St. Michael the Archangel Pastorate
Sacred Heart, Remington
Sts. Peter & Paul, Goodland
St. Augustine, Rensselaer
Friday Flocknote - March 10th, 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
Angela Nagel, St. Augustine School Principal
nagel@s-augustine.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
SACRAMENTS of INITIATION POLICY STATEMENT
ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PASTORATE
ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PASTORATE
“What we have heard and know; things our ancestors have recounted to us.
We do not keep them from our children; we recount them to the next generation, The praiseworthy deeds of the LORD and his strength, the wonders that he performed.” – Psalm 78:3-4
We do not keep them from our children; we recount them to the next generation, The praiseworthy deeds of the LORD and his strength, the wonders that he performed.” – Psalm 78:3-4
Last Sunday we read the Gospel of the Transfiguration, when Jesus took Peter, James and John up the mountain to show them a glimpse of what heaven would be like and what Christ’s true holiness was. They were so astounded, they never wanted to leave! This seems like a normal response for any of us, that if God showed us what heaven looked like and made it seem like we were there, we too might echo St. Peter’s words “Lord, it is good that we are here.” Matthew 17:4
Jesus has revealed the pathway to this eternal glory in Sacred Scripture and the Tradition of the Church. We too experience a share in the Transfiguration in our own lives when we encounter Christ in the Sacraments of the Church. All the seven sacraments, as the Church teach us, “are efficacious* signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1131) *[producing an effect]
Our Catholic Faith requires that all persons who are to receive the sacraments must be prepared, as the Catechism says, to “receive them with the required dispositions.” Just like any sport, before we can expect to be “put into the game” we need to practice and know the plays. This is especially true when it comes to the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. Many times, families want their child to receive these sacraments but don’t necessarily want to do any of the preparation beforehand, or at least not be inconvenienced by it.
The number one concern we have heard from parents and grandparents in our surveys and synod listening sessions is that our youth are leaving the Church; could those who are leaving have been as inadequately prepared as someone who never attended any practices and gets thrusted into the championship game with teammates he’s never even met before? Everyone would blame the coach for putting someone in a position they were clearly not prepared for, and he would rightly be responsible. A lack of preparation has a direct correlation to failure on the athletic field just as much as not being rightly disposed to receiving the Grace being made available in the sacraments has in not being able to bear the fullness of the fruit contained therein.
During my time here in our pastorate, I have worked with our staff to revamp and make all our sacramental preparation relevant and even to include sponsors and family members, where applicable, so the whole family can be engaged and likewise rejoice in the experience of their child’s accomplishments. Despite our attempts to streamline and to engage more people in the process there remains a continued desire from people to not participate in any formation, to pick and choose the elements they do want to do and to try to exempt themselves from the rest, or to try to abandon their parish and find an “easier” program elsewhere, if not to resist everything altogether and demand the sacraments anyhow. However, the Church demands of me, as pastor, to ensure that souls who are to receive the sacraments are adequately prepared to do so and there is only one way I can do that, if these souls entrusted to my pastoral care are present and active in the life of the Church as well as the totality of the preparation offered. Further, our diocese, following the universal norms from the Vatican’s document Directory for Catechesis, offers us guidance that we must follow for the dignity that is due the sanctity of the sacraments as well as to make sure that all who receive the sacraments are rightly disposed.
