Archbishop Charles Thompson and the U.S. bishops urge our participation each Friday in a nationwide Novena for the Legal Protection of Human Life, August 3–September 28. Participants will receive weekly email or text reminders to pray and fast, along with little-known facts about Roe v. Wade to share with others. Please sign up at www.usccb.org/pray today and join our parish community in prayer.

Don’t go back to college without it! All 2018 high school graduates and college-age compatriots are invited out for a night of Tacomania craziness with Catholic YouthMinistries! Meet at Mt. St. Francis (101 St. Anthony Dr / Mt. St. Francis, IN) on August 3 at 5 pm. We will travel together to Kraft’s pool complex where tacos, games and general pool shenanigans will take place! Please RSVP by July 30 by texting “George” to 84576 and sign on to the “Tacomania” group. You may also call (812) 923-8355 for more information.

Youth in grades 6 through 8 are welcome to register for the New Albany deanery’s upcoming Safe Sitter® class on September 22 from 9am until 3pm. The course will help participants learn the safety skills needed and best practices of babysitting. The class will be held at Catholic Youth Ministries at Mt. St. Francis (101 St. Anthony Dr / Mt. St. Francis, IN) and has a fee is $20 per participant. Please register by September 14 at nadyouth.org or call 812-923-8355 for assistance.

Batter up! Bring the whole family out for a fun night watching the Louisville Bats take on the Indianapolis Indians on Friday, August 24. Tickets are $8 per person and include reserved seating and a Bats hat! It’s the anniversary of the classic baseball movie, The Sandlot, so the first 2000 fans in attendance will also receive a “Ham Porter” bobblehead. Place your ticket order in the Parish Office no later than August 20. For more information, contact Michelle at (812) 952-2853 or [email protected].

Thirsty Thursdays begins new series Catholic young adults (21-40) are invited to Thirsty Thursday, every Thursday night beginning at 6pm. This group enjoys fellowship, discussion and the new series “The Catholic Faith As We’ve Never Seen It Before.” Contact Philip at (812) 923-8355 or [email protected] for more details. No RSVP required.

Mondays at the Mount will resume on August 20 at 7:00 pm. This will be the first Mondays at the Mount Bible Study gathering since the death of Bro. Bob Baxter, OFM. Conv. All who have attended his “Mondays” in the past are invited for a special sharing session in the Cupertino Room at Mount St. Francis (101 St. Anthony Dr / Mt. St. Francis, IN) led by Bro. Nick Wolfla, OFM. Conv. For more information, call (812) 923-8817.

Can you lend a hand? St. Mary Youth Ministry is in need of volunteers to help kick off our annual Parish Picnic! To accomplish our goal of “the best picnic EVER” in 2018, we will be hosting a work day on Saturday, August 5 from 9am until 4pm. (Lunch will be provided.) Come for the whole day or just a few hours. We will be doing all kinds of projects, including but not limited to setting up a parish museum, building yard games for the children’s area, delivering picnic invitations to neighborhoods surrounding the parish, scrapbooking and setting up a museum display. Your help and creativity is needed! Call Michelle at (812) 952-2853 or fai[email protected] for more information. No RSVP required.

You are invited to attend a DVD series presented by Fr. Michael Gaitley that tells the dramatic story of God’s Love and Mercy as interwoven into the key events of history. It is a perfect opportunity for every parish or person who desires to go deeper into a heartfelt understanding of Divine Mercy and their role in God’s plan. This program will be offered at St. Joseph Church in the Cafeteria on Friday, August 17 (7pm –9pm) and Saturday, August 18 (9am – 4pm, includes lunch). To make sure we can accommodate attendees for lunch please RSVP the St. Joseph’s Parish Office at (812) 738-2742 by Thursday, August 16, 2018. There is no charge for attending this program, however, free will offerings are always accepted. An optional workbook, which covers the material in the program, will be available for purchase at the office or the day of the program if you so choose.

•Has expressed an interest in becoming Catholic? •Has a child over the age of seven who has not been baptized? •Was baptized Catholic as a child, but has not celebrated the Sacraments of Confirmation and/or the Eucharist? St. Mary Church offers an opportunity to come together in a small group to learn more about our Catholic faith. Sessions focus on the teachings and experience of Church and prepare individuals to celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the appropriate time in their faith journey. There are separate sessions for children or youth. You are welcome to participate in the process with your questions, your insights and yours story in a warm accepting setting. For information please contact Michelle Fessel at (812) 952-2853 or [email protected] today. Small group gatherings occur year round, so it is never too early (or too late!) to join in.

Help us fill the Granny’s Attic, our picnic day flea market, with items such as gift certificates, nice craft items, furniture, gently used toys, antiques, wine, collectibles, kitchenware, knick-knacks, etc. Please do not donate electronic equipment (PCs, monitors, printers, TVs, etc.), no clothing or baby car seats. Donations can be dropped off in classroom 105 during business hours. If you have questions or need to arrange a drop off outside of office hours, please contact Deb (812) 786-0414 or Nancy (812) 952-2307.

Each Sunday morning, prior to the 8am Mass, the Holy Rosary is prayed at St. Mary Church. We are in need of several more individuals or couples willing to lead the rosary, reciting the mysteries and prayers. If you are interested in learning more about this ministry opportunity, please contact David or Esther Wheatley at (812) 952-3065. All are welcome to join in and pray the rosary each week before Mass! Please consider joining us, even if the role of leader is not your calling.

Eucharistic ministers are needed for each weekend Mass. Please consider this ministry, follow the linl above for more information.

St. Mary’s Picnic Quilt Money- St. Mary’s Picnic is August 12. One of our main attractions is the quilt booth. For more info click the link above

VBS 2018 registration now open. Register online at www.catholic-community.org/vbs or fill out a paper form at St. Mary’s Parish Office. For more information, contact Rena or Sara at (812 )952-2853. VBS will be held July 16-19 from 6-8:45pm. A family night, which will include an end-of-VBS party and Mass, will also be held on July 21.