In his Angelus remarks on the solemnity of All Saints, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel of the day. The passage from St. Matthew was the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus presented the Beatitudes to his disciples. Pope Francis referred to the Beatitudes as “the identity card of the Christian and the way to holiness.”
The Holy Father went on to say that “Jesus shows us a path, that of love, and this serves as both a gift from God and our response.” He talked about God sowing His holiness in us and awaiting our response. The Holy Father then referenced the saints who lived out the Beatitudes and said that so many “next door saints” are living among us. That is, fellow Christians who are “filled with God, incapable of remaining indifferent to the needs of their neighbor; they are witnesses of shining paths, possible for us too.”
The words of sacred Scripture aren’t meant to simply be heard. We’re invited to reflect upon them and incorporate what they’re teaching us into our lives. I offer the Beatitudes and invite you to pray with them. Ask yourself, “Am I making the Beatitudes my identity card? Am I living them as I strive for holiness each day?”
Donated (as of 11/6): $ 13,354.19 THANK YOU for all who have donated and for helping us reach our goal for the Annual Bishop’s Appeal.All monies collected over the goal will be returned to the parish for our needs. Parish Pastoral Council … The next meeting will be on Saturday, November 9. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd … The November Atrium sessions will be held at 8:30 a.m. on the 10th and 17th.
All Souls Envelopes … Can be found on the table in the gathering space. Please add the names of your deceased loved ones on the envelopes and they will be placed on the altar for the month of November.
Lectors Workbooks … For 2025 have arrived. Please see me to pick yours up. Parish Directory Photos … Did you miss your opportunity to take a photo for the Parish Directory? No problem! Please email the following to Jillian Snyder ([email protected]) by November 29.
Family Photo
Family Names (first and last names of all family members in the photo)
Address (optional)
Phone (optional)
Email (optional)
Monthly Reflection Series … A reflection on the “Call to Holiness” published by the Office of Mission Advancement for the Congregation of Holy Cross can be found on the table in the gathering space. I was the author this month. Please help yourself. Black Catholic History Month Discussion … The Diocesan Black Catholic Advisory Board will sponsor a presentation on the "Challenges and Opportunities: Evangelization and Pastoral Care of Blacks Today” from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturday, November 16, 2024 In the parish hall. All welcome. Thanksgiving … We will celebrate Mass at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 28 to thank God for the many blessings that we’ve received this past year.
St. A’s Thanksgiving Dinner Program … On November 22, our St. A’s Vincentians will be distributing Thanksgiving food baskets to 40 needy families chosen from among neighbors we have served this past year.
Early Preparation: We would appreciate donations of canned items such as French-cut green beans, cranberry jelly, mushroom soup, yams, cranberry sauce, and bags of herb seasoned cubed stuffing, which can all be left in bins at the basement door. We are still short 6 turkeys, and those wishing to donate a turkey can let Annie or Dan know and they will make sure they are placed in one of the church freezers after Mass or Soup Kitchen mornings (MWF). Monetary donations to our St. Augustine Conference are most welcome and can be given to Annie Tardy or Dan Mandell.
Delivery Day: On Friday, November 22, starting at 1:00 pm we urgently need volunteers to help fill food boxes, and at 3:00 pm we need drivers to help with local deliveries. Please let Dan Mandell know if you can help with either activity.
Please pray that the families we serve may receive God’s abundant blessings.
Parish Envelopes … As of 2025 your parish envelopes will mailed to your homes each month rather than picking up a box with a year’s worth of envelopes. It was the decision of the Finance Council to make this change hoping that it will help us maintain a regular weekly income. If you do NOT use the envelopes, I’d kindly ask you to let me know so that you can be removed. The envelopes are an expense to the parish and sending them to you if they’re not going to be used isn’t a responsible use of parish finances.
After School Tutoring … Is free and will be offered every Thursday from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. in our parish hall. For more information, please contact Michael Busk at (574) 216-6577. St. A’s Women’s Group … Will meet on November 23 at 2:00 p.m. in the parish hall. Saturdays with the Saints … Has established itself as a popular Notre Dame football program ritual that combines the university’s rich traditions of Catholic faith and spirited game days. Notre Dame Theology faculty and McGrath Institute staff will deliver dynamic lectures on saints chosen for their uncommon virtue and their willingness to let their faith stand in contradiction to the wisdom of the world. November 9: St. Carlos Acutis and the many miracles of the Eucharist. Timothy O’Malley, Ph.D., Professor of the Practice, Theology. November 16: Explaining miracles with St. Thomas Aquinas. Therese Cory, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Thomistic Studies. 50 Thermometers Needed--- Cheryl Ashe is helping Cedar Glen Apartment residents document their sporadic loss of heat. The residents need to document the temperatures and then let the Indiana Attorney General know what the temperature is in their apartments. This the type of thermometer needed is https://www.walmart.com/ip/AcuRite-6-Analog-Thermometer-In-Out-with-Suction-Cup-1-6-x-7-4-Not-Battery-Powered-Plastic/16888910?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0 For more info contact Cheryl Ashe at: [email protected]. Sale of Holy Land Items … On Sunday, December 1, our brothers and sisters representing the Land of Peace mission, a nonprofit organization, will be with us speaking about the Christian situation in the Holy Land and selling crucifixes, religious artwork, and rosaries – all made of olive wood which is native to Israel and Bethlehem. Since tourism has greatly decreased, Christian families in the Holy Land, who depend on tourists, have been greatly affected. The goal of this mission is to help the poor and needy families in Bethlehem and Jerusalem. The sale of these items will help them and give you the opportunity to have something authentic from the Holy Land. You might also find some good Christmas gifts! For more information, visit www.landofpeace.org. Pope’s Intention for the Month of November … For anyone who has lost a child. We pray that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in their community and receive peace and consolation from the Holy Spirit. Saint of the Week … St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (13 November) was from Lombardy, Italy, the youngest of three children. She founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart and for twenty-eight years ministered in the United States and South America. She established schools, hospitals, or orphanages. She died on 22 December 1917 and is the first U.S. citizen to be canonized a saint (1946). St. Frances is the patroness of immigrants and migrants.