RCAB – Page 9 – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

Pilot Obituary: Father John J. Connelly, oldest priest of the archdiocese

He was the oldest priest of the archdiocese. He was the second in ordination seniority of Boston priests. He was the last Boston priest who was a veteran of military service in World War II. He was the last, of whom many priests would have saluted as the “greatest generation” of St. John Seminary faculty members (his late friends and fellow faculty members Father James O’Donohoe and Father Philip King would also be included). He was a consummate gentleman. He was a greatly loved pastor. He was a wise counselor. He was Father John J. Connelly — who died at Massachusetts General Hospital on June 28, 2021.

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.

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.

From the Archdiocese of Boston Regarding Masks and Social Distancing in Light of the New CDC Guidance

Yesterday the Centers for Disease Control issued a statement that in many settings fully vaccinated people can now go about their days not wearing masks and not social distancing. Governor Baker has stated that, like some other states, Massachusetts will not be lifting the masking and distancing mandates immediately. We will continue to monitor the State mandates closely, and as soon as there is a change, we will adjust our archdiocesan protocols accordingly.

As of now, we are not making any changes – masks (covering the nose and mouth) and social distancing are still required, regardless of vaccination status.

April 21, 2021: Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley Statement Following the Chauvin Verdict

The killing of George Floyd has had a traumatic impact on our society. The suffering he endured and the immense loss his family has experienced speaks to us on a very human level. The death of Mr. Floyd in a very public and raw manner catapulted this case into the conscience of the nation. The resulting anger and protest that culminated in the trial and conviction of Derek Chauvin is one important step in the process of addressing the broader issues facing our country in terms of racism, a criminal justice system many feel needs reform and the reality of living as a person of color in America…

The Cardinal Sean’s Easter Message

Easter is the center and core of Christian faith. Christian faith is Resurrection faith; the Risen Christ, having conquered sin and death, remains with us across the ages. When we celebrate “the Triduum” — the great feasts of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday — we recall and present again through words and worship the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Lord.

Easter Collection for the Clergy Trust

The collection at all Easter Masses will benefit Clergy Trust which provides programs and support to care for the health and well-being of all active and senior diocesan priests in good standing. By supporting this collection, you are helping to ensure that our active priests receive the care they need to continue their important work and our senior priests, like Fr. Connelly and Msgr. Lind, have support and access to quality care. This collection is a critical source of funding for the Trust and your generosity is greatly appreciated.

2021 Catholic Appeal Launches This Weekend

This weekend, we launch the annual Catholic Appeal, along with all the other parishes throughout the Archdiocese. Each year, the Catholic Appeal provides the faithful with a way to help support the ministries that support our parishes, our schools, and

On COVID Vaccines: “We Are in a Race Against Time…”

In an effort to bring more clarity and clear guidance to the COVID vaccines, MC Sullivan, Chief Health Care Ethicist for the Archdiocese of Boston, has published an article articulating the position of the Archdiocese in addressing the vaccines and the desire for everyone to be vaccinated.

“People of faith have raised concern about the development of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the newest weapon in the arsenal to fight this dangerous disease, related to the use of aborted stem cell tissue. They are right to raise the question, but it is extremely important to understand that the Church has addressed those concerns…”