Makassar Cathedral Church Christmas Mass Only 500 Congregations, Choir Held

Parish priest of the Cathedral Church, Father Wilhelmus Tulak in preparation for the Christmas Mass at the local Church, Makassar (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The management of the Makassar Cathedral Church, South Sulawesi Province this year has limited congregations to carry out Christmas Mass services.

This is due to the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rules in health protocols to suppress transmission of the virus.

"So, usually at night mass, there are hundreds to three thousand people (coming to worship), but because this is a pandemic situation this year we limit it to 500 people per mass per service," said the Parish Priest of Makassar Cathedral Church Father Wilhelmus Tulak at the local church , reported by Antara, Thursday, December 24.

He explained that the preparation for the implementation of worship was ready, while the schedule for the 2020 Christmas mass was held seven times. The first mass of the session or Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24 at 18.00 WITA then followed by the second Mass at 20.00 WITA.

Schedule for the third Mass, Friday, December 25 starting at 06.30 WITA, the fourth Mass at 08.30 WITA, the fifth Mass at 11.30 WITA, the sixth Mass at 16.30 WITA and the seventh Mass at 18.30 WITA.

"Apart from the face-to-face Mass, the church also opens online sessions (online) totaling five sessions. For congregants who do not have the opportunity to go through virtual videos. This is done so that the worship service can run safely and smoothly. Online Mass, "he said.

Wilhelmus said that this year's Christmas celebration is very different from last year's. Usually enlivened by choirs and parodies, but all of them were eliminated because they were considered prone to spreading the virus.

"There is no choir this time, we are avoiding the doplet. Mass will run normally like Sunday Mass. For Mass service time, it is estimated that only one and a half hours, usually two hours," he said.

Regarding the Christmas hope this year, he said, I hope the people will be strengthened in faith. Because nothing gives strength to this pandemic situation except faith.

"This year's Christmas theme, God is with us. In a pandemic situation, we invite the people to submit to themselves that God's inclusion is always with us," he added.

Previously, the South Sulawesi Regional Police Mobile Brigade Gegana team had sterilized this church and other churches to provide a sense of security and comfort when carrying out the 2020 Christmas Mass.