Pilots Prevent
Campus Safety
March 23, 2021
The days leading up to Easter Sunday are a special time for those in the Catholic faith. As worshippers spend time reflecting on Christ’s passion and resurrection, they find solace, strength, and hope in the company of others. But COVID safety restrictions make coming together for in-person church services a challenge. That’s why UP’s Campus Ministry is bringing people together for Holy Week through live streaming events and on-campus services for students and members of the UP community who want to worship in person.
“The benefit of streaming is that more people can tune in,” says Fr. Jim Gallagher,CSC, director of Campus Ministry. “The hope is that folks, such as the students staying home and alumni, can tune in.”
Holy Week kicks off on March 28 with the Palm Sunday Mass. Campus Ministry will livestream the liturgies from the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. The days following are filled with opportunities for Confessions, and live-streams of Eucharistic Adoration and Masses. Students are welcome to attend in person, while others in the UP community can watch live from home.
Easter Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m. on April 4 will be held outside in the main quad for those in the UP community. There will be a choir, worship aids, a sound system and volunteers to help visitors stay distanced. Just bring a blanket or lawn chair. Campus Ministry asks those planning to attend to sign up, so that they can be sure to accommodate everyone and also contact them with alternate plans in case of rain.
“The outdoor Easter Mass allows space for us to gather together,” says Fr. Jim. “We’ve had limited ways to be together over the past year, and we want to take advantage of the opportunity to safely gather physically and celebrate."
Fr. Jim says Holy Week holds even more significance for worshippers this year, as we pass the year mark since the pandemic started. “I think the story being told and celebrated in the Holy Week liturgies is one ultimately of new life springing out of struggle and hardship. My hope is that these liturgies renew that faith for folks now that we’re a year into this pandemic. I hope they see that God’s grace has entered into these difficult moments, and a new life that can come out of it.”
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