One year ago, the rector of the shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii was looking at empty pews after COVID-19 restrictions took effect in Chicago. The shutdown was a crisis for many churches, and for the 100-year-old shrine in Little Italy, it could have spelled disaster. They relied on contributions to the collection plate to keep the church going.

"We just didn't know how we were going to go on, how we could reach people. It was very hard on us financially and spiritually," said Brian Roman, a member of the shrine's executive committee.