​BUFFALO, N.Y. — ​A historic Western New York church is ready to welcome parishioners safely.

Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica will offer six services between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

If you plan to attend Friday, services will be held at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and midnight. On Christmas Day, you can worship at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. or noon.

Masks are required and social distancing is encouraged in the pews.

Monsignor David Lipuma said as many families get together for the holidays, it’s also important to get together with your church family.

"Christmas is a time for people to come home and to reconnect with our spiritual families with church,” Monsignor LiPuma said. “This is a time for us to come together. [It’s] important to reconnect with faith, to come back to the church and celebrate with others, that's what it is all about. That’s why we have church."

The Basilica is open 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily if you want to pray privately or check out the historic building and its beautiful Christmas decorations.

But Monsignor LiPuma says if you are not feeling well, it is best to stay home. The services will be livestreamed on the Basilica's website.