St. Anthony of Padua Catholic ChurchAngola, Indiana

  • Home
  • Our Parish
    • Become a parishioner of St. Anthony's >
      • Registration Form
    • Staff
    • Pastoral Council
    • Finance Council
    • Franciscan Friars
    • Our Mission Statement
    • Our History
    • Safety at our Parish >
      • Volunteer Information
    • Report Child Abuse
  • Events
    • Weekly Bulletins
    • Ministry Schedule
    • 2018 Annual Bishop's Appeal
    • 2019 Fulfillment of the Promise >
      • 2018 Building Project Committee
      • 2018 Fund Raising Committee
      • 2017 Fulfillment of the Promise Campaign
      • 2016 Steering Committee
    • Parish Town Hall Meeting
    • Pilgrimage to Carey
  • Mass Schedule & Sacraments
    • Advent & Christmas 2019
    • Lent 2019 >
      • Preparation Day for Easter
    • Easter 2019
    • The 7 Sacraments
    • Baptism
    • Marriage Preparation
    • Eucharistic Adoration through the Night
    • At the Death of a Loved One
  • Ministries
    • Altar & Rosary Society
    • Hispanic Ministry
    • Human Life and Dignity
    • Knights of Columbus >
      • Reverse Raffle 2018
      • March for Life 2019
    • Media Outreach Commission
    • Suicide Prevention
  • Faith Formation
    • Children's Religious Education
    • First Communion Preparation
    • Confirmation Preparation
    • High School Catechesis (Youth Ministry)
    • Trine Campus Ministry
    • Young Adults
    • Adult Faith Formation
    • That Man is You!
    • How Do I Become Catholic?
    • Scouting at St. Anthony's
    • Catholic Schools
    • FORMED Video Service
  • Our Blog
  • Support Us
    • Text to Give
    • Planned Giving
  • Contact Us
    • I need a prayer
    • Stay Connected
    • 2019 Parish Directory
    • myParish App
    • Social Media

AN ELECTRONIC HYMN BOARD FOR ST. ANTHONY'S?

11/5/2019

0 Comments

 
This blog entry is part of a series of follow-up articles to the questions and suggestions submitted at the Parish Town Hall Meeting of September 29, 2019. They are mostly written by Fr. Bob.
 

Picture
Church of St. Nicolas in Schroeding, Bavaria (Germany)
SUGGESTION:

"Move the song board to the column by the flowers, closer to the altar. Everyone would be able to see it better."


An excellent suggestion! We've begun talking about this with the musicians, parish staff, pastoral council, etc. We think we have an even better suggestion:
We could get an electonic number board and mount it there, where you suggest. There are several advantages to this: The numbers can be very large if we want (I have seen boards with 12 inch digits!); a lighted board is easier to see, even from a distance; the musicians would no longer need to climb a ladder to change the numbers; any changes to the music could be registered immediately; we could also post the page number in the missalette for the Scripture readings, responses, etc.

The counter-arguments: It affects the aesthetics of the sanctuary, making it more "artificial" and "electronic"; we lose the concrete symbolism of the wooden board; someone has to be trained to control the board; it is one more electronic thing that can go haywire.

Price is not an argument. Electronic hymn boards are actually CHEAPER than old fashioned wooden ones.

In the coming weeks, we'll discuss this more. If you have any opinions - for, against, or neutral - please do let us know! You can comment here, send a note to pastoralcouncil@stanthonyangola.com, or just mention something to Marilee Roederer or Fr. Bob.

Praise the Lord with music!

friar Bob Showers OFM Conv.
0 Comments

CATHOLIC MOMS WHO BLOG

1/21/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Do you know this blog? Check it out! Most of the articles are by "guest moms" from all across North America - just ordinary moms trying to be Catholic in a fast and exciting world, raising children in love. CATHOLIC MOMS GROUP INTERNATIONAL BLOG

Our parish Catholic Moms Group meets every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish Center. Children are very welcome! Come share your experiences with other Catholic mothers and be inspired! For more information, contact our Youth & Young Adult Minister, Cara Molyet, at cara@stanthonyangola.com, 260-316-9636.

Here's a sample blog: How to manage your toddler at Mass, from December of 2017.

Picture
0 Comments

Angola Blessing Box on national webpage

10/2/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture

The Blessing Box Facebook page wrote:

St. Anthony's Catholic Church parking lot at 700 West Maumee St., Angola. Indiana is the home for their new BLESSING BOX!!! Glory to God!!

