On December 17, 2017, I reported to the parish here in the bulletin the positive results of the

October feasibility survey. The survey was designed to gauge parish support, sentiment, and interest in

addressing several deferred maintenance projects at the parish: school roof and masonry repair, and

the parking lot (estimated at costing $975,000). As was reported, the feasibility findings were very

positive with the vast majority of respondents describing the work as “essential” or “important” and

expressing a willingness to financially support plans to address these needs. In the last few weeks,

plans have begun to launch a Capital Campaign for this winter/early spring.

One of the most important steps of this process has been to assemble a Campaign Committee.

I’ve been fortunate to gather a talented group of parishioners to serve as a steering group for this

campaign. The following have agreed to serve on the Campaign Committee: Jeff & Lori Ernstes,

Darren & Jennifer Hoeing, Elbert Gordon, Ed & Mary Ann Harpring, Kevin & Pam Hoeing, Jason &

Jamey Pavey, Dan & Kim Shanahan, Jonathan & Susan Spaeth, Steve Thoman, and Brad & Stephanie

Tressler. All have extensive experience in parish and school leadership. I am thankful for their

willingness to help in this important endeavor and the next necessary step to ensure the present &

future wellbeing of our parish. Our first meeting will be this week with Ray Coogan of Our Sunday

Visitor. Ray and OSV will be assisting the parish with the campaign.

The Campaign has been titled: Preserving Our Heritage – Honoring 150 Years, Preparing for

Many More. As has been noted, 2018 marks the 150th year of Catholic Education at St Mary of the

Immaculate Conception Parish, Rushville. The school is one of the primary ministries that takes place

in the building which this campaign will benefit. However, I view this campaign as largely a Phase II

of our parish campaign of a few years ago. That successful campaign addressed the central space of

our parish life in worship, the church building. This campaign will largely address the central space of

our parish life in formation and ministry, the school building / parish center.

This week, you will notice we’ve returned to Ordinary Time and green vestments. This will be

short, 4-weeks, transitory season as Lent starts on Wednesday, February 14!

Please mark your calendars now for

Sunday, 28 January 2018 at the

10a.m. Mass. Archbishop Charles C.

Thompson will preside at and preach

this Mass to conclude Catholic Schools

Week and to recognize the 150th

Anniversary of Catholic Education in

our parish. We look forward to

welcoming him.

St Mary, pray for us. ~ Fr. Gries

ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH Forming Saints for Christ and the Church

JANUARY 14, 2018 SECOND SUNDAY

IN ORDINARY TIME

512 North Perkins Street Rushville Indiana 46173

Parish: 765-932-2588 School: 765-932-3639 www.stmaryrush.org

WELCOME TO ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH 2

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Class TODAY, January 14, 2018. Topic: Life in Christ, The Person and Society.

Dusty Wickliff, Laura Keefe, Dr. Larry Burch, Tom Jones.

Kroger Community Rewards: Have you attached St. Mary School to your Kroger Plus Card? Please check the bottom of your Kroger receipt. If not, register online at krogercommunityrewards.com. Choose 10058 or St. Mary School Rushville. This is free money for our school! Call Susan Spaeth at 561-3124, if you have any questions.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS DONATED IN MEMORY OF:

