“It’s time! It’s time for us to update our photo directory. I know you are all busy. However, our last directory was printed in 2011. As you look around you today, you will see that we have new families, there have been weddings, and babies, and kids who are young adults now. We’re changing, and a new photo directory will help us capture these changes. We will be photographing all families September 6-10th right here at St. Augustine. Our directory won’t be complete without you. To reserve your time, click on the title of this article or the sign-up title under the "Links" heading, sign up after Mass on the second, third or fourth Sunday of August, or call/email the church office (219-866-5351 or [email protected]). Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of our parish history! Sign up today!

1. Parent meeting for all youth grades K-12 who plan to participate in religious education, peer ministry and youth group this year is scheduled for Wednesday, September 13th at 6:30 pm in the school gym. 2.  All youth grades K-12 are invited to the 2017-2018 Kick-Off on Wednesday, September 20th from 6:30-7:30 pm.  Report to the school gym. 3.  High School Youth who have been Confirmed are invited to an informational meeting regarding Peer Ministry.  This will be part of the Kick-Off on September 20th. 4.  The Annual Food Drive for youth grades 6-12 is scheduled for September 27th.  Information will be provided at the parent meeting.  Contact Kris Dobson if you have questions. 5.  Attention Parents and Youth who have registered to attend NCYC in November.  There will be a short meeting on September 20th at 7:30 pm in the school gym.  All youth and a parent should plan to attend.

Tony Butler is our new Director of Religious Education at St. Augustine.  You have likely seen him around with his wife, Brenda, and their children, Owen, 5, and Norah, 3.  Tony was formerly at St. Joe as Campus Minister.  He holds a Master’s in Theology from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and his undergraduate degree is in elementary education.  He recently began studying for his Doctor of Ministry at Emory University in Atlanta (don’t worry, it’s mostly online).  He is eager to start this ministry, and appreciates your support in the education and formation of our parish.

HELP PLEASE! Birthright is moving on July 29, Sat. 9 am and we need all the muscles that we can get. Come to the Birthright office 116 N Front St. Please do not park in front of the office as we need that space for trucks. There will be pizza for lunch! Please let Germaine know if you can come 866-4206, leave a message. THANK YOU!!

The National Catholic Youth Conference will be November 16-18, 2017. Youth in grades 9-12 for the 2017-2018 school year are invited to attend.  An informational meeting for youth and parents will be held May 31st at 7:00 pm in the church basement.  Please contact Kris Dobson at 219-863-5423 if you are interested in attending NCYC but cannot attend the meeting.  All registrations are due by June 9th

The Middle School Retreat, "Be Not Afraid," was held in May.  Over 40 middle school youth, high school peer ministers, and adult chaperones participated in the retreat.  The retreat focused on finding your true happiness by discerning God's plan for who we are create to be in His image.  The youth participants were a joy to minister to and our high school peer ministers did an outstanding job leading the retreat.   A special thank-you to our adult chaperones who made the retreat possible:  Debra Nagel, Denise Lank, Christy Fleming, Jon Messman, Sid & Kris Dobson, and Mark & Heidi Jordan.  Also, a special thank-you to all the parents who helped transport youth to/from the retreat.  Finally, thank-you to our pastor, Fr. Don, for traveling to Valparaiso to celebrate Mass with us on Sunday afternoon.

Awesome thank you to Linda Miller for her many years serving as President of Christian Women.  The new officers are President-Mary Lee Debb, Vice-President-Ann Dumas; Treasurer-Doris Weiner; Secretary-Sharon Blasky.  More news to follow in the upcoming months

Fr. Samuel J. Kalu, from the Catholic Diocese of Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria, West Africa will be visiting our parish June 3-4th. He has been “on loan” to the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana since 2009, working both as a Judge in the Tribunal office and as a Chaplain at the St. Anthony Health Center in Lafayette.   MISSION DETAILS: The Diocese of Umuahia, a missionary diocese, was established in 1958 and continues to evangelize the people amidst the many challenges that prevail in that part of the world. The funds raised from this Appeal will go directly to the Diocese to help fund Catholic Schools, provide clean drinking water, to train and educate priests for the Church, and to provide a retirement home for priests.  Some of your donations will also help to fund the Diocesan St. Vincent De Paul Center, which takes care of physically or mentally handicapped children, many of whom have no place to go. No amount is too small.   Thank you for “HELPING THE FAITH GROW” in the Diocese of Umuahia.

