Given the new State of Massachusetts protocols that went into place on May 29, the following guidance is issued for the parishes of the Archdiocese of Boston

General Guidelines

• As of May 29, masks are no longer required for vaccinated people in the State of Massachusetts. The State does advise that non-vaccinated people continue to wear masks or socially distance in our parishes.
• This statement applies to worship and other parish activities, but not to schools and not to the office space. Further guidelines will be issued for those two areas.
• Parishes and pastors will not be policing the population. Every parishioner and every family will be expected to make a sound, reasonable decision about when they are ready to take off their masks and be near other people. No pastor and no parish will be expected to ask people whether or not they have been vaccinated.
• The pastor has a high degree of discretion in the implementation of all of these changes.
• There is no longer a distinct set of protocols for parishes in red zones.
• The dispensation from the obligation for coming to Sunday Mass has not yet been lifted, and even when it is, if a parishioner is feeling ill they should remain at home.
• It is understood that different people will be ready to take off their masks and sit near one another at different times.
• Parishes should communicate that they are prepared to accommodate those who are ready to take off their masks and sit near others, and those who are not.
• Some people who are comfortable dropping social distancing may not yet be comfortable taking off their masks. It should be communicated to people that they are free to continue to wear masks as long as they like, and that they will be respected if they choose to do so.

• When a parish becomes aware that a COVID positive person has attended Mass, we will announce it on the parish’s website.
  Please keep an eye on our website.