Family Church of Fredonia

Local churches are taking precautions to not spread COVID-19 in different ways, whether it be Facebook live, streaming video or private prayer sessions.

Catholic churches in the area, like St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Dunkirk are following the policies released by the Diocese of Buffalo. In a statement on their website, the Diocese explains the cancellations, “As the faith community of Western New York, we have an important part to play in protecting those most vulnerable and those with underlying medical issues during this period of extreme concern over the spread of the coronavirus,” said Bishop Scharfenberger. “I realize how deeply disappointing it is during our season of Lent to refrain from gathering at public masses and participating together in our liturgical life, but we must avoid the risk of wider infection. I encourage the faithful, nonetheless, to pray fervently during this time when we must be apart and to continue their Lenten journey within families and in the quiet of their own prayerful reflection, knowing that Christ abides with us always and in every place.”

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Dunkirk will be open for private prayer during regular business hours. Public masses are canceled until further notice.

Some churches are choosing to go a different route with their worship services, instead of canceling altogether. The First Baptist Church in Dunkirk is going to livestream their worship service on their Facebook page on Sunday mornings and will also be putting the audio of the worship services on their website, dunkirkbaptist.org. On Wednesday nights, they will also be going live on their Facebook at 6:30 p.m. with their prayer service.

As for St. Joseph and St. Anthony Parishes in Fredonia, they will not be offering public masses at either location until further notice.

St. Anthony’s

All events are canceled and any use of the facilities is not available, including Girl Scouts, St. Vincent de Paul, and Knights of Columbus meetings and private use of building space. They released a statement reading, “As both of our Parishes must maintain the utilities and any needed deep cleaning and upkeep we ask that you mail in your weekly envelopes to the Parish office or drop them off during office hours, … If you so choose to visit either of the churches please respect the space of those who may also be here for private prayer.”

They are opening the St. Anthony Parish Church for private prayer, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and St. Joseph Parish Church during regular office hours for private prayer, that being Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. They will have a limited number of bulletins available at both sites during these particular times.

Family Church is meeting in person this week, although it may be for the last time for a while.

Church officials said earlier in the week they had spoken to the Chautauqua County Health Department and was told that as long as the church has crowds of no more than 50 people that it is acceptable. To combat a room full of people, the church has several smaller rooms in it, offering a live television feed of the service to those rooms.

On Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason are canceled or postponed, which goes into effect Sunday night. Because of this a new plan will be announced Sunday.

First Baptist Church of Dunkirk

Even if they don’t meet, Family Church said they are going to livestream all of their services so the congregation does not feel pressured to come in. The church has also set in place stricter policies with cleaning — especially in the children’s area. The church encourages its members to check their Facebook page to see the latest updates.

On a Facebook post Wednesday by Pastor Michael Lokietek, he wrote, “At this point, and please note that this is all subject to change as things go forward, we are going to continue having services in accordance with the New York State laws regarding the 50-person limit on social gatherings. We have many rooms available to use during services where we can still partake in the Word together. But, the Bible is clear that it is not our job as pastors to Lord over the sheep. You must be led by God for yourself. If you feel in your heart it is not the time for you to be at services, you must follow that witness — and know that you have my and Pastor Nancy’s full blessing in doing so.”

The church will also be canceling the potluck on March 29 and foregoing fellowship for the time being so the Dufresne Room is available for seating during services.