St. Michael the Archangel Pastorate
Sacred Heart, Remington
Sts. Peter & Paul, Goodland
St. Augustine, Rensselaer
Friday Flocknote
May 6th, 2022
Happy Mother’s Day!
What a beautiful day to celebrate our mothers and on this beautiful day to remember the greatest gift they’ve ever given to all of us: life! It is fitting that Mother’s Day falls in May, the same month dedicated to Our Mother in Heaven, Mary. Mary gave birth to the source of life and brought into our world the creator of the world so that we might have an eternal share in His eternal life.
Every time a mother gives birth, she is cooperating with this creative power of God in bringing forth new life into the world; together with the father, a work of love bearing fruit in the person of a newborn child. Our mothers are indispensable cradles of love from which all of us have been nurtured and with whom none of us could exist. This cradle of love is such a beautiful gift and it is the intentioned well-spring of new life from God our creator in heaven, which is why, we as believers, should cherish this amazing gift of womanhood and femininity and the gift of life with all the fervor of a people, who ourselves have been benefited from the tender caress of our own mother’s. We should defend against all the attacks against the dignity and beauty of womanhood and true femininity in our culture today as if they were direct attacks against our mothers, because they are. Denial of the unique and amazing gift that is “woman” and the beautiful place women hold in the order of creation is a reality that can never become just an idea or a feeling, any more than you or I are merely an idea or a feeling rather than a flesh and blood human being and somehow separated from the birth from our mothers.
The concept that gender is “fluid” or merely a “concept” and only a “biologist” can tell if someone is male or female is an assault on all of us and in a most profound way our own mother’s. “God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Gen 1:27) Just like we as Catholic’s ought to be proud of our devotion to Our Mother, Mary, Queen of Heaven, especially in the face to criticism from those who seek to detract or ridicule us for our beliefs; so too should we stand up with pride for the mother who bore us in her womb and all the mothers and on this Mother’s Day defend them all by standing up, with pride, for the truth of how God made each of us, like himself, male and female!
Do something special for your mother today, she deserves it. I am thankful for all mothers, you are a blessing to our Church and to the world!
Prayers Needed!!!
There was news leaked this week from the Supreme Court that it appears that Roe vs. Wade may be overturned and the issue of abortion will be returned to the state legislatures. It also appears this unprecedented leak was meant to try to sabotage the judicial process of the Supreme Court and inject political pressure into the decision-making process of the court. Whatever the reasoning, we as faithful supporters of the Rite to Life should never “count our eggs before their hatched”. I believe the devil is not going to give up his grip so easily on this keystone to the culture of death and he will step up his game in these upcoming days. This is a time for more prayer, not less.
As this news continues to break and the political fallout settles, this is a time to pray for those who have had an abortion and are hurting, as the news coverage and the heated debates will be moments of great trial for those who now have regret or remorse of their decisions. If you or anyone you know is struggling, please visit: hopeafterabortion.com/ or call 888-456-HOPE.
During this month of May, we must pray to Mary that she will aid us with her prayers. I think the Book of Revelation chapter 12 is a fantastic story illustrating this cultural battle we are enduring, and we see that the “woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” and St. Michael can and will lead us to victory if we latch on to them in our prayer.
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
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
Sunday, May 8th, is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
Join us in praying for men and women to find courage to answer the call of the shepherd to "tend his flocks."
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.
Sunday, May 1st Mass, the Crowning of Mary throughout our pastorate.
High School Peer Ministers
The High School Peer Ministers received a blessing from Fr. Bennett on April 30th, and then participated in a Lock-In at St. Augustine. They spent time planning the Middle School Lock-In and had some fun too! A heartfelt thank you to Christy Fleming, Sid Dobson and Jon Messman for chaperoning the Lock-In. We can't wait to lead the Middle School Lock-In,
"Be Not Afraid," on May 14-15th.
Thank you, Kris Dobson
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
The Middle School Lock-In, "Be Not Afraid," will be May 14-15, 2022 at St. Augustine. Youth grades 6-8 are encouraged to attend. It will consist of mini-sessions on relevant topics, candle light prayer service, and activities led by the High School Peer Ministers. The Lock-In will begin on May 14th at 4:00 pm CT. It will conclude on May 15th at 11:00 am CT. Adult chaperones and adult help with dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday is greatly appreciated. Registration forms have been distributed, and they should be returned by May 8th. Contact Kris Dobson if you need a registration form or if you are available to help with chaperoning or meals. This is a great opportunity for the youth of our pastorate to grow in their faith and spend time together.
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.
Birthright of Rensselaer
Birthright recently received our annual grant of $2300. This came from Catholic Ministries (formerly Fruitful Harvest). This will go a long way in helping our moms. Thank you to everyone who donates to this fund.
May God bless you.
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)
Project Rachel
“It’s normal to grieve a pregnancy loss, including the loss of a child by abortion. It can form a hole in one’s heart, a hole so deep that sometimes it seems nothing can fill the emptiness.”
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 ET on Friday and end at 12pm ET on Sunday.
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.
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.
