New York City churches were able to welcome parishioners this Easter after being forced to curtail public masses last year due to the pandemic.

St. Helena's Roman Catholic in the Bronx held Mass in-person and online for Easter Sunday, in English and Spanish.

The church required parishioners to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines. There were also hand sanitizing stations and a temperature check at the door.

Nancy Mejis says it was good to be back at her church for the holiday while staying safe.

"To have the opportunity where we have the masks and distance, but to still be able to come into the service, it's wonderful," she says.

In his sermon, Father David Powers spoke about staying positive in the face of difficult situations.

"We're saying, I'm not gonna let COVID, I'm not gonna let the economy, I'm not gonna let anything that has been pulling me down. Not now, not on Easter," he says.

St. Helena's also had a free COVID-19 testing site set up for the community in honor of Easter Sunday.