The American Society of Ephesus Inc. and St. Mary of the Wood Parish announced this week that the annual Feast of the Assumption Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine has been canceled this year.
The Catholic Mass at the shrine that overlooks Indian Lake was previously planned for Aug. 15.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were not comfortable hosting a large gathering this year, even in an outdoor setting. Social distancing would be difficult to maintain and seating would be very limited,” said Bill Quatman, president of The American Society of Ephesus, which owns the shrine property.
The annual mass has been conducted each year since approximately 1964, and it always draws a large crowd from the region.
“In light of Gov. DeWine’s administration’s July 8 health order indefinitely extending the state’s mass-gathering ban on groups of 10 or more, despite an exception for religious services, as well as the face covering requirements, we felt it safest to cancel the event for one year,” Quatman said.