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Dear St. Simon Family,

We realize that there have been a number of questions about the finances of the parish, especially this past year with all of the issues created by the COVID pandemic.

Let us first say that all of the numbers we will be discussing are related to the parish’s finances minus our school ministry.  The main source of revenue for the parish is our Sunday collections.  If we use the budgeted numbers for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, 87% of all the parish revenues come from your annual tithing.  The remaining 13% comes from the Festival (4%), Royal Extravaganza (4%), other donations and ministry fees (5%).

In looking at the budgeted expenses for the parish, it might be easier to see how each dollar of your tithes and other revenues are spent.  Below is a breakdown of how each dollar is spent.

Parish Salary & Benefits $0.28
Administrative Expenses $0.03
Archdiocese Assessments:
Cathedraticum $0.08
High School Assessment $0.10
Facility Expenses $0.13
Parish Ministries $0.04
Interest on School Building $0.20
Budgeted Principal Payments $0.14

The amount budgeted for principle payments this year is $300,000.  If the parish falls short of the budgeted amount, the first category impacted is the principal payments to the Archdiocese.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions we were not able to have our festival this summer.  While the festival is all about fun and welcoming the community into our parish, it also serves as one of our largest fundraisers.  The budget for the fiscal year that ended June 30 included $90,000 net income from the festival.  If you followed the financial numbers that were reported in the bulletin this past year, it was difficult not to see that we fell short of our budgeted Sunday Collections by $150,000.  Both factors impacted our ability to make principal payments this past year.  The good news in all of this is the Archdiocese did delay our principal and interest payments for 3 months.  This decision allowed the parish to meet our other financial obligations with the funds available.

So, here is what we are asking each of you to consider.  First, consider donating the amount that you would have spent at the festival to the parish in order to help cover the budget shortfall.  Second, please consider increasing your weekly/monthly tithing amount in order to help enable the parish to pay the debt down sooner.

Greg Chiles: Business Manger
Eric Marasco: Stewardship Director
Andy Manchir: Parishioner & Finance Commission. 

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Highlights

Here is a summary of changes: 

• Before coming to church
  • If you are sick or experiencing symptoms, please stay at home.
  • If you are in a high-risk category (65 or older or have pre-existing medical condition) please stay at home.
  • Please bring and use your own hand sanitizer and masks.
• How church is temporarily different
  • The nursery is closed until further notice.
  • Cry room has been converted into temporary confessional space.
  • There is no holy water in the holy water fonts.
  • Pews have been roped off to allow for physical distancing.
  • The hymnals and Mass response cards have been removed. We will use the projectors. 
  • The collection baskets are at the entrance of church.
• How Mass is temporarily different
  • There will not be altar servers outside of the seminarians.
  • We will not be holding hands outside of your household during the Our Father.
  • We ask for you to refrain from sharing a physical sign of peace, outside of your household.
• How the distribution of Holy Communion is temporarily different
  • The chalice is suspended.
  • All pews will circulate counter clockwise (to the right) to the altar up the nearest aisle.
  • Please use the tape on the floor as a guide to maintain physical distancing.
  • Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist will use hand sanitizer and will be wearing masks.
  • Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist will place the host in your hands.
  • Spiritual Communion might be what is best for your individual situation.
  • Those wishing to receive Holy Communion on the tongue must receive from Father Doug and are asked to wait to receive until all those receiving in the hand have done so.
• How exiting church is temporarily different
  • Give adequate physical space with each other as you exit.
  • Depart promptly so that we can clean between Masses.
  • If visiting each other, please do so outside maintaining social distancing, away from the doors, leave plenty of room for others to exit.
• How you can help
  • Love one another by practicing patience.
  • If you are anxious please do not feel pressured to physically attend. Mass will still be available online.  The Archbishop has dispensed our Sunday obligation until at least August 15, 2020. 

What to Expect When You Return to
St. Simon Expanded

It is extremely exciting to be returning to Saint Simon for Sunday Mass!  We return as people who have been and continue to be changed by the global pandemic.  In the midst of it all we have lifted one another up in prayer and it is good to be able to gather together to pray once again.

Let us be mindful for all those who have suffered losses. Let us be especially mindful to lift in prayer those who have died and those who mourn their passing.

