Brothers and Sisters,

I hope that this email finds you healthy and adjusting to our "Stay at Home" directive from the Governor.  A special thank you to everyone who is out providing care and essential services so that so many of us can hunker down in safety.  Please know of my prayers for all of you.  At this time we know for sure that because of the Governor's directive we will not be celebrating Palm Sunday together.  Our Parish Pastoral Team is moving forward under the assumption that we will not be able to be together in person for the Triduum and Easter.  Next week we should have more information about how you can connect to those liturgies electronically.  And it wouldn't hurt to pray for a miracle that we would be able to celebrate them together in person!

In general, we are trying to not make decisions about canceling or moving future events until we absolutely have to as we want to keep things as normal as possible once we are able to be together again.  

Some updates I can provide at this time:
The earliest the parish office will be able to be open again: Tuesday, April 7th
The earliest our school ministry will be able to return to the school building: Monday, May 4th
First Communion: Moved from Saturday, May 2nd to Saturday, May 23rd
*Obviously the above dates are subject to change based on the judgment of civil, diocesan and parish officials*

Thank you so much for your continued prayers.  Please know that you can count on mine.  I greatly look forward to seeing you all again in person!

God Bless,
FD

March 26, 2020 7pm
 

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Brothers and Sisters,

We received word this morning that Archbishop Thompson has suspended all public Masses and other parish events such as Adoration, Confessions and Stations of the Cross beginning Wednesday March 18^th and continuing until further notice.  Not being able to receive the sacraments is a true hardship.  This is certainly not the first time this has happened, for example, Saint Ambrose did the same many centuries ago and numerous dioceses halted public Masses during the Spanish Flu Outbreak in 1918.  Let us hunger for the Eucharist and realize how wonderful it will be when we are able to receive Jesus again.  Let us also join in solidarity with our Armed Forces and Catholics in missionary areas who go for months without Mass.  

We are always able to make a Spiritual Communion.  With a Spiritual Communion we unite ourselves to God through prayer.  It is a beautiful way to express to God our desire to be united with him when we are unable to complete that union in the reception of Holy Communion. 

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
Come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

The sacraments are available for those in danger of death.  If you or someone you know is in danger of death please call the Sacramental Emergency line: 317-762-9904

Please know that Mass will continue to be offered by me each and every day and we are working diligently on ways in which those Masses can be brought to you electronically.  Please stay tuned for more information.

Some Opportunities to Help:

Many of you have expressed a willingness to help in any way you can and that is incredible!  Deacon Mike is thankful that so many reached out to help him with the Distribution of Holy Communion.  Until permission is given by the Archbishop this ministry is suspended.  Thank you to Deacon Mike for running point on this!  There are some other ways you can help.

Meals for Families
In the case that folks are in need of meals please connect with our Meals for Families Ministry.  This would include both people in need of meals and those who would be willing to help provide meals. 

The contacts are:
Parishioner Sheila Hussey
Email: sheilahusseyifg@gmail.com Phone: 812.212.9850

Director of Parish Life Beth Rutski
Email: brutski@saintsimon.org Phone: 317.450.3058

Thank you to Sheila and Beth for spearheading this!

Phone Calls for the Lonely
We anticipate that one of the more difficult aspects, as we continue practicing social distancing, is that loneliness will creep in.  As a way of staying connected we would like to connect people who are lonely with a phone call from someone who would like to reach out.  If you are lonely and would like a phone call or if you are interested in reaching out by calling someone please contact:

Administrator of Religious Education
Kerry Schlimgen: Phone: 317.506.0929

Faith Formation Assistant
Ashley Hyre Email: ahyre@saintsimon.org Phone: 317.519.6563

Thank you to Kerry and Ashley for organizing this!

Let us continue to lift one another up in prayer.  We do not do this alone!  I look forward to the day when we are gathered together again in person.

God Bless,
Father Doug


 

Brothers and Sisters,
 
I have been following with great interest the information that continues to come to us about COVID-19 which is commonly known as the Corona Virus.  Like many of you I have struggled to discern what exactly is happening as the situation is fluid and the information given can even seem to contradict other information that is being given.  I take very seriously my role as Pastor of Saint Simon and want to act in such a way that our people are safe.  In prayer I have continued to come back to the idea that acting too soon is by its very definition not acting too late.  AS OF 6 PM THURSDAY MARCH 12TH ALL ACTIVITIES AT SAINT SIMON THE APOSTLE PARISH ARE SUSPENDED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF HOLY MASS, CONFESSION, EVENING STATIONS OF THE CROSS AND ADORATION.  It is my plan that the church will be open for people to come and pray from 7 am to 7 pm each day.  Church being open is of course dependent on the wishes of the Archbishop and may have to change in this fluid situation.  
 
The Parish Pastoral Team has been instructed to work from home as best as they can.  The earliest our parish office will re-open and other activities at Saint Simon allowed is Monday March 30th.  We will continue to evaluate as we get closer.  Our school ministry will begin E-Learning on Monday March 16th and will continue until their regularly scheduled Spring Break begins on March 27th.  We would resume E-Learning on Monday April 6th.  It is our hope that on-site learning will resume on Tuesday April 14th.  We will continue to evaluate as we get closer.  If you are a part of our school ministry there will be additional information coming this evening.
 
Archbishop Thompson has dispensed the faithful of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis from having to attend Sunday Mass until further notice.  Vulnerable adults and children, including those with weakened or compromised immune systems, are encouraged to stay home from Mass.  If you are sick or are showing symptoms of being sick please stay home as an act of charity.  For those who do attend Mass please maintain distance and spread out in Church.
 
I realize that these actions may seem extreme and will cause hardship, but I assure you that they are not taken lightly and have been done after much consultation with the state and Archdiocese of Indianapolis.  I have no doubt that our community will come through this global pandemic and we will do so by looking out for and taking care of one another.  May the wider community know Saint Simon and its parishioners for the love and care we demonstrate.  If someone is in need of the Anointing of the Sick or Last Rites please contact the Sacramental Emergency line at 317-762-9904.  
 
Heavenly Father
We come before you thankful for your many gifts
Please come to the assistance of all who are sick
Give them healing, comfort and peace
Protect their caregivers, families and friends
If we suffer may we do it in union with Christ on His Cross
In Jesus’s Holy Name we pray.
Amen!
Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, Pray for Us!
 
May God bless all of you and please know of my prayers for you.  We will be in touch as I receive more information.
 
God Bless,
Father Doug