Dear Parishioners,

There are two items I am going to mention in this space today. First, Bishop Doherty has approved our Pastorate calling itself “St. Isidore the Farmer.” This approval is in response to a request made by our Pastorate Pastoral Council some time ago. We wanted to have a saint’s name rather than a geographical designation. This does not in any way change the existence of any of the six parishes of our pastorate. It simply gives a common name to identify us. We suggested St. Isidore because he is the patron saint of farmers and the U.S. National Catholic Rural Life Conference. It will take some time to reflect this change, for example, on our letterhead. We hope to have a pastorate celebration on the Memorial of St. Isidore which is May 15. Second, we rejoice to have 6 catechumens in our pastorate. Jack and McKenna Kuntz were accepted into the Order of Catechumens this past Sunday March 12 during the Mass at 9AM at St. Joseph, Kentland. Josh, Logan, Hudson and Brooklyn Ratts became Catechumens during the Mass at 5:30PM on March 18 at St. Patrick, Oxford. This is an important step toward their receiving the Sacraments of Initiation during the Easter Vigil in 2024. Please pray for them and all who are seeking Full Communion with the Catholic Church. I also need to mention that because of a meeting Fr. Peter and I need to attend on March 20, Mass that day will be celebrated at 7AM in Oxford and 6PM in Kentland.

Fr. Richard Weisenberger