“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”€¦ · 22/3/2020 · For this week and next we...

1 E. Wilhelm St. Schererville, IN 46375

“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” With these words Jesus speaks to us as he did to the apostles tossed about in the storm on the Sea of Galilee. Like Peter, we want to have faith but we sometimes falter. Remember Jesus stands ready to pull us out of the raging waters and calm the strife of the storm. During this extraordinary time, I want to stay in touch with you all. I want us to continue to pray, even though we can’t come together to do so, and I want us to continue to know that Jesus is present with us in the midst of this situation. Here is a condescended version of our weekly bulletin. For this week and next we will mail the bulletin to you. However, I would ask you to please update your email address with us and your cell phone num-ber so we can contact you weekly in a more economical way. Inside you will find the necessary tool by which you can update your basic information with the parish.

Website: www.stmichaelparish.life March 22, 2020

From the Pastor’s Desk Our Lenten journey has certainly taken an unexpected turn. Now we are asked to fast from the public weekly celebration of the Eucharist. This is not an attack on the Church; it is an attack on the COVID-19 virus. Our fasting today can help to save many lives tomorrow. On the other hand, any kind of fasting (willing or unwilling) can only produce good effects when it is accompanied by prayer and acts of mercy/charity.

Prayer might not be able to happen together all in one place but we can all pray together at one time. In the early Church, when gathering as a community was impossible because Christianity was illegal, the faithful gathered in spirit around certain hours of the day. This was the beginning of the daily prayer of the Church (Morning, Noon and Evening Prayer). We can certainly honor this gathering by praying these hours of the day. See: www.ibreviary.org or see our website: www.stmichaelparish.life. Also on the ibreviary site you can find the daily and Sunday scripture readings. Even more specifically we can pray together at the usual hours Mass would be celebrated in our parish. I will continue to celebrate daily Mass for the intentions offered and our parish at the times we customarily would have Mass. I will celebrate the Mass in the Convent Chapel for our sisters each morning at 7:00 AM and on Saturday at 8:00 AM. On Sunday I will celebrate Mass at 9:30 AM. I hope to be able to stream Mass live on our website by this Sunday, March 22nd. I hope to stream weekday Mass as well as soon as possible.

The chapel will remain open for visits to the Blessed Sacrament during the daytime hours (till approximately 3:00 PM). If you come to pray please remember to practice social distancing. This is an individual invitation only, no “groups” are to gather as we are to observe the 10 persons or less rule. Please be respectful of this rule so we can continue to keep the chapel open. You might not be able to do as many acts of charity and mercy as in the past but you can still contribute to the feeding of the poor. You can drop groceries and paper products off during office hours at the side door of the Office. PLEASE only during office hours, Monday-Friday. You can also help the parish to keep you updated. Please renew your basic contact information. Enclosed is a stamped return envelope for you to fill out. Just the basic contact information is what is needed to be updated which is your cell phone number(s), your email address(es) and your land line phone number, if applicable. We will be able to assign this to your information by using your first and last name. Please help me keep in contact with you during this time. This week we hear the story of the man born blind, who slowly comes to see who Jesus really is for him and the world. Meanwhile in the story the Pharisees, his parents and others have their vision blurred to the point of blindness and cannot come to trust in the reality that Jesus is indeed the Lord, God’s Son. During our present situation we want to keep a clear eye on Christ. We need him to show us clearly how to trust in him and not be afraid. Let us bombard heaven with our prayers for those who are ill, for those caring for the sick and for patience for us all. Please keep our Elect, Jode, in your prayers. He still continues his journey this Lent to his full initiation into the Church. He will be bap-tized this Easter and he needs our prayers.


For Those Who Have Died…

Margaret Claywell

Life has changed, not ended

Anita Thomas, Audrey Weber, Marci Rose, Dave Kintzel, Ed Zurawski, Helen Hazard, Nick Barone, Tim Hazard, Debbie Kaminski, Christine Hetrick, Ted Stosko, Kay Parker, Tina Serna, Mark Biegel, Dick Gross, Evelyn Mathews, Zbigniew Sochacki, Pam Weber, Diana Donnell, Jen-Mei Dorris, Judith Marshall, David Sarros, Beth Ann Brown and all those in need of the healing touch of God.

Life is precious; handle with prayer.

Placing the name of a loved one or yourself in the bulletin Prayer List can be done through Monica at 322-4505, ext. 8220 in the parish office. The names are placed in the bulletin for a period of four weeks after which time they are either removed

or placed in the Book of Intentions in the Chapel. In praying for a sick person, we show our solidarity with that person and we remind ourselves to do all that is within our power to help in the healing done through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

St. Michael’s parishioners are in bold, italic print.

