A PARISH RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Public Masses resume on the weekend of May 23/24, 2020
Weekday Masses resume June 1 at 8:00 a.m.
La misa en español se reanuda al 21 de junio.
Mass at Manapogo Campground returns on July 11 at 7:30 p.m.


"For you are our God, You are our true joy, defend us oh Lord ..."
Psalm 16

INDIANA BISHOPS' CONFERENCE EXTENDS DISPENSATION FROM OBLIGATION TO ATTEND SUNDAY MASS

August 3, 2020

The Catholic Bishops 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, have extended the dispensation from the obligation of Sunday Mass attendance. Their statement:
 
"While commending our pastors and pastoral life coordinators who have gone to great lengths to assure safe worship spaces in our churches, due to the increase in the COVID-19 cases in our state, the Indiana bishops have decided to extend the dispensation from the obligation of Sunday Mass attendance beyond August 15 until November 1, 2020, unless further developments determine otherwise."
 
Indiana bishops originally suspended public liturgies on March 18, 2020 in light of information and recommendations from health officials concerning the danger of the COVID-19 pandemic and the urgency to stem the spread of the virus. In a letter to faithful dated March 17, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend stated, “Not being able to attend Mass is very difficult spiritually since the Holy Eucharist is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life.’  As Catholics, we must do our part to help protect those who could be infected by the virus at public gatherings.
 
The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend resumed public liturgies the weekend of May 23-24, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. While public liturgies resumed, the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass remained in place until at least August 15th. Directives were also put in place to observe social distancing requirements and a mandate given for those in attendance to wear face masks.
 
More specific liturgical directives and recommendations, as well as remote Mass participation and resource options are available on the diocesan website at www.diocesefwsb.org/covid-19.
 
 
Jennifer Simerman
Secretary for Communications
Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend

SAFETY PROTOCOL FOR PUBLIC MASSES
AT ST. ANTHONY'S
THESE RULES ARE IN EFFECT FROM MAY 23, 2020
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
 

Friday, May 22, 2020.
Here is a summary of the current Mass protocols:

  • There may be a maximum of 200 people per Mass. We can add Masses if necessary.
  • EVERYONE must wear a mask, except those leading a prayer.
  • Every other pew will be blocked off.
  • In the pews that are open, please maintain 6 feet between families.
  • Handshaking and hand holding are suspended.
  • Communion will be the host only, and only in the hand.
  • There will be no choir and no singing.
  • There will be no offertory, nor any processions.
  • We will not use the parish's missalettes or hymn books. You are welcome to bring your personal missal.
  • The collection will be taken up by different means. Please place your offering in the baskets by the door. Thank you!
  • The church will be disinfected after every Mass, and fumigated weekly.

That sounds like a lot! This will definitely be a different experience of Mass. Who knows? Maybe we will learn something and grow from this! We will strive to celebrate authentic, truly Catholic liturgies even as we preserve the public's health and safety.

Those who are particularly vulnerable - the elderly, those with underlying conditions, infants and small children - should consider not attending Sunday Mass just yet. Remember - the bishop continues to dispense you from any obligation to attend Mass. You might even consider attending a weekday Mass as your weekly Mass.

May the Lord continue to guide us.
friar Bob, pastor
Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Dear People of God,

Bishop Kevin Rhoades, in coordination with all the bishops if Indiana, has decreed that the full schedule of public Masses and other liturgies will resume on the weekend of the Pentecost, May 30/31, 2020. There will be a modified Mass schedule already on the weekend of May 23/24. Weekday Masses will resume on Monday, June 1st.

Meanwhile, the bishop's dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass will continue until the Feast of the Assumption on August 15. Any Catholic in the diocese who, for the sake of their own health or the health of others, decides to stay away from Mass, is still dispensed of any obligation. The obligation to attend Sunday Mass returns for all Catholics in the diocese on August 16, 2020.

There are still lots of details to be worked out, especially for the week of May 23rd-29th. Keep watching this space! In the meantime, the parish blog will document the decisions as they are rolled out.

The primary portion of the bishops decree is published below.

May the grace of the Easter Season be with you,
Fr. Bob Showers OFM Conv., pastor
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Dear People of God,
 
Effective on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, all public Masses as well as other public liturgies and activities at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Angola and at St. Paul’s Catholic Chapel at Clear Lake are suspended. This suspension is in effect until further notice. At the same time, Bishop Rhoades renews his standing dispensation for all Catholics of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend from any obligation to attend Mass for as long as this suspension might last.
 
These measures are announced in obedience to a decision by Bishop Kevin Rhoades and the other Catholic bishops in Indiana. The bishops took this difficult decision to suspend public Masses for the protection of the people in the face of an escalating coronavirus pandemic. As bishop Rhoades put it, “As Catholics, we must do our part.”
 
Not being able to attend Mass is a serious difficulty both spiritually and emotionally, since the Eucharist and the Sunday assembly are rightfully “the source and summit” of Catholic faith. We are reminded of the words given to us by the prophet Daniel in today’s Mass reading: “We have been reduced, oh Lord. We have in our day no place to gather to worship you and offer sacrifice … But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received. This is the sacrifice you want. So let our sacrifice be in your presence today as we follow you unreservedly. And now we follow you with our whole heart.” (Daniel 3:37-41)
 
Fr. Bob and the other Franciscans promise that Mass will be celebrated quietly – although we cannot allow that parishioners attend, the friars will offer up a Mass every day during the time of the containment measures. Bishop Rhoades also wants to assure the people that weddings, baptisms and funerals will continue to be celebrated, even though we must limit the number of people. The regular confession time is cancelled, but Fr. Bob and the other friars will be available to schedule a confession (the idea is to avoid having people congregate). The church will be open most every day from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for private prayer.
 
I encourage you to read the full statements from Fr. Bob, from Bishop Rhoades and from the diocesan worship office. Bishop Rhoades, especially, gives some good guidelines for how to make a spiritual communion.
 
May the Lord accept our heartfelt sacrifice as we offer up these experiences as a prayer of intercession for all those affected by the disease.
 
Fr. Bob Showers OFM Conv., pastor
  
All Catholics of the diocese are dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass
Pueblo querido,

A partir del miércoles 18 de marzo de 2020, se suspenden todas las Misas públicas, así como otras liturgias y actividades públicas en la Iglesia Católica San Antonio de Padua en Angola. Esta suspensión está vigente hasta nuevo aviso. Al mismo tiempo, el obispo Rhoades renueva su dispensa para todos los católicos de la diócesis de la obligación de asistir a misa durante el tiempo que esta suspensión pueda durar.

Los franciscanos prometen que la misa se celebrará en silencio, aunque no podemos permitir que los feligreses asistan, los frailes ofrecerán una misa todos los días durante el tiempo de las medidas de contención. El obispo Rhoades también quiere asegurar a la gente que las bodas, bautizos y funerales continuarán celebrándose, a pesar de que debemos limitar el número de personas. El tiempo de confesión regular se cancela, pero el p. Bob y los otros frailes estarán disponibles para programar una confesión. La iglesia estará abierta casi todos los días de 9:00 a.m. a 9:00 p.m. para la oración privada.

Que el Señor acepte nuestro sincero sacrificio al ofrecer estas experiencias como una oración de intercesión por todos los afectados por la enfermedad.

padre Roberto, pastor
 
 
Pope Francis' Prayer to Mary during this Coronavirus Pandemic
 
O Mary,
you always shine on our path as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus' pain, keeping your faith firm.
You know what we need, and we are sure you will provide
so that, just as in Cana of Galilee, we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross, to the joy of the resurrection.
Amen.
 
Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of us who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.