Pastor&#039;s Notes for February 23, 2023

A Message From Fr. Bill Schooler:

Greetings Saint Augustine Parishioners:

All of us are looking forward to the annual Mardi Gras gathering on Tuesday, March 4.

The Season of Lent begins the next day on Ash Wednesday, March 5. We will celebrate Mass at 6:00 on that evening, with the distribution of ashes to mark our foreheads to mark us as participants in the 40 Days of Lent. Please make every effort to join us for Mass, as we enter into a Season with so many potential graces. Also, the parish has ordered 100 copies of the Little Black Book from the Diocese of Saginaw. Hopefully, there will be one copy of this helpful guide to daily Lenten prayer for each family.

Fr. Bill Schooler

A few announcements:

First Communion ... St. A's had a great turnout on 2/15 for its new first reconciliation / first communion class for kids based on Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS). The trained CGS instructors include Alexis Duffy and Kristen McGann. Subsequent Saturday instruction will occur 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. on 3/1, 3/15, 3/22, and 3/29, culminating with a retreat 4/24-4/27 and 1st communion Mass on 4/27. To inquire, contact Alexis Duffy at [email protected].

The Light is On For You – Confession in Every Parish ... During Lent, each parish in our Diocese will have priests available for confessions on Tuesday, March 11, from 6-8 PM (this year, that includes St. Augustine Parish!). If you have been reluctant to participate in this sacrament, have been away for some time, or just find it difficult to get to an open confession time, this is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with Christ and His Church. Learn more at diocesefwsb.org/light.

Communion and pastoral care visits to homebound, hospitalized, nursing homes ... If you or a loved one would benefit from Holy Communion or someone to simply visit and pray with them, please contact Deacon Mel for arrangements ([email protected], 574-707-1231).

Lector Training ... by the Diocese Office of Worship for new and current lectors is encouraged: to be held March 1st from 9 AM - noon at Holy Cross Parish. Register by Wed, Feb 26, here: diocesefwsb.org/trainings.

St. Augustine Parish Women’s Group ... will meet on Saturday, February 22 at 2 PM in the Community Room. Any women of St. Augustine Parish are welcome. Questions? Contact: Sr. Betty at [email protected]

We Make Indiana (formerly Faith in Indiana) ... seeks 100 tutors, to improve reading skills of children in grades 1-3 over the next six months as part of Tutor ND. Tutors receive training and up to $15-$25 per hour, depending on education and experience. For info, contact Alfred Guillaume.

Tolton Mardi Gras … our 23rd annual fundraiser will be Tues, March 4th from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at St. A’s. Purchase tix ($25.00) from a Tolton Ambassador (limited seating). Enjoy authentic New Orleans cuisine, music, fun fellowship, and silent auction (you may donate items, gift baskets / cards for auction thru Sun, March 2nd). Write checks / donations to “Tolton Ambassadors of Indiana” (NOT "St. Augustine Parish"). Proceeds support cause for sainthood, Chicago pilgrimage, July Convocation. Contact: Annie Tardy ([email protected] / 574-707-1232).

Pope’s Intention for the Month of February … “Let us pray that the terminally ill and their families always receive the necessary medical and human care and assistance.”

St. Augustine, pray for us.

Saint Augustine Parish

1501 W. Washington St | South Bend, Indiana 46619

Pastor's Notes for February 23, 2023