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Massachusetts Roman Catholics called back to Mass

BOSTON — COVID has kept many churches closed or mostly empty until recently. But another sign of the times: Cardinal Sean O’Malley is reinstating the Sunday Mass obligation, meaning Catholics are expected to return to church in person starting Father’s Day weekend.

“I think it’s kind of exciting that the last two weeks more and more people are coming back. We’re probably up to about 75 percent,” said Rev. Jack Ahern, pastor of Saint Gregory’s church in Dorchester.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston as well as the bishops of Springfield and Fall River in similar statements Wednesday announced that the faithful are once again required to attend Mass starting the weekend of June 19-20.

Houses of worship have either been closed or open under capacity limits for the past year because of the coronavirus pandemic, and services have either been broadcast or held remotely.

In a statement, O’Malley said: “… We chose Father’s Day as an appropriate day to encourage all of our people, and especially our families, to return to the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist.”

Ahern is thrilled about the news and so are people across the archdiocese.

“I’m glad because church is important. My faith is important,” said Barbara Bloomculkin, who attends St. Joseph’s church in Quincy with her daughter.

Ahern says people are craving that in-person connection.

“People are coming to church, reconnecting, they missed everybody,” said Ahern.

Meagan Jarvis attends Saint Agatha’s Church in Milton. She said she’s looking forward to spending part of Sunday back in church.

“Absolutely, I mean I was in there today with the boys and thought to myself over the summer we need to get back into the routine of going to Mass. It was our first time there for a long time with COVID and it’s great just to just be getting back to normal,” said Jarvis, of Milton.

However, the Cardinal says the obligation does not apply to people who just had COVID or are too ill to come to Mass.

Worcester Bishop Rober McManus restored the Mass obligation for his parishioners last month.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.