-
-
-
Off the Top of My Head…
On Friday, August 28, I attended an area clergy meeting featuring the Deputy Director of the
Madison County Emergency Management Agency. I knew very little about the MCEMA, but
came away impressed.
The Madison County EMA has played an important role in assessing flood damage,
coordinating recovery efforts, and working with agencies and organizations to assist those
affected by the flooding three weeks ago. They accomplish a great deal with a small budget, a
staff of just two employees, and many volunteers. But the purpose of the presentation was not
to brag about the agency’s work, but to share helpful information, and here is some of what I
learned:
● The City of Anderson’s response, which was already being planned three days before
the flood hit, has been excellent.
● Because the flood waters carried toxic waste, pesticides, etc., some houses may not be
immediately habitable, even after they are “dried out.”
● The initial period of recovery must be followed by months (and possibly over a year) of
ongoing efforts.
● There was already a housing shortage before the flood, so EMA and others are
exploring options for providing temporary emergency housing.
● Clothing donations are NOT helpful at this time.
● Food donations are and will continue to be needed. Because people without homes (and
stoves) have no way of preparing “shelf stable” food, MCEMA is working with the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to set up feeding tents.
● The best donation is money. If you aren’t sure which organization to give to, just write a
check to your parish with “Flood Relief” in the memo line. After helping individual
parishioners and school families, we will make funding available to community
organizations which are involved with long-term support for flooding victims.
● There will be ongoing opportunities for volunteers to offer their time and effort. I hope to
soon provide a list of organizations that need help.
● Although both FEMA and ICE (US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) are part of
the US Department of Homeland Security, there have been no reports of ICE agents
being present at any area events or services sponsored by FEMA. Please pray this will
continue.
● Scams are always a risk, especially to vulnerable people who may feel desperate The
information sheets provided at last weekend’s Masses gave practical ways to avoid
being taken advantage of.
Please continue to pray for all flooding victims, and for those working to support them.
Fr. Tom Metzger
September 6, 2026
-
-
A Special Message From Father Tom
Un Mensaje Especial Del Padre Tom-
Dear brothers and sisters,
As you probably know, ICE agents have been carrying out detention operations in Indianapolis over the past few days. There are now credible reports of ICE agents being present in Madison County. Some parishioners have expressed fear about coming to church while such operations are active in our community.
Bishop Timothy Doherty has issued a dispensation for Catholics in our diocese, which Includes Madison County, for those who reasonably fear detention, separation from family, or other threats to their safety related to immigration enforcement. They are dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. This dispensation applies regardless of immigration or legal status.
We would like to offer Holy Communion to families who stay home for this reason. I am asking Communion Ministers throughout the Pastorate to make themselves available to visit these parishioner homes. Even if you do not speak Spanish, you can still minister to these families. In the coming days, we will communicate the procedures we are putting into place for this special ministry.
As always, our most important response to any crisis is prayer. Please pray for the safety of all our parishioners, for God’s guidance for government agents and officials, and for compassion from all citizens who are not subject
to these actions.
Father Thomas Metzger
Pastor
-
Queridos hermanos y hermanas,
Como probablemente ya saben, en los últimos días los agentes de ICE han estado llevando a cabo operaciones de detención en Indianápolis. Ahora hay informes creíbles de que agentes de ICE están presentes en el condado de Madison. Algunos feligreses han expresado miedo de ir a la iglesia mientras tales operaciones estén activas en nuestra comunidad.
El obispo Timothy Doherty ha emitido una dispensa para los católicos de nuestra diócesis, que incluye el condado de Madison, para aquellos que razonablemente temen ser detenidos, separados de su familia u otras amenazas a su seguridad relacionadas con la aplicación de leyes de inmigración. Están exentos de la obligación de asistir a la Misa dominical. Esta dispensa aplica sin importar su estatus migratorio o legal.
Queremos ofrecer la Sagrada Comunión a las familias que se queden en casa por esta razón. Estoy pidiendo a los ministros de la Comunión de toda la parroquia que se pongan a disposición para visitar los hogares de estos feligreses. En los días venideros les comunicaremos un procedimiento que estamos formulando para llevar a cabo este ministerio especial.
Como siempre, nuestra respuesta más importante ante cualquier crisis es la oración. Por favor, oren por la seguridad de todos nuestros feligreses, por la guía de Dios para los agentes y funcionarios del gobierno, y por la compasión de todos los ciudadanos que no están sujetos a estas acciones.
Padre Thomas Metzger
Párroco
-
-
INFORMACIÓN IMPORTANTE DEL PASTORADO ANDERSON-ALEXANDRIA SOBRE LA PRESENCIA DE AGENTES DE INMIGRACIÓN Y CONTROL DE ADUANAS (ICE) EN EL CONDADO DE MADISON.
-
El obispo Timothy Doherty ha emitido una dispensa, con fecha del 4 de septiembre de 2026, para los católicos de nuestra diócesis, que incluye el condado de Madison, para aquellos que razonablemente temen ser detenidos, separados de su familia u otras amenazas a su seguridad relacionadas con la aplicación de leyes de inmigración. Están exentos de la obligación de asistir a la Misa dominical. Esta dispensa aplica sin importar su estatus migratorio o legal.
-
-
Catholic Ministry Appeal 2026
-
-
Pastorate Events & Encounters
-
Monday, September 7, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
-
Tuesday, September 8, 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
The Faith Sharing Group at Primrose Senior Living is welcoming new participants, and we’d love to have you join us! Come check us out!Read More -
Wednesday, September 9, 6:30 PM
The Divine Mercy Chaplet is recited every Wednesday evening at 6:30pm in the Church at St. Mary in Alexandria. Everyone is invited to come and join in prayer. Click here for more details!Read More -
Thursday, September 10, 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM
Join us for silent prayer and reflection in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. This is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your faith and spend quiet time with the Lord.Read More - There are no upcoming events.
-
-
-
The Catholic Moment: September 6, 2026
-
-
