The New Albany deanery is looking for new members to SALT, the Student Ambassador Leadership Team! Dedicated to the Great Commission in Matthew 28, our Lord tells us to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations”. Teens selected to SALT will be formed in Christian discipleship and peer ministry. Members will act as ambassadors of their faith while heading and promoting deanery programs and events geared toward middle school students throughout the year. SALT will also engage their peers in Christian fellowship and be a witness to their faith by living the Gospel and challenging the expectations of teen culture in 2019. This will require sacrifices of time and talent. SALT members are required to attend DWEEK from Monday June 10th to Thursday June 13th. D-Week or “Discipleship Week” is hosted by Net Ministries in Maria Stein, OH. For an application form or to learn more about this opportunity, go to catalystcatholic.org or contact St. Mary’s Parish Office at (812) 952-2853.

A great new selection of Catholic resources from Lighthouse Media, Dynamic Catholic, Real Life Catholic and Care Notes will be on display this week in the entryway of the Parish Life Center. These great resources are perfect for your own reflection, consideration and prayer… or can be shared with friends and family! To help us continue to provide these valuable resources, a suggested donation (at very reduced prices) is marked on each item. Included in this selection is Praying with a Pen (click to learn more).

Saint Meinrad Archabbey’s pilgrimages to honor the Blessed Mother at the Monte Cassino Shrine have been scheduled for the Sundays in May. Each pilgrimage begins with an opening hymn and a short sermon, followed by a rosary procession. The service ends with the Litany of the Blessed Virgin and a hymn. Services begin at 2 p.m. Central Time. The public is invited. Monte Cassino Shrine is located one mile east of the Archabbey on State Highway 62 in St. Meinrad, IN. For more information, including a full list of speakers and topics, call Mary Jeanne Schumacher during business hours at (812) 357-6501 or call (812) 357-6611 on the day of the event.

Been wondering what it’s like to serve God as a Franciscan friar? Perhaps God is calling you to a religious vocation. Perhaps you're uncertain, but would like to learn more. The Conventual Franciscans are offering a Come & See Retreat, at nearby Mount Saint Francis, IN. Meet Franciscan priests and brothers, talk to some of our students in formation (seminary) and see first-hand what our life is like. Spend some time in prayer and fraternity to listen to the call of the Lord. The retreat weekend provides an opportunity for reflection and to learn about Franciscan life Friday, May 3 (7pm) through Sunday, May 5 (1pm). There is no cost for the weekend. Contact Friar John Bamman, OFM Conv. for more information or to register by calling (419) 396-1523 or emailing franvoc@aol.com.

All ages are welcome to attend St. Mary's annual kick off to Holy Week, the Simple Soup Supper. Guests are invited to bring a pot of homemade soup or a loaf of bread to share with others. After the meal, which will be held at 5:30pm on Sunday, April 14, we will hear from guest speaker Fr. Christian Raab. Originally from Michigan City, IN, Fr. Christian Raab entered Saint Meinrad Archabbey in 2003, professed solemn vows in 2008, and was ordained to the priesthood in 2009. Fr. Christian taught history and theology at St. Benedict High School in Chicago, IL, served as a priest-in-residence at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC and is the co-editor of The Tradition of Catholic Prayer (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2007). In addition to duties on the faculty and formation staff of Saint Meinrad, Fr. Christian is coordinator of the "One Bread, One Cup" College Ministry Internship Program. He has extensive experience in high school and university campus ministry and loves working with young people.

St. Mary Catholic Church will be teaming up with Repair Affair again in the fall of 2019, providing workers to do various building and remodeling projects throughout Harrison County. (Past projects have included building ramps, repair roofing, winterizing homes, etc.) At this time, we are asking parishioners to consider their own needs, the needs of family and friends, and those in our community. Do you know someone who could use assistance to continue to live independently in their home? If so, please consider submitting a referral for Repair Affair before May 31. Priority will be given to homes that need work to make them safer or more accessible for the elderly and low-income residents in our county. Referrals should be made, in person, at Harrison County Community Services (101 Hwy 62/ Corydon, IN) or by calling (812) 738-8143.

