Christians across the North Shore and Cape Ann marked Easter Sunday in a variety of ways under the strictures of the coronavirus pandemic, which has kept people quarantined at home and prevented large gatherings, including church services.
At St. Peter’s, the Episcopal Church in Beverly, a total of 59 people watched a morning service on Facebook Live. The Rev. Manny Faria and his wife, Lou Ann, conducted the Mass, accompanied only by an organist.
“It’s especially hard to look into a lens and imagine a congregation out there,” Faria told his parishioners. “I agree, it’s not quite the same.”
“In 2020 we can’t go to church and we can’t gather with extended family and friends, but we must celebrate because this is the defining tradition of our faith,” Faria said in his sermon. “Jesus lives. It’s as simple as that.”