For an associate pastor at St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Omaha, a welcome sound helped ease him back into Masses in front of the congregation.
He heard a baby cry.
“He told me that was good to hear,’’ the Rev. Steven Stillmunks said. “It gave him a feeling that things were starting to get back to normal.’’
Stillmunks, the pastor at St. Robert for almost nine years, is one of the priests dealing with a range of issues as churches begin to reopen after closing because of coronavirus concerns. According to a World-Herald sampling last week, Catholic churches appear to be the most proactive about inviting parishioners back, while other denominations are taking a more cautious approach.
Of the 85 churches contacted by The World-Herald, 20 had opened by this weekend. These numbers could be characterized as a snapshot, not a statistically valid sample.
Thirteen others have set opening dates at least tentatively, bringing the total to 33 that plan to be open by the end of June. That’s still fewer than 2 out of 5 churches contacted.

Eric Elnes
To some, even a return next month seems overly ambitious.
“I feel that it’s absolutely not safe for churches to be opening again,’’ the Rev. Eric Elnes said. “It boggles my mind that this is happening.’’
Elnes, the senior minister at Countryside Community Church, is especially sensitive to the topic. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 in mid-March shortly after returning from a trip to Spain.
“I experienced a lot of feelings of anxiety and guilt,’’ he said. “I wrote a letter of apology to our congregation.’’
Elnes said his church, part of the Tri-Faith Initiative, has no immediate plan to bring that congregation back.
“We’re not going to discuss it until June 18,’’ he said. “I can see us not reopening until the fall or maybe even later.’’
The Tri-Faith Initiative is a cohort of three different religions and prayer spaces on one campus. It also includes Temple Israel and the American Muslim Institute.
Because of his diagnosis, Elnes and 30 members of the Tri-Faith staff were placed under a two-week quarantine. He said it’s that experience that has him wary about a return to on-site services instead of holding them online — something most churches already have been doing.
“Nobody contracted the virus because of me, but that was extremely frightening,’’ he said. “I think the whole experience was a wake-up call for our community to take this seriously.’’
Only two of the churches in The World-Herald sample have not arranged some sort of online services the past few months.
Elnes said he understands the desire for churchgoers to seek a return to life the way it was before COVID-19.
“Faith is essential, and I know a lot of people feel as though they need to get together and worship in a big group,’’ he said. “But for 1,900 of the last 2,000 years of Christian history, we haven’t gathered like that.’’
Catholic churches have been the most likely to reopen. Of the 16 contacted — which represents 19% of the overall group — they represented 55% of the open churches. By the end of June, nearly all (15 of 16) of the Catholic churches in the sample will be open. The exception is Sacred Heart in northeast Omaha.
Guidelines for the reopening of Catholic churches are addressed on the Omaha Archdiocese website. The opening statement says Archbishop George Lucas has been in frequent contact with the pastors and priests of the archdiocese and is offering them support in their preparations to welcome the faithful back.
At St. Robert, those faithful already have returned. Stillmunks, who has been a priest for 44 years, said the parish is better for it.
“My job is to lead people back to a sense of normalcy,’’ he said. “I’m happy that parishioners have been watching our Masses online, but many still have a strong desire to come back to church.’’
The Rev. Mike Grewe, the vicar general of the Omaha Archdiocese and the pastor at St. Cecilia Cathedral, said he has one such 90-year-old parishioner.
“That person told me that they hadn’t missed Mass since 1946,’’ he said. “There are a lot of people like that who find comfort in being here.’’

