St. Michael the Archangel Pastorate
Sacred Heart, Remington
Sts. Peter & Paul, Goodland
St. Augustine, Rensselaer
Friday Flocknote
April 29th, 2022
Happy May!!!
It’s hard to believe, to me anyway, that it’s already May. Next weekend we will celebrate First Holy Communion at Noon CT at St. Augustine for all our first Communicants throughout the pastorate. Our First Communicants this year have been diligent in their preparation and are excited and ready to receive Jesus for the first of many, many times! Holy Communion is intimately tied to the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, which our students first received back in December and have had several opportunities to go to confession since then, including this past week, in order to prepare themselves for this great encounter with our Lord. We know this is very important, as the Church has taught from the time of St. Paul and the Apostles:
“Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are ill and infirm, and a considerable number are dying. If we discerned ourselves, we would not be under judgment; but since we are judged by [the] Lord, we are being disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.” (1 Cor 11:27-32)
As we celebrate the First Holy Communions of our children next weekend, let us remember our own First Holy Communion’s and strive to make every Communion with Christ Holy by our worthy and Holy reception of this great and lasting gift of His body, blood, soul and divinity.
Ave Maria
The month of May is also a month dedicated to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On April 29, 1965, Pope St. Paul VI wrote an Encyclical letter Mense Maio (The Month of May) on the importance of this month in the life of the Church.
“May is the month which the piety of the faithful has especially dedicated to Our Blessed Lady," and it is the occasion for a "moving tribute of faith and love which Catholics in every part of the world [pay] to the Queen of Heaven. During this month Christians, both in church and in the privacy of the home, offer up to Mary from their hearts an especially fervent and loving homage of prayer and veneration. In this month, too, the benefits of God's mercy come down to us from her throne in greater abundance" (cf. Paul VI: Mense Maio, no. 1).
Locally we celebrate the start of this month of Mary by crowning the statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary in our churches with a crown to recognize her queenship of both heaven and Earth. Not only is this a symbol of recognition of her queenship but also of our humility as we turn to her and ask for her prayers and intercession for us and for the whole world. This is also a great time to start praying the Rosary if you never have before!
Pastorate Vision Plan
Last week we mailed out copies of our Pastorate Vision Plan to everyone in our database, if you have not received a hard copy in the mail, we have some copies in the parish office and the document is available on our website: www.stmichaelpastorate.org Our Pastorate Vision Plan is the product of numerous conversations and input from many people throughout the pastorate over the last year, and it is designed with a three-year outlook to help guide our decisions as we continue to take strides, together, growing in our faith closer to Christ every day. Please be sure to take some time to read this guiding document for our pastorate and pray on how you and your family might be able to help us achieve these goals!
God Bless,
Fr. Bennett
Most 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
A Note from the Director of Operations, Marie Oliver
Sts. Peter & Paul- Mold remediation in the church basement has been completed. Drywall was removed along the bottom of the outside walls, as well as the pillars. In addition, the stairs were removed due to extensive damage. The downspouts were rerouted away from the building. This has significantly helped reduce the water entering the basement. Indiana Restoration installed a larger dehumidifier as well. The foundation has been inspected by Al Pulley, the structural engineer working on the project at Sacred Heart. We are awaiting his assessment. Temporary stairs will be built for restroom access until the water intrusion has been completely remedied.
After an inspection by the Department of Homeland Security, work was preformed to bring the parking lot exit door to code compliance. Both exterior doors are now operable.
Based on requirements from Travelers Boiler Risk Control and Catholic Mutual Insurance, a high temperature limit with reset and a low water cutoff were installed on the church boiler system.
St. Augustine- Electrical maintenance has been completed on several lights and switches in the church and rectory. The church sound system proposal, provided by Sound Planning Associates has been forwarded for review to Andy Guljas, the Diocesan B&G Manager.
Sacred Heart- Construction has started on the interior of the church! Demolition is complete. The plumbing for the new main level restroom has been trenched through the basement floor. Likewise, the basement has been prepped for the new footings to be poured. Ziolkowski Construction continues their tuckpointing work on the outside of the church. They removed the chimney on the west end of the church. This was done to eliminate a significant leak. The brick will be recycled and used to replace bricks throughout the tuckpointing process. This will ensure a color match. Also, the Altar and Rosary completed a repainting and cleaning of the Fulcher Center Kitchen. New stoves were purchased with monies refunded from Catholic Ministries Appeal, due to Sacred Heart Parish exceeding their last campaign goal.
Mass Intentions
One of the traditions of the Catholic Church is to pray for the deceased. If you are interested in scheduling a mass intention, please contact Natalia in the pastorate office at 219-866-5351 or nbrady@parish.dol-in.org
Please note: Currently, all Masses at Sts. Peter and Paul through the end of 2022 are filled. Weekday Masses are available at St. Augustine for your loved ones. Please wait to send 2023 intention requests. We will publicize when the calendar becomes available for 2023 intentions.
