Catholic churches throughout Connecticut are empty as priests celebrate the most solemn part of Holy Week without worshipers present.

One Newtown church found a way to connect the priests and their flocks, even if they can't be together.

More than 200 photos of family portraits, weddings, baptisms and more lined the backs of the pews at St. Rose of Lima Thursday.

The church says the idea to do this came from a church in Italy. According to them, it's difficult to imagine being closed off to worshippers during the holy season of Lent and Easter. Being surrounded by the pictures helps remind priests of the parish spirit.

Monsignor Robert Weiss says in his 40 years as a priest, he has never seen a church close. He says war and the Depression didn't shut down the church.