Blessing
"We are asking God to end the pandemic and to protect our neighborhood and the entire world," said Monsignor Mark Ullrich of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Florissant, who carries the monstrance as he passes the Blum family on Sunday, April 5, 2020, along Rue St. Francois in Old Town Florissant. Ullrich and Father Anthony Gerber exited the church with the Eucharist after Palm Sunday Mass. Ordinarily kept in a tabernacle after mass, the sacrament can be brought to the sick and dying outside the time of mass. Carrying the blessing, the two priests walked throughout the neighborhood praying to end the coronavirus pandemic before returning to the church for a final blessing. The Blums are parishioners of the church. Kneeling, from left to right, are Joseph,12, Mary, Anthony, 14, Mike, 8, Agnes, 15, Peter, 11 and Michael Blum.