COVID-19 Protocols and Guidelines

General Principles

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.