We are here to assist anyone with temporary help. If you know some-one from Schererville, Dyer, or St. John who could use help with their NIPSCO bill, rent, or groceries, please have that person in need (due to privacy act) call 322-4505, ext. 8250 and leave a message. The Good Samaritans will be volunteering on a day to day basis. s

Confessions are scheduled for Saturday, March 28th, 3:30-4:30 PM. Please remember the rules of social distancing while standing in line and praying.

As you temporarily participate at Mass by remote viewing, you and your families are encouraged to make a daily Spiritual Communion by praying:

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, Come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there And unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

What goodness are you not seeing in situations or persons that are troubling you? Try to see it from Jesus' perspective.


Now is the perfect time to sign up for our text alert system, Flocknote, in order to receive important updates about the latest developments pertaining to Saint Michael Parish during these turbulent times. Signing up is simple, just create a text with the word MIKE, and send it to the number 84576. You will receive a response with a link that allows you to opt in. Click the link and fill out the form with your personal information. You will then receive the option to choose the ministries and groups from which you would like to receive updates. And that’s it! It couldn’t be easier. If you have any questions whatsoever, then contact Steve at 219-322-4505 ext. 8263 for assistance.


Cemetery Clean-Up Outdoor activity is encouraged as the weather starts to get nicer. One place families can visit is the cemetery. While there, families can help clean up pinecones, sticks and litter as well as remove old decorations from the gravesites. This will help our cleaning crew as they come in and do their share of clean up. Please remember to follow the guidelines for social distancing and spreading of germs.

All Items You Wish To Save Must Be Removed From The Gravesites

Please remove all the decorations that you wish to keep from your cemetery grave sites so that St. Michael’s maintenance crew can start clean-up as soon as possible (weather permitting). Eternal lights & attached vases can remain. If there are any Christmas decorations that remain and seem in good condition, are artificial, and have not blown off the grave sites they will be left on the south side of the storage shed on the east side of the cemetery. Everything else will be disposed of and the Decorating Rules & Regulations, (available at most entrances to the cemetery) will be str ictly followed after the clean-up is finished. It is hoped that the cemetery will be ready for Easter decorations. Below is the list of Cemetery Regulations. Please take the time to read this.

Quality, NOT Quantity makes for a beautiful cemetery.

The placement of natural and artificial flowers as well as plastic vigil lights are permitted on all graves. They are to be only placed within 16 inches in front of the grave marker. They are not to be placed on the sides, behind, or extend beyond the grave marker and may not exceed 18 inches in height. Trees, bushes or evergreens are not allowed. Flower beds are to meet these specifications also. Fresh flowers are to be placed in plastic or metal containers.

DO NOT PLACE ON ANY GRAVE Metal or glass objects of any kind, shepherd hooks, glass, statuary, fences, concrete, bricks, mulch, chips, gravel, or decorative stones are strictly prohibited. Regular candles are not permitted. Any of these objects can be picked up and hurled by mowing equipment, making them a hazard to visitors and the cemetery staff. They will be removed and disposed of immediately, without notice.

Our Lenten Parish Activity

Even though you cannot come to church and place your ribbon on the cross, let us continue to keep the season in our lives and hearts. Here are some examples for you to consider: Prayer-take time to read the Bible, pray for family or special intentions, pray the rosary. Offering-donate money, food or other needed items to a charitable organization, participate in Operation Rice Bowl, give your time and talent to someone in need. Sacrifice-give up sweets, that special cup of coffee, television, texting, computer games or time, gossiping, etc. Sacrifices can also be that one thing you don’t want to do but should.


Congratulations to the new members of the councils and boards. Blessings for these new members will be received at a later date. Pastoral Council 2020 -2023 Linda Kinzer Janice Malinowski Donna Krieps Barbara Naatz

Faith Formation Council 2020 -2022 Monica Drzewiecki Michelle Baumgarten John Wallace Tammy Bougher Gerry Jendraszkiewicz

Finance Council 2020-2022 Martin Lucas

School Advisory Board 2020-2022 Dick Redman

Sports Advisory Board 2020-2022 Carrie Cook John Strantz Robin Olson Greg Evanatz

HSA 2020-2022 Amy Rokita Jillian Lam Erin Rich

Bulletin Schedule for Easter Season

April 12th (Easter) articles are due by April 1st at 9:00 AM. April 19th articles are due by April 8th by 9:00 AM.

Thank you for being considerate of these deadlines.

