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STUDENTS ATTENDING RELIGOUS SERVICES AT SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY’S HENDRICKS CHAPEL ARE GETTING A DIFFERENT WELCOME THAN THE USUAL GREETERS. THOSE ATTENDING RELIGIOUS SERVICES HAVE RESTRICTIONS MANDATED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING SIGNS FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING, QR CODES FOR CONTACT TRACING, HAND SANITIZER DISPENSERS,AND WET WIPES. IN A CHAPEL THAT COULD SEAT ONE- THOUSAND, NOW IS REDUCED TO JUST SEVENTY-FIVE SEATS, MARKED AND LABELED FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING WITH THESE STICKERS.
NOW SOME OF THE SPACING RESTRICTIONS HERE AT HENDRICKS CHAPEL CAN ACTUALLY GET VERY LARGE, FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS PEW, UNTIL THE OTHER END OF THIS PEW WHERE I AM STANDING RIGHT NOW.
DEAN OF HENDRICKS CHAPEL REVEREND BRIAN KONKOL SAYS WHILE THE REGULATIONS MAKE SERVICES A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE, THEY STILL ARE MEANINGFUL.
Dean Brian Konkol 0:47
“When you give each other the gift of prescene, again prescence meaning not just having, being in the same space but having a shared experience. Presence is precious and that is one of the best gift we can give each other especially now in the midst of uncertain times.”
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S-U JUNIOR NATALIE RUPPEL
REGULARLY ATTENDS MASS, AND SAY SHE PUTS UP WITH REGULATIONS FOR THE EXPERIENCE.
Natalie Ruppel 1:11
“I understand that in order to at least go to mass we have to follow these rules, and I enjoy going to mass, so I am willing to follow the rules.”
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HOPEFULLY SOON HENDRICKS WILL SEE FULL CAPACITY AGAIN. PETER TILMONT N-C-C NEWS.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Students at Syracuse University face new regulations in all aspects of campus life. One of the hardest hit areas are religious celebrations in Hendricks Chapel, the large worship space on campus.
Hendricks put signage relating to its rules right in the front foyer. Stickers enforcing social distancing are positioned on the ground in every other pew. Hand sanitizer, wet wipes and contact tracing QR codes adorn the walk into the main worship space.
“The number one thing we are asking is how is it we are doing everything we possibly can to make sure that everyone that comes into Hendricks Chapel is safe,” Konkol said.
Konkol noted Hendricks staff are keeping windows open when possible to circulate air. To keep musicians safe, instruments, microphones and other musical equipment undergo regular cleaning to keep musicians safe as well.
For SU junior Natalie Ruppel, the new restrictions have been hard. She often used the services as a way to connect with friends.
“It is definitely very frustrating for me,” she said. “I love to go to mass and be with my friends and pray together, but it is very hard to feel that same experience when your friends are six feet apart.
For Konkol, adjusting to the new normal is difficult, but the results are rewarding.
“There are no questions it is different, but different does not necessarily mean something is deficient.”
Hear more about what Rev. Konkol had to say about the experience of faith groups working together in the video below.
Rev. Konkol 0:00
I am really proud of the way in which chaplins representing Christian traditions, Muslim traditions, Jewish traditions, Buddhist traditions, the way in which people come to this conversation with very different perspectives but with a very common goal, to say how is it we are going to care for our students, it’s been one of the more inspiring acts of service and leadership I have seen. I have to give a lot of credit to Chaplins, they have been remarkable and I feel very grateful for them.
