Easter masses cancelled in Queens, as COVID-19 confirmed in parishioners at two churches

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Pope Francis delivers a televised mass at the Vatican. Easter Sunday masses have been cancelled in Queens and Brooklyn. Vatican News via AP

Pope Francis delivers a televised mass at the Vatican. Easter Sunday masses have been cancelled in Queens and Brooklyn. Vatican News via AP

By Rachel Vick

The Brooklyn Diocese has officially cancelled public masses ahead of Holy Week, the seven days between Palm Sunday and Easter, considered the most important period in the Roman Catholic church. 

The diocese, which includes Queens, made the announcement Wednesday, shortly after confirming that a person who handed out communion wafers and at least six other parishioners at two Catholic churches in Queens had tested positive for COVID-19.

The Eucharistic minister — a person who hands out hosts to parishioners during Communion in Catholic mass — last administered Communion on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26, and last attended mass at Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church in Woodside on Feb. 29, the Diocese said.

Six parishioners at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in East Elmhurst also tested positive for the illness They had attended community group meetings on March 3, 7 and 10, the Diocese said.

Both churches are being cleaned, following guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The Diocese is urging anyone who was at the churches during those times to contact their doctor if they are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19. New York City residents can also call 311 to learn more information. 

As city officials continue to place restrictions on activities to contain the spread, religious institutions have taken precautions and cancelled group worship.

The Diocese of Brooklyn announced Wednesday that there will be no public masses on Easter, April 12; Good Friday, April 10; or Holy Thursday, April 9. There will be no masses on Palm Sunday, April 5, but palms will be available for pickup outside of churches in Queens and Brooklyn.

Churches remain open for individual prayer, and five masses will be streamed on WNET-TV every weekday, as well as special masses throughout the Holy Week.