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LAPLACE — The Ascension of Our Lord Perpetual Adoration Chapel is typically a 24/7 site for Eucharistic prayer, with at least one person present every hour of the day. Now it is uncharacteristically empty, following the guidance of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and health officials aiming to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The virus presents a different challenge than hurricanes and tropical storms. Parishioners are tucked away at home, and churches in the River Parishes have had to adapt by holding service through virtual means.

Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church in LaPlace is live streaming its Mass schedule, and recordings are viewable by the public at any time through Facebook or the Parish website at aolparish.org. While crowds can’t congregate for Mass, Father Walter Austin said the church and its neighboring prayer garden remains open to the public from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Additionally, the Ascension of Our Lord Knights of Columbus Council 9623 will continue taking drive-thru orders for its Lenten Fish fry from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, April 3, at 1809 Greenwood Drive in  LaPlace.

“We contacted the Board of Health about whether or not we should have it, and we were told that it was an essential part of the community, so we are going to continue that on Friday,” Austin said.

He added that the next challenge will be adapting to unprecedented restrictions regarding Easter vigil.

“We would have almost nobody there except the deacons and the technicians working the camera in order to keep the number of people under 10,” Austin said. “Every time you turn around, there is a new challenge. You have to be flexible.”

Despite the circumstances, AOL Church is actively working to take care of its members. Each Thursday, hearty meals are delivered to the shut-in members of the community who can’t get out to purchase food. Austin added that AOL School Principal Toni Ruiz is taking proactive measures to ensure education continues and children do not fall behind academically during this time away from school.

Educational packets are now being distributed in person once every three weeks, rather than weekly, to abide with Governor John Bel Edwards’ Stay at Home order and recommendations from the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

New Wine Christian Fellowship in LaPlace has made its share of adjustments. As churches, schools and businesses began closing their doors, New Wine’s Young Adult Ministry began making “coronavirus care packages” containing packages of toilet tissue, hand sanitizers, snacks and other goods for the elderly.

More information on this project will be included in an upcoming edition of L’OBSERVATEUR. Pastor Neil Bernard said it was a way to show seniors that others care and are thinking of them.

“I believe that in every crisis, there’s also an opportunity. Even in times like this, there are opportunities,” Bernard said. “These times are unprecedented. It’s been more than 100 years since the churches have had to shut their doors. There will be opportunities for us to serve in ways we have never served before. It may force us to change the way we do things, but we’re not going to stop being the church.”

New Wine Christian Fellowship is also live streaming service despite the church building being closed.

“The good news is I have been doing an online devotional for more than a year, and that has allowed me to connect with a lot of our people virtually,” Bernard said. “Because of it, many of our people have already started using social media and connecting online.”

According to Bernard, the Bible teaches people to use whatever is on hand to help others. He firmly believes God will multiply those efforts to help the church care for the community.

After Hurricane Katrina, New Wine opened its doors as a shelter with limited food and a small number of blankets. Like an answered prayer, a FEMA truck got lost in the New Wine parking lot that very week and provided cots, ready to eat meals and additional blankets to families in need. This allowed New Wine to shelter more than 800 people and serve more than 15,000 meals.

The church also helped rebuild 1,200 family homes over a two-year period after Hurricane Isaac and assisted in 2016 flood relief with resources on hand. To address this newest situation, New Wine is putting together a coronavirus task force of church members who are healthcare professionals.

“In times of crisis, people are fearful, they are panicking, and they are often looking for answers,” Bernard said. “We are here to speak calm and peace in the midst of their storm.”