COVID-19

Dear Friends,

This page contains updated information about Coronavirus/COVID-19 and how we are responding as a community of faith.

Current Information

New 3/31/2021Guidelines for Parishioners Attending In-Person Mass
---at Sacred Heart
---at Our Lady's

New March 18: From RCAB Office of Risk Management

It should be remembered that all of these practices are to be seen in the context of our overall standards:  Masks to be worn at all times covering the mouth and the nose, social distancing to be strictly observed, no congregational singing, no altar servers, and ventilation to be kept at as high a level as possible, and surfaces to be cleaned after each gathering.

Parishes should remain focused on streaming as many of their activities as possible.

Social Distancing

As of 3/18/21, parishes may use a simplified form of social distancing in church seating:

• Use only every other pew
• Ask people who are not in the same household to spread out to approximately double arm’s length between themselves and the person next to them in the pew. In many cases this will add considerable capacity to the church seating.
• Remember not to go over the maximum capacity per Governor Baker’s CURRENT PHASE AND CAPACITY requirements (50% capacity at houses of worship)

New May 28: Guidelines for Parishioners Returning to Mass
---at Sacred Heart
---at Our Lady's

NEW AS OF MAY 20: Special Statement from the Pastor on resuming public Masses on May 30 & 31 - .doc version .pdf version

Sunday Masses from our Collaborative are now available online at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPJ3LL_OmmGMn5My8tp5KyA

New as of May 20:  We are so inspired by your hunger for face to face Mass! We wanted to resume Mass this week. However, when we looked at what we needed to accomplish to do this safely it became clear that this weekend would be impossible to do safely. Both the state and the Archdiocese want to protect the health of all, and because of this they have put in requirements that we can not meet by this weekend. So  we will be opening on the Weekend of May 30/31.  More details about specifics will follow. 

Please note that the  dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation will continue for the foreseeable future. Cardinal Seán strongly encourages people in vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and those with complicating physical conditions, to continue to watch Mass from their homes, on their parish’s social media (YouTube channel) or on CatholicTV.

New as of March 17: the parish offices are closed for the time being. However, the pastoral staff are present and available by phone and email to serve you.

Beginning at 4:00pm on Saturday, March 14, all daily and Sunday Masses and religious services are suspended until further notice. In announcing this, Cardinal Sean also has issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.

Giving and Getting Help

Want to help?
During this time of crisis and isolation, our community of faith is doing our best to stay connected and make sure no one is left without the supplies or support they need.

We have started a list of volunteers who are willing to help out in the following ways:
--Put together a food box and leave it at the door of someone in need
--Make phone calls to those experiencing Isolation
--Pick up a prescription and deliver it to someone in need

If you would like to be added to the list of volunteers, please email Kate Neal.
 
Need Help?
PDF of many Newton resources, including food and financial assistance

Do you need a box of food delivered or someone to pick up your prescription? Are you looking to connect and would like to receive a phone call from a volunteer to stop feeling so isolated?
Please contact Kate Neal (617-527-7560 ext. 219) so we can support you.

News and Announcements, most recent at the top

Regularly updated Archdiocesan site
March 17: Opening Remarks from Cardinal Sean at St. Patrick's Day Mass
March 15: Homily from Fr. Dan
March 13: From the Collaborative Staff, including the statement from Cardinal Sean

Resources for Faith at Home

Mass is televised on Catholic TV at 9:30am daily and at 10:00am on Sunday. You can also watch Mass online, live or later in the day at  www.WatchTheMass.com

Bishop Barron is also streaming Mass each day online at  https://www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass/

Daily prayer from Give Us This Day:  https://giveusthisday.org/Digital

Daily Mass readings from USCCB:  http://usccb.org/bible/

Daily 3-minute retreat from Loyola Press:  https://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer