• Archdiocesan and State Guidelines:  Reopening of Churches

CLICK [HERE] FOR COVID -19 NEWS AS IT RELATES TO THE TOWN OF CHELMSFORD AND IT'S EFFECT ON ATTENDANCE AT MASS
 

churches are open with some restrictions

All required guidelines have been put into place, and can be reviewed below:

Mass schedule

Weekend Mass Schedule {reservations required for weekend Masses}

•      St. Mary: 4 pm on Saturday/ 7 am  and 11 am on Sunday
•      St. John: 4 pm on Saturday/ 9:30 am and 6 pm on Sunday

Daily Mass Schedule {reservations NOT required for daily Masses}

•      St. Mary: 7 am Monday through Friday
•      St. John: 9 am Monday through Friday

online reservation 

phone in reservation 

Because of the office has capacity guidelines that we must follow, on-site staff will remind limited, therefore we ask only those who  DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE WEBSITE use this option.

• call the parish offices:
• between 9 am - 12 noon on Mondays and Wednesdays
• between 2 - 5 pm on Tuesdays and 2 - 3 pm on  Thursdays.
• phones will NOT be answered outside of these times; we remain lightly staffed
• reservations will NOT be accepted via voicemail or email messages.

why reservations? because of the math!

On Monday, May 18th, Gov. Baker outlined Phase 1 Openings, which allow churches to be open under the following guidelines: only 40% of capacity—add social distancing—could be in church at any one time. With a capacity of 700+/- at St. Mary, 40% of that is 280; add social distancing—6 ft to the left, to the right, in front and behind of—you are down to 58*. And at St. John’s? 40% of their 680+/- capacity is 272; add the same social distancing rule, and you are down to 46*. With a pre-COVID average Mass attendance of 980 at St. Mary and 785 at St. John… need more be said? Extremely limited space!

Reservations will allow us to eliminate large lines and needless drives, minimize confusion and questions, and most important, worship safely. This will stand true for as long this 40%/social distancing guideline is in effect.

don't make reservations...

Those in vulnerable populations are highly encouraged to remain at home and join via livestream. We would love to see you but value your health and safely first and foremost.  DISPENSATION FROM THE OBLIGATION TO ATTEND SUNDAY MASS HAS BEEN EXTENDED INDEFINITELY BY CARDINAL SEÁN. 

how to make your oneline reservation

• Make your reservation by clicking HERE.
• Select the parish, date, and time you will be attending Mass.
• From the drop-down menu, select the number of people from your household that will be attending Mass with you. Children 2 years of age and under do not require a reservation.
• In the comments, list each member of your household for whom you are reserving a seat.
• The Lector and EMHC assigned to a particular Mass will not need to register, but their family members will.
• Unfortunately, due to the handicap ramp not meeting safety criteria, St. Mary will not be able to accommodate wheelchairs or those who use walkers and require use of the ramp.
• St. John can accommodate 4 handicap seats. Use the elevator entrance.

protocols upon arriving to church

• Arrive early in order to be seated. Seating will begin 30 minutes prior, and end 5 minutes prior to the scheduled start of Mass. Doors will be closed and latecomers will NOT be permitted to enter.
• Those without a reservation will NOT be permitted to enter.
• Before exiting your car, please put on your face mask. Children age 5 or under, and those with medical exemptions, are not required to wear a mask.
• Practice social distancing of 6 feet as you approach and wait in line.
• Only necessary items can be brought into the church, such as keys, hand sanitizer, offertory envelope.

protocols for admittance into church

• If you are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, PLEASE STAY HOME!
• If you do not have a reservation, you will not be permitted to enter the church.
• Masks are required (except for children 5 years and under or those with medical exemptions) at all times... in line and in church.

per CDC article, dated August 7, 2020: A face mask with a vent or valveis not considered a safe or acceptable face covering when attending Mass or ANY in-person event at either of our churches.

Masks with Exhalation Valves or Vents

"The purpose of masks is to keep respiratory droplets from reaching others to aid with source control. However, masks with one-way valves or vents allow air to be exhaled through a hole in the material, which can result in expelled respiratory droplets that can reach others. This type of mask does not prevent the person wearing the mask from transmitting COVID-19 to others. Therefore, CDC does not recommend using masks for source control if they have an exhalation valve or vent."   ... to read the full article, click  HERE

• Please practice social distancing of 6 feet while in line.
• Everyone must enter through the front doors ONLY of the church and exit out the side. One-way traffic minimizes contact with others.
• Ushers will be seating everyone; follow their lead to your designated pew. Choosing where you would like to sit will NOT be allowed. The church will be filled front to back, side to side.
• Pews have been marked for social distancing, allowing all to remain 6 feet apart from others in your pew, as well as in front and behind you.
• Members of the same household are permitted to sit together and are not required to follow the 6-foot distancing rule.

protocols during celebration of Mass

• The congregation is NOT to sing. FUN FACT: the velocity of air emitted while singing is equal to that of a cough or sneeze!
• Baskets will not be passed at the Offertory. Your offering may be placed in a designated receptacle  as you enter or exit the church. We strongly encourage online giving.
• There will be no hand-holding during the Our Father or hand-shaking during the Sign of Peace.

protocols for receiving Holy Commuion

• The ushers will direct the communion lines. In needing to keep with the social distancing protocol, even individuals who will not be receiving communion will be required to leave the pew and follow the prescribed traffic flow, allowing everyone to return to their original seat. 
• You will approach the Priest via the center aisle, who will be stationed behind a plexiglass 'screen'.  Once you arrive, remove your mask, place and extend your hand below the screen to receive the Eucharist.
• Once you have consumed the Eucharist replace your mask
• Return to your original row via the side aisle. Directional tape has been placed.

protocols for dismissal

• After the closing blessing, please remain in your pew.
• Pews will be dismissed one at a time by the usher(s).
• Everyone must exit through the left side door and proceed directly to their cars, continuing to practice social distancing.
• Please keep masks on until to arrive at your car.
• Congregating, unfortunately, will not be allowed.   
• Handicapped guests (St. John ONLY) will be escorted out last, allowing plenty of room for the safe maneuvering of wheelchairs/walkers.