Flocknote

St. Michael the Archangel Pastorate

Sacred Heart, Remington

Sts. Peter & Paul, Goodland

St. Augustine, Rensselaer

Friday Flocknote - January 27th, 2023

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

A Message From Our Pastor

“Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with your whole heart, and with your whole being, and with your whole strength. Take to heart these words which I command you today. Keep repeating them to your children.” Deut 6:5-7

Today we kick off our annual celebration of Catholic School’s Week! A nationwide celebration of the great gift that are our Catholic Schools. Sadly, in the last decades Catholic Schools around the nation have been closing. I think we must all come together and not only support the schools we have (even if not attached to our parish) but also plan, push and bring into reality new and expanded Catholic Schools so that more children can have this great opportunity!

A true school worthy of being called Catholic, not only adheres to the highest of educational standards, preparing our children for success in whatever path they pursue in life. In addition, as we read in Deuteronomy, Catholic schools teach our children how to love our God with their whole person: heart, mind and soul! This is in fact primary above all else, and must be incorporated into everything a truly thriving and vibrant Catholic School does.

The Church teaches that “‘The Church is bound as a mother to give to these children of hers an education by which their whole life can be imbued with the spirit of Christ’. In this sense, the education that the Church pursues is evangelization and care for the growth of those who are already walking towards the fullness of Christ’s life.” (Identity of the Catholic School for a Culture of Dialogue, 2022, Vatican)

In a speech on Catholic education, Pope Francis said, “To educate is to take a risk and to hold out to the present a hope that can shatter the determinism and fatalism that the selfishness of the strong, the conformism of the weak and the ideology of the utopians would convince us [that it] is the only way forward.”

We are blessed in our Pastorate to have our very own Catholic School at St. Augustine with roots that go back generations. I urge everyone in our pastorate to support this essential mission of our Catholic Faith, not as a luxury for some, but as it truly is, an essential component of our authentic witness to the Gospel. I would also urge all families to consider the value of Catholic education over the local alternatives, where we can continue to GROW and expand these opportunities now and into the future for all our parishioners and our entire community.

Catholic Ministries Appeal 2023

As you all know by now, the Catholic Ministries Appeal is now an annual bishop’s appeal. As the calendar has turned over to 2023, so it is time to lock in our pledges for this year. Next weekend is Commitment Sunday, where we hope to get everyone to make their pledge for the upcoming year.

This should be our goal. Every year I am making phone calls and sending letters into December because people haven’t made their pledge yet. I want to make a pastorate wide goal to have our entire pledge goal made by March 15^th. These pledges can be paid off quarterly, monthly or even weekly between now and December 31, it’s truly up to you. It is an essential part of our communal relationship to each other to make this commitment now.

I understand things may happen through the year and your abilities to fulfill your pledge may change, but as with all things, if we set a goal and make reminders for ourselves, I know for myself, I am much more likely to accomplish it, rather than putting it off for later. You can make your pledge with the cards mailed to your homes or online at dol-in.org/cma. We will have additional pledge cards at the doors of the churches as well.

Throat Blessings – Feast of St. Blaise

Friday, February 3^rd is the Feast of St. Blaise, a bishop of the church who was martyred for the faith. In 316, the governor of Cappadocia and of Lesser Armenia, bishop Blaise for being a Christian. On their way to the jail, a woman set her only son, who was chocking to death on a fish bone, at his feet. Blaise cured the child, and though Agricola was amazed, he could not get Blaise to renounce his faith. Therefore, Agricola beat Blaise with a stick and tore at his flesh with iron combs before beheading him.

In another tale, Blaise was being led to the prison in Sebastea, and on the way came across a poor old woman whose pig had been stolen by a wolf. Blaise commanded the wolf return the pig, which it did -alive and uninjured - to the amazement of all. When he reached Sebastea, the woman came to him and brought two fine wax candles in an attempt to dispel the gloom of his darkened cell.

