Statement of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis on the Suspension of Public Celebration of Mass

Statement of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis on the Suspension of Public Celebration of Mass and the Temporary Closure of the Parish Office at St. Meinrad Parish and Parish Center at St. Boniface Parish in Spencer County 



My brothers and sisters in Christ, 

As the health and safety conditions in our archdiocesan community have shifted, the spread of the COVID-19 virus is a moment for Catholics and all people of goodwill to offer special prayers of intercession for the healing of those infected, for the protection of the elderly and infirm who are at most considerable risk, for the prevention of the disease's spread, and for the courage and strength of care providers who minister to the sick, their families and those most in need. 

With deep trust in the Lord and with a close attentiveness to the guidance given by experts in the fields of health and safety, the following decisions have been made about our operations and the liturgical life of those within the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

Based on the recommendations from health officials concerning the danger of the COVID-19 pandemic and the urgency to stem the spread of the virus, the five Catholic bishops of Indiana have suspended effective March 18 and until further notice all public Sunday and weekday Masses throughout the Province of Indianapolis, which is comprised of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and the Dioceses of Gary, Evansville, Fort Wayne-South Bend, and Lafayette. 

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson, the Archbishop of Indianapolis, has also suspended all other liturgical services and gatherings of the faithful effective Wednesday, March 18 and until further notice. Of course, the archbishop's dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass from March
13 continues until further notice.

More information will be forthcoming regarding the health precautions that should be taken for the celebration of the Sacraments of Penance and the Anointing of the Sick (and other Rites in Exceptional Circumstances), which should be administered whenever possible for those in danger of death.

Again, I stress, all regularly scheduled visits to vulnerable persons and to the home-bound, sick and infirm are suspended until further notice.

During this period, Catholics in the Archdiocese in Indianapolis are dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday and Holy Day Mass, according to the archbishop's mandate.

Each of you who make up our parish family, the souls of St. Boniface Parish and St. Meinrad Parish in Spencer County Indiana remain in my daily thoughts and prayer. I will be celebrating Mass privately each day for the good of the People of God, the Church and the intentions of the day.

I encourage you to keep in mind the gift and mystery of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Realizing you are being prayed for by priests from around the world.  Masses offered on every continent, in every time zone across the face of the earth during these most trying of days. So too the monks of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, who began unceasingly praying on this Holy Hill in 1854, will do what we do, pray for the Church and the world, praying for you, your loved ones and for your special intentions day in and day out.

You may never understand the vocation of a monk. Yet over time, the gift of steadfast prayer with daily meditation, the study of sacred scripture and the silence spoke here on this Holy Hill allows us to listen to God with the ear of our heart and to respond with deepened faith and actions hidden from the world's view - is itself a tangible gift of God's love and mercy made present beyond the cloister walls of this monastery and its monks.

Soon I will follow-up with a list of resources for you and me to use to strengthen and sustain our daily prayer as we pray together from our homes – our kitchen table, the altar of the domestic church – in faith, hope and love as  One Family In Faith.

In the days to come, I will be again communicating with you about ways that we will be engaging to make a difference as a parish family. Making sure those members of our parish family and our neighbors in need have the needed resources to remain safe in their homes – the basics - food, toiletries and over the counter medications when possible. As well as forming a new ministry, "phone a parishioner," who has requested a visit via phone to help pass the time while participating in social distancing and social isolation. I will need your help!

The archbishop will be making online Masses available soon. Please visit the homepage of the archdiocese,  www.archindy.org for more information.

During a time of prayer on Sunday or while viewing the Mass on T.V. or online, I encouraged you to make an act of Spiritual Communion.  This beautiful devotional practice in the Church is a real source of grace in communion with our Lord. Below is an example of a prayer for spiritual communion:

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. 

I also encourage you and your family to prayerfully gather together to  read the readings of Sacred Scripture for the day, to pray the rosary and to daily pray the  Memorare.

At this time, the parish office and parish center are temporarily closed. Members of the pastoral staff  who are able to work remotely from home are encouraged to do so. To contact a member of the parish staff call (812) 357-5533 and leave a message or email first name last initial @myparishfamily.church or by using the general email at info@myparishfamily.church.

In case of emergency: If you need a priest due to severe illness or death at any time, call the switchboard at Saint Meinrad Archabbey, 812.357.6611. Please leave a message with the attendant, including your contact information. I will follow up as soon as possible.

I remember you this day and in the days to come in faith, hope and love.

PAX – Father Anthony, OSB

Please forward and communicate this information as appropriate, especially keeping in mind members of our parish family that may not have email or text message capability.