From left, Ricardo Fortin Sr., Lauris Reehuis-Redan and priest Simon Wilson at the Palm Sunday mass which was streamed live on the Roman Catholic Church’s Facebook page on Sunday, April 5.
ST. EUSTATIUS--The Roman Catholic Church in St. Eustatius transmitted its Palm Sunday mass live on the internet Sunday, April 5. The service was held online instead of in persons due to the coronavirus COVID-19 and the need for social distancing. The mass was streamed live on at the church’s Facebook page.
Local priest Simon Wilson conducted the service with the assistance of among others Ricardo Fortin Sr., Conrad Janysek, Lauris Reehuis-Redan and Norris “Edna” Williams. and others.
In previous years, Statia’s Catholics and members of the Jeems and Bethel Methodist Churches held Palm Sunday processions but the emergency ordinance that is currently in place to curb the spread of the virus limits the number of persons that can gather to 25 or less.
Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, which culminates with Good Friday and ends on Easter Sunday, April 12.
The Bethel Methodist Church carried their Palm Sunday service live on local radio station 92.3 FM PJB50 instead of opening the church building to members of the congregation.
