CatholicTV Offers Online Mass during pandemic

WATERTOWN — On Friday, March 13, The CatholicTV Network will launch a new, simplified website where viewers can easily watch daily Masses from the CatholicTV chapel. At www.WatchtheMass.com, viewers can watch the Mass in English every day from Sunday to Friday and the Mass in Spanish every Sunday.  Bishop Robert Reed, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston and President of CatholicTV, said, “The launch of this new website comes in response to the quarantines, travel restrictions, and church closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CatholicTV Network seeks to serve Catholics who cannot get to Mass during this time of crisis and …

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BC High closed for March 12-13 for ‘deep clean’

BC High closed for March 12-13 for ‘deep clean’ Boston College High School in Dorchester announced March 12 that the school would be closed for two days of cleaning after the school was notified that parents of the a student tested positive for COVID-19. The following is a portion of the statement posted on the school’s website March 12: On March 11, 2020, we were notified that parents of a student in our community have tested positive for COVID-19. As soon as we became aware of this potential exposure, we notified the Department of Public Health and implemented their son’s …

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St. Anthony Shrine, Boston closed until March 21

St. Anthony Shrine in Downtown Boston announced March 12 that the Shrine will be closed until March 21. The following message was posted on the shrine’s website: St. Anthony Shrine Will be Closed A message from Fr. Thomas Conway, O.F.M. March 12, 2020 Due to public health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 virus, St. Anthony Shrine will close at 7 p.m. today and remain closed until Saturday, March 21. Our plan is to reopen at 3 p.m. on March 21 in preparation for the 4 p.m. Mass that day. The building will be closed to the public during this time, though …

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Faith formation programs suspended ‘until further notice’

In a March 13, 2020 email to parishes, Michael M. Lavigne, Director of Office of Lifelong Faith Formation and Parish Support, called for the suspension of parish faith formation programs. “In light of the decision today to close Catholic schools for the next two weeks, the decision has been made to suspend all faith formation and related activities (e.g. adult faith formation, youth ministry, Scouting, etc.) until further notice,” Lavigne said. He added that his office is working compiling material for at-home prayer and studies. “Guidance regarding the celebration of Confirmations and First Communions will be addressed by the Archdiocese …

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Catholic schools in archdiocese closed March 16-27

Statement from Thomas W. Carroll, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Boston issued March 13, 2020: In response to the COVID-19 outbreak and after conferring with Cardinal Seán, all Archdiocese of Boston parish schools and Archdiocesan elementary and high schools will be closed for two weeks from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27. On an ongoing basis, we will consider whether this period needs to be extended further. All closed Catholic schools are urged to make their best effort to provide ongoing learning and provide meals to any students eligible for free or reduced priced lunch. These meals …

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