The intercession of St. Blaise has sought for centuries for afflictions of the throat and animals; in fact, it was popular to have a St. Blaise animal blessing before St. Francis made it cool.

We will have throat blessings at Mass on Friday, February 3^rd on his Feast Day, and after Masses next weekend.

God Bless, Fr. Bennett

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

Youth Ministry Grades PK-12

January

29th Sts. Peter & Paul and Sacred Heart meet at the

Fulcher Center @ 9:45am ET

February

1st St. Augustine PK-5 meet for Faith Formation @ 6:30 pm CT

1st St. Augustine 8-12 meet for

College Care Packages @ 6:30 pm CT

1st Peers in Training meet @ 7:00 pm CT

1st Sts. Peter & Paul and Sacred Heart CYO meets for

College Care Packages @ 6:30 pm ET Fulcher Center

5th Sts. Peter & Paul and Sacred Heart K-12 meet at the

Fulcher Center 9:45-10:45 am ET

8th St. Augustine PK-12 meet for Faith Formation @ 6:30 pm CT

12th Sts. Peter & Paul and Sacred Heart K-12 meet at the

Fulcher Center 9:45-10:45 am ET

12th St. Augustine MS/HS Youth Mass @ 10:00 am

January 29th 8-11:30am CT

End of the Month Breakfast

Serving biscuits and gravy, breakfast casserole, pancake and sausage. This is a free will offering. All you can eat, dine in or carry out.

February 3rd & 10th 5-7pm CT

Fish Fry

Serving pollack, bluegill, cod, tilapia, jumbo shrimp and chicken strips with choice of potato or hush puppies

and choice of coleslaw or apple sauce. Dine in or carry out (219) 866-9938

February 18th 5-7pm CT

Pork Chop Dinner

This is a ticketed event fundraiser for St. Augustine School.

February 22nd — Ash Wednesday Fish Fry

Proceeds go to St. Augustine School

February 24th 5-7pm CT— Fish Fry

February 26th 8-11:30am CT

End of the Month Breakfast

May She Rest in Peace

Please join us in prayer for the repose of the soul of Mary Lois Luers and pray for God’s comfort and peace for the family.

May the angels welcome her to paradise.

May the Martyrs greet her on her way.

May she see the face of the Lord this day.

Sacred Heart & Sts. Peter and Paul CYO

College Care Packages

Sacred Heart & Sts. Peter and Paul CYO will be preparing college care packages on February 1st. Please provide address of college students to Patty or Jason Kilmer. Donations for the packages are greatly appreciated. Suggested donations include snacks, candy, Chapstick, Post-It Notes, pens, pencils, highlighters, gift cards, hot chocolate packets, flavor packets for water, microwave popcorn. Monetary donations to help with the cost of shipping are also appreciated. Donations can be given to the Kilmers.

We will be sending 10 packages.

St. Augustine College Care Packages

We will be preparing College Care Packages for St. Augustine College Students on February 1st. Please provide addresses of college students to Kris Dobson by January 29th. Donations for the packages are greatly appreciated. Monetary donations to help with the cost of shipping can be placed in the collection basket, dropped in the drop box outside the rectory or given to Kris Dobson (clearly mark "College Care Packages" on the envelope). We will send approximately 30 packages.

Sacred Heart Spaghetti Dinner

February 19th from 5-7pm ET

We are serving spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, and ice cream.

Proceeds go toward Sacred Heart CYO for activities.

Christian Women of St. Augustine/

St. Michael the Archangel Pastorate

Please join us on Monday, February 6th for Rosary at 9:30am CT in the church and followed by a 10am meeting in the church basement. We will be discussing yearly budget, funeral dinners, Lenten luncheon, cleaning of church, and other items for parish. Come for refreshments and socialize!

2022 Contribution Statements

2022 contribution statements were emailed on Jan. 18th. If you did not receive yours or would like one mailed, please contact the church office or email Marie marieoliver@parish.dol-in.org