The Covid Cabin
Church stopped being simple
On Friday March 13, 2020, simply going to Church stopped being simple. Parishes throughout Canada, the United States and many other countries introduced health measures to keep their citizens from getting sick or dying in this new global pandemic.
Initially, Catholic Dioceses in Canada issued orders that indoor Masses would no longer be allowed. Parishes everywhere were shuttered and Catholics had to rely on a digital means of connecting to a Mass broadcast over Youtube, Zoom or cable channel. But they could participate from the comfort and safety of their homes.
Sharing the message of Divine Mercy
The tag line “Sharing the message of Divine Mercy”, is a fitting mission for St Faustina Parish in Cumberland Ontario (near Ottawa Canada) as indicated on signs posted on our property. Responding to the needs of parishioners, Knights Chaplain – Father Gerard Monaghan (Council 13049) and a skeleton crew from the parish began videotaping the Saturday 4:00pm Mass. This Mass would be celebrated, videotaped and released to parishioners on the Youtube platform for Sunday viewing.
Later as our “production” qualities improved, Father Gerard, our pastor and latent tech geek, began live-streaming the Saturday Mass. Knights jumped in to assist the production by leading music, videotaping and readings.
As the warmer weather arrived, live Sunday Masses were held outdoors on the property adjacent to the church where people could maintain a safe distance and remain in their bubbles. Again the Knights were pressed into service, setting up canopy tents, the sound system, moving an altar outdoors and of course putting it all away after the Masses.
The Covid-Cabin
With winter approaching, Father Gerard decided to introduce drive-in Masses on Sundays (three in total). He called upon a number of parishioners including Brother Knight Jerome Gagnier to discuss what could be done to allow a Mass to be celebrated outdoors in the cold. Father Gerard asked if a ‘cabin’ could be built where parishioners could view the Mass from the Church parking lot.
A local farmer supplied a hay wagon trailer that the cabin could be built upon. Brother Jerome deliberated on the idea and then designed a 14’x 7’ cabin with 6 plexiglass windows for visibility. Cabin materials were purchased for around $5000.
As soon as the walls were up and the roof on, Masses began, but it wasn’t long afterwards that it was determined that insulation, heat and interior lighting would also be important. Insulation was donated and installed by a parishioner and his son. Other parishioners including SK Tim Halderson brought their own white paint to give the cabin its new look. Heat was supplied by 2 electric heaters backed up by a small propane heater.
As parishioners arrived, they parked their cars oriented towards the Cabin and tuned the radio to 87.9 FM. Fr Gerard had acquired a small FM transmitter to broadcast the sound of the Mass so that all could hear and participate, just like in the Church. Our Knights managed parking control for parishioners and collected the offerings in a large bin as people left the venue.
At your door service
At Communion time, Father Gerard and his Deacons (all brother Knights) would approach each vehicle and distribute the Eucharist or a blessing to each occupant. Music for the Mass was provided by Brother Jerome and other musicians from within the Church connected through the sound/radio systems. Parishioners did their part by staying in their cars, sanitizing their hands and wearing masks until Holy Communion arrived to their window.
Communion was also provided to parishioners who had safely watched the Youtube Mass from their homes. On Sunday, after the Drive-In Mass, they could drive in to receive the Eucharist similar to how it was distributed in the parking lot.
A Drive-In Sacrament of Reconciliation service was offered ahead of the Saturday Mass by pulling alongside of Father Gerard’s vehicle, rolling down a window and wearing a mask.
Many of the good parishioners of St. Faustina Parish attended the drive-in Masses and the word about our Cabin spread to others. A good number of attendees were from other parishes and even came from outside of the Ottawa region and from the province of Quebec. As a result of the Covid-Cabin, a number of attendees became full-time parishioners of St. Faustina Parish.
Mass in the Park
So now that it’s warmer, the Covid-Cabin is no longer in regular use with the exception of several funerals and Thursday’s all day Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. We are back to celebrating Sunday Masses next door to the Church. All parishioners must still follow strict Covid-19 guidelines relative to masks, safe distancing and hand sanitizing to participate in “Mass in the Park”. Instead of pews, they use lawn chairs and blankets. A platform covered by a canopy, was built to hold the altar and allow the clergy to celebrate Mass. A second canopy is set up for the musicians/singers and sound technology.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
The Youtube Mass, Covid Cabin, Drive up Confessions, Flocknote and assorted technology, coalesced together with motivated folks to deliver a result that was greater than anyone expected. Father Gerard, Deacons Tom Donahue, Kevin Foley and Mike Seguin, parishioners and non-parishioners from the Ottawa region and elsewhere were able to celebrate Mass during the coldest of months. The success of the venture attracted interest from TV and radio stations and was featured in print and digital media. CBC and CTV News featured the Covid-Cabin on TV and radio. The Covid-Cabin concept was copied by several other parishes and a Catholic Centre in the area, allowing them to continue to celebrate the Mass during the pandemic. Many even used the same broadcast frequency!
Coming together
The Cabin was borne out of necessity, guarded by our patron Saint Faustina, and blessed with divine inspiration. Not even all the health restrictions from Covid-19 could stop the parish faithful.
This unique ‘Covid-Cabin’ had never been executed before in the Ottawa region. It was original and energized by our pastor, a handful of people, the Knights and clergy, working together to minister to the parish, celebrate Mass and the Sacraments and thus “Sharing the message of Divine Mercy”.