Rev. James Buckley conducts Communion during Mass at St. Cecilia Cathedral on Mother’s Day in Omaha.
Grewe said one lasting impact of the coronavirus is that people have an added sense of their own spiritual identity.
“It created so much anxiety and a feeling of helplessness, something that we’ve never experienced,’’ he said. “The isolation that’s been created is a big reason why many of our parishioners have been itching to come back.’’
With Gov. Pete Ricketts’ original order in place of no more than 10 people at gatherings, most churches turned to online solutions. Some say those livestreamed services have produced an unexpected benefit.
“Our attendance has actually been higher,’’ Elnes said. “I think a lot of churches are realizing that they can reach more people this way, not just here in Omaha but all across the nation.’’
The COVID-19 restrictions also have forced church leaders to become more creative while trying to reach their congregations. At Maplewood United Methodist Church, communion has been offered in a symbolic way to the homebound through the online Zoom platform.
“It was a way for our people to feel connected,’’ the Rev. Bethann Black said. “Our bishop provided the model for us, and we felt it was something that we wanted to do.’’
Black said she feels a strong connection to her 125-member congregation, but added she isn’t quite comfortable enough yet to invite them back for live services.
“The reason I’m dragging my feet is that it isn’t 100% safe,’’ she said. “I think we’ll reassess next month, but July seems to make more sense.”
Marty Boeschling, co-lead pastor with his wife, Jael, at Community Covenant Church in Millard, said COVID-19 has forced all church leaders to rethink how they care for their congregations.
“I think good things can actually come of this, especially through our digital presence,’’ he said. “We’re the little church on Q Street but now we’re reaching out much farther.’’
His church remains closed to live services and he doesn’t see that changing anytime soon.
“About half of our congregation is ready to come back and half aren’t,’’ he said. “I just don’t see us returning to anything near normal right now.’’
He said even the simple things, such as canceling the usual order from the bakery for doughnuts after services, has made him stop and think.
“We always want to create a comfortable atmosphere, and I don’t know how we’re going to do that,’’ he said. “People love to get together and chat before and after services, and that’s not a good thing right now.’’
Boeschling said another sign of the changing times is that communion at his church is prepackaged for when it can be dispensed.
“We’re trying to do everything to diminish the possibility of passing germs,’’ he said. “It’s certainly more sterile. But it’s allowed us to continue doing it.’’
The Rev. Damian Zuerlein, who ministers at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, said he didn’t know if certain Mass traditions — the sharing of sacramental wine at Communion and the sign of peace handshake — will ever come back.

Ron Helms hands out masks at St. Cecilia Cathedral on May 11 in Omaha.
“Without a vaccine, I don’t know how they can,’’ he said. “This is just something else that we don’t know about the future.’’
Zuerlein said it’s been difficult enough trying to continue with services such as baptisms and funerals.
“When we had a limit of 10 people gathering, it was extremely tough,’’ he said. “One woman passed away and she had eight kids, so they were the only ones who could attend.’’
Connecting with the most isolated church members or those who have lost income because of the coronavirus seems to be a priority for the leaders of every religious denomination.
“We’re mindful of the elderly, especially if they don’t have any other family members around here,’’ Stillmunks said. “The self- employed also have been impacted big-time, and we’ve worked to get them gift cards to try and help.’’
Zuerlein said it’s been gratifying to see his congregation stepping up its donations to the St. Vincent de Paul Society to assist the needy. He added that contributions to the church, usually collected at offertory during live Masses, have remained constant.
“These are challenging times for everyone,’’ he said. “If anything positive comes of this, I hope that it will be a deeper spirituality for us all.’’
The Catholic churches that have reopened are taking several precautions to try to keep congregations safe. Seating in only every other pew is the rule at most, hand sanitizer is readily available and masks are encouraged.
Still, Elnes — the minister treated for COVID-19 — wonders if any restrictions will provide a completely safe environment.
“All I had was a mild cough and it turned out to be something much more,’’ he said. “It stinks because I miss my congregation, but I just want to be as cautious as possible.’’
Grewe said it’s important for people to maintain a positive attitude despite the uncertain future.
“We’re definitely going to make it through this, but we just have to take it one day at a time,’’ he said. “We know that God will provide, and we need to put our trust in Him.’’
Our best staff photos of May 2020
Iowa Bars

Customers drink at the The BLK Squirrel in Council Bluffs on Thursday. It was the first days bars could reopen in Iowa since being closed to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Iowa Bars

Kelsie Nelson makes drinks at the BLK Squirrel in Council Bluffs on Thursday. “We’re really excited to be back, we’ve missed our customers quite a bit, and we haven’t had that face-to-face interaction, so being able to do that is nice,” she said.
Protest 1

People listen to speakers at the protest of the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police during a rally at the Omaha police's northeast precinct on Thursday.
May Rain

A ant crawls between raindrops on a peony ready to bloom in midtown Omaha on Wednesday.
May Rain

Geese and goslings swim as rain falls at Fontenelle Park in Omaha on Tuesday.
Memorial Day

Andrea Williams, left, and Linda Simmonds walk through Forest Lawn Memorial Park to lay flowers on the grave of Robert Simmonds on Saturday.
Memorial Day

Pat Brown and her son Daryl Brown Sr. make their way to decorate a grave on Sunday at Mount Hope Cemetery in Omaha.
Memorial Day

Cindy, left, and Greg Blome lay flowers at the graves of numerous relatives buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park on Saturday.
Memorial Day

Pat Brown holds great-grandson Maxwell Carter's hand while decorating a grave Sunday at Mount Hope Cemetery in Omaha.
The King is watching

Morgan Smith, right, gives James Anderson a haircut at The Men's Salons - Aksarben.
Fence Message

A message for students graces a fence at the Bryan Elementary School in Millard.
Flights of Honor

The Flights of Honor free exhibit, commemorating Honor Flights for Nebraska veterans and military families, runs through Memorial Day at the VFW Post 2503 in Omaha.
Restaurants Reopen

Shirley’s Diner is one of the many restaurants in Omaha welcoming back customers. Restaurants must space tables six feet apart among several restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of coronavirus.
Musicians for Healing

Christina Klem serenades a resident at Fountain View Retirement Community. Klem was part of a group of mostly medical students giving a window concert. For many, it’s the first entertainment they’ve had in months.
Fill a Growler

Dawn Campbell, left, sells Megan Rerucha two growlers at Zipline Brewing Co. in downtown Omahay. Bars can take a step toward normal service on June 1.
Salvage yard fire

Firefighters battle a fire at U-Pull It Used Auto Parts north of downtown Omaha.
Salvage yard fire

People watch as firefighters battle a fire at U-Pull It Used Auto Parts north of downtown Omaha.
Spring Storm

A thunderstorm that prompted a tornado warning moves over Interstate 29 on Saturday near Glenwood, Iowa.
Eagle

A bald eagle prepares to take off from a tree on Lambert Avenue southwest of Pacific Junction, Iowa after watching a storm to the north that spawned a tornado warning on Saturday.
Grad Surprise

Jennifer Peck, left, shows her son Jack Wilkins his surprise graduation party at their west Omaha home on Friday.
First Patient 1

Emma Hutchinson and her father, Ralph Hutchinson, stand for a photo in his Omaha home. They were the first and second confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Nebraska. Emma spent weeks in the hospital and was put on a ventilator as she recovered.
First Patient 1

Hutchinson with a note she made for the staff of the Nebraska Medical Center. She spent 30 days at the hospital.
Last day of school 1

Dawn Zumbrennen, an eighth grade American history teacher, waves to students in the bed of a truck during a summer send-off parade at Elkhorn Valley View Middle School on Friday. It was the last day of virtual classes after the public school had to close because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Last day of school 10

A summer send-off parade at Legacy School on Friday. It was the last day of virtual classes after the private school had to close because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Recovery

Immanuel health care workers who cared for Ruby Jones in the ICU and in rehab gather to cheer her as she is discharged.
Rain

Tire tracks are left in the ribbons of rain in an Omaha parking garage on Wednesday, May 13, 2020.
Kosher BBQ

