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St. Michael the Archangel Pastorate

Sacred Heart, Remington

Sts. Peter & Paul, Goodland

St. Augustine, Rensselaer

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June 24th, 2022

Anything but “Ordinary”

I have always liked the etymology of words and language. My studies of Latin in seminary and after seminary have helped to greatly understand not only some of the very important teachings of our Catholic Faith and how these teachings were understood from the earliest days by the Church Fathers, but also to help understand many of the words we use every day. One such phrase that can be easily misunderstood without a cursory understanding of Latin is the phrase “Ordinary Time.”

Ordinary Time is called "ordinary" not because it is common but simply because the weeks of Ordinary Time are numbered. The Latin word ordinalis, which refers to numbers in a series, stems from the Latin word ordo, from which we get the English word order. Thus, the numbered weeks of Ordinary Time, in fact, represent the ordered life of the Church—the period in which we live our lives neither in feasting (as in the Christmas and Easter seasons) or in more severe penance (as in Advent and Lent), but in watchfulness and expectation of the Second Coming of Christ.

Prior to the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, these summer and fall weeks were referred to and numbered as the “Weeks after Pentecost”, which was a weekly reminder of the order that all things are connected to the birthday of the Church at Pentecost and yet, at the same time oriented toward the promise of Christ coming again, which we now mark with the annual celebration of Christ the King on the Sunday before Advent, at the end of Ordinary Time. I think that as we continue to celebrate Ordinary Time, we do so in any way but ordinarily, and rather to do so extraordinarily as we use the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to us in Baptism and Confirmation to live our Christian lives as courageous witnesses to the Gospel in our thoughts, our words and our deeds!

Slán go fóill

This weekend will be Deacon Patrick O’Toole and his family’s last weekend at our pastorate. As you may remember, when they arrived right before Ash Wednesday, they are on a very unique journey across the country travelling the country in 3-month intervals in their converted tour bus, which they have made their home on wheels. I am thankful for Deacon Patrick’s assistance with RCIA, Confirmation, Mission Talks, First Reconciliation and First Communion Preparation as well as helping in various other aspects during his time here. It was a blessing to have him here and I ask you all to say some prayers for him and his family as they move on to the next stage in their journey. Here is a prayer written by St. Patrick, I invite you to pray for the O’Toole Family:

May your days be many and your troubles be few.
May all God’s blessings descend upon you.
May peace be within you, may your heart be strong.
May you find what you’re seeking wherever you roam.
May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us.
May the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us.
May thy Salvation, O Lord, be always ours this day and for evermore.
Amen.

Thank you!

Many thanks to the many people who planned and organized my ordination anniversary celebration. I am grateful and humbled by your generosity. I am especially thankful for all the cards and prayers that I received. I know there are many competing interests this time of year with graduations and weddings and vacations; I am so thankful for everyone who attended and made this a priority and for all your continued support. Please use this opportunity and every day as an opportunity to pray for more priestly vocations. As I mentioned at the reception, I hope that someday soon we can host a reception for a newly ordained priest from our pastorate on the occasion of their First Mass!

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

Members of the Totus Tuus team will be at all the weekend Masses to talk about the week’s events.

Grades K-6: June 27th – July 1st from

10:00a-3:30p ET/9:00a-2:30p CT

Jr. High & High School: June 26th – June 30th

from 7-9pm ET/6-8pm CT

Mass will be available each day during Totus Tuus. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday:

10:15am CT/ 11:15am ET

Wednesday: 9:00am CT/10:00am ET

at Sacred Heart Fulcher Center.

All are welcome for these liturgies.

Don’t forget to join us for the Parish Potluck on Wednesday night at 6pm ET/ 5pm CT at the Fulcher Center.

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.

Sunday, June 26th

End of the Month Breakfast

8:00am—11:30am CT

Dine in or carry out

We will be serving biscuits and gravy, breakfast casserole, pancakes and sausage.

This is a free will offering.

Happy Anniversary to Walter & Velma Nagel! Married June 18th, 1949

Happy 50th Anniversary to Tom & Diana Molter!

Married July 7th, 1972

Free Stoves!

The 2-freestanding gas stove units that were in the Fulcher Center kitchen have been replaced and temporarily stored. If you or someone you know would like one, please call or text Barb Federer at 219-863-0594