Below are some questions asked by our parishioners, and answered by the parish priests. You may ask a question yourself by clicking on the "Ask a question" link, and the answer will appear below after a short time.
If you need more immediate assistance, please call the Rectory at 617-846-7400. Please note that all questions are reviewed for appropriate content, and those questions deemed not appropriate will not be displayed and/or answered.
Q. My Fiancee and I are getting married in August in Canada, we reside in East Boston and Winthrop respectively. We are looking to participate in a marriage course. Do you offer a marriage course or can you suggest a local parish that may offer a course.
A. Congtratulations on your upcoming marriage. I suggest you contact Sacred Heart in East Boston or St. Anthony's in Revere to inquire about their marraige preparation program. You can also get a complete list of programs by going to the website for the Archdiocese (www.rcab.org).
Q. Does being divorced prohibit me from receiving the host?
A. Divorced people are NOT necessarily probhibited from receiving the Eucharist. For ALL Catholics, it is necessary to be free from serious sin. If you are free from serious sin, you may and should receive the Eucharist.
Q. What is the signifigance of attending Mass on the first Fridays of every month/
A. Stemming from the apparations of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century, devotion to the Sacred of Jesus began. This devotion stressed the humanity and LOVE of Jesus for us sinners. The practice of devoting the 1st Fridays of the month to honor the Sacred arose. Attending Mass on those days naturally celebrates the Love of Christ for us and making reparation for our past sins.
Q. I would like to learn if there are confimration classes for adults in the area in the evening for those who haven't made their confirmation.
A. We have them here at the church. Sr. Jane has an evening class once a week on Tuesdays. The class begins in September with Confirmation the
following April. Contact Sr. Jane at 617-846-7400.
Q. I haven't been to confession in a very long time. I'd like to go back, but I don't know what to say or do when I am there? Is there someway I can get some guidance for what to do in confession?
A. I would suggest just going to see a priest and tell him exactly what you asked. He will guide you from there.
Q. What are the requirements for receiving the host? Is fasting 1 hour before still necessary?
A. The requirement is not to be in serious sin and to fast from food for one hour before receiving the eucharist. Since communion is usually about 35 to 40 minutes after Mass begins that would mean about 20 minutes before Mass begins.