Saint Anthony of Padua Parish
Revere, Ma.
Dear Parishioners of Saint Anthony of Padua,
With great joy, we look forward to reopening our church for worship on the Feast of Saint Anthony,Saturday, June 13th! During our world-wide pandemic, please know that you and your intentions have been prayed for at our daily Masses, our Wednesday evening rosary and in our daily prayers.
When we resume our church services, there will be many new protocols and procedures in place to ensure that all are safe and protected, and that we are fulfilling all archdiocesan and state mandates for opening places of worship. Here are some of our notable changes.
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Vigil Mass at 4:00 PM (Main Church), Sunday Morning Mass at 8:00AM (Main Church) Livestream Mass at 10:00 AM (ZOOM), and 12:00 Mass (Main Church)
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Beginning on June 15th: Daily Mass will take place in the Main Church at 7:00AM and 12:00 PM.
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Due to strict social distancing requirements, you will need to pre-register for Mass either online through www.stanthonysrevere.org or by calling the rectory. Our limit of attendees at Mass will be 120 people. Attendance will be based on a first come, first serve basis. As you enter the church, you will provide your name to a volunteer for us to keep track of who is attending.
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All who attend the Mass must be wearing a face mask.
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There will only be one door used to enter the church (Center Door). One of our volunteers will greet you at the door and check you in for Mass. Please cooperate fully with the volunteers. Doors will open for Mass ten minutes before Mass. If you arrive early, you must remain in your cars until the volunteer opens the door. There should be no congregating on the piazza either before or after Mass. Please maintain a social distancing of six (6) feet while waiting to enter.
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If you are ill, we kindly ask that you please not attend Mass; we ask that you please watch Mass from your home. If you are ill or unable to attend Mass, Cardinal O’Malley has continued to extend to you a dispensation.
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When you enter the Church, the volunteers will help you to your seat. You will see that some rows are marked with tape to create the social distancing that is required.
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We will provide hand sanitizer, but we also encourage that you bring your own.
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There will be no Mass books in the pews. There will be no processions, altar servers, or collections. There will be an offertory box for you to place your weekly donations; however, we strongly encourage that you utilize our online donation system. Please refer to the parish website to register.
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There will be no congregational singing at this time, only Ann Ciampa will be singing.
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There will be no hand holding during the Our Father and no physical exchange of handshakes, hugs etc. during the Peace Be With You.
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At Communion, the priest and deacon will be distributing Communion. A volunteer will let you know when you can go up to Communion. Please wait until you are told to go. One row from each side shall approach the priest/deacon maintaining the necessary social distancing. Do not form a line in the aisle! The Eucharist is to be received only in the hand. Please do not wear gloves when you receive Communion. Approach the priest/deacon with your mask covering your mouth and nose. Once you receive the Eucharist, please step to the side, remove your mask, consume the Eucharist, and replace your mask. Please return to your seat following the side aisles.
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When the Mass concludes, please maintain social distancing of six (6) feet and use the two side doors when leaving the church. There is to be no socializing outside. Please go directly to your car and exit the parking lot.
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Confessions will be scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday by appointments only please call the Parish Emergency Number to schedule your appointment 781-244-9162 or the rectory at 781-289-1234
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Please always leave kneelers down. This will help us to disinfect them more quickly after very Mass.
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If you need to utilize the restroom, please follow these procedures:
There will only be one person allowed at a time. You cannot form a line outside the restroom door, you must form a line starting outside the candle room door. We will have disinfecting wipes outside the bathroom for you to use to open and close the door. We will also have disinfecting wipes inside for you to use on the toilet seat and sink. We ask that you please disinfect when you enter and leave the bathroom. These sanitary measures will ensure the safety of yourself and the safety of others.
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There will only be four (4) persons allowed in the candle room at any one time. Please wear your mask and gloves to pay for your candle purchase. Please refrain from kissing or touching the statues.
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Please do not remove any markings off the pews or floor.
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Please avoid unnecessary touching of the statues inside the Church. This will help us to disinfect them more quickly after every Mass.
If you would like further information regarding church procedures and protocols, please refer to these two informative resources: The Boston Pilot had an article on Returning to Mass; also, if you can access YouTube or Vimeo, there is a video from the Archdiocese on “Returning to Mass.”
We look forward to seeing our parish family once again beginning with the Feast of Saint Anthony on Saturday,June 13th! While the outward signs of our parish Masses will look different, the essence of each of them, the greatest of our prayers, will remain the same!
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask. Please call Father Xavier at the rectory at 781-289-1234.
God bless each and every one of you!
Father Xavier and the St. Anthony Parish Council
