Church Reopening Update

June 9 Update

Dear St. Michael Parish Family,

Next weekend, June 20 and 21, we will be celebrating Mass once again at Saint Michael’s! We will begin with the 4 pm Mass on Saturday and the 10 am Mass on Sunday. We've been busy preparing the church to conform to state, local and Diocesan guidelines. As a result, we can only accommodate 53 people per Mass. I understand the frustration this may cause, but we need to follow protocols to ensure the safety of the people in attendance.
 
The dispensation from attending Mass is still in effect because of the limits of not participating fully as a parish community. I strongly urge those who are at high risk due to age, medical condition, etc. to please continue to watch Mass on Catholic Television. There are a few guidelines that MUST be followed by those opting to attend Mass. They are as follows:
 
· The church will open 15 minutes prior to Mass.
· You must enter from the side door on the driveway side only; all other doors will be locked.
· You will be asked to give your name, address and best contact number for safety reasons, in case any person may have COVID-19.
· Your mask is to be worn at all times during Mass. Please make sure you bring your own mask and hand sanitizer.
· There will be ushers who will seat you. Please follow their instructions. There is no choosing your own seat.
· There will be a catechesis before Mass as to how we will participate and receive Communion.
 
While these guidelines may seem very stringent, we must follow the protocols set forth by the state and local authorities and the Diocese. Your cooperation is sincerely appreciated as we move forward to full participation in the Eucharist.

Blessings, 
Fr. Kevin 


May 20 Update

May 19 Update

Although Governor Baker has stated that places of Worship could open, as part of Phase One, this was a surprise to many that it was so abrupt. We are happy that we will be able to celebrate Masses again. But, it is important to note that this opening does come with certain serious requirements. In addition, many communities may have local municipal orders that are stricter than those of the State, and these must be respected.

The opening of our Churches to the public comes with some important requirements that need to be met before we welcome parishioners back to our church buildings. This includes the ability to disinfect the pews after each service, limiting the capacity to less than 40%, the wearing of masks, practicing social distancing of 6 feet between parishioners while in pews, among many other protocols. 

We are currently working to examine those requirements and how best we can prepare the church. 

Please be patient with us as we want to make sure that we follow all protocols so that everyone remains safe and healthy as they return to church. I promise to keep you posted regularly as to when all protocols and safety guidelines are in place.

Blessings!
Father Kevin

March 18 Update

As of Friday, March 13, Cardinal O'Malley has asked that all Masses in the Archdiocese of Boston be suspended for the time being, in an abundance of caution for our parishioners and their families. A dispensation has been granted from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass to all the faithful in the Archdiocese. Please join the wonderful programming at CatholicTV and EWTN for Daily and Sunday Masses, the Rosary, etc.

March 12 Update

Due to the recent concern over the coronavirus, and in an abundance of caution to safeguard the St. Michael Parish community, we have taken the following steps:

Religious Ed Program:

• Please see the March 12 Letter on the left-hand sidebar of this page for details. In short, ALL Religious Ed classes and events are now cancelled for the remainder of the year. 
• As of this moment, the Sacraments for late April/early May will take place as scheduled.
• Any updates will be sent to families via email, and will also be posted in the bulletin and on social media.

At Mass:

• We ask that at the Sign Of Peace, you greet your neighbor with a smile and a heartfelt wave in lieu of a handshake

• Our Holy Water fonts have been emptied and cleaned, and will remain empty until the Board of Health lets us know it's once again safe

• We ask all our parishioners to respectfully receive the Body of Christ in the hand, and not on the tongue

• Our Eucharistic Ministers will continue--as they always do--to use hand sanitizer prior to the distribution of Communion

• Rest assured that it is not a sin to miss Mass IF YOU ARE ILL. Please, if you have a cough, fever, congestion, remain at home until you're feeling better.

• We continue to follow our normal cleaning and sanitizing procedures in all public spaces, classrooms, restrooms

• All door handles, glass, tables and chairs, light switches are sprayed with 99% Lysol Disinfectant

• Lysol Disinfectant is also used to sanitize faucets, sinks, and toilets in both restrooms

• For now, we have covered access to the bubbler so that the children will not use it

• Basic Hygiene notices have been placed in all restrooms