Churches across the area are getting ready for Easter weekend—which will be completely different than last year.
Most churches will be having in-person celebrations this year, including the Butler Area Catholic Parishes, which is exciting to Father Kevin Fazio.
“Pre-pandemic, when you would see a crowd half-full you would be like ‘This is empty.’ Now when you see a crowd that’s half-full, you’re like ‘Wow, that’s a pretty good crowd,’ because we’re used to having virtually no one in the pews” Fazio said.
“So it’s glass half-full, glass half-empty…church half-full, church half-empty,” Fazio added with a laugh and nod to the familiar phrase.
The Butler parishes are operating at 75 percent capacity this Easter weekend, and they are asking people to register for the mass they are attending—which can be done on their website.
Overall, though Father Fazio says he’s been looking forward to seeing more people come and worship.
“It’s nice to see people coming back and recognizing the importance of worshipping in the community and gathering in the community for the individual and the community itself,” Fazio said.
The parishes have also added more masses for Easter Sunday.