Stephanie DeBartolomeo, in charge of Digital Media for St Rose of Lima Parish, 46 Church Hill Road, shared the following with The Newtown Bee: “On March 16, St Rose of Lima Parish closed its doors to the lay faithful due to the coronavirus pandemic which had finally reached the steps of the Church. It is the first time the Parish has taken such extraordinary measures since Monsignor Bob Weiss, Pastor, arrived in 1999.

‘As a priest this is a most unusual time for me,” said Monsignor Weiss. “We are faith-filled believers bound together by the celebration of our relationship with Jesus. Not having that sacred experience is overwhelming to me,’ he said.

Father Alphonse Arokiam, Parochial Vicar at St Rose, felt similarly. “Celebrating Mass in a large church such as ours with no parishioners is quite unsettling during this difficult time.’

But upon walking into the Church on [Tuesday], April 7, Monsignor Weiss and Father Arokiam were surprised and emotionally touched by the site they encountered. More than 250 families’ photos were attached to the pews, facing the altar. On total count, that meant more than 800 faces were ‘at Mass’, starting that morning.

The Parish launched a social media campaign to spread word of the idea and electronically collected family photos, which started flooding in within minutes.

‘I was deeply moved when I saw more than 700 faces, familiar faces, staring back at me from the altar,’ Monsignor Weiss said. ‘This is a true testament to the deeply rooted faith and love our community has for its Parish. It means so much to me.’

Father Arokiam concurred and also said, ‘I feel very blessed to be part of this community. It is calming to see smiling faces looking up at me as I celebrate morning Mass.’

The pictures will remain in the Church through Easter Sunday.”