Today, the Bishops across all five Indiana dioceses have issued the following statement on the lifting of the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass: effective June 11, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass is hereby lifted throughout the state of Indiana. Except for the unique situations as described below, those who are otherwise healthy are obliged to return to Sunday Mass by the weekend of June 12-13, 2021. Please read entire document attached.

Ronnie will be available to meet you before and after the movies, to answer your questions and/or concerns. Please see attached information about the movies. * The continuation of these monthly movies depends on attendance during these three months.

We are planning the next Mexico mission trips for Nov 6-13, 2021 and February 12–19, 2022. Of course this is all subject to how Covid 19 is at that time. We would need to know if you are going on the November trip by August 15, 2021 as we will limit the number going to the first 21 missionaries. This is open to anyone-no skills required-just an open heart! For more info contact John Brost @ 765-366-5329 or jbrost60@gmail.com

The diocese is reaching out to all St. Joseph parishes to request a video submission of the church. This video will be on the diocese website attached to The Catholic Moment. This will be in the July 12th edition. They request the videos be in “Landscape” mode. The video and pictures are due by June 4. If anyone would be interested in creating this video, please contact: Jan Goetz 765-884-1818

There has been an increase in students experiencing food insecurity on the weekends this year. The Backpack program sends food home with students in need. The most important part is making sure the food can easily be prepared by a child under 12. There is a list of food item suggestions in the back of church if you need ideas. If you have any questions, please talk to Anne Snodgrass.

We will be holding a Parent Meeting on Tuesday April 6, 2021, at 7 pm at the Sacred Heart Church, to answer your questions about the survey. Tendremos una junta de padres de familia el martes 6 de abril, 2021, a las 7pm en la iglesia del Sagrado Corazon, para responder sus preguntas acerca de la encuesta.

Our Cake Walk will not be open to the public this year due to COVID restrictions. However, we have come up with a way for you to participate. We have created envelopes with a number on them. Stop by the school office, St. Charles, St. Patrick, Sacred Heart, St. Joseph, or St. John Church to pick up an envelope. Put your donation in the envelope and return it to the church collection basket or the school office by March 10. On March 12, a student will walk in your honor during the Cake Walk. We will broadcast the walks live on Facebook from 11:00-11:15 and 1:00-1:15. If your number is chosen, you win! Prizes can be picked up from the school by 3:30 on March 12!

We are re-establishing St. John the Baptist cemetery board. If you are interested in helping with the cemetery, please contact Larry Schellenberger @ 765-775-6611.

If you are doing some purging of household items and would like to donate them for the co-op rummage sale that will be held in the spring of 2021 the co-op is taking items now. You can drop them off at the Co-op at 107 E. Smith St, Oxford on any Thursday starting in January between 9:00 and 6:00 or call or text Judy Platt to arrange a different time, 765-607-3541 or email Christ Sheetz at bcap@capwi.org.

As of March 20-21 the schedule will be: Saturday – 5:00 PM Earl Park, 5:30 PM Oxford, Sunday – 7:30 AM Oxford, 8:00 AM Fowler, 9:30 AM Otterbein (will be livestreamed), 9:00 AM Kentland. ALL TIMES ARE LOCAL. There will be confessions from 4 – 4:45 PM in Earl Park and 4:30 – 5:15 pm in Oxford.

: The General de Lafayette Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus will once again be awarding a $2000 scholarship to two High School Seniors in the Assembly area which includes Lafayette, Otterbein, & Oxford. As most of you are aware the 4th degree has been supporting the youth of our assembly area for many years by awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships. Application form needs to be postmarked by March 26, 2021.

Organist Needed: St. Charles is in need of an organist for the weekend Mass. If interested contact Sally Stacey at sajlstac@aol.com or 765-583-2137.

Lenten Book Study: Women in the Pastorate are invited to join a Lenten Book Study beginning the week of February 22. The book, This Present Paradise by Claire Dwyer, is an invitation into the prophetic life of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and her call to holiness for the laity.

We are in the process of forming a council for our new pastorate. We would welcome any volunteers or suggestions for candidates. Members need to be open to the “Pastorate Idea” Please contact Fr. Weisenberger by Feb. 15th as the council need to exist before March. 219-474-5514, or by email which is listed on the 1st page of the bulletin.

Ways to support Sacred Heart Elementary

We need volunteers to clean/COVID clean the church on a weekly basis. If you are willing to clean, please call Sherry Fischer at 847-902-2121 or the parish office to sign up for a week. The weekly schedule runs from December 28 thru June 14 for those interested. Your help is appreciated.

The work in the church is almost complete. Sunday Mass will resume December 27th @ 10:30 AM. Mon – Wed 8AM & Friday’s @ 6PM

Scrip Gift Card: If you need a gift card, they are still available, please call the pastorate office for St. Patrick’s at 385-2587. Life Teen appreciates your support.