Thank you to those who have turned in your census forms! Just a reminder to please turn in your forms if you haven't already.
Census forms are available below if needed.
Herman Nagel Server Awards
A few years back, a group of St. Augustine parishioners created a program to honor and reward our servers that have continued to serve mass throughout their entire high school career. These awards are known as the Herman Nagel Server Awards in recognition of Herman Nagel who served St. Augustine Parish his entire life. Our goal is to provide each qualifying recipient with a cash award up to $500 at the graduation mass in early June. If you are interested in helping support this program, please contact Cheryl Hillan (869-3384) or Marty Park (863-1768). Checks need to be made out the Herman Nagel Scholarship Fund. Your financial support is greatly appreciated.
Knights of Columbus Scholarship
Knights of Columbus Council 1881 will be giving away scholarships once again this year.
To be eligible an applicant must be: Any son, daughter, stepson or stepdaughter of a member in good standing, or a member in good standing, or a deceased member of the Knights of Columbus, Bishop Dwenger Council 1881 is eligible for this scholarship.
The applicant must be: a current graduating senior; currently enrolled in a 2 or 4 year college/university; currently enrolled in a vocational school or currently enrolled in a college/university working on post bachelor’s degree.
Deadline for application is May 12, 2022
Middle School Retreat
Mark your calendars and reserve the date for the St. Michael the Archangel Pastorate Middle School Retreat! The retreat is scheduled for May 14-15th. The retreat will be led by the St. Augustine High School Peer Ministers. Information and registration forms will be distributed soon.
Middle School and High School Youth Group
Food Drive
The St. Augustine Middle School and High School Youth Group will hold their annual food drive to benefit the Rensselaer Good Samaritan Food Pantry on Wednesday, May 4th. Youth will canvass the Rensselaer area from 6:30-7:30pm CT to collect food. There will also be a drive-thru drop off at St. Augustine at the same time. Please enter the parking lot via Angelica Street and exit the parking lot via Susan Street. The youth will be glad to unload your donation and transport it to the food pantry.
We appreciate your support of this youth service project!
St. Augustine Youth Annual Food Drive
The St. Augustine Youth Annual Food Drive is scheduled for
May 4, 2022! The youth will canvas the Rensselaer area with adult drivers and chaperones collecting food door-to-door. The youth will also be collecting donations at St. Augustine Church from 6:30-7:30 pm as part of a Drive-Through Food Collection. Please consider donating items for the Rensselaer Food Pantry. Adult drivers are needed.
Please contact Kris Dobson (219-863-5423) by May 1st if you are willing to drive a group of youth to collect food. The more adult drivers we have, the more area we can cover that evening.
CYO
Sacred Heart will host the last CYO meeting of the year, Wednesday May 4th, from 6-8 pm. We will be having pizza and watching a movie. Please RSVP to Jason Kilmer at (219)869-4907 if you plan to attend for a pizza count.
World Youth Day 2023
Jessica Wade, Interim Manager of Evangelization & Witness Young Adult Ministry Liaison, is trying to organize a group of young adults to go to Portugal for World Youth Day 2023. The cost is approximately $4,200 and the diocese would need 15 people to sign up in order to form our own group. Please inform Jessica (jwade@dol-in-org) if you or your young adult children are interested.
Pastorate Baptism Prep Class
On Wednesday, May 18th from 6:00-8:00pm CT/7:00-9:00pm ET we will have a Baptism Prep class at St. Augustine. If you or someone you know needs to be baptized, please contact Sarah Hall shall@parish.dol-in.org or (219) 866-5351.
Sacred Heart Altar and Rosary Nominees
Please vote for 2022 Rosarian of the year today! Nominees are Judy Lanoue, Nancy Goodwin and Sarah Hall. Ballots will be in the pews and can be put in the collection basket. If you are unable to attend mass this weekend and want to vote, please contact Barb Federer, Sue Smith or Cheryl Yerk.
Fulcher Center Glasses & Cups
We have several small glasses and coffee cups from the Fulcher Center if anyone is interested. Please pick them up this Sunday if you want a little piece of nostalgia. Anything left after Sunday will be donated to Goodwill.
Fulcher Center Cleaning & Painting — Thank you!
Thank you, thank you, to all the ladies that worked on sprucing up the Fulcher Center kitchen! Diane Stoller and Cheryl Yerk did the painting and put in a lot of hours and hard work! It looks fabulous.
Thank you to the cleaning crew: Nancy Demerly, Pat Berger, Natalie Hammer, Theresa Oberlander, Pam Reed, Pam Illingworth, Janice Brooks and Barb Federer.
The kitchen sparkles!!