THEREFORE, THE FOLLOWING ARE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS PRIOR TO THE RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENTS of INITIATION BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, FIRST HOLY COMMUNION, IN THE PASTORATE OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL:
1. Sunday and Holy Day Mass Attendance is required in accordance with the Third Commandment
- “The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice.” (CCC 2181)
- “Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and being faithful to Christ and to his Church.” (CCC 2182)
2. Continuous and Required Faith Formation and Education
- For youth, not just attending in just the sacramental years but “continued faith formation by participation in parish religious education programs.” (Diocese Guidelines)
- For adults, fulfilling all requirements necessary for each sacrament
- “The parish is the Eucharistic community and the heart of the liturgical life of Christian families; it is a privileged place for catechesis of children and parents.” (CCC 2226)
3. Participation in Active Parish Life
- If you are asking to receive a sacrament here, you must be registered, active and in good standing here (e.g. going to another parish for Mass weekly/regularly, or engaged in another faith formation program, without permission may prevent your participation in the sacraments here in the pastorate)
- “The parish initiates the Christian people into the ordinary expression of the liturgical life: it gathers them together in this celebration; it teaches Christ's saving doctrine; it practices the charity of the Lord in good works and brotherly love.” (CCC 2179)
4. Regular Confession for all persons after First Reconciliation
- “Individual, integral confession and absolution remain the only ordinary way for the faithful to reconcile themselves with God and the Church.” (CCC 1484)
- “The second precept ("You shall confess your sins at least once a year") ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness.” (CCC 2042)
5. Supporting the work of the Church
- “Giving alms to the poor is a witness to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.” (CCC 2462)
These are the bare minimums required of all Catholic’s in our pursuit of holiness, and especially for all who are seeking the Sacraments of Initiation. Some have suggested that I should “just give the sacraments out to everyone and God will figure it out”. Canon Law indeed gives everyone the right to receive the sacraments, when they are “properly disposed” to do so and not otherwise prohibited by law. However, the same law demands of me, the “Pastor of souls” to have the “duty to take care that those who seek the sacraments are prepared to receive them by proper evangelization and catechetical instruction, attentive to the norms issued by competent authority.” (Code of Canon Law, Canon 843) Our diocese and National Conference of Bishops have produced clear local guidelines for the reception of the sacraments which these five points reflect.
It is my judgement, as Pastor, that one is not properly disposed to the reception of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and/or Holy Communion if an individual, as an adult, or the family if considering a minor, is not fulfilling the aforementioned minimum requirements for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation. Thus, in accordance with the policies of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana and the previous sacramental formation policies published on our website, that anyone who is unable to meet these requirements will be unable to receive the Sacraments of Initiation until they are “properly disposed” to do so, in addition to any particular requirements required for each individual sacrament.
As always, each individual and one’s individual situation will continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis and our staff and myself are committed to helping any person and/or family to rejoice in the glory of God’s Grace being offered to those who “seek, ask and knock.” (cf Matthew 7:7) “For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:8)
Catechism of the Catholic Church: vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM
Diocese Website: dol-in.org/guidelines-for-the-reception-of-the-sacraments
Pastorate Website: stmichaelpastorate.org/sacraments-and-funerals
Diocese Website: dol-in.org/guidelines-for-the-reception-of-the-sacraments
Pastorate Website: stmichaelpastorate.org/sacraments-and-funerals
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
St. Michael the Archangel Pastorate Goal is to make CMA pledges by March 15th!
Mail in Pledge Cards you received in the mail,
or pick up blank cards in church.
St. Augustine Church Spring Cleaning
Monday, March 20th (9-4pm CT)
Please bring extra rags and buckets.
Call/text Mary Lee if you would like another time/day. Many hands are needed to get our Lord’s house ready for the Easter Season. If you can’t make it for the whole time an hour is good. All ages are welcome!
Sacred Heart Spring Cleaning
March 18th at starting at 8am ET
Help spruce up the grounds at Sacred Heart Church! Help at anytime is appreciated. Bring rakes, shovels and any garden carts you have available. Let’s ready the exterior for the church reopening this spring!
Youth Ministry Grades PK-12
March
12th Sts. Peter & Paul and Sacred Heart K-12 meet at the
Fulcher Center 9:45-10:45 am ET
St. Augustine MS/HS Youth Mass @ 10:00 am
15th St. Augustine PK-12 meet for Faith Formation @ 6:30 pm CT
18-19th Peer Minister Retreat @ Camp Tecumseh 4:00 pm ET
19th Sts. Peter & Paul and Sacred Heart K-12 meet at the
Fulcher Center 9:45-10:45 am ET
22nd Peer Ministers meet @ 6:30 pm CT
to practice Shadow Stations of the Cross
3/22-4/2 No meetings due to Spring Break
Sacred Heart Altar & Rosary Meeting
Sacred Heart Altar & Rosary will meet March 15th at 7:00 pm ET in the Fulcher Center. We would love to invite the Sts. Peter & Paul ladies and the St. Augustine ladies to come and meet all of us. There will be a short business meeting and then some extra time to visit and get to know each other. There just might be some projects we all need to work together on in the future and this is a great opportunity to meet each other before that.