William and Virginia Shanahan George Siefert

Don & Judy Meyer Helen Louise Amos Georgeanna Rose Amos Pat Moran Joseph & Myrtha Moran Mary Jane Moran John D. & Norma Jean Moran Bill & Jean Moran Sister Carmita Moran Ellenora Moran Helen Moran Henry & Leona Siefert Richard & Loretta Busald Paul & Mildred Noel Raymond Busald Betty Green Carl Busald Gloria Moran Charles & Rose Lee Towne Dale & Ruth Clark Fry & Hoeing Families Kathy Ketcham Gus & Clara Niehoff Billy Whittaker Louis & Don Berkemeier Families Cone, Nancy & Bill Oster Bill & Emma Hinton Roger Cain Carol Ann Garland Joe & Marilyn Niehoff Verl Clemons Arnold & Dorothy Dusing Dean Fish Anthony & Elizabeth Rosfeld Family Carl & Margaret Mary Roberts Alfred Blankman Lloyd & Marjorie Emsweller Hahn Family Woody & Rosie McCallister Robert Meyer Elmer & Marcella Leising Shirley Herbert Mr. & Mrs. John Schulte Juliann Hoeing Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Blankman Jim & Helen Bunch Lawrence & Talma Frank Steve Harpring Joe & Marguerite Jarboe Bob Eder Joe & Louise Freese Family Mary Eder Hoeing & Cull Families Benno Harpring John & Martha Leising Carol Hardwick Kenneth & Theresa Darnell John Hood William & Thelma Niehoff Betty Spaeth Michael & Regina Ritzi Douglas Spaeth John & Hilda Spaeth Millie Anne Hoeing Russel & Ruth Coon Holli Spaeth AJ Meyer & Family Sodality Members Gerald & Betty Shanahan Michael & Irene Mueller Lloyd & Marjorie Emsweller Edwin & Loretta Nobbe & Family Harry, Velma, David, Harriett, Beverly Thackery Albert, Hilda, Ralph & Bob Muckerheide Families of Tim & Darlene Marlow

Youth Group News:January 14 from 10a.m. to 1p.m. Youth Mass, lunch and an activity.

Parish Social - Euchre Party: February 10, 2018 after the 5:30p.m. Mass, in the gym. Bring your favorite appetizer. Tea, lemonade and water provided. Every-one is welcome! Please come and enjoy a fun evening. Questions may be directed to Lisa Wagoner.

Needed: 17 volunteers to make 4 dozen cookies or brownies. This is for the Manna Mission Meal held on February 27. Please contact Lisa Wagoner at 812-593-0790. Thank you, in advance.

JANUARY 14, 2018 * SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 3

Sunday Offerings January 7, 2018

Adults (98 Envelopes +16 Loose Checks) $ 8,999.00 Youth (3 Envelopes) $ 7.00 Loose $ 380.30

Total $ 9,386.30 Sunday 1/7/18 $ 9,386.30 Regular Maintenance & Utilities $ 355.00 Votive Candles $ 56.00 Food Pantry $ 443.00 Propagation of Faith $ 40.00 TOTAL 1/7/18 $ 10,280.30 Mass Attendance 1/7/18 - 491 MARRIED COUPLES RENEWAL RETREAT, Feb. 17 -

Sponsored by the Connersville Deanery at St. Mary, Rushville. The retreat will be held on Saturday, February 17 from 1-8:30p.m. Cost is $50 per couple, Dinner included. Space is limited and the deadline to register is February 7. Make checks payable to ‘Connersville Deanery’ and mail it, with the form provided, to St. Mary Catholic Church, 512 N. Perkins St., Rushville, IN 46173.

Mass Schedule: January 15 - 21

Monday 8:30a.m. No Mass Tuesday 6:30p.m. Leona Oesterling Wednesday 8:30a.m. Bob Muckerheide Thursday 8:30a.m Tom & Henrietta Land Friday 8:30a.m. Evelyn Hammond Saturday 5:30p.m. St. Mary Parish Sunday 7:30a.m. Justin Schroeder 10:00a.m. Vernie Comer

Adult Faith Opportunity BIBLE STUDY Psalms: The School of Prayer

Jan. 17 8. Psalms of Suffering & Lament Jan. 24 9. Penitential Psalms

Wednesdays 7-9p.m. School Multipurpose Room. Bring your Bible & Catechism!

Faith + Fellowship + Fun

January 14 - Session 14 January 21 - Session 15

Date Pledge Cards Pledge Amount 1/4/18 203 $38,180 Goal 432 $19,541 % of Goal 47% 195%

MARRIED COUPLES RETREAT REGISTRATION

Couple Names _____________________________

Phone _______________________

Email ____________________________________

Dietary restrictions __________________________

Do you need babysitting? Yes_____ No _____

If yes, age of children _________________________

When donating cash or a check in the Sunday collection using a plain envel- ope, please remember to write your name and the type of offering on the outside of the envelope. This will ensure proper credit to your parish contribution record. Thank you!

