Mass schedule: Please note you MUST register for a weekend Mass. See the
May 25 letter for more information. 

Monday through Saturday, excluding Wednesday: 9AM

Saturday: 4:30PM

Sunday: 9AM and 11AM

Morning Prayer: Daily (except Sundays) at 8AM
Rosary and Night Prayer: Daily at 7PM

You can still join us on our Livestream!

9AM to 1PM Daily

If you are ill, have a fever, or are in a ulnerable age bracket, or otherwise susceptible, PLEASE PRAY FROM HOME.

We ask that you utilize the hand sanitizer and wipes.

Please remain at least 6 feet from others.
If you find there are 10 others praying at this time, please return at a later time.

5/25:  Dear Parishioners,
 
    With the great news of the re-opening of our parishes Fr. Sudhir and I would like to let you know of our plan for the next few weeks.  We have been talking frequently with staff members, parishioners and brother priests to put a plan together for our re-opening process.  There will certainly be challenges that we will need to navigate along the way so we ask for your prayers and patience. Please read this letter in its entirety as there are important details to follow, including how to register to attend a Mass.
 
    Masses will begin at Our Lady of the Assumption and Our Lady of Victory parishes this coming weekend (May 30-31).  We will need to alter our Mass schedule for several practical reasons.  The temporary schedule for each parish is as follows:
 
Sunday Mass
Our Lady of the Assumption:     Saturday 4pm and Sunday 11am
Our Lady of Victory:                    Saturday 4:30pm and Sunday 9am and 11am


*All Masses at Our Lady of Victory will continue to be Livestreamed on olvparish.org.
 
Daily Mass
    Mass during the week will take place as usual.  We will be starting out with our “winter schedule.”  OLV: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 9am.  OLA: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 8am.  The Rosary will take place as normal before Mass and we ask that people arrive 10-15 minutes early for daily Mass.
 
Why the Change in the Sunday Mass Schedule? 
1) We would like to begin slowly and cautiously.  We are not sure how many parishioners will desire to come out to Mass at the current time, so we will begin with a simple schedule, to which we can always add more Mass times. 

2) We felt that two hours were necessary to celebrate Mass, sanitize afterwards and then begin the seating process for the next Mass.  If we begin with Mass at 9am and 11am we will have the flexibility of an earlier Mass in the future.

3) You will notice that for the moment there are no scheduled Masses at Our Lady of Hope chapel.  The space at the chapel is quite constrained and will make social distancing very difficult.  This is not a permanent decision and it is our sincere desire to begin Mass at the chapel as circumstances permit. 
 
When will we add more Masses?
    We will keep this schedule for two weeks (May 30^th and 31^st / June 6^th
 and 7^th).  If during these two weeks we find that more Masses are needed we will add them at that time.
 
Can Everybody Go to Mass?
    Bishop da Cunha has said the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass will remain in effect until further notice.  Our governor is asking vulnerable, at-risk and otherwise concerned persons to remain at home, this includes those who are over 65 and those with underlying health conditions. Those who are feeling sick, or have any symptoms of illness must stay home so as to avoid spreading sickness. Therefore, we ask you to use precaution when deciding whether to come or not. 
    We are asking people to register for Mass.  It may sound strange; however, in order to keep people safely distanced inside the church buildings and maintain under 40% capacity per Massachusetts requirements, it is necessary to limit the number of individuals inside the church for Mass.  We ask that you email or call to register for a particular Mass for that coming weekend.  If Masses fill up we will let you know and direct you to an open Mass for that weekend, or put your name first on the list for the following weekend.  Please remember this is the first time we are employing a system like this for Mass; if we run into difficulties we will quickly reassess.
 
Information to be given to Register beginning Wednesday, May 27. Please register each week by Friday at 6PM for the coming weekend.

• Name                    
• Phone number
• Number of people from your home who are coming
• Date and time of the Mass you wish to attend
• Which church you will would like to attend
• You will receive a confirmation email/phone call.

 
Email:              massregistration@assumption-capecod.org
                        massregistration@olvparish.org
Phone:      OLA: 508-428-2011 x 201
                 OLV: 508-775-5744 x 107
 
What do I need to do for Mass?