Friday, April 7 (9 AM – 5 PM) Fill a Grocery Bag for $3.00 Saturday, April 8 (9 AM – Noon) Fill any size bag or box for $1.00 Donated items can be brought to the church basement starting, Monday, April 3 and absolutely NO LATER THAN NOON on Thursday, April 6. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANYTHING BEFORE MONDAY, APRIL 3. Clothing, household items, toys, etc should be clean and suitable for sale. We can no longer accept anything electrical or any baby equipment. St. Augustine’s Church Basement 318 N. McKinley Avenue, Rensselaer DOORS OPEN AT 9:00 AM

Join us for the remaining evening on 4/3 from 6:30-8pm. Sessions take place in a relaxed social environment at the Knights of Columbus. Haven’t been able to attend in the past? Not a problem! Each session is independent. Snacks are provided by the Evangelization Committee. A cash bar is available. Come for the first time or bring a friend & receive a free drink! Dr. Nancy Demartino from Unity Health and Dr. Cecilia May from Arnett Medical will be our speakers discussing opportunities for mercy in times of medical difficulties & their personal experiences. Let’s support them as they have helped so many others in their practice. This should be a insightful session centered around a topic that will inevitably be part of many of our lives. Join us!

Please place your palms from last Palm Sunday in the basket next to the baptismal font. Fr. Don will use them to make ashes for Ash Wednesday. Please cut them into small pieces. Thank you!

St. Augustine Parish is offering meals on select Wednesday evenings, and you are welcome to join us! Come for food and fellowship prior to Wednesday evening programs. Dinner begins at 5:45 pm unless otherwise specified. Join us this Wednesday! 1-25-17  Taco Night   2-1-17 Casserole Night   2-8-17 Breakfast for Dinner 2-15-17 Sloppy Joes   2-22-17 Pasta   3-8-17    Baked Potato Bar 3-15-17  Pizza & Salad 4-5-17 Sub sandwiches 4-12-17 To be determined 4-19-17 Taco Night 4-26-17 Pizza All parishioners are welcome to join us for dinner on Wednesday evenings.  A free-will donation is appreciated.  Contact Theresa Lakin or the parish office if you would like to volunteer to help.

St. Augustine Parish is offering meals on select Wednesday evenings, and you are welcome to join us! Come for food and fellowship prior to Wednesday evening programs. Dinner begins at 5:45 pm unless otherwise specified. Wednesday  November 16 - Casserole Night Wednesday  November 30- Soup & Salad Night Wednesday   December 7- Baked Potato Bar Wednesday   December 14- Pizza Night Thank you to everyone who has helped with the Wednesday evening meals.  All parishioners are welcome to join us for dinner on Wednesday evenings.  A free-will donation is appreciated.  Contact Theresa Lakin or the parish office if you would like to volunteer to help.

The Fruitful Harvest campaign began in October. In addition to the $83,080.00 that is our share of the campaign goal, we are asking for a further $70,606.00 in support of our dovetail projects for 2017: (1) the regrading and resurfacing of our parking lot so that rainwater runoff no longer flows into the school, and (2) replacing the stalls in the school bathrooms and installing a handicapped stall in each. Thus far, we have collected a total of $79,095.00, In the past, much of the funding for our renovation projects has come from contributions made through Fruitful Harvest and returned to the Parish. Please prayerfully consider your support of the Fruitful Harvest campaign and, through it, your support of St. A. If you have yet to make your pledge, please contact the church office at 219-866-5351. Thank you in advance. FD

Join us Thursday, November 10th for faith, fellowship & food! Enjoy our Famous Turkey dinner served from 5-7pm in the basement. Try your luck at the Big Wheel & Raffles in the School Gym. Treat yourself to great items found at the Silent Auction, Christmas & Bake Sale Booths. Enjoy watching your Children participate in Games from 6-8:00pm in the School Classrooms. Bring your family, tell your friends and join fellow parishioners for our Biggest Event of the Year!

Due to preparations for the bazaar, the Old Testament Class will not meet on Wednesday, November 9. Their last meeting will be Wednesday, November 16, instead. Thanks for your understanding.

All elementary youth grades Pre-school through fifth are invited to the Annual Halloween Party.  It is scheduled for October 26th from 6:30-7:30 pm in the school gym.  Activities and food will be provided by the St. Augustine High School youth. Costumes are encouraged but not required.  Participants are encouraged to bring items to donate to the Rensselaer Crisis Center.  Appropriate items include toiletries such as shampoo, deodorant, lotion, and soap, toilet paper, paper towel, hair brushes, combs, hair ties, baby wipes, and new blankets. 

The Middle School Youth are invited to attend the Fall Party.  It is scheduled for October 26th from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Rensselaer Bowling Alley.  Youth should report directly to the Rensselaer Bowling Alley located across from McDonald's.  The evening will consist of 2 games of bowling and dinner.  Bring a dessert/snack to share.  There is no fee for this event sponsored by St. Augustine Youth Ministry.