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Indiana's Catholic Bishops Suspend Public Sunday and Weekday Measure promoting respect for life among ICC’s 2020 successes, page 3. Serving the Church in Central and Southern Indiana Since 1960 CriterionOnline.com March 20, 2020 Vol. LX, No. 23 75¢ Indiana’s Catholic bishops suspend public Sunday and weekday Masses; archdiocesan offices are closed Criterion staff report the homepage of the archdiocese, providers who minister to the sick, their During a time of prayer on Sunday www.archindy.org, for more information. families and those most in need.” or while viewing the Mass on TV or Based on recommendations from Out of an abundance of caution, the The archdiocesan statement also online, the faithful are encouraged to health officials concerning the danger archbishop is also closing perpetual noted that for the celebration of other make an act of Spiritual Communion. of the COVID-19 pandemic and the adoration chapels in the archdiocese until sacraments—including baptism, This beautiful devotional practice in urgency to stem the further notice. confirmation and holy matrimony— the Church is a real source of grace spread of the virus, All Catholic schools in the archdiocese whenever possible they should be in communion with our Lord. Below See related editorial, page 4. the five Catholic will continue to be closed until at least postponed until further notice. is an example of a prayer for spiritual bishops of Indiana April 6. Procedures are also being developed communion: have suspended until The Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara for the celebration of the sacraments of My Jesus, I believe that You are present further notice all public Sunday and Catholic Center in Indianapolis and penance and the anointing of the sick. in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You weekday Masses throughout the Province related offices and agencies have been Finally, the celebration of funerals above all things, and I desire to receive of Indianapolis, which is comprised closed until further notice as well. should be postponed whenever possible. You into my soul. Since I cannot at this of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis “As the health and safety conditions If a funeral is offered, then it should moment receive You sacramentally, come and the Dioceses of Gary, Evansville, in our archdiocesan community have be celebrated outside of Mass and in at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace Fort Wayne-South Bend and Lafayette. shifted,” an archdiocesan statement said, the presence of a very small number of You as if You were already there and unite The suspension became “the spread of the COVID-19 virus is a the faithful who practice the prescribed myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be effective on March 18. Indianapolis moment for Catholics and all people precautions for hygiene and social separated from You. Amen. Archbishop Charles C. Thompson’s of goodwill to offer special prayers of distancing. A Mass for the intention and The faithful are also encouraged to dispensation from Sunday Mass intercession for the healing of those the repose of the soul of the deceased prayerfully read the readings of sacred continues until further notice. infected, for the protection of the elderly may be offered privately by the priest. Scripture for the day or to pray the Archbishop Thompson and and infirm who are at greatest risk, for Decisions about liturgical celebrations rosary. archdiocesan priests will be making the prevention of the disease’s spread, during Holy Week and beyond will be The Criterion is planning to continue online Masses available soon. Please visit and for the courage and strength of care made in the coming days. its weekly publishing schedule. † Superintendent gives advice for students, families to make the most of their time at home as they deal with the impact of the coronavirus By John Shaughnessy she also shares a chart that parents as well as proper responses to coughing, Q. E-learning will be one important could use to provide structure to a sneezing and food preparation.” avenue to try to keep students learning With Catholic schools in the child’s day to continue learning and and focused on school in the coming archdiocese being closed at least until growing while he or she is away from Q. As a parent of a student in weeks. Yet not every family in Catholic April 6 as a precaution against the their school building. (See page 8 for a Catholic school, what overall schools has access to a home computer coronavirus, The Criterion asked the the chart.) advice would you give to parents in for e-learning. What advice would superintendent of Here is the text of the conversation helping their students stay focused you give to parents in this situation to archdiocesan schools with Fleming: academically during this time? help them keep their children engaged to share her advice to A. “Setting time frames and academically during this time? students, parents and Q. What advice would you give to expectations up front is important. I A. “Our Catholic schools know their families on making parents for handling the concerns of suggest that if you feel overwhelmed, families very well. Those who have the most of this time children who are worried and even take time for prayer … and then families for whom Internet access is academically and fearful because of all the dismal news consider writing a thank you note to limited, work packets have been created spiritually. surrounding the coronavirus? the awesome teachers who care for and made available. Additionally, several Gina Fleming was A. “As with all things, young people and help your child every day. Also, of our schools are allowing students to also asked to offer her are consistently watching us as their do what you can to make this time fun check out Chromebooks or iPads for use Gina Fleming thoughts on traveling role models. If we remain calm [and] and memorable while honoring the at home, while still others are leaving a during spring break— ensure that conversations on this matter priorities of enhancing your child’s faith section of the school open for students and on allaying the fears that children are based on factual information and formation and education. to come in and use the technology with may have related to the coronavirus. logical reasoning, our children will “For high school students, this is a parent supervision. In this case, school Fleming gives her thoughts and be much better informed and will great time to update resumès, explore leaders are spreading students/families out insights on all these areas in this be able to use this as a true learning career opportunities online, complete to honor the social distancing protocols conversation with The Criterion. As a opportunity. Reinforce the importance of summer job applications, and apply for that have been enacted.” mother of a Catholic school student, hand-washing and other hygiene practices applicable scholarships.” See SUPERINTENDENT, page 8 System launched to report sexual misconduct of U.S. bishops Criterion staff report As part of a continuing effort to strengthen its commitment to protecting minors and vulnerable adults, Catholic dioceses in the United States have established a third-party reporting system to receive allegations Story in Spanish, of sexual abuse, sexual page 10. misconduct and cover- up of abuse by bishops. People can call a toll-free hotline at 800-276-1562 to submit a complaint or make a report online at ReportBishopAbuse.org. The Catholic Bishop Abuse Bishops from across the U.S. pray during a June 14, 2017, Mass in SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Reporting service was created in Indianapolis during that year’s spring meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops held in response to Pope Francis’ call for Indianapolis. (File photo by Sean Gallagher) “public, stable and easily accessible systems” for global reporting of abuse Catholic diocese in the world to create already in place in every diocese and allegation in his apostolic letter “Vos procedures for such reporting by archdiocese in the United States for estis lux mundi” (“You are the light of June 1, 2020. reporting abuse by clergy, religious and the world”), which he issued on May 7, The requirements put forth in “Vos Church employees or volunteers. The 2019. That document mandated every estis lux mundi” do not replace systems See BISHOPS, page 10 Page 2 The Criterion Friday, March 20, 2020 Public Schedule of Archbishop Charles C. Thompson __________ No public events scheduled for the remainder of March. USCCB president offers reflection, prayer in this time of the coronavirus WASHINGTON (CNS)— grant them courage and prudence as they Acknowledging the fragility of human life seek to respond to this emergency with because of the coronavirus, Los Angeles compassion and in service to the common Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, president of good.” Standing in the window of the library of the Apostolic Palace overlooking an empty St. Peter’s the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops The text of Archbishop Gomez’s prayer Square, Pope Francis blesses the city of Rome on March 15, still under lockdown to prevent the (USCCB), shared a prayer for people who follows: spread of the coronavirus. (CNS photo/Vatican Media via Reuters) are ill with COVID-19, the disease caused Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of by the virus, and those responding to the the Angels and Mother of the Americas. pandemic. We fly to you today as your beloved Pope prays for clergy, public service “Again we are reminded of our children. We ask you to intercede for us common humanity—that the peoples of with your Son, as you did at the wedding this world are our brothers and sisters, in Cana.
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