We are doing our best and learning each day. The following procedures will be modified as needed.  We will continue to update you. 

Personal Safety / Risk Tolerance

We know that every person has a different level of comfort when it comes to risk. If you are not comfortable returning to Mass at this time, please do not feel any rush to return.  Archbishop Thompson has extended the dispensation from the Sunday Obligation to attend Mass until August 15, 2020. 

As brothers and sisters in Christ, our goal is to help each other get to heaven but there is no need to rush it. If you are in a high-risk category (65 or older and/or have medical conditions) you are highly encouraged to continue to join Mass online.

As always, if you are sick or experiencing symptoms of sickness, remember you are not obliged to attend Sunday Mass and out of charity for the rest of the community you ought not attend.  If you have tested positive for the coronavirus, please do not attend Mass until you have been cleared by your doctor.  

At Saint Simon we have worked hard to keep our campus clean and will continue to do so.  Even with those efforts, every individual must understand that you are assuming some risk in returning to Saint Simon. 

The coronavirus is still active and it is not always immediately clear that someone has contracted it and studies show many people contract the coronavirus and never show symptoms.

We are ready to greet you when you are ready.  

The last thing we want is for you to feel unwelcome or uncomfortable at Saint Simon.

The Journey through Mass

Mass Preparation

As you prepare to return to Mass, ask yourself, “Am I ready?” Are you sick or in a high-risk category? Are you uncomfortable knowing that even though we are cleaning as best we can, we have not totally eliminated the coronavirus? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions please continue to be patient and wait to return to Mass in person. 

If you are healthy and ready to return to Mass, you should wear a mask. We understand that this can be a divisive issue and while we appreciate that some do not want to wear a mask we hope that you would do so for the time being to help others feel comfortable at Mass. 

Entering

Please be conscious of social distancing from the moment you park your car. Allow for separation as you enter the building. When you come inside please remember to have your mask on and use hand sanitizer. We will have some hand sanitizer available but we ask for you to bring and use your own. Church supply could become depleted quickly. You will notice the greeters will be wearing gloves and will be distributing the bulletin after Mass. 

Building Changes

You will notice several building changes. The nursery is temporarily closed and the cry room has been converted to a temporary confessional. This provides more space for the priest and the penitent than our regular confessional. We love children and understand that they are sometimes fussy. Parents, please feel free to use the narthex if you feel it necessary to temporarily remove a fussy child. 

You will also notice that there is no holy water in the holy water font. You can arrange to fill a personal bottle with holy water for your use.  Pews are roped off to allow for physical distancing. We know that many families have pews that they traditionally sit in. If the pew you traditionally sit in is roped off please understand that this is temporary and exercise restraint from sitting in your regular pew. You will also notice that the hymnals and other cards have been removed. This is to allow for the cleaning crew to thoroughly and efficiently clean the pews and kneelers. This also reduces the potential risk of transmission of bacteria and viruses. We will be using the projectors for songs and responses. You are also welcome to bring (and take home) your own prayer book. You can even find the readings by using your smart phone. The donation baskets will be at the entrance of church. You are encouraged to make your Sunday offering as you enter or exit church. This might be a good time for you to consider signing up for our online giving platform Faith Direct.

Mass Changes

There won’t be any altar servers for the time being. However, we will have seminary students assisting with Mass. There will only be one lector for each Mass and singing will be done at the cantor stand. This will reduce the number of people at the ambo. The gifts will not be brought forward, nor will the collection basket be passed around at this time. We won’t be holding hands outside of your household during the Our Father. We also ask that you refrain from exchanging a physical sign of peace, outside your household. Smiling eyes, a wave, a nod or bow are all ways to communicate to each other a sign of peace. 

Reception of Holy Communion

As the focal point of Mass, the most incredible part is physically receiving the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ present in the Most Holy Eucharist into our bodies. It is the part of the Mass that is temporarily changing the most. As always, those who are aware of mortal sin should refrain from receiving Holy Communion until they are able to make a good Confession. Please understand and be aware that you are assuming some risk in coming forward for Holy Communion.  It is completely acceptable to attend Mass and make a Spiritual Communion.  You are welcome to come up to the altar with your arms crossed to receive a contact-free blessing. The chalice is temporarily suspended. If you are not coming up, we do ask your help allowing for others to continue physical separation as they come up to receive Holy Communion. Please exit the pew so that people don’t brush up against you.

