Elementary school girl working on a lesson via her laptop from home

COVID-19

We will keep this page updated with the latest information during this health crisis. Thank you for your support in our effort to bring valuable instruction to our students. Stay well, and God bless!

Return to School Plan

Here at Holy Name School, we have been seeking the guidance of other schools, our Catholic School office, state and local education authorities, and always listening to guidance that can only be found through prayer and reflection. Our efforts are focused on the continued education of your child in the wonderful faith-filled community that defines Holy Name School. 

We are excited to be passing on more details about what our return to school at Holy Name will look like. We appreciate your support through this very complex process and know that with continued planning and the devotion of your children's teachers that Holy Name will be positioned to approach learning in September in a careful, safe, and healthy manner as possible. 

Please take a moment to review our return to school plan in its entirety.

Reopening Plan

Holy Name School has been planning for the reopening of school for the 2020–2021 academic year in tandem with the Catholic School Office, all Diocesan and parish schools, and with guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Health, Education Department, governor’s office, and information and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The safety and health of our school community will inform all our decisions regarding the mechanics of how we will return to school. It is clear from the guidance provided on June 25 by the state of Massachusetts that there remain many areas of uncertainty. These uncertainties will require multiple models for returning to school with the central goal of safely bringing as many students as possible back to a traditional model on the school campus.

As the ultimate decision of what will be allowed is still some weeks away, we hope that the incidence of infection and the slowing of the spread of COVID-19 continue on their current downward trend.

Please take a moment to review our reopening plan.

May 18, 2020

A Message from the Bishop da Cunha:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As I am sure you know by now, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker today issued directives for the first phase of reopening in the state of some industries and activities, including the opening houses of worship. After meeting with the Presbyteral (or Priests’) Council this morning and discussing this important matter, I want to communicate our plans as we work on guidelines to prepare our parishes for reopening.

The reopening of our parishes for public Masses and celebrations of sacraments is complex and requires careful planning and implementation. What must be of paramount concern throughout this process of resuming public worship is the safety of our people, our priests, deacons, and lay ministers.

It is very clear that we will need time for this preparation to ensure that we meet all mandatory safety standards and that all churches may have on hand the necessary supplies. It goes without saying that the governor is not mandating the opening of our churches, but rather declaring that we can resume public worship as long as we observe the necessary safety measures.

After much discussion and discernment among the Presbyteral Council, we decided that here in the Diocese of Fall River, we will open our churches for public Masses on the Feast of Pentecost, beginning with the Vigil on Saturday, May 30.

Considering that many people, because of age or a medical condition, are advised not to come to church during this outbreak, or may prefer to stay home because of fear of becoming infected, the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass remains in effect until further notice.

I want to remind you that between now and Pentecost, churches will remain open for those who wish to visit for personal prayer and adoration. I am also allowing our priests to hear individual confessions of those who seek to receive the sacrament, observing the necessary safety measures.

Our Easter season culminates with Pentecost as we commemorate the occasion of God’s sending the Holy Spirit upon Jesus’ disciples after his Resurrection. This year, it will offer us added joy as we resume public celebrations of Masses in our churches across the Fall River Diocese.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha,
S.D.V.Bishop of Fall River