Effective March 17, 2020, Bishop Edgar da Cunha has suspended all public Masses and other liturgical services (such as Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Stations of the Cross, etc.) until further notice.
He has asked that Churches be open for a limited time but that people need to follow the rules established by public health officials (sitting at least 6 to 8 feet away from one another, using the hand sanitizers, etc.). Since the COVID-19 virus can remain on surfaces up to 15 days and that its incubation period can be as long as 10 days before symptoms become evident,
Bishop da Cunha has asked that Churches be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after public hours.
In light of this and in light of the size of Saint Mary's Church, the Church will be closed on Thursday, March 19, as it is sanitized. Beginning on Friday, March 20 and each day thereafter until further notice, you can access the Church from the side door facing the large parking lot from 2:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. Since the Church will need to be sanitized after these public hours, I would point out that the vast majority of the Church will be roped off and thus inaccessible as it would be impossible to sanitize the entire Church each day
. You will be able to sit in the first 7 pews on the right front side (facing the altar).For everyone's safety, please follow this instruction.
We will continue to provide updates when necessary.
Please note that weekday Mass is offered at 9:30 a.m. on Boston Catholic TV, Channel 268, and they provide many other devotions throughout the day. The Diocese of Fall River provides a Mass on Sundays on Channel 6 at 11 a.m.
Let us continue to pray for one another during this unprecedented time of upheaval. We need to pray for those who have died, those who are sick, their families, the medical personnel and first responders who risk their safety as they care for others.
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NEED HELP
During this extraordinary time, if folks need help please contact the Saint Vincent de Paul Society at 508-369-4300.