News and Updates – Page 66 – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

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.

Memorial Day 2021

We remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy every day. We pray that God will hold our servicemen and women in His strong arms, and cover them with His sheltering grace and

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.

Collaborative Summer Mass Schedule Begins July 3-4

The Summer Weekend Mass Schedule for our Collaborative will begin on Saturday, July 3 and run through Sunday, September 5. This schedule balances the number of Masses at each parish, provides the capacity to accommodate all parishioners who wish to attend Mass in-person, and includes an outdoor Mass option for those not ready to come inside. All Masses will continue to be available to view via livestream with the exception of the Sunday 5pm Mass which is moving outside for the summer.

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…

Our Own Personal Pentecost – Sign Up to Help with Mass Ministries!

Regardless of whether you’ve been worshiping at home or back in the pews, you must be feeling it!? Thanks to the formidable work of scientists and health care workers (not to mention our own vigilance) we are seeing parish life return in a more recognizable way.

We are in need of help in every area in order to accommodate our growing congregation. No long-term commitment required – sign up to help at a single Mass or several as your schedule allows…

Youth Ministry Event – Sunday, May 23 at 2:30pm at St. Paul

High schoolers are invited to join the Youth Ministry Team for an afternoon of fun and games this Sunday, May 23 at 2:30pm at St. Paul. Reconnect and play lawn games as we wind down the 2020-2021 academic year! Player with the most wins gets a $100 gift card! One automatic entrance into a raffle when you show up – bring friends and get more!

Evening for Women: Mass with Fr. Jim Laughlin on Tuesday, May 18 at 7:00pm

Please join us Tuesday, May 18 at 7pm as Fr. Laughlin celebrates Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church to mark the end of our 2020-2021 Evening for Women programming. If you are not comfortable attending in person, the Mass will be live streamed on the Collaborative website and YouTube channel where you can join us virtually. Reservations are not required, but we will continue to observe Covid safety protocols including social distancing and mask wearing.

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.