RCAB – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

Category: RCAB

Cardinal Seán Dispensing Friday Obligation of Abstaining

March 26, 2020 My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Our plans for Lent this year have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis. In support of the efforts to limit further transmission of the virus we have all been asked to give up many of the everyday activities we take for granted, including our usual participation in the life of the Church. One of the effects of the current events is uncertainty regarding what food products are available on any given day. At this time, we are called to make the best of what we have at hand or

A Virtual Retreat with Cardinal Seán

We will remember this Lent as one “in quarantine.” Social distancing the new norm as daily social interactions are suddenly unavailable to us. Schools are closed. We can’t go out to restaurants. Even public Mass has been suspended to curtail any further spread of this coronavirus. Many people feel alone. Many are scared. And people are thirsting for something good. The Lord appoints shepherds to lead his flock, to be beacons of light in darkness, and to be instruments of hope to his people in times of despair. This Virtual Lenten Retreat with Cardinal Seán is a means for our

Important Message from Cardinal Seán to All Parishioners

My Dear Friends in Christ, As we all experience the unprecedented circumstances of the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health crisis please know of my prayers for you and your loved ones. While striving each day to proceed as safely as possible we remember that our faith means we are never alone, even in the most difficult times. Faith is the foundation of hope, and with hope we can address even the most complex challenges of life without being overcome by them. Our inability to come together as a community for the celebration of the Eucharist, the source and summit of our

Cardinal Seán: “We need to take care of each other”

CARDINAL SEÁN P. O’MALLEY OPENING REMARKS ST. PATRICK’S DAY MASS The Cardinal taped a video message of his remarks in English, Spanish and Portuguese which we are pleased to share with you today. For the English version click here. For the Spanish version click here. For the Portuguese version click here. March 17, 2020 As a people, community, and as a nation we are being forced into a stance of social distancing to ward off a potential health disaster. Even as we embrace a methodology of physical isolation, we must reject any stance of alienation and individualism. Our motivation cannot be

Cardinal Seán to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Mass Today

Watch live on television on the CatholicTV channel (consult local cable providers or network listings for your channel) or online at CatholicTVLIVE.com.

The Mass will be rebroadcast on the CatholicTV channel tonight at 8:00pm, or you can watch online at CatholicTV.com/Masses.

Updated Guidance on the Sacrament of Confession

We have learned that scheduled confessions are not possible at this time due to the possible numbers of people gathering in the church together. Individual confessions may be requested and heard during this time. We are awaiting further guidance from the Archdiocese of Boston, and will keep you informed. Again, we thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through these difficult times.

Cardinal Suspends All Daily and Sunday Masses

The announcement below, issued late this afternoon by the Cardinal, suspends all daily and Sunday Masses and religious services in the Archdiocese of Boston beginning tomorrow, Saturday, March 14 at 4:00pm, and continuing until further notice. During the suspension, confession will continue to be available at the Collaborative by appointment. We are awaiting guidance from the Archdiocese as to whether we can offer regular confession times. We appreciate your patience, and as we continue to get updates we will share them with you. For more detailed information on this and other directives as well as important information about activity at our parishes, please read these Updated Directives from

COVID-19: Updated Directives from the Archdiocese of Boston and the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative

Updated Directives from the Archdiocese of Boston All Masses and, except as provided below, religious services in all Archdiocesan parishes, missions, and campus ministries are suspended until further notice. This suspension begins at 4:00pm on Saturday afternoon, March 14. The Cardinal has issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass during this time to the Catholics of the Archdiocese of Boston. Baptism, Confirmations, weddings and funerals may proceed but attendance should be limited to only immediate family. All religious education, faith formation and related activities (e.g. adult faith formation, youth ministry, etc.) are suspended until further notice. All other social events,

COVID-19 UPDATE: Important Information from the Archdiocese of Boston and the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative

As you know, the progression of Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a rapidly developing situation. We are monitoring these developments closely, and are implementing the directives, guidance, and best practices we are receiving from the Town of Wellesley, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Archdiocese of Boston, as we move forward. As always, our foremost concern is for the health and safety of God’s people – our parishioners, our school students and their families, the dedicated staff and many volunteers at our parishes and school – and the wider local and global community. Directives from the Archdiocese of Boston Cardinal Seán, in

Liturgical Directives from the Archdiocese of Boston Regarding COVID-19

The Archdiocese of Boston Office of Worship, in consultation with local health authorities and the Archdiocesan Office of Risk Management, continues to encourage the clergy and faithful to observe necessary standard precautions to protect the health of others during this time. The best way to prevent the spread of contagious disease is to practice good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing (using hand sanitizers with 60% alcohol when soap and water are unavailable); protecting your coughs and sneezes with tissues disposed of immediately, or coughing into your elbow if tissues are not available; cleaning and disinfecting commonly used surfaces often; avoiding contact with