KUCHING: The Covid-19 pandemic has forced churches worldwide to limit its attendance of people at one time due to need to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and to resort to conducting masses online.
However, St Joseph’s Cathedral here has taken the initiative to provide a carpark mass whereby parishioners can park their vehicles in the church compound and attend masses while in the cars, thus still minimising the time and points of contact in order to curb the spread of the virus.
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Most Reverend Simon Poh said that the cathedral started its first carpark mass on Dec 19.
“We are planning to do this weekly, especially for those who have mobility challenges and the high-risk group such as the elderly who can still pray from their vehicles,” he told New Sarawak Tribune on Sunday (Jan 10).
Poh said with the drive-in mass, the elderly could visit the cathedral with greater safety and shorter duration compared to being in the church physically.
“We are also glad that the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) has approved our application to hold the carpark mass with our SOPs in place,” he said.
Poh said the drive-in mass would be held every Sunday on 7am and parishioners must pre-register before going to the cathedral.
“Parishioners have to contact the cathedral’s office to register as our car park compound can take in about 50 vehicles.
“Such pre-registration will help to minimise time during admission and parishioners does not need to come here very early to secure places and wait a long time before the mass starts,” he said.
Meanwhile, it was observed that during the carpark mass on last Sunday (Jan 10), parishioners remained seated in their cars with the window screens down and engines turned off.
The priest conducted the mass from the first floor of St Joseph’s parish office.
Cars were also parked one metre apart from each other and parishioners were allowed to take off their masks when in the cars.
The church’s Eucharistic Ministers also brought the Holy Communion directly to the parishioners.
For those who wish to drive in for the carpark mass, the public may call the cathedral’s office at 082-423424 or 082-423425 to book their slots.
