St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

09/24/2026

Oh Father Augustine How We’ve Missed You!!

09/18/2026

09/17/2026

🙏❤️ WHEN GOD PUTS THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT PLACE ❤️🙏

There are moments when we are reminded that God is working long before we ever see the finished picture.

For months, there have been conversations, meetings, plans, prayers, generous hearts, and so many people quietly working behind the scenes for the children of St. John the Baptist Catholic School. This week, we had the blessing of watching all of that come together.

Through Extra Yard for Teachers , School Specialty, Notre Dame Fighting Irish Athletics , ACE - Alliance for Catholic Education, $50,000 was invested into transforming Father Jacobs Hall and our school kitchen—a space where our children gather each day to eat, laugh, build friendships, and simply be together.

What a beautiful reminder that caring for God’s children happens in so many ways. Sometimes it is teaching them about Christ. Sometimes it is praying with them. Sometimes it is making sure they have a warm meal and a welcoming place to sit. All of it is service. All of it is love. ❤️

And in the middle of celebrating our children, God allowed us to celebrate one of the people who works so faithfully for them.

Our own Samantha “Miss G” Grant was called forward and presented with $1,000 for classroom supplies by the College Football Playoff Foundation in recognition of her commitment to the students and families of St. John’s.

For Miss G, it was an emotional reminder that the quiet work matters the conversations, the advocating, the dreaming bigger for our children, and continuing to use even the smallest voice when you believe God has placed something on your heart.

Through tears, she said something we think is worth remembering:

“It takes a tiny voice to become a big leader, and they heard my tiny voice.”

Perhaps that is one of the greatest lessons from this entire day. God does not ask us to have the loudest voice. He simply asks us to faithfully use the one He gave us. And when each person offers their gifts in service to others, beautiful things can happen.

We are deeply grateful for every person and organization who listened, gave, planned, worked, prayed, and believed in the children entrusted to our care.

Our school is not separate from our parish it is one of the beautiful ministries of our parish. And seeing others pour so much love into our children is a blessing for our entire St. John the Baptist family.

We hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch this news segment and share in a very special day for our parish and school. ❤️

May everything happening within these walls always point back to the One who makes it all possible.

To God be the glory.

🙏 St. John the Baptist, pray for us.

(An extremely special Thank you to WNDU for the phenomenal coverage as well as WSBT-TV we are so appreciative 🥹)

09/16/2026

Together, We Come Before Him in Prayer 🤍

Over these past days, so many hearts across our community have been joined together for Vanessa and Alexa. We shared. We searched. We hoped. And above all, we prayed. Now, as the families wait for answers, those prayers do not end. We continue to lift Vanessa and Alexa, their families, their children, and all who love them into the loving hands of our Lord.

Now, we pray.

We pray for two young women, their families, their friends, and especially their children. We pray for every person who searched, shared, offered help, or simply whispered their names to God over these past days.

We join our friends at Sts. Casimir & Adalbert Parish, South Bend, IN who will be gathering for a Holy Hour and Mass Today Wednesday, September 16 at 6:00 PM, offered in prayer for Vanessa Bautista and Alexa Navarro, their families, and all those who love them.

We invite our community to join them in prayer. Let us sit beside these families in the way we know how, before our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, surrounding them with prayer when words simply are not enough.

Lord Jesus, receive every prayer this community has carried for Vanessa and Alexa. Hold their families close, shelter their children beneath your loving care. Blessed Mother, wrap your mantle around their children and families and remain beside them in every moment ahead. May Vanessa and Alexa rest in the eternal light and peace of Christ, and may those who love them never walk through this alone. Amen. 🤍

Vanessa and Alexa, you remain in the prayers of a community that came together for you and will continue praying for those holding you both so very close.

09/11/2026

🇺🇸 We Remember. We Pray. We Entrust Them to God. ✝️

On this September 11th, we remember in prayer the innocent lives lost, the first responders who gave everything in service to others, and the families who still carry the weight of that day.

As Catholics, we know that death does not have the final word. Our hope rests in Christ and in His promise of eternal life. Today, we ask our Lord to welcome the souls of the departed into His loving arms and grant comfort and peace to all who mourn.

