Today we come closer to the end of the Church year. Next Sunday we’ll celebrate the solemnity of Christ the King. This marks the very last Sunday in the Church’s calendar. Our readings during these last few weeks speak in a clear voice God’s message: “The end will come, so be prepared!” How are we preparing ourselves spiritually?
The late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, archbishop of Chicago, during the last years of his life shared his journey with the public. As he visited cancer patients in local Chicago hospitals he shared his fears. And when celebrating the Eucharist in parishes throughout the archdiocese, he spoke of his profound faith in God. The end times, soon to catch up with him, were filled with frustration, questioning, a renewed faith in God, fulfillment, a commitment to living life to its fullest, love, and ultimately peace.
Too often we become preoccupied with the material possessions life offers us. Often, we fail to think about preparing ourselves spiritually. Today’s readings remind us to prepare our heart and soul. Our focus is meant to be on Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God. The questions that we need to ask ourselves are, “Have I loved others to the best of my ability?” “Have I forgiven those who’ve wronged me?” “Is my personal relationship with God on track?” “Am I allowing God to speak to me?” “Am I listening to God’s message, especially words of challenge?” “Have I been a good parent?” “Have I shared my faith with my child(ren)?” “Have I shown kindness to the poor and downtrodden?” “Do I speak words of charity?” “If the world were to end today, would I be ready to meet God face to face?”
Life is about preparing for what comes next. The faith that we profess is about living every moment of this life in anticipation for the new life God offers us in heaven. May our prayer, and the way we live every minute of our lives, be the prayer that Cardinal Bernardin uttered as he prepared to meet God:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
A few announcements:
Annual Bishops Appeal …
Parish Assessment: $ 9,892.21
Donated (as of 11/13): $ 11,704.19 THANK YOU to all who have donated and for helping us reach our goal for the 2024 Annual Bishop’s Appeal.All monies collected over the goal will be returned to the parish for our needs. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd … The December Atrium sessions will be held at 8:30 a.m. on the 15th and 22nd.
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)
Announcements at Mass … At a recent meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council, we had a conversation about the most appropriate time for announcements on Sunday. It was decided that rather than stopping the celebration of Mass, beginning on the First Sunday of Advent (December 1), any parish announcements would be made AFTER THE CLOSING HYMN ENDS. At that time a member of the Parish Pastoral Council will ask if there are any announcements before everyone leaves for coffee and or heads home.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development … This collection is on Sunday, November 24. The CCHD provides funding for groups whose activities reflect Catholic moral and social teaching on human life and dignity. CCHD-funded groups work to change social structures and policies which undermine life and dignity, especially for the poor and powerless. An envelope can be found in your packets. You may place a donation in the collection with “CCHD” on the memo line or in a plain envelope. THANK YOU for supporting this upcoming collection! 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 be 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.
Irrigation System … The process of preparing the parish for the winter season has begun. This week the Irrigation System was shut off.
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. Catholic Mom… Is a community of women encouraging and supporting one another, especially in the vocation of Catholic motherhood but touches them in all stages of life. It is a well-done, high-quality resource – and it is FREE, with no advertising and new content published daily! The Sunday Gospel Activities for children are the most popular feature, used by over 2,000 families and parishes each week. Each activity page has its own QR code at the bottom to direct parents to the site for even more Catholic resources, including podcasts and book clubs. 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. Cecilia (November 22) died during the 3rd century. She’s known for her legendary poem, Passio, and has been honored in Rome since the 5th century. St. Cecilia is the patroness of sacred music because of the song of God in her heart.