Following Governor Charlie Baker’s Monday announcement on reopening Massachusetts, the Archdiocese of Boston has announced that public Masses can resume as soon as the afternoon of Saturday, May 23. On Tuesday afternoon, the Archdiocese hosted a webinar to discuss the process of reopening–– for which many parishes will need until Pentecost for preparation to adhere to the strict guidelines from both the Archdiocese and Massachusetts’ COVID-19 Places of Worship Checklist.
“This was a very surprising and unexpected announcement yesterday, that houses of worship would be considered part of Phase 1. We had been told that we would be in Phase 2 or even Phase 3 [of the Reopening Plan] based on earlier models,” stated M.C. Sullivan, who presented on Tuesday’s Archdiocesan panel alongside Seán Cardinal O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap., Fr. Paul Soper, Joe McEnness, and host Patrick Krisak.
Parishes may resume Mass on Saturday, May 23, but all parishes starting Mass prior to May 31 need to obtain the permission of the Regional Bishop or Episcopal Vicar, who certifies that all local, state, and archdiocesan safety standards have been met. Daily Mass and funerals may resume Monday, May 25. Cardinal O’Malley will continue to lift the obligation to attend Sunday Mass for the “foreseeable future.”
“Governor Baker’s announcement yesterday was welcome news. Mayor Walsh is finalizing the policy for Boston, which may or may not be more stringent,” Cardinal O’Malley stated. Sullivan added that just before the webinar, Majoy Walsh announced at a press conference that the City of Boston would follow the state’s lead.
“We have heard from many parishes that they need more time to prepare, and they are looking forward to Pentecost for their first public Mass. I fully support this well-advised caution,” Cardinal O’Malley added.
Cardinal O’Malley still encourages vulnerable populations to “stay safer at home” by watching Mass on CatholicTV or their parish’s social media. The Archdiocese recognizes “most of our volunteers are in the high-risk categories,” as Sullivan said, and new temporary parish volunteers will need to be found.
Parishes must observe social distancing, by ensuring that there are six feet between all individuals and households sitting in pews, in all directions. Additionally, the congregation can only be up to 40% of the permitted capacity, and it is recommended that parishes utilize a registration program such as EventBrite. More Masses may need to be held to accommodate all those who wish to attend, as long as there is sufficient time to sanitize the church in between liturgies. The Archdiocese is working on sourcing vendors for cleaning products that will be safe for the fabric and wood used in pews.
If a person who attended Mass tests positive for COVID-19, the parish should report it to the local board of health. The Archdiocese emphasized that it is not the role of the church to trace contacts themselves, only to comply with the board of health as needed.
“Every parish is encouraged to continue the streaming of their Masses, in order to maintain a relationship with those who are not yet ready to return to Mass,” stated the Archdiocese’ reopening guidelines. Additionally, if a parish is a collaborative with multiple churches, the pastor may choose to focus on the reopening of one church at a time.
Parishes are encouraged to form small committees to organize reopening, deep-cleaning prior to the opening, marking off pews, directing traffic flow with tape especially during communion, and limiting the number of attendees.
Communion will be distributed under the species of bread only, and hosts will be reverently dropped from the priest’s to the communicant’s hand. This Thursday, all Boston priests will meet virtually for a more detailed conversation.
Hymnals need to be removed, holy water fonts should be emptied and covered, processions will not be allowed, and no altar servers or choirs will be permitted. No contact between parishioners will be allowed, including during the sign of peace and Our Father. Passing the offertory basket should be eliminated and replaced by a basket at the entrance.
For now, no congregational singing will be allowed, Fr. Soper explained, stating this decision was at the advice of several professional musicians. A cantor and instrumentalist can provide music.
Masks are required for parishioners, except for small children, those with health problems, or the clergy while in the sanctuary and properly socially-distanced.
Fr. Paul Soper addressed the question of First Communions. Any family who believes that their child is ready to receive their First Communion may come to Mass and receive. As for ceremonies of First Communions and Confirmations, Fr. Paul Soper stated that there are people working on it, but it is too soon to predict what will happen.
“Parishes should not feel any obligation to start Masses before they are ready–– if you take away one thing from all this, that is what you should take away. If your parishioners are pressuring you, exercise leadership. Tell them ‘We’re not ready. We’re going to do this when we’re ready and not before then,’” Fr. Soper stated. “Parishioners, if you feel like your pastor is going too fast, tell him it’s okay if we don’t do this right away. Everyone, just take your time, and let’s do it right.”
Featured image of the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Boston by Olivia Colombo
Previously the Campus News Editor and Catholicism 101 Editor, Olivia dabbles in The Torch’s writing and photography. She is a senior studying theology and applied psychology and human development with a minor in journalism. She is unashamedly passionate about youth ministry, Haiti, all things charismatic, the Oxford comma, and CatholicTV––where she can often be found as an on-camera news reporter or host of the To the Heights podcast.
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