Donations were made to the St Michael Educational Foundation

in memory of Doris Bohney:

The Bohney Family

Mr. David Bohney

Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Bohling

Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Clark

Mr. & Mrs. James Dinges

Mr. & Mrs. James Grossman

D. Hadar

Mrs. Linda Kinzer

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Malinowski

Mr. & Mrs. Donald Sievert

Mrs. Marlene Townsend

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE

March 15, 2020

Adult $9,062.00 EFTs* $590.00 Children $10.35 Loose $147.00

Total Weekly Offering $9,809.35

*Electronic Funds Transfer


Contributions

Did you know that you can make your weekly or monthly contributions through Electronic Fund Transfers? You can use your debit card, can-celled check or even a credit card. Please call Rhonda at 322-4505, ext. 8239 or Jesica at 322-4505, ext. 8226 to set up a plan or if you have any questions. Also a drop box for your contributions will be available by the parish office in the next couple of weeks.

PARISH OFFICE STAFF

Pastor………………………………………..322-4505, ext. 8220 Rev. Martin J Dobrzynski ….….. [email protected] Permanent Deacon…………………………..322-4505, ext. 8284 Deacon Ron Pyle.... .……..…[email protected] Executive Secretary…………………………322-4505, ext. 8220 Mrs. Monica Wantuch…...…[email protected] Director of Liturgy & Music………………..322-4505, ext. 8227 Miss Debbie Mangione….…[email protected] Pastoral Associate………………………………….322-4505, ext. 8241 Mrs. Janice Gatons………..…[email protected] Finance/Accounting Services Manager……..322-4505, ext. 8226 Mrs. Jesica Cherry.…………[email protected] Campus Facilities Coordinator..…………….322-4505, ext. 8232 Mr. Rick Gilbert………...……[email protected] Bulletin Editor/Clerical Assistant…………...322-4505, ext. 8239 Mrs. Rhonda Haddad……….…[email protected] Accounting Clerk……………………………322-4505, ext. 8234 Mrs. Fran Hintz…………...….…[email protected] Communications Coordinator…….…….…..322-4505, ext. 8263 Mr. Steven Koontz……….…[email protected] Head Sacristan ………...……..……….…….322-4505, ext. 8228 Mrs. Loretta DePrez…………[email protected]

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Office Hours: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM Monday-Friday and by appointment Phone:…………...322-4505 Fax…………...322-4508 Email………………………………[email protected] Website………………………………..www.stmichaelparish.life ST. MICHAEL SCHOOL

Phone…………...322-4531 Fax…………..322-1710 Website………………………..www.stmichaelparish.life/school

Principal Miss Colleen Kennedy………[email protected] School Executive Assistant Mrs. Karen Rapacz…………[email protected]

FAITH FORMATION

Phone ………….322-3077 Fax.…….…...322-1710 .

Director of Religious Education Miss Jessica Yoder……………[email protected] Administrative Assistant Mrs. Mary Jo [email protected]

♦ Avoid close contact with people who are sick. ♦ Cover your cough with a tissue them throw the tissue in the trash. ♦ Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. ♦ Clean and disinfect touched surfaces and objects often. ♦ Stay home when you are sick. ♦ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least twenty seconds. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/COVID19.


SATURDAY MARCH 21 5:00 PM Stu & Alice Wilson SUNDAY MARCH 22 4TH SUNDAY OF LENT 9:30 AM St. Michael Parish (Clement Nwankwo) (For an End to Abortion on Demand and for a Conversion of Heart for those who Provide Abortions) (Anne Karwatka) (George Niebling) MONDAY MARCH 23 7:00 AM Flora Gambini TUESDAY MARCH 24 7:00 AM Bradley Stein WEDNESDAY MARCH 25 7:00 AM Philip Bruno

THURSDAY MARCH 26 7:00 AM Doug DePrez FRIDAY MARCH 27 7:00 AM George & Marlene Sarros Frances Rubick SATURDAY MARCH 28 8:00 AM Ernest Flores 5:00 PM Troy Hartog SUNDAY MARCH 29 5TH SUNDAY OF LENT 9:30 AM St. Michael Parish (Debra Poskin) (Verl Elliott) (Rose Paratore) (Anthony Adducci) indicates deceased

T W (Readings for March 29, 2020, Fifth Sunday of Lent)

I. Ezekiel 37:12-14 The Lord God told the people that soon the graves of the dead would open and they would rise. “I will put my spirit in you that you may live...says the Lord.”

II. Romans 8:8-11 “Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” God, who raised Jesus from the dead, will raise also those in whom the Spirit dwells.

III. John 11:1-45 Lazarus died, and Jesus raised him from death. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will love, and everyone who loves and believes in me will never die.”

As Fr. Marty celebrates Mass in the Convent Chapel each day with the intentions scheduled, please join him in prayer in your homes.

“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”€¦ · 22/3/2020 · For this week and next we...

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