COCHRANE— The COVID-19 virus has put a stop to mass gatherings. This can prove to be a challenge during religious events. With Good Friday and Easter Sunday in sight, churches within Cochrane have adjusted their parameters to continue to reach their audience.
Cochrane Alliance Church will be offering a Good Friday and Easter Sunday mass online. Friday's service will stream at 7 p.m. followed by the Easter service on Sunday at 9 a.m.
"These services will also be available to view on demand after they happen," said Mike Poettcker, associate pastor with the Cochrane Alliance Church.
Members of the public can access these streams by visiting cochranealliance.com and clicking the LiveSteam & VOD Library in the centre of the home page.
The pandemic has resulted in the church moving various programs online with staff working remotely from home.
"The biggest change is we converted our sanctuary into an amateur TV studio for all of the public functions that we want to gather people around virtually," said Poettcker.
Certain services like baptisms have been put on hold for the time being, although small interment graveside funeral services are still functioning with just the pastor and immediate family present.
"We are working on a policy on how to handle other big milestones," said Poettcker.
St. Mary's Parish is also offering livestreamed services from April 9 to 12 in celebration of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Bishop McGrattan will carry the masses from the Diocesan website at calgarydiocese.ca.
On Thursday (April 9) there will be a Chrism Mass at 10 a.m. as well as Holy Thursday at 7 p.m.
Friday (April 10) Good Friday mass at 3 p.m.
Saturday (April 11) Easter Vigil mass at 9:30 p.m. and Easter Sunday mass (April 12) at 10 a.m.
All masses can be viewed after they have streamed.
Kings Gate Church will be streaming a service on Sunday (April 12) at 10:30 a.m. while Bow Valley Baptist Church will stream their Easter service at 10:45 a.m.
