St. Michael the Archangel Pastorate
Sacred Heart Parish
Remington
Sts. Peter & Paul
Goodland
St. Augustine
Rensselaer
Friday Flocknote
January 21st, 2022
Fr. Joshua Bennett
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16)
On September 30, 2019, on the liturgical memorial of St. Jerome, Pope Francis announced that the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (January 23, 2022) would be celebrated as the Sunday of the Word of God. The full text of his Apostolic Letter, “Aperuit illis: Instituting the Sunday of the Word of God” is available on our website.
In the Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass, we are reminded of the role of the Word of God in the life of the Church:
In the hearing of God's word the Church is built up and grows, and in the signs of the liturgical celebration God's wonderful, past works in the history of salvation are presented anew as mysterious realities. God in turn makes use of the congregation of the faithful that celebrates the Liturgy in order that his word may speed on and be glorified and that his name be exalted among the nations. Whenever, therefore, the Church, gathered by the Holy Spirit for liturgical celebration, announces and proclaims the word of God, she is aware of being a new people in whom the covenant made in the past is perfected and fulfilled. Baptism and confirmation in the Spirit have made all Christ's faithful into messengers of God's word because of the grace of hearing they have received. They must therefore be the bearers of the same word in the Church and in the world, at least by the witness of their lives.
The word of God proclaimed in the celebration of God's mysteries does not only address present conditions but looks back to past events and forward to what is yet to come. Thus God's word shows us what we should hope for with such a longing that in this changing world our hearts will be set on the place where our true joys lie (Preamble, 7).
Pope Francis wrote, in Aperuit illis:
“At the conclusion of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, I proposed setting aside ‘a Sunday given over entirely to the word of God, so as to appreciate the inexhaustible riches contained in that constant dialogue between the Lord and his people’ (Misericordia et Misera, 7). Devoting a specific Sunday of the liturgical year to the word of God can enable the Church to experience anew how the risen Lord opens up for us the treasury of his word and enables us to proclaim its unfathomable riches before the world. Here, we are reminded of the teaching of Saint Ephrem: ‘Who is able to understand, Lord, all the richness of even one of your words? There is more that eludes us than what we can understand. We are like the thirsty drinking from a fountain. Your word has as many aspects as the perspectives of those who study it. The Lord has colored his word with diverse beauties, so that those who study it can contemplate what stirs them. He has hidden in his word all treasures, so that each of us may find a richness in what he or she contemplates’ (Commentary on the Diatessaron, 1, 18).”
As we mark this day locally, I encourage you all to dive deeper into the word of God. Fr. Mike Schmitz, a priest of Duluth, MN, has teamed up with Jeff Cavins and using the Bible Timeline, they have created a daily Podcast to listen to the Bible in a year. This is a great way, 20 minutes a day, to spend with God’s Word. There are so many bible apps available for your phone too, that you can literally have the bible in your pocket at all times. We also look to build from our Search groups and begin to expand into scripture and other studies founded on God’s word.
You can listen to the Bible in a Year using any free podcast app on your smartphone or tablet or via your browser at www.ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear... It’s not too late to start!!
God Bless,
Fr. Bennett
Sacred Heart of Jesus – Have Mercy on Us
Immaculate Heart of Mary – Pray for Us
Sts. Michael the Archangel, Joseph, Peter, Paul, Augustine – Pray for Us
We will be collecting food for the Tri-County backpack program for the next two weeks. These items can be left in the boxes in the back of the church at St. Peter and Paul.
Items that are in need include:
Mac & Cheese, Canned Meats (chicken, tuna, hash, spam), Canned Milk, Spaghetti O's & etc., Granola Bars, Cereal, Pop Tarts
Please buy in smaller quantities as these need to fit in a backpack and be carried home by smaller children. Your donations are greatly appreciated. Last Sunday to leave donations at church is February 6th.
Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest
Calling all boys and girls ages 8-14 from the St. Michael the Archangel Pastorate for the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship.
Saturday February 5th at St. Augustine School.
Registration and warm up will open at 11:00am with the contest to follow at 11:30am CT.
Balls will be furnished but contestants are encouraged to bring their own. Please bring a copy of birth certificate, adult signature required for registration, and a mask. Bring a friend, this is open to any contestant that lives in Rensselaer, Remington or Goodland. Annual event sponsored by Bishop Dwenger Council 1881.
Contact Jeff Hillan (219) 869-1338 with questions
MSP is moving forward with all Liturgical Scheduling needs for January and February Mass schedules! Please check the MSP app to see if you can fill a need. If you require login assistance or need help setting your Mass preferences, please do not hesitate to email Natalia Brady at nbrady@parish.dol-in.org.
Thank you for your time and devotion
to serving our pastorate!
Knights of Columbus
January 30th— 8:00-11:30am CT
End of the month AYCE Breakfast
February 4th— 5:00-7:00pm CT
Fish Fry
Christian Women of St. Augustine
Who are they? What do they do?
(All women of St. Augustine Parish-over 18 years of age are members)
Why not attend Mass with us?
Please join us on Wednesday, Jan 26th after the noon Mass in the church basement. Light refreshments will be served. Also, please remember to being your Food Pantry Donation. We will be adopting a budget for 2022 and discussing our options during the ongoing COVID restrictions.
New to the parish? Come and join us. The women help provide for funeral dinners, lenten luncheon, seasonal cleaning of church, greeting cards, and other items needed for the church. Our meetings are held quarterly, and alternate morning and evening. Our quilt raffle produces money for the bazaar. This years winner of the quilt was Sandy Martin. Please make your yearly donation to the Christian Women. Thank you for time, talent, and treasure you give to St. Augustine. Any questions contact Mary Lee 219-394-2055.
(In case of bad weather and school closure meeting will be postponed. Watch bulletin and Flocknote for date.)
WE NEED Y0U!
Youth Group "CYO" is back at Sacred Heart and St. Peter and Paul!
Jason & Patty Kilmer have agreed to coordinate and lead activities for middle school and high school youth at Sacred Heart and Sts. Peter and Paul. Typically, the group will meet the first Wednesday of the month from 6:30-8:30 pm ET at the Fulcher Center. Watch for future announcements in the Sunday bulletin for updates.
The first gathering will be Wednesday, February 2nd 6:30-8:30 pm ET in the Fulcher Center. They will make plans for the semester and prepare college care packages/military care packages for Sacred Heart and Sts. Peter and Paul parishioners. Please contact Jason or Patty Kilmer if you have any questions.
College Care Packages:
We will be providing College Care Packages to parishioners from St. Augustine, Sts. Peter and Paul and Sacred Heart. Contact Kris Dobson if you know of a college student or someone serving in the military who would appreciate a package. We will need their name and address. Donations and names/addresses will be accepted through January 23rd and may be left at the parish office or the collection box located at each of the parishes.
Items to donate include pens, pencils, Post It Notes, Chap Stick, snacks, gum, candy, hot chocolate packets, microwave popcorn, etc. Please do not provide heavy items as it affects the cost of shipping. Also, monetary donations are greatly appreciated to help defray the cost of shipping. Monetary donations may be given to Sarah Hall, Kris Dobson, dropped off at the parish offices, or placed in the Sunday Collection Basket (clearly marked for College Care Packages). The packages will be delivered prior to Valentine's Day.
