Dear Friends,

                I am happy to announce that we have received guidance from the Diocese on the full reopening of the Parish for this upcoming weekend of May 29/30. Below is a summary of those changes and how we at St. Patrick’s will go about reintroducing them. Please also note that Bishop has sent out a letter that as of June 5/6, 2021 – The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – the Sunday Mass Obligation is restored.  See the Bishop’s letter in the Bulletin.

• Gatherings in the Church are restored to full occupancy
  • All pews are now open and all entrances can now be used for the Church
  • Cleaning of Surfaces will move to once a week.
  • Hand sanitizer will continue to be at the main entrances of the Church
• Gatherings in Non-Liturgical Spaces such as the Parish Center
  • All restrictions have been lifted with routine cleaning.
• Masks and Social Distancing
  • No longer required of all parishioners, but please be respectful of other’s personal space, especially as we return to normal.
  • For those who are unvaccinated or still uncomfortable in removing their mask, you are still encouraged to wear a face covering at this time and maintain some distance.
• Holy Water Fonts and Worship Aides
  • Holy Water Fonts will be filled once more, and the large font for pouring Holy Water into bottles will be restored to its usual place outside the Sacristy.
  • For the time being, we will continue to use printed worship aides.
• Singing and Choir
  • The singing of hymns and acclamations is restored.
  • Choirs will be delayed until further notice per the diocese
• Processions and Sign of Peace
  • Entrance, Offertory and Recessional processions will be phased in
  • The Sign of Peace will continue with a simple wave or gesture.
• Precaution taken by the Priest
  • “All previous precautions regarding the preparation of the gifts and the segregation of hosts for the faithful, the avoidance of physical contact, such as shaking hands between the priest and people after Mass, may be eliminated, provided that the priest has been vaccinated.”
    • Note well: I’ve been vaccinated.
• Distribution of Holy Communion
  • For the time being, the Deacons and I will continue to distribute Holy Communion. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will be added as the need arises.
  • Distribution of the Precious Blood will be restored at a later date.
  • Ushers will no longer sanitize hands prior to reception of Communion
• The Sacrament of Penance
  • We will now return to the Confessional in the Church with routine cleaning.
• Anointing of the Sick, Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals
  • All restrictions are lifted
• Volunteers
  • As we begin this new chapter, we are eager to welcome back our ministers and servers and anyone interested in serving the Lord through a ministry.  Please let us know of your interest by calling or emailing Denise at 508-886-4984 or [email protected]

I am very grateful to you all as we’ve made our way forward over 15 months of this pandemic. It’ll be nice to see many of your smiling faces once more as we take these steps together. As always you are in my prayers, and may Our Lord bless you all and your families as we are able to fully begin again!

God Bless, 
Fr. Jim