Click here to read "A Faith Response to the Coronavirus"

Our ability to navigate through the nature and concerns surrounding COVID-19 is an ongoing challenge.

SLDM currently offers a "social distancing, mask required" section at our Sunday 7:30AM Mass.  The designated pews are marked with signage, and the ushers can direct you accordingly. 

If the 7:30AM Mass on Sunday at SLDM is not always an option to attend, but you desire/require the enforcement of social distancing and/or masks, here are other local parish masses that offer this: 

• Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Saturday at 5:30PM
• Our Lady of Grace – Saturday at 5:30PM
• Holy Spirit at Geist – Saturday at 5:30PM and Sunday at 8:00AM

MEMO FROM THE DIOCESE OF LAFAYETTE-IN-INDIANA
Date:   May 24, 2021
Re:       Updated COVID-19 Mass Restrictions
______________________________________________________________________________

Recently, the CDC and the State of Indiana have updated guidelines regarding COVID-19 protocols (masks, social distancing, and cleaning). That, in conjunction with the increased availability and accessibility of the COVID-19 vaccines have caused us to review our own diocesan guidelines and the decree issued by Bishop Doherty on March 17, 2020.

Beginning Saturday, June 12, 2021, at 8 a.m. Bishop Doherty has decided that the general obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation (including the Saturday/Vigil Mass) is to be reinstated (CIC, can. 1247). Effective immediately, he is further lifting any and all restrictions from the original COVID-19 decree of March 17, 2020 and its extensions from May 8, 2020 and June 26, 2020. Pastors, in conjunction with their leadership teams, pastoral council and guidance of local health officials, will make pastoral decisions regarding masks, social distancing and cleaning protocols.
In charity, we must recall those who cannot be vaccinated and those who still fear the possible transmission of the COVID-19 virus to vulnerable family members. We recommend each pastor provide one weekend Mass that keeps full protocols in place, or some similar accommodations.

A few expectations for the continued health and safety of our parishioners:

• Distribution of the Precious Blood from a common chalice remains suspended.
• Hand sanitizer and masks shall be provided for the faithful at entrances of churches.
• Sign of Peace should take place without physical contact (ex: bow of the head or a wave to others)
• Hand sanitizer shall be used by Clergy and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion before and after distribution of Holy Communion.
  • Decisions about wearing masks during the distribution of Holy Communion is at the discretion of the local pastor and leadership. Where EMHC’s were used pre-COVID they should be returned to ministry.
• Holy Water fonts should be emptied after weekend Masses, cleaned and refilled as needed throughout the week. It is also suggested that pastors consider providing filled Holy Water bottles for parishioners to take home and bring to Mass.
• Clean, fresh water must be used for each baptism.
• The gifts of bread and wine should be kept from public areas and are to be brought directly from the credence table to the altar.
• Attempt to reduce the number of touchpoints as people enter the church by propping open doors or having one person open doors.

We continue to pray for those who have been impacted during this pandemic and those who lost loved ones.  We pray the words of our Holy Father from the beginning of this pandemic and ask the Blessed Mother, during this month of May, to continue to watch over and guide us:

O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, O Mary, Health of the Sick.
At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith.
You know what we need.
We are certain that you will provide, so that,
as you did at Cana of Galilee,
joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the Father’s will
and to do what Jesus tells us:
He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us,
through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.

Dispensation Lifted
Recently, the Catholic bishops of Indiana announced that the temporary dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is lifted as of June 11^th. The Diocese website provides the full communication from the diocese, including the description of those individuals who are exempted.

This reinstatement of the obligation provides the opportunity to renew our understanding of why the obligation exists, and what it implies. We often refer to the Church as “holy mother Church,” and this is a fitting description. A mother knows what’s best for the health of her children and seeks to nurture them. The Church (as mother) knows what keeps us spiritually healthy. We are reminded that we attend Mass not merely to “check the box” or to “get something out of it,” but rather because God has asked us to do so, and because God deserves it. Through the tablets on Mount Sinai, God has told us to “Keep holy the Sabbath.” But as we exclaim in the Preface dialogue at Mass, “It is right and just.” To worship God in the context of the Eucharistic sacrifice each Sunday is the fitting response to who God is. This sacrifice of praise at Mass outflows to us in Holy Communion. When we look at Sunday Mass through that lens, how could we ever ask if we "get something?” Instead, we get "Someone!" To miss Sunday Mass deliberately is a serious omission, and it is considered a mortal sin from which we must be absolved through the Sacrament of Confession.

Livestream and Online Resources
For those who are homebound or fit the description provided by the diocese, there are several options available to you to bring a livestream Mass to your home.

• EWTN

• The Basilica of the National Shrine

• Notre Dame

Arrangements can be made for an Extraordinary Minister to bring the Eucharist to the homebound as well. Information to request a visit can be found on our website at Holy Communion to the Sick.

Free resources to support prayer and engagement during these difficult days:

• USCCB response to the Coronavirus and a list of websites for Mass, prayers, and daily reflections to help us all during this trying time. usccb.org/coronavirus

• Access to thousands of FREE movies, programs, audio, and books instantly! www.FORMED.org and enter the parish code QDFJ6B