GREEN BAY (NBC26) -- — Christmas Eve is one of the most highly attended church services of the year, but most will look a bit different this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fr. Brian Belongia, St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, said their Christmas Eve mass normally draw between 500 and 600 guests. This year, Belongia said the Catholic church expects about half of what they saw in 2019.
That'll be a full house for the 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. masses following COVID-19 safety procedures. Every other pew is roped off. Social distancing is being implemented between families. Masks are required. Pews will be cleaned in between masses.
“It’s great to be able to have the opportunities for people to be ale to come in-person to mass, and give glory and praise to God on Christmas," Belongia said. "It’s exciting. It really is.”
Grace Lutheran Church is trading in its pews for parking spots on Christmas Eve.
Cars will line up in the church's parking lot at 4 p.m. for an outdoor Christmas Eve Lights and Carols Service. Larry Lange, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, said a small group of people will come together and sing Christmas carols for about 15 minutes at the start and end of the service, which will be broadcast on WDUZ Radio 1400 AM for one hour.
Lange expects about 100 people total at the service. In addition to seeing all the people, Lange said he most looks forward to "the gift of music."
“We know that that’s one of the things that people are missing right now is singing together. Singing Christmas music together. So we made it possible for a limited amount of people to sing outside together," Lange said. "It's really exciting."
During an unusual year, both churches are finding unconventional ways to celebrate the important religious tradition.
“Whether we have a full house or whether we only have 10 people, we want them to have a good Christmas and a good worship experience this year," Belongia said.
Before people venture out for Christmas Eve mass, Belongia suggests they call their parish to ask what attendance procedures are. He said St. Francis Xavier Cathedral's 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. Christmas Eve in-person masses are currently full.
People can view St. Francis Xavier Cathedral's 4 p.m. Christmas Eve mass and 9 a.m. Christmas Day mass on its website.
Lange said a few parking and singing spots are left at Grace Lutheran's Christmas Eve service. He said people should call 920-432-0308 to make a reservation.
Grace Lutheran Church will stream its 2 p.m. Christmas Eve service on Youtube.
