KATY, Texas — For many of the faithful, it has been a virtual Good Friday. Many congregations holding services online, not in person, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.
But one priest in Katy got creative Friday.
With church music emanating from its speakers, and carrying a large cross, Father Chris Plant’s Ford XLT was a church on wheels.
"The turnout, people coming out on the sidewalk, coming out of their homes, has been amazing," said Father Chris of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Katy.
He, along with another priest and a seminarian, were driving through the neighborhoods near their church.
It was called it "The Route of The Cross."
"People even got emotional. They were in tears when they saw the cross come by, and they threw flowers in front of the truck, flowers into the truck, as a way of showing their love for Jesus,” Father Chris said.
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Good Friday marks the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. The holy day is coming at critical time.
"Our entire nation is grieving, and those in the Christian tradition are telling me that grief is taking on a new kind of significance through the lens of their tradition as they're walking through holy week together," said Elaine Howard Ecklund, who heads up Rice University's Religion and Public Life Program.
She said while congregations may be going online to keep connected, the problem is, not everyone has the resources to do that.
“If we rise to the highest form of creativity, we'll see those congregations that have higher levels of resources reaching out to help those who have less," Ecklund said.
Coronavirus symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Some patients also have nausea, body aches, headaches and stomach issues. Losing your sense of taste and/or smell can also be an early warning sign.
Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.
But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk for becoming seriously ill. However, U.S. experts are seeing a significant number of younger people being hospitalized, including some in ICU.
The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.
Human coronaviruses are usually spread through...
- The air by coughing or sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
Help stop the spread of coronavirus
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Eat and sleep separately from your family members
- Use different utensils and dishes
- Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hand.
- If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
- Follow social distancing
Lower your risk
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.
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