Dear Friends,
Archbishop Thompson has made the following mandates and suggestions with regard to the coronavirus. Some of these we have already announced; some of these are new directives. At the end of his directives , I have some announcements that pertain specifically to our parish.
From Archbishop Thompson:
The public celebration of the Mass and other sacraments and devotional activities
will continue
as scheduled. This would include regularly scheduled Masses, Confessions, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Stations of the Cross, funerals, etc. Catholics living in the Archdiocese are dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass at this time.
§The exchange of the sign of peace is now suspended
§Holding hands during the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, if it is the local custom, is now suspended
§Distribution of Holy Communion via the chalice is to be suspended.
§The practice of physically touching a non-communicant for a blessing should be discontinued
§The use of Holy Water fonts is to be suspended and all holy water fonts are to be drained
§Priests, deacons and extraordinary ministers of holy communion should take care not to touch the hands, mouth or tongue of communicants.
§Other guidance regarding hygiene and sanitary measures should be observed.
Additionally,
§Outside of the celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, parishioners may be encouraged not to receive communion on the tongue during this extraordinary time of concern.
§Parishioners may be encouraged to disperse throughout the worship space so as to allow for “social distance” during gatherings.
§Hand sanitizer may be distributed at entrances for the faithful to use as they enter and exit church
§Parishes may seek alternatives to passing a basket for collections and for allowing more time before counting collections.
§The act of bringing forward the bread and wine by the faithful during the offertory may be suspended.
§While the acts of holding hands, shaking hands, hugging, etc. is suspended during the liturgy, the faithful should be reminded that these restrictions should be honored before and after Mass as well.
§Please respectfully, but repeatedly remind people that if they are feeling ill, they should stay at home
Outside of Mass and other liturgical/devotional activities, all other parish activities and events are to be canceled, suspended or postponed.
With our schools closing during this time, all religious education, sacramental preparation classes, RCIA classes, youth and young adult ministry events and meetings are cancelled.
Parish committee meetings, if possible, should also be cancelled.
All special events, social gatherings, fish fries and other fundraises are to be cancelled (parishes with fish fries might consider pick up services)
While the celebration of funerals and memorial Masses are to continue unimpeded, the offering of funeral meals should be suspended
Events by outside organizations using parish facilities should be evaluated on a case by case basis with regard to the guidelines set out by the Indiana Department of Health
If at all possible, and in light of the cancellation of other parish activities, Parish offices are to remain open under normal business hours in order to provide for the pastoral care of the people.
I appreciate that these actions are extraordinary, even while trying to address the guidance offered by our state health department. We will continue to evaluate these directives and make adjustments as the current crisis unfolds.
What this means for our parish:
All parish meetings are hereby cancelled with two exceptions.
1) The Design Team meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 19 will go on as there are a couple of time sensitive issues in the new church about which we need to make decisions.
2) The blood drive will go on as there is a critical need for blood at this time and the Red Cross already has safety protocols in place for this drive.
The following cancellations are effective immediately and until further notice. All Parish Meetings and events (Parish Mission scheduled for April 26-28, ALPHA, RCIA, Bible Studies, Religious Education Classes, Quilting, Senior Citizens Luncheons, High School Connect, Confirmation Small Groups, Discipleship Groups, Rosary for Healing, Monday Night Prayer Series, Funeral Luncheons (effective March 16th and beyond).
What will continue (as of right now):
- Weekday and weekend Masses (please remember the suggestion of keeping 6 feet between you and others when possible.)
- Adoration will continue.
- Parish Office will remain open (but please limit your business to essential items and call for everything else).
- Stations of the Cross will continue
- The Fish Fries will continue but only serving carry-out.
- The Ladies' Club Card Party is postponed. A new date will be announced later.
Once again, know of my continued prayers for all of you.
Fr. Tom Clegg
