COVID-19 related information
CARDINAL O’MALLEY AUTHORIZES TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF DAILY AND SUNDAY MASS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 OUTBREAK
In response to growing public concern and following Governor Baker’s Emergency Order prohibiting most gatherings of 250 or more people, Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM Cap, Archbishop of Boston, has made the decision effective immediately to temporarily suspend all daily and Sunday Masses and religious services in the Archdiocese of Boston until further notice.
The directive to temporarily suspend the celebration of Mass applies to all Archdiocesan parishes, missions, and campus ministries until further notice. Baptism, Confirmations, weddings and funerals may proceed but attendance should be limited to only immediate family.
PROVIDES DISPENSATION TO THE FAITHFUL
In announcing this decision, the Cardinal has also issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass during this time to the Catholics of the Archdiocese of Boston.
ENCOURAGES PARTICIPATION IN THE MASS THROUGH CATHOLIC TV
Cardinal Seán encourages Catholics to participate in the daily and Sunday Masses broadcast from the CatholicTV chapel.
· Daily Mass airs live at 9:30am and is rebroadcast at 7pm and 11:30pm.
· Sunday Masses air throughout the day at 10am, 4pm, 7pm, and 11:30pm.
· The Sunday Spanish Mass airs live at 8am and is rebroadcast at 5:30pm and 10pm.
Viewers can watch these Masses on demand at any time at www.WatchtheMass.com. For more information about CatholicTV and where you can watch it, visit http://www.catholictv.org/
SOCIAL GATHERINGS EVENTS, AND FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMS
FIRST COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION MASSES
Faith Formation Programs, social gatherings, and events are suspended as well. At this time there is no recommendation to schedule First Communion and Confirmation Masses.
WEBSITE RESOURCES FOR PRAYER AND REFLECTION
https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html
https://pray-as-you-go.org/home/
https://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer
A CORONAVIRUS PRAYER
By Kerry Weber of America Magazine
Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.
Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.
Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.
Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.
Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.
Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.
Jesus Christ, heal us. Amen.
HARVEST ON VINE AND ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
Harvest on Vine provides emergency food to those in need. St. Vincent de Paul assists with rent, utilities, and furniture. If you are in need of assistance, please call the Parish Center at 617-242-4664.
If you would like to help our Charlestown neighbors in need, please visit our website
www.stmarystcatherine.org to donate or send donations to the Parish Center, 46 Winthrop Street or sign-up via our online form.