‘This too shall pass.’ Parishioners serenade Columbus friars recovering from COVID-19

Parishioners from Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Columbus surprised four friars quarantined inside the friary at St. Anne Catholic Church in Columbus on Monday, offering prayers for their speedy recovery, serenading them in Spanish, and leaving floral bouquets for each friar.

The four friars are associated with St. Anne Catholic Church in Columbus and recently tested positive for COVID-19, according to church officials.

Janet Mendez works at St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School. Mendez said she misses the daily mass the friars lead, and Monday’s gathering outside the friary window was a small way to give back.

“We miss them so much and we wanted to come and say an Our Father and sing a little song; just bring their spirits up so they can get well and come back to us,” said Mendez.

Mendez said they have faith the friars will recover. She said parishioners are also praying for those suffering the effects of COVID-19.

“Our prayers are to all those that are sick and all those that are recovering and are coming back,” Mendez said. “Just, you know, hang in there and this too shall come to pass.”

This story was originally published July 22, 2020 at 11:05 AM.

Mike Haskey

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

706-761-1872

Michigan native Mike Haskey graduated in 1985 from Central Michigan University with a B.A.A. in journalism. Though trained as a photojournalist, Mike has embraced the industry’s always evolving multimedia demands by learning various video skills and more, including becoming the Ledger-Enquirer’s drone pilot. He’s served and lived in Columbus, GA, for more than 30 years.