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Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Closing Schools And Dispensing With Mass Obligations

The Diocense of Fort Wayne-South Bend has announced major changes regarding its schools and mass attendance. 

See below for the info released today.

The Catholic Schools Office has announced the closing of all our 43 Catholic Schools within the 14-county service area effective Monday, March 16, 2020 and for a minimum of three weeks.

A set date has not been established for the re-opening of our schools. Additionally, all afterschool and extracurricular activities are suspended until further notice.

Beginning March 16, school officials will be working with staff members from all of our 43 schools to finalize plans for eLearning or distance learning for our students. Parents should watch for communications from their principals for more information. 

Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades has issued the following directives, effective immediately, designed to mitigate the potential spread here in our diocese:

  1. All Catholics in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend are dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, beginning the weekend of March 15 and continuing through March 29. (See TV Mass options below.)
  2. The distribution of the Precious Blood to liturgical ministers and the faithful remains suspended. All should be reminded that the whole Christ, that is, His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, is present when only the Host is received.
  3. The Sign of Peace should not be given by the customary handshake. It could be exchanged without physical contact; for example, by a bow of the head and greeting of peace. Or it can be omitted altogether. 
  4. All are asked to refrain from holding hands during the Our Father, if this is a custom.