Rabbi Yoni Dreyer and his children Lavi, Tchiya and Eitan watch Peter Brunette entertain families in their vehicles with a juggling routine at a Lag B’Omer celebration with a drive-thru kosher barbecue at Chabad House in Omaha on Tuesday.
Kosher BBQ

Rabbi Mendel Katzman dances with his grandson, Yitzchak Baumgarten at a Lag B'Omer celebration with a drive-thru kosher barbecue at Chabad House in Omaha on Tuesday. Lag B'Omer is a holiday of Jewish pride and unity, often celebrated with a bonfire, emblematic of the soul rising up as flames do.
Nebraska Primary Voting

Sharon Beverly waits for voters at a downtown Omaha precinct on Tuesday during the Nebraska primary. Precinct sites had social distancing measures in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Nebraska Primary Voting

A voter fills out a ballot at Nathan Hale Magnet Middle School in Omaha on Tuesday.
Roadmaster

A 1949 Buick Roadmaster is lifted into the Redfield building in downtown Omaha on Monday, May 11, 2020. The building was once Nebraska's biggest Buick dealership, and is now being refurbished with space for offices and a restaurant.
Online Graduation

Matthew Meacham steps outside for photos while wearing his cap and gown after watching the University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduation celebration.
Online Graduation

Matthew Meacham wears his cap and gown while watching the University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduation celebration with his mom, Jeanette, sibling Kai and their miniature Australian shepherd, Ryder, at his family's Omaha home on Saturday.
Sunday services return

Parishioners pray during Mass at Saint Cecilia Cathedral on Sunday in Omaha.
Sunday services return

Deacon James Tardy reads during Mass at Saint Cecilia Cathedral on Sunday in Omaha.
NorthStar

Scott Hazelrigg can’t bring kids to NorthStar, so he’s going to their homes to make sure they are doing okay during the pandemic.
NorthStar

William Sherrod, top, hugs his mother Rhonda Scott in their front yard Wednesday while talking with NorthStar president Scott Hazelrigg. Hazelrigg is visiting youths who used to attend NorthStar enrichment programs but can't because of the coronavirus.
Sunday services return

Ron Helms hands out masks at Saint Cecilia Cathedral on Sunday in Omaha.
Mariachi music

Emmanuel Saunz performs mariachi music for healthcare workers outside OneWorld Community Health Center in Omaha on Friday, May 8, 2020. The clinic has been testing potential novel coronavirus patients in the parking lot of the south Omaha location.
A letter of praise

A letter of appreciation for those on the frontlines of the novel coronavirus pandemic outside a home in Omaha on Wednesday, May 06, 2020.
A sign of hope

A message of hope during the novel coronavirus pandemic from a home in Omaha on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.
Nebraska begins to reopen

People dine at Harold's Koffee House on the first day of loosened coronavirus restrictions on Monday, May 04, 2020.
Test Nebraska begins in Omaha

A worker uses a swab to test someone for coronavirus at a drive-thru testing site in Lot D of the CHI Health Center.
Test Nebraska begins in Omaha

CHI Health medical professionals applaud a child who underwent testing for the novel coronavirus on Monday outside Omaha’s downtown arena.
Test Nebraska begins in Omaha

Medical workers wait for people at a tent at a drive through testing site in Lot D of the CHI Health Center on Monday, May 04, 2020. This was part of the TestNebraska initiative launched two weeks ago by Gov. Pete Ricketts.
Volunteers help Food Bank for the Heartland

Volunteers and members of the Nebraska National Guard unload donations at the Food Bank for the Heartland 10525 J St., on Saturday, May 02, 2020.
Volunteers help Food Bank for the Heartland

A member of the Nebraska National Guard directs traffic during a food drive at the Food Bank for the Heartland 10525 J St., on Saturday, May 02, 2020.
Volunteers help Food Bank for the Heartland

Volunteers and members of the Nebraska National Guard unload donations at the Food Bank for the Heartland 10525 J St., on Saturday, May 02, 2020.
mike.patterson@owh.com, 402-444-1350