• Church Reopening Procedures
• Phase 1 Mass Schedule
• Town of Arlington Safety Standards for Places of Worship
• USCCB Moral Considerations Regarding the New COVID-19 Vaccines
• Additional COVID-19 Clinics in Arlington Planned
• COVID Vaccination Information
• Trust the Facts
• Arlington COVID-19 Vaccination Planning
• Need Help Fast?
• Prayer
• Study
• Generosity
• Evangelization
• Resources
• Speaking With Your Children
• Faith-Base Educational Resources 
• Educational Resources

Church Reopening Procedures

As of May 19th, 2020 Cardinal O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston, has granted us permission to begin the reopening of public Masses. However, there is no obligation to attend Mass in the Archdiocese of Boston. Our Live Stream will remain available.

This is part of Phase 1 of our parishes reopening process and will have many new protocols that all parishioners must follow to attend Mass. Our ongoing reopening process is developing and requires much patient and consideration for all. We evaluate our process constantly and do make changes from time to time. The entrance for all able-bodied persons is the main Church doors at both St. Camillus and St. Agnes Churches.  If you would like to attend Mass please read through the details here – thank you for your patience and compliance. Please be aware of the need for physical distancing and masks are required.

Phase 1 Mass Schedule

• Sunday Vigil (Saturday)  |  Reservations Required
  • 4:00 PM St. Agnes (Live Stream as well)
  • 4:30 PM St. Camillus
  • 5:30 PM St. Agnes (Live Stream as well)
• Sunday  |  Reservations Required
  • 8:00 AM St. Camillus
  • 9:00 AM St. Agnes (Live Stream as well)
  • 10:00 AM St. Camillus
  • 12:00 PM St. Agnes (Live Stream as well)
• Daily Mass - Monday - Saturday  |  No Reservations Required
  • St. Agnes Upper Church will be open for Adoration from 6:00 AM-7:00 AM and Mass at 7:00 AM, Monday - Saturday (no more than 40 people).
  • St. Camillus Church is open Monday-Friday at 8:30 AM for prayer and 9:00 AM for Daily Mass (no more than 90 people). 
  •  

Town of Arlington Safety Standards for Places of Worship

• Member or worker has or is experiencing any symptom of COVID-19
• Member or worker has been in close contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19
• Member or worker has been asked to self-isolate or quarantine by their doctor or a local public health official.

• All occupancy counts and calculations shall include attendees, staff and other workers
• Attendees who are not part of the same immediate household must be seated at least 6 feet. apart
• All attendees and staff must wear face coverings or masks in accordance with the Massachusetts Face Covering Order
• A leader or celebrant engaged in conducting the service may remove their face covering while doing so, provided that they maintain 6 ft distance from others.
  • Places of worship shall not have communal gatherings pre or post-service (e.g., coffee hours or other food services)

Moral Considerations Regarding the New COVID-19 Vaccines

Chairmen of the Committee on Doctrine and the Committee on Pro-Life Activities United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

You may download the document here.

Many people are understandably experiencing uncertainty and anxiety due to the spread of COVID-19.

The severity of the situation has forced our leaders to make significant changes in our daily lives including how we celebrate Masses publicly. Recognizing these changes likely leave us even more in need of God’s grace, The Catholic Parishes of Arlington, The USCCB, and other Catholic partners have generously made their resources available to support prayer during these difficult days. Click here for Resources for Prayer and Engagement during Coronavirus from the USCCB.

Please use freely and share with others. A sense of community is of the utmost importance. We must encourage each other, take care of each other, pray for each other, and stay connected to our faith during this time of social distancing.

Additional COVID-19 Clinics in Arlington Planned

Sign up if you would like to be alerted when clinics are planned.
Arlington’s Health Department is anticipating the expansion of their ability to vaccinate additional priority groups in Phases 1 and 2. In anticipation of expanding their efforts, they have created a form in which Arlington residents can provide their information to be alerted if, and when, a vaccination clinic is available for their priority group. Submission of your information does not guarantee placement nor does it bound you to get vaccinated by the Health Department. It is only a mechanism to alert priority groups of possible Health Department run vaccination clinics. Depending on the priority group, it may be weeks before you hear from us. Please be patient. Submit your information.

Once the vaccine is available to the general public in Phase 3, public vaccine clinics will be available on the CDC’s interactive website: vaccinefinder.org.
(from Arlingtonma.gov)

COVID Vaccination Information

Phase II of the vaccine registration is open for all people who are 75 or older. If you are within this age group, you can learn more here: https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine

Trust the Facts

The governor published a new initiative last week to help promote vaccines to the public in Massachusetts. Learn more about "Trust the Facts. Get the Vax" Campaign.

Some facts include:

• The vaccine is free.
• Anyone who lives, works, or studies in Massachusetts can get a vaccine.
• You can get vaccinated even if you are undocumented. Getting a vaccine will not impact you or your family’s immigration status. The Public Charge rule does NOT apply to getting the vaccine.

Arlington COVID-19 Vaccination Planning

To administer the COVID-19 vaccination, Arlington's Health Department is following the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) vaccine distribution timeline found at mass.gov/vaccine. DPH will only provide vaccine to vaccinate one priority group at a time. 

To streamline possible future clinics and to alter you, the Health Department is gathering information from Arlington residents interested in receiving the vaccine.
(Form can be found on the Town of Arlington Website under COVID-19 information-Requires Email Address). Filling out this form does not guarantee placement, nor are you obliged to attend a Health Department clinic. The form is only intended so they are able to alert you of upcoming clinics (by priority group).

