Please follow all protocols from public health officials and make prudent decisions about whether or not you and your family are ready to return to church.
Those who are 65 and over and those with high-risk health conditions should remain at home. This is the population that is most vulnerable to COVID-19.
Those who are symptomatic or have tested positive for COVID-19 should not enter the church until released to do so by their health care professional.
Those who have been exposed to COVID-19 should not enter the church until testing negative for COVID-19 or after completing a two-week quarantine.
The dispensation from the obligation to participate in Mass on Sundays is extended to all of the faithful in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis indefinitely.
We will continue to livestream at least one Mass daily and two Masses on Sunday indefinitely.
Mass Attendance Protocols
Reminder: The dispensation from the obligation to participate in Mass on Sundays is extended to all of the faithful in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis indefinitely.
These protocols will apply to all Masses until further notice.
RSVP is required for daily Mass through Eventbrite.
Eventbrite
Instructions on how to use Eventbrite and The Eventbrite URL address for each Mass will be posted on the St. Paul website under the page "Sign up to Attend Mass."
Questions about the Eventbrite registration can be directed to the Parish Office, office@hoosiercatholic.org
If an occasion should arise that you need to cancel your RSVP, then please use the Eventbrite link or the Parish Office. Please make cancellations sooner than one hour before Mass.
The RSVP for each Mass will close if it’s full and/or one hour before each Mass.
If you are unable to RSVP for a Mass, please call the parish office to inquire if there is an additional space.
Social Distancing, Cleaning, and Disinfecting
Enter and exit through the main doors of the Gathering Space
Enter and exit in single-file with six feet of distance between you/your family and the next person
These doors will be propped open before and after Mass.
Please only exit through other doors in the event of an emergency
Facial Coverings
Facial coverings are required of all.
Please cover your face from before you enter the building and until after you leave the building.
Social Distancing
Please maintain a six-foot distance between yourself/your family and others at all times while on the property
Members of a household may sit together, but it is asked that everyone else maintain proper social distancing. Six-foot distances will be marked on the floor for the communion procession.
Please do not congregate before or after Mass to visit with other parishioners. There will be a time when these social opportunities will be able to resume, but we are advised to practice strict social distancing for the time being.
Cleaning
The Church will be cleaned thoroughly every Monday and as need arises.
Disinfecting
For Mass:
The areas of the Church where people have touched and sat will be disinfected after every Mass. After each Mass, a group of staff will spray down surfaces in the Church and wipe down all doors.
For private prayer and Confession
Please spray down with the disinfectant provided the areas you touched and where you sat
People are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer to use.
Please follow the instructions on the signs posted throughout the building.
Liturgical Adaptations
Moving of the Tabernacle
The Blessed Sacrament Chapel does not allow for proper social distancing.
A tabernacle containing the Blessed Sacrament will be placed in the main sanctuary of the Church indefinitely so the faithful may pray in the presence of the Eucharist.
The sanctuary will be rearranged to accommodate such a move.
Liturgical Ministers
When public Masses resume, there will only be one lector, who must come from a non-vulnerable population.
The presiding priest (or another priest) will be the sole minister of Holy Communion
Updated instructions and guidelines will be sent to all liturgical ministers.
Sacred Music
Hymnals will temporarily be removed from the church.
Communal singing is discouraged at this time.
Protocols for the Reception of Holy Communion
Those concerned with receiving Holy Communion are not obligated to do so, and they can choose not to receive until they are more comfortable.
Those who are not receiving Holy Communion for whatever reason should not come forward for a blessing.
Those who wish to remain in their places may do so. They should step out of pew a safe distance to allow those who are approaching for Communion to pass by.
Maintain the six-foot distance from each other as they come forward for Holy Communion.
Holy Communion in the hand is highly encouraged during this time.
Those who do not wish to receive in the hand are asked to receive last or to make a spiritual communion.
While distributing the hosts, the minister’s declaration of “The Body of Christ” should be said softly, as should the communicant’s “Amen” response.
The faithful who receive Holy Communion should, as best as possible, sanitize their hands before and after receiving.
Holy Communion from the chalice for the faithful remains suspended until further notice.
Holy water fonts will remain empty.
The physical exchange of the sign of peace and the holding of hands during the Lord’s prayer is suspended.