We also pray for our country that God may guide us toward peace, strengthen us in times of trial, and help us remember the unity, compassion, and love for neighbor that arose from such tremendous sorrow.

🙏 Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

🇺🇸 September 11, 2001 — We will never forget.
✝️ United in faith. United in prayer. United in Christ.

08/22/2026

🔥🚨 TODAY IS THE DAY! 🚨🔥

The St. John the Baptist Annual Block Party & Car Show is happening TODAY from 10 AM–3 PM! 🎉🏎️

We’ve got a BIG day waiting for you:

🎮 Dellstar VR Mobile Arcade — 10 AM–NOON!
🎣 Reelin’ Family Fishing Fun
🏎️ Tons of cars to check out
🛍️ Local vendor booths
🍖 Delicious food
🎶 Music
🎉 Activities & family fun — and MORE!

Bring the kids, bring your friends, come hungry, and plan to stay awhile! There is truly something for EVERYONE today. ❤️🤍🖤

📅 TODAY — August 22
⏰ 10 AM–3 PM
📍 3616 St. John’s Way, South Bend

🚨 And don’t forget — the Mobile Arcade is only here from 10 AM–NOON, so come early! 🚨

It’s going to be an incredible day at St. John’s. We’ll see you at the BLOCK PARTY! 🙌🎉🏎️

08/21/2026

❤️ It’s Never Goodbye… Just See You Later, Father Patrick Ernst! ❤️

This morning was a bittersweet one at St. John’s as our students and staff gathered to celebrate and thank Father Patrick Ernst for the incredible blessing he has been to our school and parish this summer. 🥹

While Father Augustine has been away, Father Patrick stepped into our St. John’s family and brought with him so much joy, kindness, faith, and love. From spending his summer with us to being here for those precious first days of a brand-new school year, he has truly left his mark on our students, faculty, and staff. Our students have absolutely loved having him in our halls, celebrating Mass with him, talking with him, laughing with him, and simply getting to know the wonderful person behind the collar. ❤️

This morning, our Spartans got the chance to say “thank you” in the sweetest way—with a school-wide poster filled with love from our students and staff and a small gift for him to take along as a reminder of the little school in South Bend that will always be cheering him on.

As Father Patrick spends his final weekend with us before enjoying a little time at home and then beginning his journey back to Europe, we send him with so many prayers for safe travels, wonderful adventures, and countless blessings wherever God leads him next. 🙏

Father Patrick, thank you for choosing to spend this chapter with us. Thank you for the smiles, the laughter, the prayers, the Masses, and the love you poured into our St. John’s family.

A little piece of St. John’s will always travel with you, just as a little piece of you will always remain here with us. ❤️

So this certainly isn’t goodbye…

It’s simply, “See you later, Father Patrick.” 🥹🙏❤️
Once a part of our St. John’s family, always a part of our St. John’s family.

08/19/2026

🚨 THIS SATURDAY — THE BLOCK PARTY IS THE PLACE TO BE! 🚨

We’ve been working hard to make our Block Party & Car Show a day that’s really about bringing our kids, families, parish, and entire community together and we’ve been keeping one pretty exciting surprise under wraps. 🎮👀

A MOBILE ARCADE IS COMING! 🕹️🎮✨

Deacon Summers has been working SO hard on making this special surprise happen, and we’re finally ready to share it. Our kids will get to climb inside a mobile gaming arcade, grab a controller, and play with their friends right in the middle of all the Block Party fun.

And that’s just ONE of the things waiting for you Saturday…

🎈 Tons and tons of activities for the kids
🎮 The Mobile Arcade
🚗 Tons of amazing cars to check out
🍖 Some of the BEST barbecue around
🛍️ So many awesome local vendors
🎉 Games, entertainment, family fun & so much more

Bring the kids, let them play, grab some incredible food, shop our local vendors, check out the cars, and spend the day enjoying everything we have planned.

📅 THIS SATURDAY
⏰ 10:00 AM - 3 PM
📍 St. John the Baptist Catholic School — South Bend

So bring your family, bring your friends, come hungry, and make sure the kids are ready to have some FUN. ❤️🤍🖤

Saturday is going to be a BIG day at St. John’s.