Please note:

• Depending on the priority group, it may be weeks before you hear from the DPH. Please be patient
• For when your priority group is being scheduled, please visit mass.gov/vaccine.
• Verification of your priority group will be required prior to any clinic.
• You can always read about the Arlington COVID-19 response at arlingtonma.gov/COVID19.
   

Need Help Fast?

Get the answers you need! It's Free. Confidential. Multilingual. Dial 2-1-1 or visit here online.

Other things you should know:

• For emergencies requiring a priest, please call the Catholic Parishes of Arlington: 781-648-0220.

• The Catholic Parishes of Arlington staff is here to support the needs of the community. The Collaborative Pastoral Center is closed to the public, but our staff is here and working for you and our community. You may contact us here.

• All pastoral care visits to the sick and the homebound have been discontinued for the time being. This includes visits to healthcare, nursing, and assisted living facilities.

Prayer 

• Mass Intentions Process:
  • Send request by mail to 51 Medford Street, 02474
    • Name of the deceased
    • Name and address the request is being sent to
    • Name of person making the request
    • Suggested donation: $25 by check or money order
    • Mass will be assigned an open date

• For other daily Mass options, visit cparl.org (7:00 AM Mass), catholictv.org, or dailytvmass.com.

• Mass Links:
  www.wordonfire.org/resources/category/homily/
  www.WatchtheMass.com
  https://mass-online.org/daily-holy-mass-live-online/

• Here is a musical prayer of the rosary. Maybe some parishioners stuck at home will find this win-win scenario of exercise + prayer to be very motivating.

• Pray the mysteries of the rosary with Bishop Robert Reed each day of the week in beautiful Catholic locations around the world here.

• Rosary Meditations for Prayer During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Magnificat is offering free online resources: https://us.magnificat.net/free 

• Evening Prayer will be prayed at 5:00 PM each day. Contact Fr. Michael for more information or join us on Zoom.  

Study 

• Go here to learn more about Small Christian Communities at the Catholic Parishes of Arlington

• Adult Faith Formation Mondays at 7:30 PM: All are welcome to our online "Formed Live" led by Fr. Michael Sheehan using formed.org films and materials (our collaborative's access code: FJ47GD). Join us for discussion and prayer. Contact Fr. Michael for the Zoom information.

• We have canceled all in-person, non-worship events at St. Agnes and St. Camillus campuses.

• All collaborative youth faith formation and sacramental preparation began in October 2020. In-person events are canceled until further notice.

• Formed.org is the Catholic faith, on-demand. Get thousands of movies, programs, audio, and books instantly. It's all free for our parishioners - Register using our parish code: FJ47GD

Generosity

• The Catholic Parishes of Arlington will continue to pay our regular staff for normal working hours throughout this situation. Please help us meet these and all of our obligations by using our virus-free online giving. You can mail your offertory or visit our online giving page to contribute to the weekly offertory. 

• Arlington EATS is once again accepting food donations from the community.  Parishioners can drop off donations at Arlington EATS on Thursday mornings from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (wearing a mask and practicing social distancing). There is also a hotline and online registration system for anyone in need of food.

Evangelization 

• Put an image of the Divine Mercy on your door and encourage others to do the same. 
• Put a sign on the lawn or hang a banner that says "We are praying for you". 

Resources

Best practices known to prevent the flu and many other contagious illnesses:
•Wash your hands frequently (Hand washing techniques)
•Avoid touching your face or mouth
•Clean frequently used surfaces
•Stay home when you are sick 
•Avoid contact with people who are sick
 
Archdiocesan updates
Centers for Disease Control updates
World Health Organization updates
Additional CDC information
WebMD: Know the symptoms
Online AA Groups 
Covid-19 Related Scam Information

Marian T. Ryan District Attorney Middlesex County: Information to protect our seniors

Samaritans: Do you feel sad, lonely, hopeless, or suicidal? We’re here to listen to you, 24 hours a day. (877) 870-HOPE (4673) | Call or Text 24/7

We know parents are struggling to balance work, child care, and self-care while keeping worries — both your children’s and your own — under control. You don’t have to do it alone. Below are links provided by Thomas W. Carroll, Superintendent of Schools, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston:

Resources for Speaking with Your Children

• PBS: How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
• Child Mind Institute: Supporting Families During COVID-19
• New York Times: 5 Ways to Help Teens Manage Anxiety About the Coronavirus
• New York Times: Talking to Teens and Tweens About Coronavirus

Faith-Based Resources

• From St. Columbkille Partnership School, Brighton: Remote Learning Resources from Families
• McGrath Institute for Church Life: Free online courses, resources, publications and more
• Loyola Press: Coronavirus Response Lesson
• Sophia Institute: All Sophia Institute Resources for At-Home Learning for COVID-19 Response
• Magis Center/Credible Catholic: Free 7-week Student Course and Webinars for Parents and Teachers

Educational Resources

• Science Bob, for at-home science experiments! The website has video tutorials, clear directions, and explanations of why the experiments work
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: At-Home Learning Resources
• School Library Journal: Kid Lit Authors Step Up To Help Educators, Students, and Parents
• PBS: It's Ok to Be Smart
• A list of education companies offering free subscriptions
• Scholastic Learn At Home for PreK-Grade 6