Circulation to receive Holy Communion

All pews will circulate counter clockwise to the altar up the nearest aisle. Each section will circulate right (south) to the nearest aisle then proceed towards the altar. You will return to the pews in the same counter clockwise direction returning to the pews to the left (north) side. This circulation allows for people to pass each other but not stand stationary next to each other. 

As you come to receive Holy Communion, use the tape on the floor as a guide for separation for people outside of your household. If you need to help someone in your household down the aisle please do so still using the tape as a guide. If you are sitting at the end of the pew please scoot in a bit to allow for folks who use the pews to support themselves to stand safely away from you. 

As you receive Holy Communion, the Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist will be wearing masks and will have just put on hand sanitizer. They will place the Eucharist into your hands. If you are not receiving Holy Communion they will give you a contract-free blessing if you cross your arms.

Those wishing to receive Holy Communion on the tongue must receive from Father Doug and are asked to wait to receive until all those receiving in the hand have done so. You are encouraged to sit near the back of church for the ease of circulation. 

Exiting Mass

As Mass ends, give adequate physical space with each other as you exit. Gather all items from the pew and depart promptly to allow for the cleaning crew to clean between Masses. In general it is wonderful to spend time in prayer after the Holy Mass and normally you would be encouraged to stay in the church to pray.  However, with the additional cleaning measures we hope you will understand our request and exit the church promptly following Mass.  The Men’s Club has volunteered to spray and wipe down the pews between Masses and they need your help to make sure that everything you bring into the Mass leaves with you. 

We know that we have missed each other. If you want to visit, please do so outside maintaining social distancing and leave plenty of room for others to exit. The greeters will continue to distribute the bulletins and will help to remind you to keep the doorways clear.

Until further notice coffee and donuts are suspended.

Brothers and Sisters,

I bring you tidings of great joy!  Tomorrow at 7:30 am the church will be unlocked and available for private prayer.  From Saturday May 16th through Friday May 22nd the church will be unlocked from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm.  Beginning Saturday May 23rd we will return to our normal operating hours for the church being unlocked.

Confessions will be heard on Saturday May 16th and Sunday May 17th beginning at 10 am and will continue until all confessions have been heard.  Our normal confession schedule will resume on Tuesday May 19th.  Please also know that you can always schedule a confession with Father Doug by emailing him at dmarcotte@saintsimon.org.  Until further notice confessions will be held in the cry room as it provides more room for social distancing than our normal confessional.  Please line up for confessions in the narthex keeping six feet between you and the person in front of you in line.  Please follow the directions laid out in the narthex.  All penitents should wear a mask.

The parish office will reopen on Monday May 18th and will resume its normal operating hours.  All those visiting the parish office should wear a mask and observe social distancing.

On Tuesday May 19th we will resume our normal adoration schedule.  All those coming to adoration should wear a mask and observe social distancing.

On Tuesday May 19th we will resume our normal Daily Mass schedule.  Until further notice Daily Mass will be held in the church.  All those coming to Daily Mass should wear a mask and observe social distancing.

Beginning Tuesday May 19th we will be able to celebrate baptisms once again for those who are not in danger of death.  If your child needs to be baptized please fill out the baptismal form and submit it to the Parish Office.  Amy Zimmermann can be reached at azimmermann@saintsimon.org.  Please contact Kerry Schlimgen at kschlimgen@saintsimon.org to register for Parent Baptismal Classes.

In previous communications, I stated that we were planning on trying to return to Sunday Mass on the weekend of May 23rd and May 24th.  That is no longer an option as Mayor Hogsett has said in-person religious services in Indianapolis cannot exceed 25 people until June 1st.  This means that we are now targeting the weekend of June 6th and June 7th as the weekend in which we will return to Sunday Masses.  This of course is contingent on Mayor Hogsett lifting the 25 person limit.  To my knowledge the Mayor has not published what he plans on doing June 1st, only that the 25 person limit is in effect until at least then.  A communication on what to expect when we return to Saint Simon for Sunday Mass will be released as we approach that date.

As you can see from the above communication when we return we are asking that people wear masks.  We realize that not everyone has a mask.  That is where you can help!  If you have masks that you can donate we would love to make them available in the narthex for people who do not have them.  If you have masks to donate you can drop them off at the parish office Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. 

