COVID-19 Changing Easter Plans

By Jackie Champoux
Staff Writer 

On March 29, President Donald Trump announced the extension of the nationwide social distancing guidelines for another 30 days — until April 30.

According to CNN.com, Trump announced weeks earlier that he was looking to relax some of these guidelines and that he “floated Easter as a potential date by which the country could return to normal.”

But as the circumstances change, how will Sacred Heart students celebrate Easter this year with the extended guidelines?

“Normally, every year, for any holiday, we always attend mass. I don’t know how that’s going to happen this year, but I do know that no matter what we will be spending the holiday together as a family,” said sophomore Ellen Micallef.

Many Sacred Heart students say that they are Catholic, and their Lenten traditions are being put on hold as all churches are closed due to the social distancing restriction.

According to CatholicNewsAgency.com, “many bishops and pastors have suggested that Catholics can benefit from increased personal prayer, and watching a live broadcast of Mass while making a spiritual communion from home.”

“I usually go to Easter mass so it will be weird not going this year,” said sophomore Kathleen Jourdenais.

Sophomore Claire Leville said, “Easter is an important part of the Catholic religion and I usually look forward to the holiday and Easter mass, but we can pray and celebrate from home.”

Many students and their families will also be video-chatting extended family during Easter dinner to celebrate.

Sophomore Ashlin Haley says she usually eats a big Easter dinner with her family and relatives every year. 

“My family is probably just going to have me, my parents, and my brother celebrate Easter together, but we will probably FaceTime our relatives that we would normally have with us too. We will probably just do an Easter breakfast or something instead of an early dinner,” said Haley.

Although Haley says that she is upset that she cannot see other family members, she understands the circumstances.

“I agree with social distancing as much as we can just because I’ve seen it firsthand with how it’s affecting hospitals and my mom as a nurse. I think it’s good to continue it in order to flatten the curve of the spread,” said Haley.

Micallef agrees, saying, “I think that President Trump extending the social distancing guidelines to April 30 is in the country’s best interest. Of course, it’s frustrating, but I think it will benefit us in the long run.”

Other students say they are keeping it simple this year, and some don’t even know if they are even celebrating.

“For Easter we don’t have a plan, but it seems like it will just be my family at my house. We probably won’t celebrate like we usually do since we can’t be with the rest of my family,” said sophomore Tara Lennon.

Micallef also says that she does not have a definite plan.

“I think with the current situation that we’re all in, we’re going to have a chill holiday and probably spend the whole day in our comfy sweats, enjoying some family time,” said Micallef.

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