Click here to see our times for Mass and Reconciliation.
Masks
Anyone is welcome to wear a mask anywhere in our Churches.
The mask mandate from the Archdiocese of Boston ended on Feb. 28, 2022, and the Billerica town mask mandate was lifted on Feb. 8, 2022.
St. Theresa Church offers COVID-19 Protocol Seating with distancing and mask requirements in the side sections. Children under the age of five are not required to wear masks. Children under the age of two should not wear masks.
Often, those sitting in these sections are vulnerable adults, families with young children, and those unable to receive a vaccine.
Coming to Mass
Seating: the two outer wing sections of St. Theresa Church (4:00pm Saturday, 10:00am Sunday, and 5:00pm Sunday Masses) are for social distancing until further notice. At this time, all other Mass seating is open. No reservations are required, as had been our practice from May 2020 – June 2021.
To clarify, those sitting in the outer wing sections of St. Theresa Church are expected to wear a mask and maintain social distancing from others not in their household. If you are not interested in these protocols, please sit in the middle sections of St. Theresa Church or attend another Mass.
Mass Resources (Missalettes): these returned to our pews starting in Advent 2021, and may be used at any liturgy in our Churches. Parishioners are encouraged to use the Missalettes at their own risk, or to continue to use their own resource: MAGNIFICAT, or their smart phone accessing the readings at usccb.org (United States Catholic Conference of Bishops) for Sunday’s Readings.
Offering (Collection): There will be Collection Baskets at entrances of the Churches, but no baskets will be passed. We strongly urge our community to use the online giving platform.
Sign of Peace: We will offer an opportunity to exchange the sign of peace, without contact with those who are not of the same household.
Music: Occurs during Mass with a leader of song and accompanist. We will gradually return to having choirs. For some time during the pandemic there was limited music permitted during worship.
Bulletins: we have returned to offering a printed bulletin with announcements and news of our community. Click here to get the latest bulletins.
Testing Positive with COVID After Attending Mass: From the Archdiocese of Boston: If a parishioner reports having attended a Mass and then testing positive for COVID very soon after, an announcement should be made on the parish’s website, not disclosing any information about the parishioner, but informing the parish that a person was at that Mass who then tested positive for COVID.
Please inform the Parish Office, or Fr. Paul Aveni, if you have attended Mass and then tested positive for COVID-19. Your disclosure will be kept in confidence and is the just thing to do for our parishoners.
Praying the Mass from Home
For viewing Mass on TV, please visit the Catholic TV Network or Church of the Nativity.
For outdoor Masses, please visit Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted in Waltham.
Please note: As of the weekend of June 19, 2021, the dispensation from the obligation for coming to Sunday Mass has ended. As always, if you are feeling ill, please remain home.
Faith Formation
On-campus opportunities:
There are a variety of options for families and children, youth, and teens to participate in faith formation. Click here for more information. It is the policy of the Archdiocese of Boston that we cannot require in-person attendance at faith formation ministries as a condition for receiving a sacrament (Confirmation, First Eucharist / Communion, First Reconciliation / Penance / Confession).
Update March 1, 2022: Expectations of wearing masks may vary by ministry and will be communicated separately.
(page last updated 3/1/2022)