April 7, 2020
Dear Friends,
Greetings Holy People:
Happy Holy Week!
Typically on Tuesday of Holy Week we have the Chrism Mass in Indianapolis and no Mass in our parish. This year there is no Chrism Mass, so we will have our 6:30 p.m. Mass tonight. You can watch it live on our parish Facebook page.
For those not familiar with the Chrism Mass, let me explain. Two things take place at the Chrism Mass that make it special. The first is that the Archbishop blesses the oils that are used in the sacraments for the coming year. As chief pastor of all Catholics in the Archdiocese, this is the Archbishop’s way of participating in all the sacraments that take place in the Archdiocese. The second thing that happens is that the priests renew their commitment to the priesthood. Since we are not having the Chrism Mass this year, I will renew my commitment to all of you at our Mass tonight.
Other Updates and Information
·
It is not too late to send in pictures of your family doing a foot washing or a veneration of the cross.
Prayer services for each of these were sent in previous updates. These pictures will be used in the video services on their respective dates. We will also supplement them with pictures people have taken on previous Holy Thursdays and Good Fridays in our parish. We need pictures by midnight tonight. Email them to
stewardship@stjohnpaulparish.org
·
Divine Mercy Sunday
is the Sunday after Easter (this year April 19). Divine Mercy Services have been cancelled in our parish. I know that many of you love these devotions. Here are a couple of links to help you pray the Divine Mercy Prayers at home.
You can begin with the Divine Mercy Novena which starts on Good Friday. You can also access an hour of Eucharistic Adoration for the Holy Hour by going to our parish website where there is an hour of adoration under the Virtual Worship Tab.
·
I know some of you are experiencing some
financial distress
as a result of this crisis. A couple of things here that might help:
o We have a
Coronavirus Fund
set up to offer financial assistance to those who are experiencing difficulties during this time. If you are having trouble making ends meet at this time, please contact me to see if there is money available to help.
o Our Stewardship Committee will be sponsoring an
online Financial Peace University Class
starting sometime next week. Ramsey Solutions is offering a free trial membership for 14 days. Our Stewardship Committee will lead you through the program beginning either Easter Monday or sometime right after that. More details will be coming in Thursday’s Update.
· Several people have asked if they can pick up
Palms
(from Palm Sunday). We are following the recommendation of Archbishop Thompson and not distributing blessed palms at this time (not drive thru; not delivered). This is being done to keep people in their homes as much as possible. We will distribute Palms when we return to Church.
· Mark your calendar for our rescheduled
Parish Mission
-September 13-15. Hope you can join us those evenings.
· We have made
calls to all of our parishioners 65 and older
. If you did not receive a call, one of two things might have happened. 1. You changed phone number, or 2. When you registered you did not put down your date of birth (or more specifically your year of birth). You can correct either of those things by contacting Barbara Smith in the parish office or at
bsmith@stjohnpaulparish.org
·
We will live stream Mass Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.
The Wednesday Mass will be geared toward our young Church with a dialogue homily geared to their age level. Please join us with your little ones. Look for Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday Services coming out later this week.
God bless you all. Have a great holy week.
Love,
Fr. Tom
