Commemoration Prayer
30th Anniversary of the Fire
Saint Mary Mother of God Catholic Church
September 2, 1993-September 2, 2023
Gracious and merciful God, as we pause to reflect on a time and place long gone, we ask your mercy on us, and on all those who came before us.
This hallowed ground, dedicated to Mary, Mother of God, offered solace to German immigrants and to those who followed them in a search for shared faith that spoke to both human needs and to the deepest longing of souls.
The old walls crumbled, the brilliant windows shattered, but we Your people, remain, fed at the table and nourished by Word and Sacrament.
Like our ancestors, we are sent forth to live our faith in this world, in this time and in this place, holding fast to that which is good.
Eternal God, guide our thoughts and prayers and actions, that we may cherish the memory of what has been lost, but never cease to move forward, finding Your love and light in the faces of those in need.
We make this our prayer, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen!
COVID Update
Updated February 2022
In the light of increased cases of the Delta variant, more inquiries have been coming in regarding whether new diocesan-wide mandates will be instituted in churches. We continue to monitor the regional COVID situation and remain in consultation with Catholic infectious disease specialists. As of now no changes are planned, so the directives (listed below) from May still stand.
Please take the time to review the current directives again, because they give pastors a great deal of discretion for implementing precautions and addressing COVID concerns among parishioners. In particular, even though there is no universal diocesan masking mandate, our directives do allow the following:
“Pastors who perceive sufficient support among their parishioners for the opportunity to continuing worshiping with a fully masked congregation can designate particular Mass times at which masks continue to be required. Another possibility, if deemed adequate at a parish, is that a clearly defined section of the church could be demarcated as reserved just for those who wish to continue wearing masks. Having such provisions available and publicized as needed would be welcomed by the immunocompromised and by those families concerned about the heath of their children.”
Moreover, please reiterate to parishioners (and especially to any liturgical ministers or volunteers) that our directives do instruct that we should stay home (with Mass obligation lifted) if feeling unwell:
“Anyone (whether vaccinated or not) with a cough or fever, or who may otherwise be feeling sick, should still remain home.”
Thank you again for your continued attentiveness to the pandemic response. There seems to be founded hope that COVID will reach a more stable, endemic level in the coming months, which hopefully means we would see an end to very dramatic surges in cases.
UPDATED COVID-19 GUIDELINES REGARDING MASS
Effective 5/30/2021
We have been provided additional guidance by the Indiana Bishops as to how to deal with COVID-19 and its impact upon our Sunday Mass.
LIFTING OF THE GENERAL DISPENSATION
Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades has announced that the general dispensation from the Sunday obligation will expire effective June 11, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Because the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian Life, all Catholics are required to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation unless a serious obstacle prevents them. Let us unite, abiding together in hope. According to the directives, those who have some symptoms of cold, fever are dispensed or on health concerns pastors could dispense them individually. For more details and updated liturgical directives, including information on exemptions, masks, social distancing and more, visit www.diocesefwsb.org/covid-19.
MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING
Anytime you are in the Church building, at Mass or any other time, wearing a mask is recommended but not required.
Some pews will have open seating. The number will depend upon the number of people attending Mass.
Social distancing of 3 feet is still required in the pews and also when entering and leaving the Church.
SIGN OF PEACE – OFFERTORY – COMMUNION
The Sign of Peace may be extended to worshippers by means of words or gestures, handshakes and/or embraces should only occur within your family unit.
Offertory envelopes and contributions will continue to be collected in baskets at the back of Church; Gift bearers at the Offertory will not be used. We will continue to only distribute the Eucharist under the form of the Body of Christ.
Ministers (Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers, Lectors & Servers) are asked to continue using masks.
The TV in the Gathering Area will continue to be operative for those wishing to be seated in that area. The live stream broadcast of the Mass will continue indefinitely.
St. Mary Mother of God Live-Stream Mass
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/groups/237495779612838
called St. Mary Mother Of God Catholic Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana (Official Page)
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsPPPuN77xcFklya-fnJEDA/ , called St. Mary Mother of God Parish Fort Wayne.
FORT WAYNE AREA TELEVISED MASSES:
7 am: WPTA Ch. 21.3 (MyTV) | Frontier: 9, 509 | Comcast: 252, 1024, 1172 | DirecTV, 22
10 am: WISE CW Ch. 33.1 | Frontier 6, 506 | Comcast 19, 1033 | DirecTV 33 | Dish 34
Effective April 4, 2022 the Ave Maria House will be opened to the public. Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The Soup Kitchen hours Monday through Friday 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday hours are 10 a.m. until 12 p.m.