Governor Holcomb is putting more restrictions on gatherings in Indiana beginning on Monday, November 16th, that will be in effect for two weeks.  Religious gatherings are exempt from this order (20-48), but the Archdiocese has encouraged us to continue to use only half of our seating in the church in order to allow for social distancing.  We will soon begin to have seating in the lower level of the church so that when the church reaches the current maximum capacity of 50%, parishioners can view our live stream in the lower level and an Eucharistic Minister will take communion to that area.  We continue to ask everyone to wear a mask / face covering at all times when in one of our buildings and to use hand sanitizer, as these measures allow us to 
continue to meet.  Our buildings continue to be cleaned and sanitized after 
gatherings.  Please continue to help us to keep everyone safe. 

It has come to our attention that at least one of our local school systems will go to online learning for the next two weeks, November 16-27.  We have decided that Faith Formation Classes at St. Michael and St. Bernard will stay in person at the current time.  
Our class size is small and we have limited time in the hallways.  We still would like everyone to wear a mask while in our building and to use the hand sanitizer provided.  If at anytime you are not comfortable sending your child for classes Deacon John can provide you materials and access to your child's textbook online for you to cover the material at home.   

Please note that by order of our Governor, effective July 27th, face masks / face coverings will be required in all public buildings.  This includes our churches and office areas.  Thanks for your help with this.

A few notes about returning to Church for Mass: 

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 THE CORONAVIRUS. OF COURSE, THOSE WHO ARE SYMPTOMATIC OR HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 SHOULD NOT ENTER A CHURCH UNTIL RELEASED TO DO SO BY THEIR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL. 

We encourage parishioners to wear a mask when attending Mass.  Remember that the mask helps protect those around you so wearing a mask is an act of charity.

Every other pew has been roped off.  While in the Church we ask that everyone spread out and keep at least a six feet distance from anyone whom you do not live in the same household.  Missalettes, hymnals, and prayer cards have been removed. 

Holy Water Fonts will be kept empty at this time.

Please use the hand sanitizer when entering the church.  We recommend that you use hand sanitizer before receiving communion.  Please bring your own.
When receiving communion we ask that you receive communion in the hand.  If you do wish to receive communion on the tongue please wait until the end of the communion line to come forward.  Plese remember to keep six feet distance between you and the person in front of you in the communion line.

During the sign of peace a wave or a smile is fine at this time.  Please do not shake hands.

We realize that many people miss their fellow parishioners.  We request for the protection of everyone that there be no other gathering or congregating indoors or outdoors on the church property apart from Mass. 

If all goes well we will transition from Phase II (churches open for weekday Mass) to Phase III on May 23rd and 24th for Sunday Masses. 

Thank you for being flexible and for your understanding that we need to ease into the re-opening of our churches.  As people of faith, we believe that the Lord is always at work in our lives, even in this time of many restrictions and sacrifices.  Some of God’s greatest graces can come in moments of transition and in all our new beginnings.