Thank you Eric Anthony for sharing about the BLESSING BOX. Some of the things he shared was:

"On a sunny but cold and windy Palm Sunday, the traditional start of Holy Week for Catholics and some Protestants, members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Angola along with representatives from St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Angola got together after 6 months of planning to erect the first >Blessing Box< in Angola. So what is a Blessing Box? It's a place where people can donate items that they think that others, especially those in need, might find good use for. And, subsequently, those in need, or who simply need something, can drive or walk up to it and take what is needed any time of day or night, any day of the week. No questions asked. All of the wood, nails and shingles were recycled from the priest's previous residence that was located at St. Anthony's and torn down when the new church was built."

Beautiful with alot of preparation!! Thank you for stepping out in Faith!!

-Blessing Box Community, Crystal Rock Cathedral, Ardmore OK


Picture
0 Comments

On Bad Priests and Judas Iscariot

9/13/2018

0 Comments

 
Nota bene: this op-ed first appeared as Fr. Bob's "Letter from the Pastor" in the SEptember 2018 issue of Catholic 101: A Magazine for Catholics in Steuben County, published by St. Anthony od Padua parish incl. St. Paul's Catholic Chapel. The opinions expressed herein are Fr. Bob's.

In recent weeks, we as Catholics have experienced pain, shame, anger and confusion as a grand jury investigation in Pennsylvania revealed how a number of bishops mishandled accusations of abuse by clergy and other employees of the Church. Such news calls forth all sorts of reactions.

 
Let me say, first of all, that most of these reactions are legitimate. You feel what you feel. You are supposed to get angry at injustice. You are supposed to feel hurt when your family messes up. Sure, of course there are other families that mess up too. But this is my family, and we messed up. It hurts.
 
In my years as a Franciscan friar and as a Roman Catholic priest, I have known and spoken with both abusive priests and victims of abuse. I have worked closely with bishops who took the painful but necessary steps to protect the innocent; and I have had to work with bishops who tried to act like there was no problem. I do not expect perfection. I do expect a minimum of decency.
 
In the midst of this, there are moments of hope. I hope that these news stories, for example, will help parishioners and others understand why we at St. Anthony’s enforce the safe environment rules so strictly. I hope that, if the Roman Catholic Church gets beaten up in the public media, this just might help all of society start to deal more realistically with some big problems that are hurting people everywhere – both in the church and elsewhere. And I hope that it will help me to love appropriately.
 
St. Francis of Assisi said, if you see someone whose life choices you cannot agree with, do not look down upon that person, but look rather into your own heart and examine your own sinfulness, and then ask yourself, how can I love this person more?
 
Jesus loved his apostles, even though he knew that one would betray him, one would deny him, and most of the rest would run away when he needed them most. He chose to love them anyway, and he chose to build his church upon them in all their imperfection and weakness. Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter were both apostles.
 
I pray for those who were hurt. I pray for those whose lives were ruined. And I pray that the People of God – who are the Church – will learn how to care for one another in charity and with patience. “You are God’s chosen ones. Put on, then, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in the Lord.” (Col. 3:12-13)
 
 
Peace and all good,
friar Bob Showers OFM Conv.


_________________________
Postscript:

You can read more about the parish's Safe Environment Program here. To report suspicion of sexual abuse at the church, here is contact information. The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend has recently upgraded its Safe Environment Program, and we at the parish have followed suit. As a pastor, I am well aware that these efforts can be a hardship for our volunteer religion teachers and other parishioners. Some may even feel that we are doubting them or casting suspicion upon them. That is not our intention, of course. Our goal is to nurture a safe environment for all families, children, youth and vulnerable adults, so that everyone can feel welcome, withour fear. Thank you to all the parishioners who help us strive for that safe environment.

0 Comments

FOR IT WAS PREPARATION DAY ...

4/8/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
On the 5th Sunday of Lent - March 18, 2018 - the Parish of St. Anthony of Padua held a "Whole Parish / Whole Family Workshop & Retreat Day in Preparation for Easter". The inspiration was taken from the challenge given by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for the parishes to celebrate multi-generational catechism days "that make Easter and Christmas come alive".
Picture
Picture
Professor Kate Mahon from the University of Notre Dame's Liturgical Theology Department came and helped us along the way. Prof. Mahon provided theological guidance as well as holding a talk for the whole parish and workshops for small groups.

The theme of the day was the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter. The different groups of liturgical ministers - from extraordinary communion ministers to ushers and greeters - held different workshops to prepare themselves to help at the many liturgies of Holy Week and Easter. Other workshops dealt with different aspects of Catholic life in the contemporary world.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
A special part of the day was the children's program, organized by Cathy Bryan and our catechists. There were also workshops in Spanish, and different workshops for youth and young adults.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
After the workshops, we watched the animated movie "Prince of Egypt." The day ended with a celebration of the Solemn Vespers of the Fifth Sunday of Advent.