Sts. Peter & Paul Monthly Cleaning
First Monday of each month
9am CT
Many hands make light work!
Young Women’s Group
What a joy it has been to lead a young women's group for our pastorate! Six young women from our pastorate have been meeting on Monday evenings since the Fall of 2021. We started with the series, The Search. Then we did a book study by Matthew Kelly, I Heard God Laugh. We wrapped up our weekly meetings with a Lenten series, Restore, by Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT. It has been an honor to be part of their faith journey. The young women helped make plans for young adult activities for our pastorate beginning in August 2022. Stay tuned for more information! Of course, I would love to share a picture of our group, but those of you who know me well know that I always forget to take pictures! Kris Dobson
Join us for "Arise," our diocesan young adult retreat June 10-12, 2022 at the St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center in Tipton, IN! The weekend will include talks, prayer, sacraments, music, conversation, meals, and relaxation. The retreat is open to all young adults ages 18-39. We will begin at 7pm EST on Friday and end at 12pm EST on Sunday.
Early Registration: $90 by April 6
Regular Registration: $100 by May 18
Late Registration: $125 by June 1
The registration cost includes hostel-style rooms with bunk beds. You may choose to upgrade to a private single room for an additional $85. You may choose to upgrade to a private married room for an additional $35/person.
If you have questions, or may be in need of financial assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to Jessica Wade at jwade@dol-in.org.
Early Registration: $90 by April 6
Regular Registration: $100 by May 18
Late Registration: $125 by June 1
The registration cost includes hostel-style rooms with bunk beds. You may choose to upgrade to a private single room for an additional $85. You may choose to upgrade to a private married room for an additional $35/person.
If you have questions, or may be in need of financial assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to Jessica Wade at jwade@dol-in.org.
Christian Women of St. Augustine
Join us on Tuesday, May 10th for Mass at 5:30pm followed by Christian Women meeting at 6pm. All women of our parish are encouraged to participate. Remember to bring non-perishable items for the Good Samaritan Food Pantry.
(Refreshments will be served with proper social distancing)
St. Augustine School kids had a visit with Easter Bunny Mrs. Nagel and made Easter crafts!
From the St. Augustine Principal
Our fourth-grade teacher Mrs. Hopkins has chosen to leave
St. Augustine School at the end of the school year. When you see her, please thank her for the numerous gifts she has given to our little school!
I have posted the open position this weekend on the diocesan and IDOE websites. I am also posting here to ask you to share this opening with potential candidates and to join me in prayer for the right candidate for our school. Resumes can be emailed to me at nagel@s-augustine.org
I firmly believe that God places us all where He needs us to be, for as long as He needs us there. Thus, I know He will direct Mrs. Hopkins to where she is needed next and will lead me in finding someone just as He did in finding the INCREDIBLE staff additions for this school year.
Have a blessed day!
Mrs. Nagel
St. Augustine is happy to introduce our new preschool aide
Kaitlan Nagel! She will be a wonderful addition to our staff, as she absolutely loves children! Please give her a big St. Augustine welcome
Kaitlan Nagel! She will be a wonderful addition to our staff, as she absolutely loves children! Please give her a big St. Augustine welcome
when you see her!
Hello, I am Kaitlan Nagel. I was born and raised here in Rensselaer Indiana. I am a member of St. Augustine Church. I am getting my associate's degree in Early Childhood Education from Ivy Tech Community College in May.
I have worked in various early childhood settings over the years, such as an assistant in the public school's after-school program, substitute taught at the Rensselaer Primary School (mainly in the life skills class), and part-time in a daycare center while going to college part-time. I am very excited to start working at St Augustine as a preschool aide and meet your child!
In my free time, I like to hang out with family (pictured below) and friends, camp, go on fun adventures, spend time with my dog Lilly, and work with the goats on our farm.
Hello, I am Kaitlan Nagel. I was born and raised here in Rensselaer Indiana. I am a member of St. Augustine Church. I am getting my associate's degree in Early Childhood Education from Ivy Tech Community College in May.
I have worked in various early childhood settings over the years, such as an assistant in the public school's after-school program, substitute taught at the Rensselaer Primary School (mainly in the life skills class), and part-time in a daycare center while going to college part-time. I am very excited to start working at St Augustine as a preschool aide and meet your child!
In my free time, I like to hang out with family (pictured below) and friends, camp, go on fun adventures, spend time with my dog Lilly, and work with the goats on our farm.
Gift Card Fundraiser
Buy gift cards for your Mother’s Day purchases, groceries, gas, or your favorite cup of coffee through our gift card fundraising program. Cards are purchased at face value and the company gives us a percentage of your purchase! To purchase cards you can set up an online account (myscripwallet.com or the Raise Right app) to purchase physical or e-cards…OR you can visit Mrs. Simmons to purchase cards with a check.
