St. Mary, St. John the Evangelist, and 

Holy Family  Catholic Churches

Doris May, Victim Assistance Minister and Head of Pastoral Response Team: (765) 464-4988

This number is to be used to report concerns regarding abuse, sexual or otherwise, by Church personnel. This number provides pastoral outreach to victims/survivors of child sexual abuse. 

October 22, 2020

The Bishops across all five Indiana dioceses have extended the dispensation from the obligation of in-person Sunday Mass attendance until further notice.
The group released the following statement: While commending our pastors and pastoral life coordinators who have gone to great lengths to assure safe worship spaces in our churches, given the continued increase of COVID-19 cases in our state, the Indiana bishops hereby extend the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation beyond 1 November 2020 until further notice. The Indiana bishops will continue to monitor the situation to determine when it might be advisable to modify or lift the dispensation. Bishop Doherty continues to express his confidence in our parish practices and procedures to keep our parishioners safe. “Our parishes continue to practice social distancing, sanitization processes and follow thorough safety protocols to keep the celebration of public Mass as safe as possible for our clergy and parishioners,” said Bishop Doherty.

It is important to consider the following when making the decision to attend Mass at your local parish:
• Am I well and currently experiencing no symptoms of my own?
• Am I considered to be in an at-risk group? Or caring for someone who is?
• Am I able to comply with all of the necessary diocesan safety protocols in place for my parish?

“I expect the people of our diocese to continue to keep the Lord’s Day holy,” said Bishop Doherty. “To be dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass does not mean people should stay away from the Church. I continue to invite each of you prayerfully consider attending Mass to fully experience the gift that Jesus gives us in the Eucharist and so you may share in the spiritual gifts of the Church with your parish family,” he explained.

The diocese continues to strongly encourage proper social distancing and the use of face masks at Mass. Six-foot social distancing should be adhered to for those that are not related. It is important that parishioners contact their parish office with any questions about the protocols that have been put in place for their safety.