Metro Manila(CNN Philippines, November 8)— With the Christmas season right around the corner, many Filipinos are already pondering on how to celebrate the holidays especially in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virtual family reunions and online gift-shopping have been laid out as some options for citizens celebrating Christmas, as the country continues to battle the spread of the coronavirus.
It’s also a “new normal” for the Catholic church, which will be holding the traditional Simbang Gabi next month under new rules.
How is the church preparing for the masses? CNN Philippines spoke to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to learn more.
1. Punctual masses, adjusted hours
With a midnight curfew still in place in Metro Manila, CBCP said churches would have to adjust their mass hours to accommodate the Catholic faithful.
Even parish officials would also need to be punctual, given the limited time provided, it added.
“Matutuloy pa rin naman ‘yung Simbang Gabi, may adjustments lang sa oras, at saka siyempre, sa paga-accommodate ng mga mass-goers,” Fr. Jerome Secillano, CBCP Public Affairs Committee Executive Secretary, said in an interview with Newsroom Weekend on Sunday.
“Kaya bilang mga taong-simbahan, kinakailangan na pumasok kami doon, sa tinakdang oras, kasi meron tayong curfew,” he added.
[Translation: The Simbang Gabi will push through, but there will be adjustments in time, and of course, in accommodating mass-goers. As church officials, we need to start masses on time, because we have a curfew.]
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority earlier said that mayors are discussing to further ease the curfew in the capital region from 12 a.m. to 3 a.m. to be able to hold more masses and avoid crowding inside churches.
2. Churches urged to conduct more masses
CBCP noted that churches can also opt to conduct more masses to accommodate more devotees.
Currently, religious gatherings in areas under general community quarantine are permitted under a limited 30 percent capacity. The religious group is hoping that the capacity will increase come December, in time for the Simbang Gabi.
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CBCP also assured that health protocols will be strictly followed inside churches, including the wearing of face masks and strict physical distancing.
3. Simbang Gabi goes online
For devotees who are not yet allowed to leave their homes, online masses are still a viable option.
CBCP said livestream of masses on Facebook and other channels will be available in order to cater to the needs of all members of the Catholic community.
