Lifting of the Dispensation from the Obligation of Mass - Effective 11 June 2021

For Immediate Release: May 20, 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 homebound 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 person who are sick or of persons at high-risk of serious illness if
  they contract COVID-19 virus.

If you have any questions about any specific needs, concerns or protocols, you are advised to contact your
parish directly. Your pastor, who has the authority to dispense in individual cases, may be helpful in
addressing individual fears and concerns.

The obligation to attend Mass is a joyful one, reflecting the very character of who we are as Catholics.
We look forward to welcoming our parishioners each Sunday and Holy Day to worship God as a
community of faith and to celebrate the presence of the Risen Christ among us in Word and Sacrament.

Here are the changes you will see at Good Shepherd Catholic Church
beginning Memorial Weekend - May 29 and 30:

• All doors will be opened to enter and exit.
• Those who are vaccinated, masks are optional.
• We will have MORE seating in the back of church available for elderly and those who wish to have Communion brought to them.
• Eucharistic Ministers will wear masks when giving communion.
• The faithful are still encouraged to receive Holy Communion in the hand.
• Social distancing of at least three feet of space between individuals and family groups should be maintained during Mass and other liturgies and devotions.  This update should allow us to use all available pews.
• We do not plan to immediately return holy water at all entrance doors, but Holy Water will be available at our baptismal font.
• We will be allowed to have limited choirs and wind instruments again.
• We will be able to offer a non-contact Sign of Peace.
• Informal gatherings are permitted outside the church building before/after Mass.  Thus, we hope to begin offering our monthly coffee and donut gatherings in the near future.
• If volunteers are still willing to assist, simplified cleaning/sanitizing requirements have been approved.  Although we are no longer designated to disinfect our church space between Masses, we are open to continue this safety measure.
• In the Fall, we hope to restart our Liturgy of the Word offerings, Server opportunities, Family involvement bringing up the Gifts, Sacristans helping with the preparation of Mass and cleansing of vessels after Mass, and other volunteer opportunities.
• We also hope to begin hosting Bereavement Meals in the near future.
• Stay tuned for more updates.
• Opening more seats will allow more parishioners to return to church and receive communion. We look forward to seeing everyone.

To be forwarded to our YouTube Channel, press the following link:

Click - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYxeJ2njSH5HDD7f-w6wncQ/

During this time, the faithful should be encouraged to make an act of spiritual communion. When unable
to receive the Eucharist, one can pray for Jesus to enter their heart spiritually, that they may be filled with
the graces they miss in the sacrament. A prayer attributed to Saint Alphonsus de Liguori is included below.

My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar.
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. – Saint Alphonsus de Liguori

Applications are currently being accepted for the House of Discernment this fall. Attached are the APPLICATION and GENERAL CALENDAR. Please pass this along to any young men (high school seniors through young adults) who might be interested in a year discerning the call of Christ for their lives while they go to college or work.

Please contact Father Tyler with any questions, or share his email address with any young who might want to talk with him.

Thank you!

Father Tyler

Daily Mass Schedule:

 

Monday: 7:40 AM Mass

Tuesday: 4:30 PM Adoration, 5:30 PM Mass

Wednesday: 7:40 AM Mass

Thursday: 7:40 AM Mass

Friday: No Mass (Father Zach’s Scheduled Day Off)

 

Weekend Mass Schedule:

Saturday: 4:30 PM

Sunday: 7:30 AM, 10:30 AM