Hope to see lots of smiling faces there!
Baptism Prep Class
March 14th at 6:30pm CT/ 7:30pm ET
St. Augustine Rectory (upstairs)
Please rsvp to Sarah Hall: SHall@parish.dol-in.org
Please join us in prayer for the repose of the soul of Kathy Jeanne Whitaker 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.
Pastorate Cemetery Clean Up
March 19th
This will be our 2023 Pastorate Confirmation Class Service Project.
Events at the Knights of Columbus
Fish Fry
March 10, 17, 24, & 31
5-7pm CT
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
Pork Chop Dinner
Saturday, April 15th
Proceeds will be donated to the
Sacred Heart Rebuild Campaign.
$15 per ticket ($4 per ticket will be donated) Tickets are available for purchase, please contact Fran Valade (219) 819-0160. Desserts and baked items will be sold at the dinner, too. This event is sponsored by St. Augustine Christian Women.
The Knights of Columbus will be conducting their Annual Food Drive for the Good Samaritan Food Pantry during Lent. Donations may be brought to the Hall during the Lenten Fish Fries or you may contact any member to make arrangements for a donation.
Blood Drive
March 30th
12:30-5:30pm CT
Knights of Columbus Social Hall
To register, visit: RedCrossBlood.org and enter: kofcren
March 30th
12:30-5:30pm CT
Knights of Columbus Social Hall
To register, visit: RedCrossBlood.org and enter: kofcren
Knights of Columbus Scholarship
Application Requirements:
·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.
·The applicant is limited to one lifetime Bishop Dwenger Council 1881 scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded based on the following pillars:
· Charity – How has the applicant given freely of his/her time and talent to the parish, school and community?
·Unity – How has the applicant stayed connected and active in his/her Parish Family?
·Discipleship – How has the applicant lived out Jesus’ call to be Brothers and Sisters in Christ?
The Scholarship award will be in the amount of $500.
The deadline for the application is May 1, 2023.
Invitations for the Spring Social are not being sent out to all parishioners this year to save on cost of postage. If interested and would like an invitation to please call the school office.
Apples for the Students
Stack & VanTil receipts can begin to be collected. Drop off is available at
St. Augustine School, box provided in the front entrance of the church or drop in the collection basket on Saturday or Sunday Masses. Receipts will be collected until March 31, 2023.
Sacred Heart Restore & Grow Campaign
Lenten Luncheon
11:45am to 12:45pm CT
March 15th at Trinity United Methodist Church
March 22nd at Brushwood Methodist Church
March 29th at First Christian Church
Donation of $6 for Helping Hands is requested.
Beers with Bennett
Gather at 5:30pm CT/6:30pm ET.
Program begins 6pm CT/7pm ET.
3/23- "The Word Became Flesh and dwelt among us" at Roots Eatery, Wolcott
4/3- "The holiest week of the year; the great liturgies of Holy Week" at Ayda's Mexican Cuisine, Rensselaer
4/27- Q & A: Stump the Priest at Roots Eatery, Wolcott
Young Adults (ages 18-39) are not required to participate every week, but regular participation is suggested. Come share some fellowship with other Catholic Young Adults and grow in your faith!
Diocese Events and Updates
Diocesan College Scholarships
Applications for the Diocesan College Scholarships for Seniors in High School are now available to fill out. These scholarships are open to any senior students attending public, private, or home school. Applications must be submitted by April 7, 2023. Please visit https://education.dol-in.org/diocesan-college-scholarships for applications and more information.
Facility Scheduling & Bulletin Submissions for All Parishes
Please note that all facility scheduling must be submitted to Marie Oliver. All bulletin submissions must be sent to Marie by 5pm on Sunday evening for the upcoming week’s bulletin.
Open Office Hours
Pastorate Office at St. Augustine
318 N McKinley Ave., Rensselaer IN, 47978
Tuesdays & Thursdays from 12:30-5:30pm CT
Father Bennett & Marie Oliver will be available throughout the week by appointment, please call ahead (219) 866-5351
Sacred Heart Mailing Address P.O. Box 159, Remington, IN 47977
(219) 261-2302 - Remington/Goodland