January Food Pantry Needed Items: Pork and Beans and Macaroni and Cheese Thank you for your generosity.

Staff Rev. Jeremy M. Gries, Pastor frgries@stmaryrush.org Debbie Spaeth, Administrative Assistant dspaeth@stmaryrush.org Jill Kuntz, Administrator Religious Education jkuntz@stmaryrush.org Amaranta Kemple, Youth Group Coordinator akemple@stmaryrush.org Sherri Kirschner, Principal skirschner@stmaryrush.org Ashley Busald, School Secretary abusald@stmaryrush.org

Parish Office Hours Monday-Thursday......8:30a.m.-4:30p.m. Friday………………….8:30a.m.-Noon

Our St. Mary Prayer Line Regenia Ripberger 765-561-1179 Lisa Wagoner 812-593-0790 - 765-663-2444

Parish Council - Chair: Shawn Adkins

Finance Council - Chair: Elbert Gordon

School Commission - Chair: Susan Spaeth

Baptism Call the parish office for scheduling.

Reconciliation/Confession Saturday…4:30p.m.- 5:15p.m. Tuesday…...6:00p.m.6:25p.m.

Marriage

Engaged couples must meet with the Pastor to com-plete initial marriage paperwork at least 9 months before the anticipated wedding date and prior to making any other arrangements concerning the wedding.

Abortion Alternatives Birthline Mon.-Fri. 317-635-4808 Option Helpline 24/7 1-800-712-HELP

Servers – January 20 & 21 Sat. 5:30p.m. Evan Moore, Katie Ripberger, Megan Alexander Sun. 7:30a.m. Hayden Walls, Tyler & Jacob Amos 10:00a.m. Richard Barnes, Mitchell Cowan, Alexis Fenimore Lectors—January 20 & 21 Sat. 5:30p.m. Rita Corn Sun. 7:30a.m Lori Hoeing 10:00a.m. Mary Beth Burklow Extra-Ordinary Ministers - January 20 & 21 Sat. 5:30p.m. Julia Jessup, Alan Niehoff, Steve Richards Sun. 7:30a.m Regenia Ripberger, Susie Odum, Jerry Rudolf 10:00a.m Kevin & Debbie Banks, Steve Pavey Ushers for January, 2018 Sat. 5:30p.m. Wayne & Sue Munson Sun. 7:30a.m. Steve Wagner & Joe Niedenthal 10:00a.m. JD & Kris Herbert Ministers to the Sick: Jan.15 Linda Jenkins Jan. 22 Janet Pike Money Counters: Jan. 16 (Tuesday) Rose Hoeing, Jane Niccum, Linda Shanahan, Margie Liggett Jan. 22 Nancy Newbold, Lucille Hinton, Diana Leising, Donna Land Food Pantry Volunteers: Jan. 17 Dave Moeller, Karen Hall, Danny Hoeing Jan. 22 (Restock) Danny & Susan Hoeing

Welcome to St. Mary Parish! You are invited to stop by the parish office and register to become a part of our

parish family.

New Parishioners

Ministry Schedules ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH 512 North Perkins Street, Rushville, IN

Parish: 765-932-2588 † School: 765-932-3639

If you or any member of your family have attend-ed St. Mary School, please send your information to Cheryl Riggs at CLRXRAY@ yahoo.com. The committee needs old school pictures, class composite pictures, and any memorabilia you might have. Marilyn Spilman and Marty Conner-ly are looking for alumni to interview. Contact Marty Connerly at 317-402 3719; meo49.connerly@gmail.com or Marilyn Spilman at 765-561-6986; marilyn.spilman@ e-farmcredit.com.

SLEEPING MATS FOR THE HOMELESS: Plastic bags (Kroger, Walmart, etc.) are needed for this project which is being done by several Rush County residents! Bags can be dropped off at the parish office. Anyone interested in joining this group can contact Ruth Ko-elmel 765-969-6757 or Linda Shanahan 765-645-5279.