With places of worship slowly reopening across the state, Western New York churches are putting special measures in place as they welcome back their parishioners.

"It just feels like life is getting back to normal," said Marianne Honan, who lives in Orchard Park.

Honan was one of a few dozen to attend mass Thursday at the Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica in Lackawanna. Like many, the Buffalo native is learning to adjust to the temporary new normal at the church she grew up going to.

"I'm never comfortable wearing a mask. We can't see when we smile at each other but I'm willing to make the sacrifice to be at church certainly," she said. 

Now that Governor Cuomo is allowing places of worship to hold services with a 25% occupancy, temples, mosques, and churches are starting to open their doors back up.

"We've been looking forward to this day," said Rev. Msgr. David LiPuma, the pastor and rector at the OLV National Shrine & Basilica.

OLV had its first public mass this past Tuesday under the limited capacity, which allows them to host between 200 and 250 people. The church posted a video on its website informing its parishioners of the changes they'll expect when they return to the basilica.

"We've installed touchless hand sanitizers at all the entrances to the basilica. We have a maintenance staff who everyday between masses wipes down everything especially areas that people have been touching. And you'll notice we did rope off the pews to get down to that capacity of 25%," Rev. Msgr. David LiPuma said.

Congregants must also wear a face mask.

They've also placed six feet markers on the floor and aren't allowing the congregation to sing for the time being. Confession is still happening in more open spaces in the basilica. They do urge people who feel sick to stay home and watch their services online. 

Rev. Msgr. LiPuma said, "People are being very cautious and I'm grateful for that people do really need to think about their own health and wellbeing."

For Western New Yorkers like Honan, she's hoping these new protocols will eventually get the basilica back to normal.

Honan said, "It never felt right that we couldn't go to church, that just always seemed crazy; I'm just delighted to be back."