We will continue to use BillericaCatholic.org as the main way that we deliver news that would normally be printed in a bulletin. We will also continue to communicate using Email and Facebook.
Please patronize our Bulletin Sponsors. CLICK HERE for their ads.
Bishop Hennessey has approved our request to proceed with Masses this weekend, based on the precautions that we are taking for everyone’s safety. With this, we are taking first steps to reopening our Churches for Mass! In his weekly message, Father Paul shares details on the Masses that we will celebrate this weekend (May 30 and 31). CLICK HERE to view his video chat.
For safety reasons, we must limit the number of Parishioners admitted for all Masses. We request that you sign up to attend Mass. Please sign up for one slot per each family member, so that we can have an accurate count.
CLICK HERE to signup to attend Mass on Saturday at 4pm at St. Mary Church
CLICK HERE to signup to attend Mass on Sunday at 10am at St. Theresa Church
If you, or someone you know, would find it easier to register by phone, please call 978.663.8816 or 978.663.2215 between 10am and 1pm on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday to register.
Please only attend if you are able, feel comfortable, and are not otherwise compromised. Cardinal Seán continues to relax the requirement to attend Sunday Mass.
Volunteers Needed. We need Volunteers from each Parish to assist with the startup, to guide Parishioners to their seats, to assist with Communion, to assist with dismissal, to count attendees, and to give general assistance. Training is required and will be provided. We cannot open the Churches for Mass without enough volunteers!
CLICK HERE to assist at the 4pm Saturday Mass at St. Mary Church
CLICK HERE to assist at the 10am Mass at St. Theresa Church
For safety reasons, we must dramatically limit the number of Parishioners admitted for all Masses. This will likely require a weekly signup.
What will be different? Please CLICK HERE to watch a video on how your church experience will look this weekend. And, CLICK HERE for a written summary of what to expect.
A few things to keep in mind:
-
You will be required to wear a mask during Mass. We would ask that you bring one with you. If you are at all uncomfortable with attending Mass in public, then please feel free to stay home. The Cardinal is continuing to life the requirement to attend Mass weekly.
-
The doors to the church will only open 10 minutes before Mass begins. there can be no gathering before or after Mass; please wait in your car if you arrive early.
-
You will be allowed into only one entrance of the Church. Assistants will direct you and greet you there.
- Please sit in the locations that we have indicated. Immediate family members may sit together.
-
There will be no Missalettes or Hymnals in the pews. Please feel free to bring your own personal Magnificat or something similar, that you will take home with you.
-
There will be very limited singing during the Mass.
-
There will be no hand holding during the Lord’s Prayer, and no exchange of Peace.
-
During communion, you will be instructed as to how to approach the altar safely. Please follow the guidelines.
-
There will be no collection at Mass. Please continue to contribute electronically or via mail. At each Mass, there will be a collection basket at the front doors of the church for those who want to bring their donations, but envelopes will NOT be available.
-
When Mass has ended you will be instructed on how to leave the church safely. Please follow the guidelines for a safe and orderly departure.
Together we can make this a safe and powerful return to worship our God, and experience Jesus’ love for us, in community.
We will publish our plan for the weekend of June 6 and 7 based on what we learn from this weekend.
More Parish Restart News
Starting June 9, St. Andrew will host weekday Masses at 12:05pm, on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Funeral Masses will start again as of June 8, with strict safety guidelines.
Recorded Masses will continue to be published on YouTube and at BATV as needed. We are heartened by the number of people coming back to their faith through our online Masses.
We will reopen our offices with limited hours, beginning June 8.
Registration for 2020-2021 is now open! Please CLICK HERE to sign up your children for the Fall (full or partial payments accepted).
For the most up-to-date information about our Youth Faith Formation and Youth Ministry, please visit the BCRE website, at reled.billericacatholic.org.
Weekly Offertory and Expenses
Through May 24, 2020
During this time, as always, we are grateful for your continuing support.
We had been publishing a monthly Offertory report in the bulletin, showing the Offertory for the preceding month. We will now start showing the contributions oer the last three weeks, which include both online giving and parish envelopes.
Calling all High School graduates!
On Thursday, June 11 at 10am, the Sunday Mass will be videoed at St. Andrew Church. At this Mass, Father Paul will bless all High School graduating seniors. You are invited to attend in Cap and Gown. To register to attend, please use SignUpGenius HERE.
St. Vincent de Paul is seeking contributions
During these difficult times, our St. Vincent de Paul team continues to support our families most in need of support for the essentials. They ask for your continued prayers and monetary support. Please send donations to our Parish Offices at 1 Grace Ave, Billerica, Mass 01821. Make checks payable to St. Vincent de Paul Society. Thank you for your support.
New Series Announced!
The Catholic Community of Billerica is pleased to announce two new Zoom series to help you get to know Jesus better.
Praying with Today’s Christian Music. Deacon Phil will lead a discussion series on the types of Christian music available today, their sources, and the best ways to understand and incorporate them into your prayer life. Sessions will be on Tuesdays May 26, June 2, June 9, and June 16 at 7:30pm.
Unpacking St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. St. Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi is one of the cherished letters of our Christian Scripture. Deacon Phil invites you to unpack it together, using imaginative prayer, Lectio Divina, with supportive group sharing. Sessions will be on Thursdays May 28, June 4, June 11, and June 18 at 7:30pm.
Feel free to attend one or both sessions. Please email deacon.phil.dibello@gmail.com for the Zoom information.
Teen Leadership Community Announced!
#1 – Reaching Out To Your Friends
Tony Carbrello is offering a series of Zoom gatherings to train youth leaders in our Church community for whatever the future is bringing us – a new springtime.
The series will mix prayer, bible reflections, and opportunities for discussion into practical applications of our faith, to prepare our teens for service to our church as teen leaders!
CLICK HERE to sign up.
CLICK HERE for more information.
Sunday Mass on BATV!
If you know someone who would like to worship with our prerecorded Billerica Masses, but is uncomfortable with YouTube, please encourage them to pray the Mass with our Clergy, Lectors and Music Ministers on Saturday at 7pm, or Sunday at 9am, on Xfinity (channel 8) or Verizon (channel 31).
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Father Paul and Father Hal are offering appointments to those who seek Confession. Please call 978.663.8816 to schedule a visit.
Sacrament of the Sick
Father Hal and Father Paul are available to come to your home for the Sacrament of Anointing, with face masks and gloves, where COVID is not an issue.
For cases where COVID is involved, we can direct you to a team of “COVID Priests” who can visit families and hospitals / nursing homes.
Graveside Funeral Services and Funerals
Funeral Masses will re-start after June 8, with strict safety guidelines. Father Paul and Father Hal continue to meet families for Graveside services in the meantime. We will begin to coordinate Funeral Masses for your loved one as restrictions are relaxed.
Your Continued Financial Support
We are grateful for your continued support of our Parishes. We rely on your donations to continue to provide Pastoral Services, especially during this time of uncertainty and suspended Masses. If you are able, please continue to donate to your Parish so that we can continue to serve your Faith needs.
You can bring your envelopes to our Parish office at 1 Grace Ave, send them by mail, or donate online.
CLICK HERE for St. Andrew
CLICK HERE for St. Mary
CLICK HERE for St. Theresa
We sincerely appreciate your commitment and generosity to your Parish.
Call Chris at 978.663.8816 with questions.