St. Michael the Archangel Pastorate
Sacred Heart, Remington
Sts. Peter & Paul, Goodland
St. Augustine, Rensselaer
Friday Flocknote - July 3rd, 2022
Father Joshua Bennett, Missionary Pastor fr.jbennett@dol-in.org
Marie Oliver, Director of Operations marieoliver@parish.dol-in.org
Kris Dobson, Coordinator of Continuing Formation and Evangelization kdobson@parish.dol-in.org
Sarah Hall, Coordinator of Youth Religious Education shall@parish.dol-in.org
Natalia Brady, Administrative Assistant for the Pastorate nbrady@parish.dol-in.org
Nancy Goodwin, Bookkeeper for Sacred Heart & Sts. Peter and Paul ngoodwin@parish.dol-in.org
“Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.” Luke 10:3
On June 24th, the United States Supreme Court ruled “The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; [Roe v. Wade,] and [Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pa. v. Casey], are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.” (Dobbs vs Jackson Women’s Health Organization, page 1) Bishop Doherty wrote in a statement on Friday, June 24th: “The Dobbs decision and overturning Roe v. Wade tells us there is no federal constitutional right to abortion on demand. The states are now left to legislate for or against procuring abortion. Some have already done so. While the Supreme Court’s decision offers an important moment for us to bolster life protections for the unborn, it does not end the public debate. We now need to turn our attention to our Indiana state legislators to urge them to enact or preserve sustainable laws to protect the rights of the unborn.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us, as we prepare to celebrate our national Independence Day, that “It is the duty of citizens to contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom. The love and service of one's country follow from the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity. Submission to legitimate authorities and service of the common good require citizens to fulfill their roles in the life of the political community.” (CCC 2239) As Bishop Doherty mentioned in his June 24th statement, the debate on abortion is not over and is expressly in the hands of the elected legislators across our nation. As citizens and crucial members of this debate, it is crucial that we as Catholic’s fully understand what Church teaching is on abortion and not fall for rhetoric or misinformation from those “wolves” who would like to convince us to support something contrary to the Gospel. Below are several main quotes on the Church’s teaching on abortion:
• “The first right of the human person is his life. He has other goods and some are more precious, but this one is fundamental - the condition of all the others. Hence it must be protected above all others. It does not belong to society, nor does it belong to public authority in any form to recognize this right for some and not for others: all discrimination is evil, whether it be founded on race, sex, color or religion. It is not recognition by another that constitutes this right. This right is antecedent to its recognition; it demands recognition and it is strictly unjust to refuse it.” Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Declaration on Procured Abortion (1974), no. 11
• “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2270
• “Laws which legitimize the direct killing of innocent human beings through abortion or euthanasia are in complete opposition to the inviolable right to life proper to every individual; they thus deny the equality of everyone before the law.” Pope John Paul II, Evangelium vitae (1995), no. 72.
• “The inviolability of the person which is a reflection of the absolute inviolability of God, finds its primary and fundamental expression in the inviolability of human life. Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights-for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture- is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination.” Pope John Paul II, Christifideles Laici (1988), no. 38
• Abortion and euthanasia have become preeminent threats to human dignity because they directly attack life itself, the most fundamental human good and the condition for all others. USCCB, Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics (1998), no. 32
Bishop Doherty added in his statement, “Roe v. Wade’s effects have changed our culture and laws in more ways than we can fully comprehend. This took a long time, and now our personal attitudes and social structures will take time to adjust. People who are not used to voicing support for life and conversing with their state legislators should know that truth and charity go hand in hand. Our faith, patience, and steadfastness will support the Culture of Life, and we commit to doing so peacefully. Our Christian witness must be persistent and civil.”
It might be tempting to sit back and say, “truth has finally won!” However, the absolute and fundamental right to life for the unborn is never something that we as faithful Catholic’s should ever stop fighting to protect. Our Catholic Faith does not allow any exceptions to the right to life for the unborn; this right is absolute, inviolable and preeminent; without the right to life there are no other rights. Our Indiana State Legislature will be in special session, beginning this week, contact your state representative and senator and share with them our Catholic stance on the defense of the most defenseless human life.
God Bless, Fr. Bennett
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus – Have Mercy On Us
Immaculate Heart of Mary – Pray For Us
Pope St. John Paul II – Pray For Us
Sts. Joseph, Michael, Peter, Paul and Augustine – Pray For Us
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.
Farmers Markets
Remington
36 S Ohio Street
Fridays 5:30-7:30pm
Rensselaer
110 W Harrison Street
Saturdays 7:30-11:30am
Dear Fellow Parishioners,
A note of "Thanks so much" for your recent card and thank you to those sending cards to Darrell frequently for other occasions. He is mending slowly. Hoping to come home again. Keeping you all in prayer.
Happy 4th of July to one & all.
May God bless us all and our Nation, too!
Pat & Darrel Dunlap
THANK YOU!
Birthright recently received a $1,200 check from the Knights of Columbus, the proceeds from the Good Friday fish fry plus the money from the donation jar. We are so grateful. This will help so many. We have doubled the amount of diapers and formula that we give as gas prices are so high our moms cannot afford to get to the office often. God bless you for all of your hard work and your generosity.
Birthright is also in need of volunteers. If God has been calling you to this ministry, it’s time to listen to Him! Contact the office 219.866.4555 or drop in at 331 S College from 10am-1pm CT every day except Sunday. Our training and volunteer hours are very flexible.
Pastorate Open Office Hours
Where: St. Augustine Office
318 N. McKinley St., Rensselaer, IN
When: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 12:30-5:30pm CT.
Father Bennett & Marie Oliver will be available throughout the week by appointment, please call ahead.
