Claudia Balderas thanks God this Ash Wednesday for giving her a second chance… she was one of the first New Yorkers to contract COVID-19 in March of last year.
“All of this was difficult and until now I still remember it with a feeling of sadness,” said Balderas.
Claudia belongs to St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Elmhurst, heavily impacted by the pandemic almost a year ago.
More than 63 parishioners in this parish died from the virus. That is why this Wednesday they began Lent praying for those who are no longer there.
Claudia’s sister and brother were not as lucky as her and could not overcome the illness. In this season of Lent she asks for healing for the difficult year she had.
“To be able to overcome all this that is happening because at times I feel sadness and knowing, that is, I do not understand,” added Balderas.
Father Ricardo Beuther, was also a survivor of the coronavirus. Explain that, as is tradition, this year’s ashes come from the palms that were used the previous year on Palm Sunday.
Father Ricardo says that this day is a tradition among believers to remind Catholics of the importance of prayer and the forgiveness of sins.
“That our parishioners will feel the presence of the Lord and remember that at all times the Lord is walking with us,” said the priest.
In church in Elmhurst.
–
On this Ash Wednesday, the San Bartolomé church has expanded its mass calendar with a maximum capacity of 25 percent of capacity to comply with the security protocols of the pandemic.
“Especially in this time of COVID, I think this is a time of trust also to trust that the Lord is always with us especially in difficult times,” said Father Beuther.
Visit the NY1 News page with our special coverage on the coronavirus:
– .
