This weekend we kick off the Annual Bishop’s Appeal. This is a yearly fundraising campaign that helps meet the physical and spiritual needs of the Diocese of Fort Wayne – South Bend, funding roughly half of the central diocesan operation budget. The diocesan-wide goal is divided among parishes, with each parish goal set from an algorithm considering the past year’s offertory income and the past three years of appeal donations. All donations above a parish goal are returned to the parish. The theme of this year’s appeal is “Journeying Together in Christ.” By now you should have received a mailing from Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades inviting you to consider a donation to this year’s Annual Bishop’s Appeal. Please prayerfully consider making a gift, donating online at diocesefwsb.org/aba, in person at St. A’s, or by returning the pledge card included in this year’s mailing. If you did not receive a mailing, then you’re not a registered member of the parish. I’d ask you to please fill out a census form found on the table in the vestibule to help us keep our membership records up to date. On that table you’ll also find pledge cards for the appeal.
The assessment for St. A’s is $ 9,892.21 this year. THANK YOU for helping us reach our goal for the Annual Bishop’s Appeal.
A few announcements: Mass Schedule … The one Sunday Mass at 9:30 will continue through the month of September so that the Parish Pastoral Council can discuss it at their meeting in mid-September. We will then have a parish vote.
Parish Locks … On Friday, September 20 the locks on the glass doors will be rekeyed. Therefore, current keys to those doors will not work and all access to the building is through the side door of the parish center using the issued fob or app.
Centering Prayer … Will be offered after Mass this Sunday. All are welcome!
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd … The October Atrium sessions will be held on the 13th and 20th.
St. Vincent de Paul Society … Is desperately in need of volunteers as well as donations to keep us going. We ask those who can consider giving even a few hours a week or month to packing and delivering the food that keeps families—many single mothers with young children-- from going hungry. Non-perishable food items are very much needed and can be placed in the bins in the church foyer. Monetary donations enable us to purchase needed items unavailable at the local food bank: milk, eggs, diapers, for example. In the past, your generosity has helped families to keep the lights on and water running and avoid eviction. For more information about ways to help, contact Annie Tardy or Dan Mandell.
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 … Is meeting on September 21 at 2- 3:30 PM in the Parish Hall. All women of the parish are welcome to participate. “By listening to one another we share our stories, and we hope to learn what would be most important to the group. We want to build a sisterhood where we can call on each other in times of prayer and need without feeling embarrassed or judged."
Confirmation Program … With Deacon Mel will begin this month from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. on Sundays. Dates can be flexible in order to accommodate the needs of families, field trips, and service projects. All interested parents/teens must meet with Fr. John for an initial meeting/conversation and to gather the required sacramental records. He can be reached at [email protected] in order to schedule an appointment.
Taizé Service … A diocesan-wide Taizé Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on September 19 at St. Matthew Cathedral. Join Bishop Rhoades and fellow Catholics praying for the upcoming Synod on Synodality being held at Vatican City during the month of October.
St. Augustine Men’s Group … is an anonymous gathering for those men who struggle with sexual addiction. For more information visit diocesefwsb.org/Augustine or email [email protected] … Brochures are located on the table in the gathering space. This is a diocesan group and NOT a parish ministry. Confidentiality is assured!
Ava’s Grace … Is an online support group for those who’ve lost a child before or after birth. The monthly meetings offer spiritual, emotional and practical support. The support group meets on the third Wednesday of the month from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Please email Lisa Everett at [email protected] for the Zoom meeting link and password.
Memorial Mass … For those who lost a child before or after birth will be held on Thursday, October 3 at 7:15 p.m. at St. Monica’s Parish in Mishawaka. You will have the opportunity to inscribe your child’s name in a Book of Remembrance, take home a silk rose to honor him or her, and pray together with others who have suffered the loss of a child. All are welcome including siblings, other family members, and friends.
Pope’s Intention for the Month of September … For the cry of the earth. We pray that each one of us will hear and take to heart the cry of the Earth and of victims of natural disasters and climactic change, and that all will undertake to personally care for the world in which we live.
Saint of the Week … St. Andrew Kim Tae-gõn, Paul Chõng Ha-sang, and Companions were all martyred between 1839 and 1867 in Korea. Andrew, born in Seoul, was a convert to Catholicism and was ordained Korea’s first native priest. In 1846 he was tortured and beheaded along with his lay associates and seminarian, Paul.