NEW YORK — For the first time in more than a year, Catholic churches in Brooklyn and Queens held Sunday mass at full capacity this weekend. 

The Brooklyn Diocese announced all churches could operate without capacity restrictions, per CDC guidelines.

Masks are mandatory for those who are not vaccinated, and recommended for those who are vaccinated.

Father Manuel Rodriguez of Our Lady of Sorrows in Corona welcomed the changes. 

"I see that our people are eager to go back to their religious traditions, to their sign of peace in the mass, to the being together," said Rodriguez. "Even the physical togetherness of the pews, although we still need to be careful, those that have not been yet vaccinated still wearing masks and keeping certain distance. But in general the sense of going back to the community."

Only bread is given for communion, and there are no shared cups for wine.