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The Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Savannah Vol. 100 No. 11 Thursday, May 28, 2020 Put Faith in Your Opinions southerncross-sav.org ft A J Parishioners stand in prayer as noon Mass begins Mass at St. Theresa Church, Cordele May 25. More than 25 parishionerattended the first public Mass after quarantine resrictions were lifted. Photograph by Donnell Suggs. Mass resumed at St. Theresa Church, Cordele under new guidelines By Donnell Suggs fellow parishioners thougflr back our parishioners. 1 CORDELE, GA.- Jim Volz and Bill Epps were early for noon Mass at St. Theresa Church, Cordele Monday, May 25, Memorial Day. The pair of parishio ners had to be, they were working after all. Volz is the parish council president, an altar server and Eucharistic minister. Epps, whose wife Carolyn, who also attended Mass this day, holds a number of positions at the parish as well, includ ing Eucharitic minister and usher. Asked how they felt about being back at Mass, Volz said, “I haven’t missed one.” He served as Eucharaistic minister for every online service including today’s which was streamed via the parish Facebook page. “I love being back here with my “I’m happy we’re back,” added Epps whose wide smile was hard to hide from behind a white KN95 mask. Mass at St. Theresa Church was indeed back after two months of solely digital observance. Normally pretty quiet on a Monday, this Memorial Day service had 26 parishioners socially-dis- tance themselves throughout the pews of the small parish. The turnout was one that was both unexpected and very much welcomed by pastor Paulinus Chikelue Okpala who last week told the Southern Cross that he hoped 5-10 people showed up. “It’s beautiful,” said Okpala of the turnout. “It is such a joy to welcome . We really missed them and we are glad we are able to start [Mass] today. “The distancing has psychologically prepared people for the re-start. Now we will better understand the social-distanc ing and wearing of masks that is neces sary to have attended Masses again.” Of the more than two dozen parishio ners in attendance Monday only a small few were not wearing masks, with one being a small child among a family of five. The new way of attending Mass did not seem to keep St. Theresa’s parish ioners from partaking in the sacraments either. See Mass resumed page 11