Fr. Bob and the parish staff thank everyone who made the day a wonderful experience, "making Easter come alive for the whole family".
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Putting the church to bed after a long an succesful day:
Picture
0 Comments

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE - PICTURES FROM THE FEAST

12/20/2017

0 Comments

 

Picturas de nuestra fiesta el 12 dec. 2017 - Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Photographer: Ani Romero
0 Comments

Of Strollers and Walkers

9/14/2017

0 Comments

 
A Culture of Life Blog from the USCCB website

by Mary McCluskey

The parents of a 3-month-old recently wrote to The Washington Post food critic’s online chat to ask about dining etiquette in a city where many restaurants are inaccessible to strollers. The critic responded by complaining about “strollers the size of Zipcars,” but then admitted he wasn’t the parent of an infant and invited readers to discuss the topic. Reader comments varied and expanded the topic to include people who use walkers. The chat provided much food for thought on the many ways that we can welcome those whom others might consider burdensome while we are out and about at restaurants, churches, parks, on transportation, and in public. Our loving welcome may help others soften their hearts and change attitudes toward families with young or elderly members.
Picture
The first commenter suggested that parents eat at off-peak hours to avoid “consternation” from fellow diners. As hard enough as it is to raise children in a city, are we now asking parents to eat dinner out with children only from 2 to 5:00 p.m.? Perhaps as fellow diners we could be patient and under-standing and help when we see a parent struggling with a stroller or a temperamental child. Or suggest that a restaurant have a secure place to stow strollers and walkers.

Recall God’s creation of each of us “in his image”(Gen 1:27), meaning that every one of us is made to be in loving relationship with others. Even the smallest community of love, sometimes as small as two people, mirrors the divine Trinity. Members of a loving community patiently accommodate one another’s needs. My parish during high school displayed this loving acceptance each week as everyone kindly greeted my grandmother making her slow but steady way into church with her walker. On the other hand, I’ve been present at Mass when a priest stopped during a homily and asked a parent to take a slightly noisy child out of the church.
 
"Members of a loving community patiently accomodate one another's needs."
 
How we treat the defenseless and vulnerable among us not only impacts our salvation but also sends a powerful message to those around us. Our acceptance of others can bear witness to their very existence as God’s gift. By our attentiveness and loving assistance, we proclaim that the person in front of us, no matter how young, frailor in need of assistance, is an unrepeatable and precious creation from God. And in turn, we grow in character and virtue each time we choose to sacrifice for another. So, ask yourself, how accessible is my parish to strollers and wheelchairs? Could we install a wheelchair ramp or elevator to be more welcoming to the elderly or disabled? Is there a place to safely stow walkers or canes? Are there diaper changing tables in women’s and men’s restrooms? Or accommodations for parents to participate in the Mass as much as possible if their children become distracting? Perhaps I could smile understandingly when I see a mother and her crying child walking down the airplane aisle toward me, instead of silently praying that they’re not seated next to me. Or learn to be more grateful for the gift of children and families being present in our celebration of the Eucharist.
Picture
Through better accommodations, but more importantly, through open hearts and loving attitudes, we can build up a culture that truly welcomes every life in all situations—even a situation as seemingly insignificant as accommodating stroller storage in a crowded restaurant.

Mary McClusky is assistant director for Project Rachel Ministry Development at the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, US Conference of Catholic Bishops. For confidential help after abortion, visit www.hopeafterabortion.com or www.esperanzaposaborto.com.
How well does our own parish welcome and accomodate older people, parents with infants, the hard of hearing, the seeing impaired, those who do not walk well, people with social difficulties?
0 Comments

    About this Blog Page

    Our Blog is a community project by members of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish in Angola, Indiana USA.

    Archives

    November 2019
    September 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017

    Categories

    All
    Children's Ministry
    For Catechists
    For Parents
    Franciscan
    From The Pastor
    Human Life & Dignity
    Inclusive Church
    Knights Of Columbus
    Liturgy
    Movies
    Parish Events
    Sacraments
    Spirituality
    Young Adult Ministry
    Youth Ministry

    RSS Feed

Home
Weekly Mass Schedule
Contact
700 West Maumee Street
Angola, Indiana 46703
Phone: 260-665-2259
Fax: 260-665-2268
Email: office@stanthonyangola.com