A Message from Father Rafferty
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Canton Catholic Community News and Resources
An Announcement about the Re-opening of our parishes
Governor Baker announced that as part of Phase One of the gradual reopening of Massachusetts, houses of worship are now allowed to open under highly restricted guidelines. Following this announcement, the Archdiocese of Boston declared that after careful and deliberate preparation a parish may request permission from the Regional Bishop to resume Masses as early as Saturday evening, May 23.
Out of a commitment to caution, we have decided to not make this request and so will not be open this weekend. Parishes are required to meet all State, Municipal, and Archdiocesan guidelines, and we want to move at a deliberate pace in order to feel confident that we are not compromising the health and safety of our staff, our parishioners, or our neighbors.
The parish staff has been preparing for our eventual reopening and will meet this week to discuss the best course of action in light of our commitment to provide a safe environment and implement a well thought out plan. As we make decisions, we will keep you informed every step of the way.
Thank you for your patience and trust as we attempt to deal with these unprecedented challenges in the most prudent ways possible. We hope that you find comfort in knowing that our Livestream Mass will continue every Saturday at 4:00 pm and we encourage you to join us from the safety of your home for now.
All of you continue to be in our prayers and we look forward to the day when we will be able to gather again in person at the Lord's table.
Governor Baker announced that as part of Phase One of the gradual reopening of Massachusetts, houses of worship are now allowed to open under highly restricted guidelines. Following this announcement, the Archdiocese of Boston declared that after careful and deliberate preparation a parish may request permission from the Regional Bishop to resume Masses as early as Saturday evening, May 23.
Out of a commitment to caution, we have decided to not make this request and so will not be open this weekend. Parishes are required to meet all State, Municipal, and Archdiocesan guidelines, and we want to move at a deliberate pace in order to feel confident that we are not compromising the health and safety of our staff, our parishioners, or our neighbors.
The parish staff has been preparing for our eventual reopening and will meet this week to discuss the best course of action in light of our commitment to provide a safe environment and implement a well thought out plan. As we make decisions, we will keep you informed every step of the way.
Thank you for your patience and trust as we attempt to deal with these unprecedented challenges in the most prudent ways possible. We hope that you find comfort in knowing that our Livestream Mass will continue every Saturday at 4:00 pm and we encourage you to join us from the safety of your home for now.
All of you continue to be in our prayers and we look forward to the day when we will be able to gather again in person at the Lord's table.
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CANTON CATHOLIC SUNDAY MASS
While we are physically separated from our parish community and have shifted to the live-streamed celebration of Mass, we offer some suggestions to help make the experience of virtual liturgy reverent and special. Mass will be live-streamed every Saturday at 4:00 pm via Facebook A recording of this Mass is also available on Sunday on YouTube During Mass
The Why and How of making a Spiritual Communion Spiritual Communion Booklet After Mass
Churches are closed Please note that due to the latest directive from the Archdioceses of Boston both churches are currently closed to the public. DAILY MASS Provided by the Archdiocese of Boston by visiting Catholic Daily Mass STATIONS OF THE CROSS Stations of the Cross with Bishop Barron Virtual Stations of the Cross presented by Grade 4 St. John's School CANTON CATHOLIC E-NEWSLETTER The Canton Catholic E-Newsletter was emailed this week to our list of registered parishioners. If you didn't receive the newsletter via email and would like to please let us know. You can sign up for the E-Newsletter under the "Parish Info" Tab or click here. Please note this newsletter is only available via email. The newsletter is sent by newsletter@cantoncatholic.org in collaboration with Constant Contact.. If you don't see it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. ROSARY FOR PROTECTION OF FAMILIES DAILY ROSARY DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS You can find the readings at usccb.org RESOURCES Various resources for Lent Reflections AT HOME PRAYER PETITIONS Let us pray, For those who are suffering in the current outbreak of sickness that they might be healed, and for the happy repose of all who have died from this sickness in recent weeks. We pray for doctors, nurses, and caregivers, for public health officials and all civic leaders. May God grant them courage and prudence as they seek to respond to this emergency with compassion and in service to the common good. We pray that in times of illness our merciful and loving Father will strengthen our faith and trust in his goodness and divine providence. That our compassionate Father would touch all affected by the current outbreak with healing and peace. Father, during this time, may your Church be a sign of hope, comfort, and love to all. Grant peace. Grant comfort. Grant healing. Be with us, Lord. OUTREACH ATTENTION ALL SENIORS: THE CANTON CATHOLIC YOUTH MINISTRY, The Canton Catholic Youth Ministry, consistent with its tradition of community service and outreach, is extending to all seniors and homebound in Canton an offer to run errands and to pick up prepaid prescriptions or other prepaid essentials. Please contact us welcome@cantoncatholic.org with your specific needs and your contact information. You may also call us during regular office hours (Monday-Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm) 781-828-3420 or 781-828-0090 or leave a message. We will do our best to assist you during these uncertain times. CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Prepare for Sunday Mass readings as a family with videos and fun activities. Holy Heroes Magnifikid! - This is the children's version of Magnificat, with Sunday Mass readings, reflections, and activities for the whole family! MEDITATION FREE APP A Catholic meditation app to help you find peace and grow in your spiritual journey. Check out the Hallow app, which is offering 3 months free! Hallow MAGNIFICAT Magnificat is offering free digital subscriptions during this challenging time. Check out the link here. Latest on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the ChurchMarch 13, 2020 - Cardinal Authorizes Temporary Suspension of Mass in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak
