St. Michael the Archangel Pastorate
Sacred Heart Parish
Remington
Sts. Peter & Paul
Goodland
St. Augustine
Rensselaer
Friday Flocknote
November 26th, 2021
Fr. Joshua Bennett
“To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.” Ps 25:1
Today we begin the season of Advent and our days of preparation for the two comings of Christ, at the end of time and at Christmas. Violet is the color that marks this season as a time of preparation through our own self-denial and penance.
There is always a great temptation, right after celebrating Thanksgiving, to jump into a full celebration of Christmas. Our society makes this leap right after Halloween; filling our aisles with Christmas décor and pushing Christmas sales. However, we as Christian faith, should not skip this time of preparation, and allow these few weeks to be more silent and preparatory for the great comings of Christ. This season of Advent is analogous to that great time when a baby is in its mother’s womb; that peaceful silence before its entrance into the world.
This season of Advent is our time to be in the womb of our mother, the Church. To receive the nourishment and life that we need to receive, the gift of life, that is coming to us Christmas morn.
We have several opportunities this Advent to help all of us to enter into this preparation for Christ’s glorious coming.
The first opportunity that we will have available for the pastorate will be more opportunities for confession during Advent. In addition to the confession times that we’ve had throughout the year, we will have confessions on Saturday’s before 4:30pm CT Mass from 3:30-4:15pm at St. Augustine in addition to the regular times after Mass. We will also have confessions on Sunday’s after the 10:00am CT Mass at St. Augustine.
Our youth will make their first reconciliation on Saturday, December 4th at noon. Please pray for them and their family as they make this step in their faith journey.
The Immaculate Conception of Mary on December 8th is a Holy Day of Obligation, required for all Catholics.
We will have several Mass opportunities:
Dec 7th @ Sts. Peter and Paul, 6:30pm ET/5:30 CT;
Dec 8th@ St. Augustine: 8:15am CT (School Mass), Noon CT
Dec 7th @ Sts. Peter and Paul, 6:30pm ET/5:30 CT;
Dec 8th@ St. Augustine: 8:15am CT (School Mass), Noon CT
and 6:30pmCT /7:30pm ET
We will have a Pastorate Mission December 11 – 15th. We will have a visiting missionary priest from the Congregation of the Father’s of Mercy, Fr. Jewel Aytona, CPM, who will be leading our mission. I will be writing more about this mission in next week’s bulletin. Our pastorate penance services will be combined with this mission and the daily mission talks given by Fr. Jewel. Please plan on attending all of the mission talks:
Sunday, December 12th, Mission Talk 1 at 3ET/ 2CT at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Goodland
Monday, December 13th, Mission Talk 2 at 6:00pm CT/ 7:00 ET at Sacred Heart Fulcher Center, Remington
Tuesday, December 14th, Mission Talk 3 at 6:00pm CT/ 7:00 ET at St. Augustine Church, Rensselaer
Wednesday, December 15th Mission Talk 4 at 6:00 pm CT/ 7:00pm ET at St. Augustine, Rensselaer
As we conclude Advent we will do so with the great celebration of Christmas. Here is the Christmas and weekend Mass schedule for December 25/26.
Christmas Masses:
Friday, December 24th: 4:00pm CT – SPP & 6:30pm CT – SA
Saturday, December 25th Midnight CT– SA & 10:00am CT – SPP
Friday, December 24th: 4:00pm CT – SPP & 6:30pm CT – SA
Saturday, December 25th Midnight CT– SA & 10:00am CT – SPP
NO SATURDAY EVENING MASS 12/25
Sunday, December 26th: 7:30am CT – SPP & 10:00am CT – SA
God Bless,
Fr. Bennett
Sacred Heart of Jesus – Have Mercy on Us
Immaculate Heart of Mary – Pray for Us
Sts. Joseph, Michael, Peter, Paul and Augustine – Pray for Us
Thursday, December 2nd, there will be no confessions.