At Saint Simon we have worked hard to keep our campus clean and will continue to do so.  Even with those efforts every individual must understand that you are assuming some risk in returning to Saint Simon.  The coronavirus is still active and it is not always immediately clear that someone has contracted it and studies show many people contract the coronavirus and never show symptoms.  With that in mind people who are 65 or older and/or have pre-existing medical conditions are strongly encouraged to stay at home at this time.  Archbishop Thompson has extended the dispensation from the Sunday Obligation to attend Mass until August 15th.  Saint Simon will also continue to post weekday and weekend Masses on our YouTube page.  All members are reminded that if they are sick or experiencing symptoms of sickness, they are not obliged to attend Sunday Mass and out of charity for the rest of the community they ought not attend.  If you have tested positive for the coronavirus please do not attend Mass or come to Saint Simon’s campus until you have been cleared by your doctor to do so.  If you are not comfortable in returning to Saint Simon’s campus at this time please do not feel any rush to return.  We are ready to greet you when you are ready.  The last thing we want is for you to feel uncomfortable at Saint Simon.

Let us continue to pray for one another!

God Bless,
Father Doug

Brothers and Sisters,

Good afternoon!  I have more information to share with you about Saint Simon resuming the public celebration of sacraments.  Archbishop Thompson has announced a three phase plan to re-introducing the public celebration of sacraments in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

Phase 1: We are able to reopen our churches for private prayer and the celebration of the sacrament of confession.  Archbishop Thompson has announced Wednesday May 13th for the Archdiocese as the beginning of this phase.  Because of Mayor Hogsett's stay at home order for Indianapolis we will have to wait until Saturday May 16th.  From Saturday May 16th through Friday May 22nd Saint Simon's church will be open for prayer each day from 7:30 am until 7:30 pm.  On Saturday May 23rd we will resume our normal hours.  Confessions will be heard at 10 am until all have been heard on both Saturday May 16th and Sunday May 17th.  More information on where those confessions will be held will be forthcoming.  On Tuesday May 19th we will resume our normal confession and adoration schedule.

Phase 2: We are able to resume public celebrations of Daily Mass, Weddings & Funerals within Mass, Baptisms, and Anointing of the Sick.  This will begin on Tuesday May 19th.  On Tuesday May 19th we will resume our normal Daily Mass schedule.  Daily Masses will be held in the church until further notice.

Phase 3: Public Celebration of Sunday Mass will be allowed to resume on the weekend of Saturday May 23rd & Sunday May 24th.  There will be more information about what to expect when we return to Sunday Mass coming next week.

The Parish Office will re-open on Monday May 18th.  I am hopeful that we will allow meetings and gatherings again on campus beginning Monday June 1st. 

Once again thank you all for your prayers and your patience.  There will be more information coming, but wanted to let you know these dates today.  May God bless you and please know of my prayers for all of you!

God Bless,
Father Doug  

Brothers and Sisters,

I wanted to take a moment this Wednesday, May 6th to update you on the latest information I have in regards to resuming celebrating the sacraments publicly at Saint Simon.  Mayor Hogsett has extended the stay at home order for Indianapolis to Friday, May 15th and there is no worship exemption.  In addition to that the Bishops of Indiana announced that they wanted to resume public Masses in Indiana no later than the Vigil Mass for Pentecost on Saturday, May 30th.

This means that at Saint Simon the earliest we will resume celebrating the sacraments publicly is Friday, May 15th and the latest is May 30th.  I am hopeful that it will be sooner rather than later but want to reemphasize that we will work to make sure that we are following the direction of Diocesan and Civil authorities and providing a safe environment for our parishioners.

The Bishops of Indiana also announced that the Dispensation from the Sunday Obligation to attend Mass has been extended to August 15th.

Please join me in praying for Pope Francis, Archbishop Thompson (and all bishops), Me (and all pastors), President Trump, Governor Holcomb (and all governors), Mayor Hogsett (and all mayors) that they will be given wisdom, knowledge and understanding as they seek to lead and make decisions.

Thank you for your patience and understanding and please know of my prayers for you!

God Bless,
Father Doug 

Brothers and Sisters,

*click links above to set reminders

God Bless,
Father Doug

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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