Parishioners should want to come to church because they can receive Christ there, the Rev. Gary Regula, pastor of St. Jerome Roman Catholic Church in Phoenix, said.

"We should want to come to church because even if we cannot hold one another's hands at this time, we know we can be together celebrating with people who are broken and at times empty just like we are," Regula said in the church's Nov. 22  bulletin. "We should want to come to church despite all the news that comes out about some of the people within; because as Peter wisely remarked to Jesus, 'Lord, where are we to go? You have the words of everlasting life.'"

Regula remarked that Christ is the King of the universe and not simply an elected official in the United States.

"Christ is the King of the Universe that reminds us that we can be one in Him simply by being instruments of His love," Regula said. "Christ is the King of the Universe, and at this moment in time He is the one that we need; for where else can we go, as He not only has the words of everlasting life, but He is the resurrection and the life."

The pastor also noted that once the pandemic ends and becomes part of history, churches will be able to open up again and welcome everyone without limits. But there will be a great deal of work to do to show people why they should be coming back to church.

"The livestream of the Mass has made it very easy to make people feel they can still be a part of the Church from the comfort of their home," Fr. Regula said. "Technology has shown that we can conduct classes for children and adults in order to teach them about the church without having them come in person. ... The Church still needs to put its house in order, to gain back a certain sense of trust in the hearts and lives of people."