Starting December 24th

Due to the rise in COVID cases and its variants, wearing a mask, even if you are vaccinnated, is required until further notice.  Extra masks will be available at the entrance if you don't have one.

If we can help prevent even one person from being hospitalized or worse, it is worth the extra precaution.  Let's try to keep each other safe and healthy this season!

Thanks,
Fr. Leo
Pastor

• The Bishop has authorized the relaxation of all mask and social distancing requirements for vaccinated individuals; no masks are required for those individuals and seating in all pews will be available, except as described in the following bullets.

• For both parishes, a section of pews in the back right will be reserved for those not vaccinated or for those who prefer to maintain social distancing.

• Sign-ups/pre-registration for Masses are no longer required.

• Masks are allowed for any who prefer to continue wearing them.

• Singing (but not choirs), missals, Holy Water, will be allowed...though may be phased in over the coming weeks.

• Sanitation rules are changed to weekly, except for the reserved section that will continue to be cleaned after each Mass.  Bathrooms, doors and railings are disinfected in between every mass.

• Hand sanitizers will be available at each entrance at both churches and on the small tables up front for those who have not been fully vaccinated yet and for those who wish to use them.

• Distribution of Holy Communion will exclude the Precious Blood until COVID cases drop further.

• Eucharistic Ministers and Altar Servers will be phased in, following refresher training, and limited until the Fall.

• The Bishop has determined that the dispensation from attending Mass in-person will be lifted effective June 5th, and all practicing Catholics will be required to attend Mass in-person unless sick or otherwise unable.

• We even have Holy Water touch-less dispensers at each entrance!

• Confessions will be kept as is at St. Mary’s: On Tuesday's, confessions are heard in the rectory from 12:45-1:30. Please come to the back door and ring the bell. Saturday's confession will be 2:45 - 3:30pm in the Family Room next to the altar.  You can also make an appointment any time by calling Fr. Leo at (508) 450-0281‬.

• Contact with priest and deacon, such as greeting parishioners before and after Mass, resumes as before COVID times.

• No special precautions are needed for Baptisms, weddings and funerals.  At St. Mary’s, we encourage parents to consider baptisms during Mass at 10:30am on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month, or on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month during the 4:00pm Mass. At St. Philip’s, we encourage parents to consider baptisms outside of Mass on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month.

• Anointing of the sick in the home will resume as before. Priests and deacons must wear masks and social distance in healthcare facilities.

• Gatherings for non-liturgical reasons in our Parish Hall and both Gathering Spaces will resume as before COVID times.

NOTE:  Our last live stream was July 25th.  However, we are recording the 10:30am Mass and posting it to the website.  Links to  videos are on our Homilies page here.  We will still post Homily audio when received from Fr. Leo or Dn. Tim.