Boardman residents Linda and Ron Nester wait for the start of the Sunday afternoon Mass at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown. The Mass usually attracts about 200 people. Fewer than 60 attended this Mass after church leaders told parishioners absences were permitted in response to the spread of the coronavirus.

By BOB COUPLAND

Staff writer

While empty parking lots could be seen at many area churches Sunday morning, some churches that remained open are making needed adjustments to help their congregations continue to worship during the coronavirus outbreak.

Sunday afternoon Mass at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown, which usually has nearly 200 people in attendance, had slightly more than 60.

Although the Catholic Bishops of Ohio issued a statement late last week telling Catholic parishioners they do not have to attend Masses for the rest of the month as a health precaution, some people wanted to be in church this weekend.

Sister Martha Reed, OSU, said changes were made at Masses. Instead of collecting offerings by trays down each aisle, people were asked when they came forward for communion to place offerings in baskets at the center of church,

“We have been low in attendance at all our Masses, which was expected,” she said.

Reed said Saturday afternoon Mass attendance was at 60 and Sunday morning Mass at 64, both down from a normal Sunday.

Gloria Tedesco of Canfield said she wants to be able to attend Mass during Lent.

“I will continue to attend as long as we are allowed and are feeling well. We understand that everyone has to make adjustments during this time,” she said.

Margaret Bourne of Youngstown said she also wants to continue to attend Mass.

“I go to work and the grocery store, which is really all I have been doing lately. I want to continue coming to church,” she said.

While Methodist churches are canceling worship for the rest of the month as recommended by Bishop Tracy Malone of the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church, other denominations are making needed changes.

The Rev. Christopher Stark of Niles First Christian Church Disciples of Christ said for those who do want to attend worship they are broadcasting Sunday worship on the church’s Facebook page.

He advised attendees Sunday of having less contact during worship at church by sitting 6 feet apart and not passing the communion trays or offering plates, Sunday school also has been canceled for now.

“Everything we have done was intentional to avoid as little contact as possible. We are playing everything by ear by what the governor announces. I would not be surprised if there will be general instruction for everyone to close down,” Stark said.

The Rev. Ann Marie Winters, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Warren, was providing people leaving the sanctuary Sunday with hand sanitizer.

The church had 36 people in attendance.

She said the remaining worship services on Sunday and mid-week will still be held but be live streamed for others who will not attend.

“People will have the option to attend. We have a large space in sanctuary and people can sit apart. We are taking all precautions and have less than 100 people here.” Winters said.

Debbie Groves of Brookfield, a member of the church, said many events at the church have been canceled for public safety.

“I have an elderly mother and three young grandchildren so I understand the need to take precautions and be safe. It is important we listen to the warnings,” she said.

The Rev. Betty Angelini, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Warren, said the church Sunday worship services have been canceled for the rest of the month as well as the rest of the church activities. The last event is a community free lunch and food distribution noon Tuesday — which is drive-by pickup only.

The church had 37 in attendance Sunday but will have the Sunday sermons on radio 1220 AM for the upcoming weeks. Angelini said they will also try to do Facebook broadcast of the worship.

“We are going to be praying Psalm 139 together from our homes at 11:45 a.m. every day,” she said.

Angelini, a former nurse, said she understands the situation and the need to keep larger groups apart.

Casey McKee of Champion, who attends Warren First Presbyterian and is moderator of the board of deacons, said she and other church members are going through the church directory during the week to reach out to other members of the church who are older and not able to get out.

“We are younger and not as susceptible but will call others to see if they are OK and if they need us to go grocery shopping for them,” she said.

Frank Amedia, pastor at Touch Heaven Church in Canfield, said there was never any question whether to have service as always Sunday morning.

“I never gave it a second thought. When the Lord called us to this church and to this place, I entered into a covenant with Him and that was that. Not any chaos or snowstorms, coronavirus or any other force that isn’t God is going to stop this church from doing what we’ve been called to do.” Amedia said.

Amedia said he was encouraged to see a full sanctuary Sunday after learning so many churches were canceling or going to online only services.

“There were quite a few people here and that’s encouraging to see so many people coming together in faith to pray and worship together.” he said.

Even so, Amedia said he respects the decision of other pastors to cancel services, go online or go to streaming.

” I respect the decisions of other pastors and trust that they are of the Lord, and I would pray that they would respect that the decision we made also is of the Lord,” he said,

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

(Correspondent Virginia Shank contributed to this story.)