1. Please bring and wear a face covering into church.  A face covering is not primarily for yourself but for those around you.
2. Please bring hand sanitizer.  We will have sanitizer at the doors of the church, however this supply must be used prudently and carefully for all parishioners for several weeks.
3. You MUST come 20 minutes early.  This is crucial.  We will not be able to keep social distancing if everyone shows up exactly at the time of the Mass.  
4. Please be patient about details.  At Mass for the next several weeks there will be changes. 
   • You will be brought to a seat which will be at least six feet away from others (this does not apply for families living in the same home). 
   • There will be no singing from the congregation at Mass.  The research has shown that the virus spreads mostly through water droplets escaping from our mouths, which would include while singing.  Our cantors will sing and will maintain a distance of at least six feet from others. 
   • There will be no missalettes or bulletins so as to limit the number of surfaces by which the virus could spread. You may view and print bulletins on our websites, or call Barbara at 508.775.5744x200 to have one mailed to you.
   • The collection baskets will not be passed.  Instead, we will leave baskets at the doors of the church for people to use for their donations. We also encourage online giving through WeShare.
   • Distribution of Holy Communion will be possible with specific directions which we will communicate at Mass.

 
Confessions
    Regularly scheduled confessions will begin this weekend.  Parishioners will have the opportunity to speak face to face or use a screen and social distance will be maintained.
 
OLA Confessions: Saturdays from 3pm to 3:40pm in the parish Annex building. Please enter through the Annex and be seated at an appropriate distance from others as you wait for the Sacrament.
 
OLV Confessions: Saturdays after the 9am Mass and from 3pm to 3:45pm in the Parish Center. Please enter through the Parish hall door (not the main office door) and be seated at an appropriate distance from others as you wait for the Sacrament.
   
    We realize there are many changes and details.  Please know that all of these are being taken for the safety of our parishioners.  If there is any way that we can be of assistance please do not hesitate to reach out. 
                                
Please know of our continued prayers and availability. 
 
Yours in Christ,

Fr. Sudhir Nayak (Parochial Vicar)


Fr. Matthew Gill (Administrator)


5/20: The Pray at Home Guide for May 24 and May 31 has been posted. 

5/16: The Pray at Home Guide for May 17 has been posted.

5/1: The Pray at Home Guides for May 3 and 10 have been posted.

4/17: The Pray at Home Guides for April 19 and April 26 have been posted.

4/9: We are pleased to be able to make good use of social media during this time when we can't worship together, but we understand some may not have access to our website or Facebook. Please help us spread the word that there are the following resources available: 

RADIO: We are happy to announce that Father Matthew Gill and Father Sudhir Nayak will share a special message on the following radio stations on Easter Sunday. 

WXTK 95.1 at 5AM
WCOD 106 and Cool 102 at 6AM

TV MASS:
The Fall River Diocese sponsors a televised Mass each Sunday at 11AM on WLNE-TV, ABC Channel 6, New Bedford-Providence. The Mass is re-aired at 12:30PM. on Comcast cable channel 95 in Fall River.

HOME RESOURCES:
If you or a family member would like Bulletins or our Pray at Home Guides mailed to you each week, please email Barbara@olvparish.org or call 508.775.5744x200 and leave your name and phone number, and she will return your call. (As a reminder, bulletins and the Prayer Guides can also be accessed on our website.)

4/8: The Pray at Home Guide for Easter Sunday has been posted. 

4/5: Click here for our Holy Week schedule

The Pray at Home Guide for Palm Sunday has been posted.

4/4: *Distribution of Palms will not take place this year due to health concerns.  It was announced the weekend before that it would occur but during the week the decision was made to forego the distribution of palms this year.  The health and safety of our parishioners is and will continue to be a priority during this time.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

3/30: Scholarship Applications can be found here: OLV Scholarship / Knights of Columbus Scholarship 

3/20: Please see here for a letter from Fr. Matthew Gill and ways you can pray at home with us.


3/16: The celebration of Mass has been suspended for the near future.

