Happy Mother’s Day!
What a beautiful day to celebrate our mother’s and on this beautiful day to remember the greatest gift they’ve ever given to all of us: life! It is fitting that Mother’s Day falls in May, the same month dedicated to Our Mother in Heaven, Mary. Mary gave birth to the source of life and brought into our world the creator of the world so that we might have an eternal share in His eternal life. Do something special for your mother today, she deserves it. I am thankful for all mothers; you are a blessing to our Church and to the world!
Rogation Days – Special Mass and Field Blessings
This Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we commemorate the Rogation Days, traditional days of prayer, and formerly fasting, which take place every year the three days preceding the feast of the Ascension. The word “rogation” has its origins in the Latin word “rogare”, which means to supplicate or ask, and the purpose of the Days is to beg God for His mercy, to turn away His anger, and to ask Him to bless the fruits of the earth while protecting us from natural disasters.
We will have a Pastorate Rogation Mass on Tuesday at 5:30pm CT at St. Augustine to pray for God’s blessing on our farmers and our fields. Tuesday evening, I will be available to bless farms in the northern part of the pastorate, after Mass. Wednesday morning, I will be available to bless farms in the southern part of the pastorate. Please e-mail me with your address and contact info and I will schedule the blessing with you (fr.jbennett@dol-in.org).
Pastorate Updates
Last weekend, I mentioned that there were no further changes taking place in our pastorate due to the announced modifications to the Uniting in Heart 2030 plan. Nevertheless, there are many things happening here in the next couple weeks that are very important and should be taken note of.
Firstly, as announced in the Decree Effecting the Relegation of Saints Peter and Paul Church (Goodland) to Profane but Not Sordid Use, dated, April 28, 2023, the last Sunday Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul Church will be on Sunday, May 21st at 7:30am CT/ 8:30am ET. Bishop Doherty will be here to celebrate this Mass.
On Monday, May 22nd at 6:00pm ET/ 5:00pm ET, Bishop Doherty will return to our Pastorate for the Rededication of Sacred Heart Church in Remington and the Dedication of the Altar. This is a very special event in the life of any parish, but especially given the circumstances of our return from the fire damage and the extensive work of the rebuild. I know there is a lot of interest throughout the Pastorate and our communities, as well as the desire to be present for the first Mass. However, I do want to ask that we as a Pastorate give pride of place to the Sacred Heart of Jesus parishioners and to respect this moment for this celebration, as we are expecting a full capacity congregation. We will have an open house for the entire pastorate and a homecoming celebration at the end of the summer, once all the finishing touches are completed, for everyone to attend.
Other upcoming events:
Wednesday, May 24th – 7pm ET/ 6pm CT, Confirmation Mass, Sacred Heart
Thursday, May 25th – Last Day of School!!!
Monday, May 29th – 9:30am CT/ 10:30am ET, Memorial Day Cemetery Mass, Mount Calvary, Rensselaer
Mass Schedule Changes – After May 21
Due to the closure of Sts. Peter and Paul and the Opening of Sacred Heart, we continue to keep the Sunday Morning 8:30am ET/ 7:30am CT Mass and confession time at Sacred Heart, beginning on Sunday, May 28.
The weekly Thursday morning Mass will also be transferred from St. Augustine to Sacred Heart at 9:15am ET/ 8:15am CT, with confessions available before Mass from 8:30-9:00am ET.
In addition, the First Saturday Morning Masses will be offered at Sacred Heart at 9:15am ET/ 8:15am CT (this is a slight time change in addition to location change). Confessions will be after Mass. Note: There will be no First Saturday Morning Mass in June due to the priest ordinations in Lafayette that morning.
There are many other great things planned for this summer and amazing opportunities for all of us to continue to grow closer to Christ, untied to the Heart of Jesus.
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