St. Michael the Archangel Pastorate
Sacred Heart, Remington
Sts. Peter & Paul, Goodland
St. Augustine, Rensselaer
Friday Flocknote - March 17th, 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
Laetare Jerusalem et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam; gaudete cum laetitia, qui in tristitia fuistis, ut exsultetis et satiemini ab uberibus consolationis vestrae.
Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast. Is 66:10-11
Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast. Is 66:10-11
This Sunday is known as “Laetare Sunday”, known as such from the first word of the Entrance or Introit Antiphon for this Fourth Sunday of Lent. The word “Laetare” literally means “to rejoice”. We rejoice on this Fourth Sunday of Lent as we have completed more than half of our Lenten observance thus far, and we remind ourselves why we are on this 40-day Lenten Journey: The Joy of the Resurrection!
If you remember back to Ash Wednesday, Christ urged us to let our prayer, fasting and almsgiving be in secret to let our “Father who sees in secret” repay us accordingly. (cf Mt 6:18) As we have been on this Lenten Fast now since February 22nd, we don’t end our fasting, prayer or almsgiving nor abandon our Lenten promises half-way through; rather we celebrate and rejoice in the reason why we do all these things in the first place: for the love and devotion we have for our Savior Jesus Christ!
I know for some people the concept of “joy” and “Lent” seem antithetical and not something that go together at all. I preached on Ash Wednesday that we should all have a “happy Lent”, because this 40-day journey is how we grow in faith and discipline in closer and more intimate relationship with Christ our Risen Savior. There should be nothing that brings about more happiness or Joy in our lives than daily growing closer to the Lord.
As we mark this symbolic “half-way” point of Lent, we should indeed rejoice in all our Risen Lord has done, continues to do and promises to do for us in our lives. Thus, today the liturgical color used is Rose, and a lighter shade of the normal Violet worn through Lent, but also a color that is symbolic of the human emotion of Joy. Joy should also be expressed in our participation at Mass as well, as we all joyfully anticipate the Lord’s Resurrection and the promised glory to all who unite their hearts to his.
St. Joseph and The Annunciation
This week we also celebrate two great Solemnities in the Church: St. Joseph’s Day and The Annunciation of the Lord. The Solemnity of St. Joseph is typically celebrated on March 19th, but due to that date falling on Sunday, the celebration has been moved to Monday, March 20th this year. We will celebrate St. Joseph here locally with a special Monday Evening Mass at 5:30pm CT/ 6:30pm ET at St. Augustine.
Likewise, on Saturday, March 25th we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, when the Archangel Gabriel revealed the Message of the incarnation of God as man to Mary and Joseph. This marks nine months before we celebrate the birth of our Savior on Christmas day. This is one of the most important events in all of human salvation, because it is this movement when the Second Person of the Holy Trinity took on Human Flesh and forever became a “hypostatic union” of humanity and divinity. We will have a Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of the Annunciation on Friday, March 24th at 5:30pm CT/6:30pm ET at St. Augustine with Stations of the Cross to follow.
The Catechism teaches about the Incarnation:
- “Taking up St. John's expression, "The Word became flesh",82 the Church calls "Incarnation" the fact that the Son of God assumed a human nature in order to accomplish our salvation in it. In a hymn cited by St. Paul, the Church sings the mystery of the Incarnation” (CCC 461)
- “Belief in the true Incarnation of the Son of God is the distinctive sign of Christian faith: ‘By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God.’ Such is the joyous conviction of the Church from her beginning whenever she sings ‘the mystery of our religion’: ‘He was manifested in the flesh.’” (CCC 463)
Due to the nature of these Solemnities of St. Joseph and the Annunciation, the Lenten Fast is broken for these great celebrations, in accordance with Canon 1251 of Canon Law as we rejoice in God’s providence for us in His unfailing love for us in His plan of Salvation!
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
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
April
5th Shadow Stations of the Cross by High School Youth
for parishioners and middle school youth
5th St. Augustine PK-5 meet @ 6:30 pm
5th Sts. Peter & Paul and Sacred Heart CYO
meets @ 6:30 pm ET Fulcher Center
The Shadow Stations of the Cross
The Shadow Stations of the Cross will be offered by the High School Peer Ministers of St. Augustine on Wednesday, April 5th at 6:30 pm!
This unique version of the Stations of the Cross features youth who reenact the stations while participants reflect and pray. This is a great opportunity for people of all ages as they make their final preparations for Easter during Holy Week. Please join us at St. Augustine Church.
National Catholic Youth Conference
Registration for the National Catholic Youth Conference to be held in Indianapolis November 16-18, 2023 is open!
With featured performers For King and Country as the opening celebration recently announced, along with hosts Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN, and Mari Pablo, youth and adult participants can expect a high energy but also prayerful experience. NCYC will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center. The theme for this year is Fully Alive! Youth from the St. Michael the Archangel Pastorate will participate in NCYC with the Lafayette Diocese. Please contact Kris Dobson or Jason/Patty Kilmer by March 22nd to reserve your spot!
Thank you!
Thanks to the generous $500 donation from our Christian Women’s group and Christmas wish list donors, we were able to purchase a water bottle filler for the primary grades’ fountain! And thanks to our handy Mr. Phil, it is installed and saving several bottles from ending up in the landfill!
The K-2 students are so appreciative!
God bless you all!!!
Our alumni and our current families received our State of the School Report in the mail this week. The hope is that this document provides current information, outlines successes, and offers transparency. Through the shared stories and photos, you will see how the gifts we are given nourish our faith, support our curriculum needs, and thus impact our future!
If you are interested in a State of the School Report, please see Mrs. Nagel after the 10 am Mass.
Lenten Luncheon Thank you
Thank you to all who attended the Lenten Luncheon at
St. Augustine! A special Thank You to Dianne Hollerman & Ellen Faker for chairing this event!
Events at the Knights of Columbus
Fish Fry
March 17th, 24th, & 31st
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.
St. Augustine School Spring Social
Saturday, April 22, 2023
Raffle Tickets are available in the School Office.
Grand Prize: $1,000 cash
2nd Prize: $750
3rd Prize: $500
Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25
St. Augustine Buildings & Grounds
Committee Member Call-Out
Do you have experience in construction, landscaping or maintenance? Perhaps you have knowledge of mechanical, electrical, plumbing or masonry. Or maybe you’re just an all-around handyman!
Your church needs you!
Many members of our committee have served faithfully for years. We appreciate and hope that their service will continue. In addition, we would like to gain new membership. If you are interested in helping or would like to see more information, please contact Marie Oliver marieoliver@parish.dol-in.org or 219-866-5351 ext. 5.
St. Augustine Church Spring Cleaning
Monday, March 20th from 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!
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
As of March 10th
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
The Poor Clare Sisters in Kokomo wish to invite any high school & young adult women to celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph with SolemnVespers at their monastery on Monday, March 20. Afterwards, the sisters will invite the young women for a visit in the parlor.
We will have some snacks and refreshments available following the visit with the sisters to socialize and continue celebrating St. Joseph's Feast Day!
5-5:45pm: SolemnVespers
5:50-6:20pm: Visit with the Sisters in parlor
6:20-7pm: Social with snacks & refreshments (casual and optional)
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