From the Pastor – August 8, 2020

ASSUMPTION

The Solemnity of the Assumption, Saturday August 15th, is not a holy day of obligation this year.

YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST

Remember, Cardinal Sean has proclaimed a Year of the Eucharist so that we might grow in our understanding, appreciation and love of this great gift. The Catholic Church teaches that the bread and wine at Mass become the Body and Blood of Christ, and not merely symbols. This special year will continue until the Feast of Corpus Christi in 2021. We have resumed Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament of Fridays from 9am-7pm in the lower church.

Please come with your mask to pray for vocations and the end to the Corona Virus and to end the chaos in our country

CORONAVIRUS

We continue following the directives of the Archdiocese and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to limit any direct contact during Mass, or in any church gathering for that matter. This includes no gathering before or after Mass even in the parking lot. Masks must be worn in church. Communion should be received in the hand etc. In addition to the custodian’s thorough cleaning on Mondays, volunteers sanitize the church after each Mass. At the present time the upper church can seat only 145, and the lower church 45 [which we hope to expand].

FINANCES

As you can see, the weekly collection is about half of what it was before Covid-19. Donations have been received from the St. Rita and BVM sodalities, the Holy Name Society, the St. Alfio Society, plus some very generous donations from individuals. It is my goal to keep the parish going through this epidemic and financial crisis/challenge into the future. Our parish has a great history, enriched by our various communities, and will have a great future with your help.

CATHOLIC APPEAL 2020

Everyone is looking for money! This includes the Archdiocese of Boston. As of August 3rd, as a parish, we’ve contributed $8,827 or 32% of our Catholic Appeal 2020 assessment of $27,511. Remember this is no longer a “goal” but rather an assessment.  There will be an “in church” push later this month, basically completing an appeal envelope if you have not done so recently.

Fr. Mawn