Mass In Person

Procedures for Mass In Person

We have begun a gradual re-entry to our church buildings with a weekly 4:00pm Saturday Vigil Mass at St. Joseph Church (in the north worship space). This allows our online broadcasts from St. Luke Church and St. Joseph south worship space to continue, as many will continue to prefer to join us online instead of in-person at this time.

Please note: While public Masses are currently permitted in limited form (see below), Cardinal O’Malley has dispensed the Sunday Mass obligation indefinitely. With this in mind, all people who are 65 and older, those with existing health concerns, those unable to wear a mask for an extended period, or anyone who feels fearful, anxious, or unsure of safety for themselves or their family should not attend. Please continue to join us for Mass online. Our online broadcasts of Sunday Mass will remain the same.

There are several procedures and protocols that all who wish to attend Mass in person must follow. These procedures will be re-evaluated on an ongoing basis and always adhering to local, state, and Archdiocesan requirements. If you would like to attend Mass in person, please read through the details below. Your patience and careful adherence to these procedures will enable us to continue offering the opportunity to attend Mass in person.

Please do not attend Mass if you feel sick, have recently had a fever or any symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19.
Pre-registration is required. The number of attendees must be strictly limited due to the need to maintain proper social distancing. Please sign up online using the link on our Website. You may also call the office at 617-484-1996, ext 10 to register. If you register by phone you will be asked to leave a phone number or email address to receive confirmation of registration. Registration will open each week on Tuesday at 9:00am and close on Friday at 12 noon, or when capacity is reached.
All those over the age of 5 attending Mass in person are required to wear a mask throughout Mass. Masks should be worn as soon as you exit your vehicle. Please note: you must provide your own mask.
The church will open 15 minutes before Mass is scheduled to begin. Please arrive a few minutes before Mass begins, keeping at least 6 feet distance from others at all times including outside the church.
We will utilize one entry way: the main church doors on Common Street. An usher will check you in and bring you to your seat. Entrance by the door in the upper parking lot will be strictly limited to those with mobility issues. Seating will begin at the front of the church one row at a time, working toward the back of the church.
Missalettes have been removed and there will be no congregational singing allowed until further notice.
Baskets will not be passed during the offertory. You will be able to place your weekly gift in a basket as you enter and exit the church. We continue to encourage online giving.
There is to be no physical contact even between household members at the Sign of Peace or hand-holding during the Lord’s Prayer. This a requirement of the Archdiocese, aimed at reducing any confusion among the congregation.
For those who wish to receive Communion, instructions will be given and ushers will assist. You will be directed to come forward only when directed by an usher, one pew at a time, one side at a time, while observing the 6 feet distance markers on the floor. Masks should be worn in the communion line. After the priest offers you communion, please step to the side, remove your mask, consume the Eucharist, and then re-mask and return to your pew by the side aisles. (Each person should leave their pew, even if you do not plan to receive Communion, in order to avoid people having to step over one another.)
At the conclusion of Mass please exit the building immediately, beginning with the rear of the church and go directly to your vehicle. Private prayer in the church as well as gathering with others for conversation is not permitted at this time.

Please watch this video from the Archdiocese of Boston.