In place of, there will be a Penance Service at St. Cecilia Church
at 6:30pm CT.
During this Season of Thanksgiving, I would like to thank our youth and adults who have helped in so many ways this Fall.
To those who helped move rummage or helped with cleanup at the Rummage Sale, volunteered to help with kids' games or the dining room at the Bazaar, volunteered to provide a trunk or help with kids' games at the Trunk or Treat, participated in the Rake and Run, and helped as a Lector, Server, Greeter or Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at our Masses...
Thank you!
To our adults who have supported our youth through prayers, donations, and kind words... Thank you!
To our adults who were willing chaperone our youth attending NCYC and volunteering to be catechists.... Thank you!
To those who have organized, led, or participated in a SEARCH group... Thank you!
To those who continue to provide valuable ministries to our Pastorate...
Thank you!
To those who have supported and welcomed me as I transition into a new role as Coordinator of Continuing Faith Formation and Evangelization for our Pastorate... Thank you!
May God Bless All of You and our Pastorate!
Kris Dobson
Knights of Columbus Event:
Dec. 2nd 12:30p-5:30p CT —
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Dec. 3rd 5:00-7:00pm CT — Friday Fish Fry
Dec. 5th 8:00-11:30am CT — “Knightsgiving”
Free, hot Breakfast meal of scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes, biscuits & gravy, juice, milk, coffee, & hot chocolate.
Giving Tree
The St. A Christmas Giving Tree is located near the McKinley Street entrance to the church and paper ornaments are ready to be picked up. Stocking-shaped ornaments are for children’s material needs. Bell-shaped ornaments are for prayer intentions and/or cards. Please return the wrapped gift, with tag attached, by the tree no later than Dec. 12th. Gifts may be returned earlier. Thank you to all who participate. Please contact Chris Scheurich at (219) 866-2650 or the Parish Office at (219) 866-5351 if you have any questions.
Sacred Heart Christmas Party
The Altar & Rosary would like to announce that this years Christmas Party will be held on December 6th at 6:30pmET at Fulcher Center.
Mark your calendars to join us that evening!
A fun evening with heavy appetizers being served.
If you plan to attend please text
Nancy Demerly (765)427-7508 or Susie Benner (765)412-7404
Looking forward to seeing you all!
Sacred Heart Christmas Clothesline
Items are to be brought in by Dec. 12th.
Please contact Barb Federer with any questions (219) 863-0594
Dear Parishioners,
Because of your love and support for the school, the staff and I are able to not only educate our students but to do it in a faith-filled environment. Our students are afforded opportunities to participate in service projects, like the Food Finders food truck and our blanket drive for the homeless, lead Mass each Friday, have access to up-to-date technology and experience a culture filled with Christ's love and compassion. These and all of the blessings your generosity and prayers have and are providing are all
deeply appreciated!
Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!
Blessings,
Mrs. Nagel and the School Staff
Apples for the St. Augustine Students
The school receives classroom merchandise with the points earned from the receipts. There is a box in the church at the McKinley entrance. The acceptable receipts from any Strack and Van Til need to be dated
September 1st-March 1, 2022.
The SEARCH pastorate renew opportunity is off and running! We have approximately 40 high school youth and 60 young adults and adults participating in The SEARCH every week. We are currently organizing a group for Spanish Speaking Parishioners of our Pastorate. A few parishioners have inquired about leading their own small group that they form. Absolutely!
Please contact Kris Dobson if you would like to form your own small group for The SEARCH. Did you miss a session of The SEARCH? The videos can be accessed on FORMED.org by entering your e-mail address and St. Michael the Archangel Pastorate. To contact Kris Dobson call the parish office and leave a message.
Kris Dobson: (219) 866-5351 please leave a message
or emailing kdobson@parish.dol-in.org
Advent begins this Sunday!
Get ready with free Scripture reflections from Scott Hahn and John Bergsma.
Watch the first one today. Sign up now!
Watch the first one today. Sign up now!
