Dear Parishioners,
I just received the following from the diocese:
Roman Catholic Province of Indianapolis Lifting of the Dispensation from the Obligation of Mass, Effective 11 June 2021
The celebration of the Eucharist at Mass is the source and summit of our life and mission as Catholics. Since March 2020, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, all Roman Catholics throughout the entire Province of Indianapolis, which comprises all five dioceses of Indiana, have been dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. However, with the decrease of cases in our state, the widespread availability of vaccines and following the guidance of public health officials, we are now able to safely accommodate more parishioners for Masses.
Therefore, effective June 11, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass is hereby lifted throughout the state of Indiana. Except for the unique situations as described below,
those who are otherwise healthy are obliged to return to Sunday Mass by the weekend of June 12-13, 2021:
- Those who are seriously ill, exhibit flu-like symptoms and/or may have a contagious disease(including quarantine due to exposure).
- Those who are unable to attend Mass through no fault of their own (e.g. transportation issue).
- Those who are home bound and/or incapacitated due to age, infirmity and/or medical restrictions.
- Those who have compromised health conditions and/or at high risk of contracting the virus.
- Those who are caretakers of persons who are sick or of persons at high-risk of serious illness if they contract Covid virus.
I think the above is very clear and needs no comment on my part. The diocese also has relaxed some of the restrictions at Mass starting right away. I will discuss them with those at Mass for Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. I think it will be good for the Church to celebrate its birthday looking to the future while praying for an end to the pandemic.
Pentecost is the Birthday of the Church and the birth of the Church started with a big bang as our first reading from Acts tells us. "When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house where they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit." Other people came running from all over Jerusalem to see what was happening and the disciples spoke to them all about Jesus and everyone understood them in their own language. The Church was born and the Church was preaching. Our second reading talks about the gifts of the Spirit. "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone." We are all children of God and we each have special gifts to help His Church grow. The Holy Spirit dwells in each of us and nudges us forward and comforts us always. Our Gospel brings us back to Resurrection Sunday when Jesus appeared to his disciples wishing them Peace and giving them the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is the last day of the Easter Season. Alleluia, Alleluia!
Congratulations to all our Graduates! Bring our Holy Spirit everywhere you go!
Peace, Father Len