:30 p.m Mondays, and could expand.
On Wednesday, St. Joseph’s held its first drive-up confessions. People remained in their cars, wore masks and lowered windows for priests. About 40 cars, some with more than one person, turned out, according to Tammy Menezes, director of operations. Confessions are planned 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday.
West said they also are looking at other in-person ministry options for the near future.
Blessings at St. Stanislaus
At St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, drive-by blessings were offered the past two Sundays, the monstrance held up as parishioners drove past and paused.
Deacon Jose Reyes, parish life coordinator, said they were surprised by the initial turnout, more than 800. They plan to continue the blessings Sundays, 10 a.m. to noon.
Reyes said they are considering confessions and possibly opening the church for prayer, something already being done at Our Lady of Fatima in Modesto, according to its website.
Fatima is open Mondays through Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays 1 to 7 p.m. Confessions are available during the same hours, but people need to call 209-485-2059 when they arrive for a priest to respond, David Springer, parish administrator, said.
Inside at Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Turlock held drive-up confessions in its parking lot last Saturday, but will move inside the church, 7 to 8 p.m., beginning this Saturday.
The Rev. Patrick Walker, Sacred Heart pastor, said there will be a cardboard barrier between priests and penitents, each wearing a mask. There will be wipes for people to clean chairs for the next person. People also can choose to stand.
At All Saints University Parish in Turlock, confession was held Monday evening, secretary Renee Yegor said, the second time the parish offered confession.
The first time people remained in their cars, but on Monday they were outside, with chairs 6-feet apart from the priests, others with a barrier between them, she said. All Saints also offered adoration on Monday.
Yegor said the church is still deciding how often it will offer the parking lot confessions and adoration.
Changes evolving in diocese
St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Hughson will hold a drive-by blessing from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, special because it’s Mother’s Day, said receptionist Rosie Gonzalez.
St. Anthony’s holds confessions inside the church Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 to 11 a.m. and the church is open for prayer 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, she said.
Expanding options throughout the Diocese of Stockton continue to evolve according to Chancellor Dyan Hollenhorst. The diocese serves San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Calaveras, Alpine and Mono counties.
Many parishes continue to live-stream Masses. For a list, go the diocese website, stocktondiocese.org/broadcastmass.
“Parish by parish it’s spreading. It’s learning a new way of being because we don’t have the access to the rituals in the ways we have known before,” Hollenhorst said. “We just have to be creative.”