News March 13, 2020 Provides Dispensation to the Faitful; Encourages Participation in the Mass Though CatholicTV In response to growing public concern and following Governor Baker’s Emergency Order prohibiting most gatherings of 250 or more people, Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM Cap, Archbishop of Boston, has made the decision effective immediately to temporarily suspend all daily and Sunday Masses and religious services in the Archdiocese of Boston until further notice. This begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, March 14. In announcing this decision, the Cardinal has also issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass during this time to the Catholics of the Archdiocese of Boston. Cardinal Seán said “We live in times when many people are confused, hurt, and fearful, for many different reasons. In the midst of these challenges Jesus seeks to meet us in the same way He met the disciples on the road to Emmaus, accompanying us on the journey, calming our fears and anxieties and assuring us that He will be with us always in the gift of the Eucharist. This decision to temporarily suspend the daily and Sunday Mass is motivated by an abundance of caution and concern for those most vulnerable and the need to do our part to help limit and mitigate the spread of the illness.” The directive to temporarily suspend the celebration of Mass applies to all Archdiocesan parishes, missions, and campus ministries until further notice. Baptism, Confirmations, weddings and funerals may proceed but attendance should be limited to only immediate family. CATHOLIC TV DAILY AND SUNDAY MASS Cardinal Seán encourages Catholics to participate in the daily and Sunday Masses broadcast from the CatholicTV chapel. Daily Mass airs live at 9:30 a.m. and is rebroadcast at 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Sunday Masses air throughout the day at 10 a.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m., and 11:30 p.m. The Sunday Spanish Mass airs live at 8 a.m. and is rebroadcast at 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Viewers can watch these Masses on demand at any time at www.WatchtheMass.com. For more information about CatholicTV and where you can watch it, visit http://www.catholictv.org/. CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Earlier today after conferring with Cardinal Seán, Thomas W. Carroll, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, announced that Archdiocese of Boston parish schools and Archdiocesan elementary and high schools will be closed for two weeks from Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 27. On an ongoing basis, the Catholic Schools Office will consider whether this period needs to be extended further. The Archdiocese will provide ongoing updates to parishes, schools and ministries during this period of response to the Coronavirus outbreak. Cardinal Seán said, “Though these are challenging times for our parishes and all members of our communities is important that we not forget the importance of care and concern for those who are most vulnerable, including the poor, our senior citizens and people who are medically compromised. I urge those who can do so to maintain the support for their parish during these difficult days in order to sustain the ministries and outreach services for parishioners and those most in need. We entrust the Church to the intercession of our Blessed Mother as we pray for the return to full celebration of the sacraments and community prayer as soon as possible.” CARDINAL SEAN’S MESSAGE REGARDING COVID-19 March 12, 2020 (2:25 p.m. EST) My Dear Friends in Christ, The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is now part of our public life—our world, our country, our state and our Archdiocese — together we must call on faith and reason to meet this challenge. In support of the guidance of public health officials, I have issued directives for the Catholic community of the Archdiocese. (1.) Reception of Holy Communion: During this time of public health concerns we are temporarily suspending distribution of communion on the tongue and invite the faithful to reverently receive the Eucharist in their hand. (2.) Holy Water Fonts: These should be emptied, cleaned and remain empty. (3.) Public Events: Public gatherings in parishes such as dinners, lunches, and other social gatherings should be postponed or canceled until further notice; (4.) Celebration of Mass: We will continue public celebration of daily and Sunday Mass. This is an exception to #3 but I judge at the moment this to be a necessary source of support for the community. (5.) Vulnerable Individuals: Those at particular risk by reason of age or existing health conditions, are excused from the obligation to attend Mass. We encourage participation in the celebration of Mass broadcast on CatholicTV. Please consult your cable provider and network listings for local access. May God bless our efforts; may Christ be our model of care for others and may Mary intercede for all the sick and suffering. Cardinal Seán Canton Catholic E-Newsletter
The Canton Catholic E-Newsletter was emailed last week to our list of registered parishioners. If you did not receive the E-Newsletter, please check your email spam folder. You may need to give permission or "allow" the emails to successfully arrive in your inbox. If you still didn't receive the newsletter via email and would like to, please let us know. You can also sign up for the E-Newsletter here. Please note, this newsletter is only available via email! If you need assistance, please contact Nancy Cunniff at ncunniff@cantoncatholic.org |
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