Editorial: Next up in the normality lineup: Church services

The relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions this weekend includes ending many restrictions at Dorchester’s Catholic churches. St. Gregory’s pastor, Rev. Jack Ahern, shared a flyer describing the “full opening protocols” for Mass attendance that will go into effect this weekend. Among the new rules:

• As of May 29, the church will be fully open with no pews being taped off and vaccinated people no longer required to wear masks or socially distance. The state does advise that non-vaccinated people continue to wear masks.

•Every parishioner and every family will be expected to make a reasonable decision about when they are ready to take off their masks and be near other people. No priest, parish greeter, or other volunteer will be expected to ask people whether or not they have been vaccinated. If you are more comfortable wearing a mask, feel free to continue to wear one.

•The dispensation from the obligation for coming to Sunday Mass has not yet been lifted, and even when it is, a parishioner feeling ill should remain at home.

• When and if the parish becomes aware that a Covid-positive person has attended Mass, there will be a notice on the parish website, which parishioners are advised to keep an eye on.

Additional changes include the return of congregational and choir singing, the renewed presence of altar servers, who can wear masks while serving, the renewal of collections and the offertory procession of gifts, and the return of the Sign of Peace will return, with a caution: Worshippers should remain respectful of those not wishing to shake hands.

Rev. Ahern expressed his thanks “to all of you for your patience and understanding over the past 15 months.

“It has not been easy. I also need to thank all those who assisted us in making a return to a more limited opening possible this past December, especially the greeters, liturgical ministers, Julie Hayes in the parish office, and Sean Bourne, who disinfected the church after every service.”

The revised rules at Boston’s Catholic parishes do not apply to other services in the neighborhood. At All Saints Episcopal church at Ashmont, attendance at services will remain limited, according to its rector, Rev. Michael J. Godderz.

In a posting on the All Saints Facebook page, diocese regulations have been revised. They include:

• Signing up to attend an in-person Mass is no longer needed; with masks and social distancing observed, congregational singing and chanting are now permitted.

• Until June 30 attendance at Mass is limited to 60 percent of the fire limit— with social distancing observed, or roughly 90 people.
At All Saints, parishioners have been invited to attend a post-service reception this Sunday.

“There will be a coffee hour following the Mass this week on the Bushnell St. lawn,” it said. “Snacks will be individually packaged. As we will be outside, masks are not required for those who are fully vaccinated or while eating. Please do not crowd together as you visit and be sensitive to the comfort level of those with whom you are speaking.”

- Ed Forry

3 2.png


Subscribe to the Dorchester Reporter