Flocknote

St. Michael the Archangel Pastorate

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish | St. Augustine Parish

Friday Flocknote - April 11, 2025

Pastorate Office at St. Augustine

318 N McKinley Ave., Rensselaer IN, 47978

Father Joshua Bennett, Missionary Pastor fr.jbennett@dol-in.org

Marie Oliver, Director of Operations marieoliver@parish.dol-in.org

Grant Allen, Coordinator of Evangelization

Angela Nagel, St. Augustine School Principal

Emma Rozhon, Pastorate Accounting Assistant

Natalia Brady

Administrative Assistant for the Pastorate

A Message from our Pastor

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” – Lk 23:42

This Sunday, we enter the most sacred week of the year—Holy Week. From Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem to His Passion, death, and burial, we are invited to walk with Him every step of the way.

Holy Week isn’t for God—it’s for us (cf. Mk 2:27). In the midst of our busyness, this week calls us to pause, refocus, and encounter Christ’s saving love. After the distractions of spring break or the routines of everyday life, we need this pilgrimage of prayer.

To help you enter more deeply into this Holy Week, our parish and diocese offer many opportunities for worship, reflection, and confession:

Monday, April 14

Mass at Sacred Heart: 9:15am ET / 8:15am CT
Confessions following Mass

Tuesday, April 15

Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Lafayette: 11:00am ET / 10:00am CT
- All are welcome to attend this beautiful diocesan liturgy where the bishop blesses the Holy Oils and priests renew their vows.
Mass at St. Augustine: 6:30pm ET / 5:30pm CT
Confessions after Mass

Wednesday, April 16 – “Spy Wednesday” - This day recalls Judas’ betrayal of Jesus.

Mass at St. Augustine: 9:15am ET / 8:15am CT
Confessions after Mass

Holy Thursday – April 17

Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Augustine: 7:00pm CT/8:00pm ET
This begins the Sacred Triduum—a single, continuous liturgy over three days.
We remember the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood.
Adoration and Confessions continue until Midnight CT.

Good Friday – April 18

Stations of the Cross at Sacred Heart: Noon ET / 11:00am CT
Followed by Confessions
Passion Service at St. Augustine: 4:00pm ET / 3:00pm CT
Includes the reading of the Passion, Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion
Confessions available after the service—these are the final confessions before Easter.

I strongly encourage everyone to make the Good Friday pilgrimage—traveling from Sacred Heart to St. Augustine—mirroring Christ’s journey from the Praetorium to Calvary. Let this be a sacred day of prayer and unity with Christ crucified.

Holy Saturday – April 19 - A day of sacred silence, remembering Christ in the tomb.

Blessing of Easter Foods at Sacred Heart: Noon ET / 11:00am CT
Let this quiet day prepare your heart for Easter joy.

Easter Vigil – Saturday, April 19

The Vigil Mass at Sacred Heart: 8:30pm ET / 7:30pm CT
The high point of the Church year! We celebrate Christ’s Resurrection, the triumph of life over death, and welcome new members into the Church. This “liturgy of liturgies” is a feast for the senses and the soul.

Easter Sunday – April 20

Regular Sunday Mass schedule
If you attend the Vigil, you are not obligated to attend Sunday morning Mass, but both are rich and unique in their own way. As a priest, I find great joy in celebrating both—the rising sun on Easter morning is a powerful reminder of the Risen Son.

Even if your Lent hasn’t gone as planned, it’s never too late to enter into Holy Week. Like the good thief, we can always turn to Jesus and ask, “Remember me…”—and His response is always love: “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Let us walk together with Christ this week. Make it holy. Make it different. Make it matter.

God Bless,

Fr. Bennett

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus – Have Mercy On Us!

Immaculate Heart of Mary – Pray For Us

Sts. Joseph, Michael, Peter, Paul and Augustine – Pray For Us

Second Collection: April 18th

Pope Francis has asked our parish to support the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land, where they are now less than 2% of the population. Through the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, you join with Catholics around the world to stand in solidarity with the Church in the Holy Land, directly making a difference in the lives of those caught up in war, violence and instability in this region. You become an instrument of peace in a troubled land.

St. Augustine School - Universal Choice

Tell Your Senator to Restore

Universal Choice in the Budget

Earlier today, the Senate Appropriations Committee released its version of the

budget. Unfortunately, the Senate's budget did NOT include the universal choice

language that was supported by Governor Braun and introduced by House

representatives in HB 1001.

We need to let the Senate know how disappointed we are that universal choice was removed from their budget. Since the start of the legislative session, legislators have heard from parents and school leaders about the need for universal choice. Dozens of parents and school leaders have testified at the Statehouse, and we have heard from many of you about how badly you want to see universal choice get across the finish line. We have heard from farmers, small business owners, and school leaders who are navigating language barriers with parents about the challenges of the current Choice Scholarship program eligibility. We need universal choice in Indiana!

Send your personalized message today at the link below. Please edit the message to include the impact that universal choice will have on your family or school. Real stories from Hoosier families and school leaders will make a difference in changing the hearts and minds of state senators. Please send your message today!

PLEASE USE THE LINK BELOW TO SHOW SUPPORT OF UNIVERSAL CHOICE, which eliminates the income limitations!
https://inpea.org/for-advocates/legislative-action-center/?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f124914%2fRespond

We are calling on our school communities to be the difference makers in getting universal choice across the finish line! Phone calls to state senators are incredibly important at this time. Use the message below to contact your state senator and tell them to keep universal school choice in the budget and share your personal story. Your senator's legislative assistant will keep track of all the calls in support of universal school choice, so this effort is very important.

A message to our senator is excellent, but a phone call could be even more influential, please call! Our Senator = Rick Niemeyer 800-382-9467

Youth Faith Formation Opportunity

Welcome to the Catholic Faith!

Sacred Heart Church Cleaning for Easter

April 15th starting at 8:30am ET

Bring your favorite cleaning supplies - many hands are needed to get the Lord’s house ready for Easter! Please contact our volunteer, Barb Federer, bmfederer@gmail.com, if you are interested to help clean but not able to attend.

Bunco!

Knights of Columbus

Fish Fry

April: 11 & 18

5-7pm CT

Serving: Pollack, Bluegill, Cod, Tilapia Baked Fish Options, Jumbo Shrimp

Proceeds from Good Friday, April 18th, will go to Birth Right of Rensselaer.

Dine in or carry out, call (219) 866-9938 to place a carry out order.

During their annual Lent Fish Fries, the Knights of Columbus will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Good Samaritan Food Pantry. Parishioners may bring their donations to the Hall during those fish fries.