A Richmond Catholic church isn't letting B.C.'s indoor gathering restrictions stop it from preaching some faith.
St. Joseph the Worker Parish began live streaming mass services last year. The congregation has since added drive-thru communion offering.
Now that spring has sprung, St. Joe's (as it's affectionately known in the community) is holding outdoor mass several times a week that allows for up to 50 parishioners to gather.
"We still make them bring their own lawn chair and on a sunny day many people, they'll be outside the tent and, of course, the tent has no sides so it doesn't matter. There's lots of room for 50 people," says pastor Fr. Pierre Ducharme.
At the end of March, the previously announced class variance for limited indoor worship services was suspended, as coronavirus (COVID-19) cases began surging in the province again.
While indoor worship is still suspended, modified outdoor services under the current variance can continue.
For Fr. Pierre, it's about giving people as many options as possible.
"Just because we cannot invite them to come to church does not mean we stop. Reaching out and embracing the community, that's still our mission, even if we cannot gather."
