COVID-19 Response – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

RCAB Mask Mandate Extended Through March 3

In the light of the continued growth in the numbers of new COVID cases, Cardinal Seán is extending the current mask mandate.

It is mandated that that throughout the archdiocese all people attending public Masses, including weddings and funerals, wear masks. This is an extension of the mandate currently in effect, and expires on Thursday, March 3, 2022, which is the day after Ash Wednesday.

Mass celebrants, deacons, readers, servers, choir members, and instrumentalists, must all wear masks except when they are speaking…

RCAB Mask Mandate Begins Saturday, December 18

In the light of spiking numbers of new COVID cases and the likely increase in those numbers in the upcoming holiday season, Cardinal Seán O’Malley has mandated the wearing of masks when attending public Masses, including weddings and funerals, throughout the Archdiocese of Boston, beginning next Saturday, December 18.

Masks will be required, regardless of vaccination status, beginning next weekend, December 18-19.

Public Indoor Mask Advisory for Wellesley

The Wellesley Board of Health has issued an indoor mask advisory for all individuals ages 5 and up when in public settings, to help combat the COVID-19 Delta Variant. The full advisory is below and was approved by the Board on Thursday, September 9:

In light of the recent increase in the COVID Virus Delta variant, which has proven to be significantly more transmissible, we are strongly advising that individuals over the age of 5 wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth when indoors in a public setting, regardless of their vaccination status. Please understand that information and data is changing rapidly, and we are doing our best to respond in a thoughtful and expedient manner. As additional information is released from the CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health our decisions may change. It’s important that we all remain flexible and vigilant during these times.

Video Message of the Holy Father to the people on the vaccination campaign against COVID-19

Pope Francis and six Cardinals and Archbishops from the US and Latin America have come together for a message of unity in support of COVID-19 vaccines and access for all.

“Vaccination is a simple but profound way of promoting the common good and caring for each other, especially the most vulnerable. I pray to God that everyone may contribute their own small grain of sand, their own small gesture of love; no matter how small, love is always great. Contribute with these small gestures for a better future…”

New Collaborative Weekend Mass Schedule Begins the Weekend of September 11-12

Our current Summer Mass Schedule is in effect through Sunday, September 5 (Labor Day weekend.) As we look to the fall, we are mindful that the pandemic is not completely behind us and that uncertainty remains. At the same time, thanks to the formidable work of scientists and health care workers (not to mention our own vigilance!), we can begin to plan more concretely for the months ahead, and to bring back many of the things that provide a richer Mass experience for our community.

We have developed a weekend Mass schedule for the upcoming fall through spring that…

Reinstatement of Sunday Mass Obligation Effective the Weekend of June 19-20, 2021

Aware that the opportunity to participate in Sunday Mass is increasingly available and increasingly safe for our Catholic people, we are joining dioceses in the Boston Province (Boston, Fall River, Springfield, Manchester, and Portland) in lifting the dispensation of the Sunday and Holy Day Mass obligation, effective the weekend of June 19 and 20, 2021.

This obligation does not apply to those who are ill; those who have been recently exposed to COVID or any other communicable illness; those who are confined to their homes or to hospitals or other facilities due to illness, infirmity, frailty, or age; and those who are not yet able to be vaccinated, due to age or any health consideration. Parishioners should consult their local pastor if they have questions about the obligation.

June 5-6: Emergency COVID Special Collection for the Church in India and Brazil

At a crematorium in New Delhi, India, women mourn a person who died of COVID‑19. Photo by Vijay Pandey/ZUMA Wire/Alamy

Cardinal Seán has asked for an Emergency COVID special collection for the Church in India and Brazil to be taken in all parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston… The Catholic Church, through Catholic Relief Services (CRS), is on the ground in those countries working to support local hospitals and programs which are being overwhelmed and which have reached a breaking point. Given our own experience in the United States with regards to the pandemic and the important role the Church has in being able to respond to global events, we have an opportunity to assist relief efforts in India and Brazil.

Updated Guidance & Practice for Our Parishes Effective 5/29/2021

As you know, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is lifting many of the current COVID-19 restrictions on Saturday, May 29. In response, the Archdiocese of Boston has issued new archdiocesan protocols to help guide pastors, staff, and parish leadership in how to best implement these changes in their own parishes. We want to share with you how these changes will begin to be implemented in our parishes. As of May 29, fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear masks or to socially distance in most indoor and outdoor settings in Massachusetts. The State does advise that non-vaccinated people continue to wear masks in indoor settings.

Reminder: No Changes to Mask and Social Distancing Guidelines at Mass until May 29

As you know, new State of Massachusetts protocols lifting many of the current COVID-19 restrictions will go into place on Saturday, May 29.

Please remember that the current restrictions remain in place until that time: masks (covering the nose and mouth) and social distancing are still required, regardless of vaccination status.

More information will be available next week – please watch for updates via email and here on our website.

Sunday 5:00pm Outdoor Mass at St. Paul Begins June 27

Beginning Sunday, June 27, the Sunday 5:00pm Mass will be held outside on the lawn at St. Paul Church. The Sunday 5:00pm Mass will remain outdoors at St. Paul all summer, as the space there lends itself better to larger crowds.

We are excited to be able to bring back some of the music from the Sunday 5pm Youth Mass at these outdoor Masses, and to introduce you to our new Youth Music Coordinator, Christian Wilson. Christian is a familiar face! He’s been an integral part of the Sunday 5pm Youth Mass for years…

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