As Spring Break ends, our sights shift to summer vacation. And what better way to vacation than Vacation Bible School?!  We are looking to pull together a team of enthusiastic leaders to help make this the best year yet!  If you have an interest in being a part of this team contact Sara Trickle in the Parish Office at (812) 952-2853 or email sarahollowell@frontier.com today.

Registration for the annual New Albany Deanery (Clark, Floyd and Harrison County) High School mission team is now open! Every year a group of young Catholics endeavor to put their faith in action. The weeklong mission trip, July 9-14, to Campton, Kentucky is based on hard work, prayer, honest discussions, and exciting socials. For more information contact Sara in the Parish Office or check out details and registration at www.catalystcatholic.org.

Get Novena prayers delivered to your inbox and never forget to finish a novena again! Check out www.praymorenovenas.com. In addition, to helpful reminders, the site also provides a searchable list of novenas for every intention as well as seasonal novenas. Feel the power of praying together with thousands of people throughout the world.

St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities reminds all parishes that mother/baby and household goods are available free of charge on a first come, first served basis to any family in need. Whether you or someone you know needs assistance, please feel welcome to  Marie’s Community Distribution Center (305 E. 7th St. / New Albany, IN) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am-2pm.  Currently, the organization has a large stock of boy’s and girl’s clothing (newborn-size 6) for all seasons on hand. Whether children need longer pants to get through the last cold days of winter or the next size up in preparation for warmer weather, Catholic Charities is able to help!

The Knights of Columbus, New Albany Council and Assembly #244, are hosting a premiere of the film, “Unplanned” Great Escape Theatre (300 Professional Ct./ New Albany, IN) on March 28. The screening starts at 7:00pm with tickets available for pick up in the lobby between 6:15 and 7pm on a first come, first served basis. Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to reserve their ticket by providing their name/phone/email address at (812) 923-9344 or by emailing kofc1221@gmail.com. The movie is the true story of Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood high achiever. She was, at the time of her employment, the youngest clinic director in the nation. But what she saw, when assisting an abortion first-hand, changed everything. Johnson, who wrote a book by the same name in 2011, noted, the film is about the “amazing, ready mercy of Jesus Christ that is available to everyone—whether you’ve been touched by abortion or not—that Christ is so ready to redeem us.” The movie is rated “R” and children under 17 are not permitted without an adult

Stream Real Life Catholic now on Prime Real Life Catholic, a new series that dives into everyday life with everyday people: working, serving, building, exploring, and showing how amazing faith makes life. Go crawfishing, hang-gliding, cheesemaking, surfing, and more as host Chris Stefanick takes you around the world—diving into the lives of real life Catholics. This fun escape that’ll inspire you to live everyday life with more faith, hope, and love. Is now available to stream online for free with an Amazon Prime account. A copy of the series is also available to borrow on the parish bookshelf in the first-floor hallway of the Parish Life Center.

A great new selection of Catholic resources from Lighthouse Media, Dynamic Catholic, Real Life Catholic and Care Notes will be on display this week in the entryway of the Parish Life Center. These great resources are perfect for your own reflection, consideration and prayer… or can be shared with friends and family! To help us continue to provide these valuable resources, a suggested donation (at very reduced prices) is marked on each book. Watch the bulletin for “feature” titles and descriptions.

