Newport Church To Offer Drive-Up Palms Amid Coronavirus Closures

NEWPORT, RI — With groups of five people or more banned Rhode Island until at least the middle of April, traditional Palm Sunday, Easter and other Holy Week services have been canceled. In response, several churches are getting creative, offering the faithful opportunities to celebrate without gathering.

In Newport, St. Mary's Catholic Church 12 William St. will be giving out blessed palms from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sunday in lieu of a traditional Palm Sunday service.

"All are encouraged to drive through to receive their palms commemorating the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem when palm branches were placed in His path, marking the beginning of Holy Week in the Catholic Church," the church wrote in a release.

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