UPDATED COVID-19 Safety Protocols
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Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols
Effective May 11, 2023, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ended the state's COVID-19 public health emergency to align with the end of the federal public health emergency. This will not change our existing protocols of mask wearing being optional inside the Church and we hope that congregants would feel comfortable wearing a mask anywhere on the premises, if that is their preference.As of October 28, 2022, parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston are no longer required to have an area of the church marked and announced as being for people wearing masks and following social distancing. We will no longer have a designated area set aside for wearing masks and social distancing. Wearing a mask is optional and people attending Mass at Saint Agatha Parish should feel comfortable wearing a mask wherever they are seated in the Church.
The following guidelines issued to the parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston that went into effect the weekend of February 28, 2022.- Throughout the archdiocese, masks are no longer required for all people attending public Masses (including weddings and funerals).
- In addition, all churches must continue to provide a designated area in which social distancing and mask wearing is respected for those who want to use it. At St. Agatha Parish, this section will continue to be the wing of the Church on the Organ side.
The dispensation from the obligation for attending Sunday Mass was lifted effective June 20, 2021. It continues to be advised if a parishioner is feeling ill, they should remain at home.
- There is no change to congregational singing which has been permitted and encouraged. Hymnals are available in the pews.
- Ministers of Communion will continue to wear their face masks while distributing Holy Communion and will disinfect their hands prior to the distribution.
- All doors of the Church will continue to be unlocked for both entering and exiting.
- St. Agatha Parish will continue to follow all Town of Milton and Commonwealth of Massachusetts mask mandates.