Statement of Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., Suspending the Celebration of Masses in the Fall River Diocese

​Out of concern for the health and well-being of all who reside in Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands and in response to the direction of public officials, I am suspending all public Masses and other liturgical services in the Diocese of Fall River effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020 and continuing until further notice. This includes Masses of First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

​At the same time, I am issuing a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass during this time to all Catholics of the Diocese.

​Exceptions are granted for the celebration of weddings and funerals, but attendance must be limited to immediate family members only, not to exceed 10 persons. Every effort must be made to follow precautions already announced in previous communications from the Diocese along with recommendations of public health officials.

​I am asking that churches be open for a limited time during the day to the extent possible and at the discretion of the pastor to provide the faithful who still wish with an opportunity to visit for private prayer. Parishes should provide this information on their websites.

​I strongly encourage our Catholics to pray at home and to seek out opportunities to participate in Masses available on television or online instead. Information is available on our website, www.fallriverdiocese.org.

​The Mass is our central act of worship, the source and summit of our Catholic faith, and it goes without saying that this difficult decision was not made lightly. It was done after prayerful consideration of the critical health threat that now confronts us. The gravity of it demands that we take whatever action is needed, despite the hardship, for the good of the protection of all especially those who are most vulnerable at this time.

​Please join me in prayer in these challenging days for all who are impacted by COVID-19 and in a special way for those who are sick and for those who work to combat the disease.

​I wish to entrust all of our people especially our sick and elderly to the protection of our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of the Assumption the patroness of our Diocese, so that under her motherly care we all may persevere in faith to support one another. Let us all pray that this may come to a quick end and normalcy may be restored.

 

3/14/2020: Response to the Corona Virus:

The Bishop has issued the following as of 3/14. PLEASE READ IN ITS ENTIRETY. Please also see fallriverdiocese.org for more information. We will continue to keep you updated here and on our Facebook page as well.

Dear Parishioners and Friends:
Out of concern for the avoidance of large gatherings and for the protection and well-being of parishioners, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., has issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass this weekend, March 14-15, for all Catholics of the Fall River Diocese.

Members of the faithful who are considered at greater risk for the coronavirus because of age or underlying health conditions are especially encouraged to take advantage of this dispensation. As announced in previous communications, anyone who is feeling ill or experiencing symptoms of illness is urged to stay home as well.

This dispensation is in effect for this weekend. Bishop da Cunha and his advisors will meet on Monday to assess the situation to determine the appropriate steps to be taken at that time with regard to the obligation to attend Sunday Mass going forward.

Those who are not attending a parish Mass this weekend are encouraged to watch Mass on television or via live streaming on the Internet and to pray at home. Please visit www.fallriverdiocese.org for a listing of available Masses. (See Participating in the Mass from Home.)

Bishop da Cunha asks all to join him in praying for all those in this country and around the world suffering from the coronavirus, that the Lord may grant them strength and healing in the days ahead.

3/13/2020: The Bishop has issued the following directives:

Those at particular risk by reason of age or underlying health conditions, or anyone who may be feeling ill, are excused from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and are asked to remain home. You are encouraged to watch Mass on TV or via live streaming on the internet and to pray at home. Please visit www.fallriverdiocese.org for listings;

We are also directing that Communion be given only on the hand and not on the tongue;

The Sign of Peace during the Mass is to be replaced by a moment of quiet prayer or by wishing peace without physical contact.

Holy Water fonts will be removed.

We have also instructed our cleaning company on CDC guidelines, and have added additional cleaning and sanitizing measures.

We have also cancelled ALL group meetings, including non-parish groups, book clubs, etc. 

3/11/2020: We have suspended all visits to nursing home and the homebound. This does not apply to the Sacrament of the Sick by a priest. 

3/10/2020: We welcome Fr. Sudhir Nayak, who will be assisting at Our Lady of Victory and Our Lady of the Asusmption parishes in the interim as we await the assignment of a pastor. Please join us in welcoming him to our Family of Faith!


3/4/2020: In response to current health concerns, we have added sanitizer to the offices, churches, and public spaces. We ask that if you are sick, you remain home. We have also instructed our Liturgical Ministers, clergy, and staff on proper handwashing and sanitizing procedures. At the Sign of Peace, we will greet with a nod and discourage handshakes.