After Mass last Sunday you voted on whether we would remain with one Sunday Mass or return to two Masses. As I stated in my letter to you last week, and at the end of Mass, “this is your parish and I will respect the outcome of the vote.”
Once all of the votes were in, two members of the Parish Council did the tallying. I did not participate and remained out of my office while they counted. When they finished, I was presented with the results which were 45 individuals voting for one Mass and 28 individuals voting for two Masses. Therefore, we will keep our Mass at 9:30 on Sunday. I thank everyone who shared their opinions, the Parish Pastoral Council for their deliberations and counsel, and all who took the time to vote.
Change is always difficult as it requires compromise on our part. However, we are a community of faith and what’s most important is our continuing to come together each Sabbath Day to give God the glory that He’s due for the many blessings that we receive individually and as a parish each day.
A few announcements:
Annual Bishops Appeal … Please prayerfully consider helping us invite thousands of Catholics in northeast Indiana to encounter Christ and each other. To make a gift, donate online at diocesefwsb.org/aba, or donate in person by placing your pledge card and check in the collection basket. If you didn’t receive a letter and pledge card in the mail, it means that you are NOT a registered member of the parish. Registration forms and pledge cards can be found on the table in the gathering space.
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. All monies collected over the goal will be returned to the parish for our needs.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd … The October Atrium sessions will be held at 8:30 a.m. on the 13th and 20th.
Blessing of the Animals … Iwill once again celebrate this annual gathering on Sunday October 6 at 2:00 p.m. in the Mausoleum Courtyard at Cedar Grove Cemetery at the University of Notre Dame.This is open to neighbors, students, and employees of ND. 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. Finance Council … Will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, September 30 in the parish hall. Parish Ministry Fair … Will be held on Sunday, October 6 after Mass. Would you like to get involved? Please come to our Ministry Fair. For a table to promote your parish organization, you may contact Annie Tardy at ([email protected]) by Sunday, Sept 29. Next Weekend … Fr. Tom Bertone, C.S.C. will preside and preach. Respect Life Month … During the month of October let us consider more deeply why every human life is valuable and reflect on how to build a culture that protects life from conception to natural death. 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. October 12: St. Teresa of Avila and St. Joseph of Cupertino: Saints who flew and did other impossible things. Carlos Eire, Ph.D., Professor of History and Religious Studies, Yale University. 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. 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. Marriage Course … What if setting intentional time aside one evening each week could transform your marriage? The (free) Marriage Course is a self-paced weekly series offered in English and Spanish and based on a film series featuring “regular” couples and relationship experts from around the world. There is time built right into each session for you and your spouse to discuss each week’s topic in the comfort and privacy of your own home using prompts. Start any time. To learn more, visit diocesefwsb.org/marriage-course Pope’s Intention for the Month of October … For a shared mission. We pray that the Church continue to sustain in all ways a Synodal lifestyle, as a sign of co-responsibility, promoting the participation, the communion and the mission shared among priests, religious and lay people. Saint of the Week … St. Francis of Assisi (October 4) is noted for his charismatic personality, deep compassion for all, and love for God’s creation. He renounced his wealth to follow “Lady Poverty.” St. Francis founded the Franciscan family that today numbers more than 27,000 religious worldwide. He wrote Canticle of the Sun and received the stigmata. St. Francis died on 03 October 1226 and was canonized two years after his death. He’s the patron saint of ecologists and Italy.