Search
Pastor's Letter -- March 21, 2021
-
It has been a benefit to be a part of the presbyteral council for Bishop Rhoades alongside twelve or so other priests of our diocese. It allows me to get a wider picture of all the thoughts and perspectives that go into the decision-making of our divinely-appointed shepherd, who represents Jesus the Good Shepherd for us all. One of the discussions was very pertinent for us all and I think very helpful for us all to hear clearly.
How does our diocese make decisions regarding COVID-19 virus mitigation as we cautiously work to evaluate practices we treasured over a year ago? For example, we might wonder about the process for evaluating that Mass can be done safely, with very little risk, last May, as well as a couple months ago when we returned to quiet singing among the congregation.
I got a good grasp of that process at the quarterly council meeting last week, and want to share it with you. First, Bishop Rhoades has a team that does a lot of deep research and provides the necessary information to make a prudential decision for what is okay in our parishes. This team includes diocesan staff and most importantly, doctors who are both specialists in epidemiology or public health as well as practicing Catholics. They have helped to gather the most accurate scientifically-based information regarding the virus spread and the best practices that help to mitigate it. One example of how this information has changed over the past year is knowledge of the importance of aerosol spread compared to surface spread, which over time has been revealed as a less-serious vector of transfer in most cases.
This Bishop also has worked with the other bishops in the dioceses of Indiana to collaborate on joint decisions, such as when they met to decide on the dispensation from Mass last March, and to continue that dispensation this past fall until they explicitly lift it. (I do not know when that will be.)
Some of the decisions are out of the bishop’s purview. For example, the governor’s order that lasts until March 31st has required churches to maintain six-feet distances during worship services. Our bishop’s requirement that everyone wears a mask (beyond the governor’s mandate) helps to make our space even safer, and thankfully most of the Catholic churches are large enough to handle the crowds. However, we may soon see our gymnasium populated for overflow on Sundays unless the governor decides to allow masked parties to be closer (for example, 3-feet). I have set up the gym every Sunday for the past six months so we are ready to have people there and pray with us and even receive Communion there. I am sure this will be utilized for Easter, and I’m excited because that will allow almost 50% more people to go to Mass!
I hope this explanation helps you to see that there is a good process that includes the use of experts in their field looking at the science, the most recent data, and weighing the risk of all the practical things that are a part of our experience of the Sacraments, especially Sunday Mass. Please pray for their wisdom, which has for the past year allowed our churches to be safe, while at the same time still accommodating all those who are at higher risks categories - something we will continue to do in the months ahead.
May the Lord give you all a very blessed Holy Week starting with Palm Sunday, as well as a joyful celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord, the victor over sin and over death!
St. Thérèse, the little flower, pray for us!