St Michael (Bradford), St. Bernard (Frenchtown), & St. Joseph Church (Marengo) will be hosting a parish mission featuring Rev. JR Hadnagy, OFM Conv. on Sunday, March 31 through Wednesday, April 3. All neighboring parishoners are invited to attend the mission, which will be offered each evening at 7pm at St. Michael Church (11400 Farmers Lane / Greenville, IN). “Seeing the Beauty of God in our Faith” is the four-night focus of the mission retreat. Using proclamation, preaching, story, humor, and ritual action, Fr. JR will lead participants into four nights of reflection that will focus on looking at our faith and the beauty that can be found there. Fr. JR is a Conventual Franciscan Friar. He was previously a pastor at St. Joseph Hill Parish in Sellersburg but has most recently been at Our Lady of Consolation Basilica in Carey, Ohio and surrounding parishes. Hospitality will also be offered each evening in the Parish Life Center. All are welcome!

Our parish seminarians, Deacon Ross Caniglia and Peyton Plessera, will host the final Devotions 101 workshop on Wednesday, March 13 at 6:30pm. This workshop is for those wishing to learn more about Catholic devotions and implement at new form of prayer into their Lenten routine. Topics covered will include novenas, Lectio Divina, the rosary, prayer with Sacred Art, and much more! Whether you have a personal devotion already or do not even know what a devotion is, this workshop is for you! Join us as we spend 40 days growing in prayer!

If you came to Reboot (or even if you didn't), you may have heard of the ROOT GROUPS launching in our parish and in our deanery! What a great opportunity to meet with others who are in the same stage/age of life and striving to become stronger in their faith! Join us our ROOT GROUP launch - beginning this week! Register now at the following link!

The annual Lenten Men’s Prayer Breakfast series will soon begin. Men of all ages are invited to join this ecumenical group at 7:00 am each Saturday during the season of Lent for prayer, fellowship and reflection. Each event will conclude by 8:00 am. There is no need for a reservation. A free will offering is accepted and donated to local needy causes. This series of breakfasts are for men and their sons so that they may fellowship with other men seeking a closer relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We especially invite any men who are not members of any of the participating churches to join us at one or all of the breakfasts. If you wish further information please call Jerry Reinhardt at (812) 952-2800. Click on the title to see a full list of dates and locations for 2019.

The Stations of the Cross devotion, also known as the Way of the Cross, has been practiced by Roman Catholics for many centuries. The traditional Stations of the Cross follow fourteen events of Jesus' Passion and death and conclude with a reflection on His Resurrection. The Stations of the Cross provide the faithful with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of God's immense love and their faith in the Resurrection. Please make plans to join us in prayer every Friday during Lent at 7pm for this moving prayer service led by our pastor, Fr. Bob St. Martin. Little Black Books return for Lent 2019 Little Books are based on the writings of the late Bishop Ken Untener and have been crafted to help you explore your relationship with Christ this Lent. These pocket-sized booklets are available at the entrance to Church and Parish Life Center. Please feel free to take an additional copy for those who are homebound.

The “40 Days For Life Prayer Vigil” to end Abortion in our country begins on Ash Wednesday March 6 and ends on April 14, 2019. St. Mary’s prayer time opportunity will begin on Tuesday March 12 from 7pm to 9pm and will continue each Tuesday at this hour for five weeks (3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, and 4/9). The vigil will be held at the EMW Women’s Surgical Center (Abortion Clinic) located at 138 West Market Street, Louisville, Kentucky. A sign up sheet will be placed at the entrances of the church next weekend so that those wishing to participate can indicate their dates/times preferences. You may also call Ken or Yvonne Abell at (812) 267-6747 to sign up for preferred date. A special thanks to all St. Mary’s parish members who have previously joined us in this prayer vigil.

We are all called to be saints! What does that look like? Fr. Michael Gaitley, in his study of 33 Days to Merciful Love leads us to this goal. This six week DVD Course will begin on Monday night, March 11 (6:30pm to 8pm) in the parish center. The book, 33 Days to Merciful Love will be needed for this course. Retreat Companion Packets are also available for those who desire. All material for course can be viewed at the introductory session on March 11. For prior viewing or to register, please contact group leader Yvonne Abell (812) 705-0107.