Flocknote

St. Michael the Archangel Pastorate

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish | St. Augustine Parish

Friday Flocknote - May 9, 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

Good Shepherd Sunday

Mother’s Day

Month of Mary

This Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday, when we hear Jesus declare in the Gospel: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” These words are deeply comforting — reminding us that the Lord is not a distant master, but a personal and loving Shepherd. He knows us intimately, leads us faithfully, and protects us eternally. In this Easter season, when we rejoice in the Risen Lord's victory over death, we are also reminded that He continues to shepherd His flock through His Church and its pastors.

This Sunday also brings another joyful celebration: Mother’s Day. As we honor our earthly mothers, both living and deceased, we turn also to Mary, our heavenly Mother, who watches over us with tender care. May is the month of Mary, and it's no coincidence that this celebration of motherhood falls within it. Mary is not only the Mother of God, but also the Mother of the Church and of each one of us. Her maternal intercession continues to guide and protect us, especially in moments of transition and uncertainty.

That sense of trust and prayer is especially important now as the Church likely celebrates the election of a new Pope (although the conclave's outcome is not yet known at the time of this writing). We continue to pray fervently to the Holy Spirit and to Mary, Mater Ecclesiae (Mother of the Church), for a successor to St. Peter who will be a true shepherd after the heart of Christ — one who hears the voice of the Lord and leads us in unity and truth. As Jesus promised, “No one can take them out of my hand.”

In our first reading from Acts, we hear how Paul and Barnabas brought the Gospel beyond the Jewish people to the Gentiles — a bold and Spirit-filled expansion of the Church's mission. As we reflect on the election of a pope, we remember that the Church continues to grow and stretch to the ends of the earth, encompassing “a great multitude from every nation” as John describes in Revelation. The universal shepherd must serve this global flock with the heart of the Good Shepherd Himself. This is also true here, as we too are called to grow and expand; pray for me to be more and more a model of the Good Shepherd that Christ calls all his priests to be.

Let us take to heart the image from today’s Psalm: “We are His people, the sheep of His flock.” May this Easter season, this Marian month, and this moment of papal succession renew in us a joyful confidence in God’s providence and love.

To all mothers in our parish — biological, adoptive, spiritual — we offer our heartfelt gratitude. Thank you for laying down your lives daily in love. And to Mary, our Mother and Queen, we entrust all the Church, and especially the newly or soon to be elected Pope.

God Bless,

Fr. Bennett

Sacred Heart of Jesus – Have Mercy on Us

Immaculate Heart of Mary – Pray for Us

St. Joseph, Husband of Mary – Pray for Us

Sts. Michael the Archangel, Peter, Paul, Augustine – Pray for Us

Women with Wine

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

We are inviting parishioners to help bring this vision to life. If you have woodworking, sewing, painting, or organizing skills, we welcome your help in creating these special worship spaces for our children!

To learn more about CGS and to see more needed items, click here.

If you have any questions, please contact Angela Nagel.

Email: nagel@s-augustine.org

Phone: (219) 866-5480

Knights of Columbus

Herman Nagel Server Award Donations

Years ago, a few St. Augustine parishioners created a program to honor and reward our altar servers that have continued to serve Mass throughout their entire high school career. These awards are known as the Herman Nagel Server Awards in recognition of Herman Nagel who served St. Augustine Parish his entire life.

Our goal is to provide each qualifying recipient with a cash reward up to $500 at the graduation Mass on June 1st. If you are interested in helping support this program, please contact Marie Oliver. Checks need to be made out to St. Augustine Church with a memo of: Herman Nagel Scholarship Fund. Your financial support is greatly appreciated!

Baby Shower for Birthright

Altar Server Training

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Are you interested in becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC)?

Now is the time!

Contact Father Bennett to let him know that you are interested, fr.jbennett@dol-in.org

Pilgrimage to France 2026

Informational Meeting:

Sunday, May 18th 4pm CT

at St. Augustine Church Basement

Step into centuries of Catholic heritage and breathtaking European beauty on this unforgettable pilgrimage through France. From the bustling heart of Paris to the serene abbeys of La Barroux and the miraculous waters of Lourdes, this 15-day journey is both spiritual retreat and cultural adventure.

Itinerary Highlights

✈️ June 12 – Departure from Rensselaer

Begin your spiritual adventure with group travel to Chicago and an overnight flight to Paris.

🏙️ June 13–14 – Paris

Celebrate Mass in iconic churches such Notre-Dame, as Sacré-Cœur
Guided tour of the amazing Sainte-Chapelle
Free time to
- Stroll the Champs-Élysées and ascend the Eiffel Tower
- Enjoy rich art and history at the Louvre and Sainte-Denis
- Visit Rue du Bac (Miraculous Medal), and St. Vincent de Paul

🌹 June 15–16 – Lisieux

Explore the hometown of Saint Thérèse, “The Little Flower”
Visit Les Buissonnets, Carmel of Lisieux, and Basilica of St. Thérèse
Quiet reflection and Mass in this peaceful Norman village

🪖 June 16 – Normandy Beaches

Honor the fallen at Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery
Pray for peace where history was forever changed

🏰 June 17–18 – Mont Saint-Michel

Explore this island abbey rising from the sea
Guided tours, spiritual reflection, and time to wander the medieval streets

🍷 June 18 – Bordeaux

Enjoy a scenic stop in France’s famous wine region en route to Lourdes

🕊️ June 19–20 – Lourdes

Immerse yourself in the site of Our Lady’s apparitions to St. Bernadette
Participate in the Rosary Procession and bathe in the healing waters
Quiet prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, and personal retreat

✝️ June 21 – Toulouse

Visit the resting place of St. Thomas Aquinas at the Church of the Jacobins

🙏 June 22 – La Barroux

Stay with the Benedictine sisters of Notre-Dame-de-l'Annonciation du Barroux
Visit the monks of the Abbaye Sainte-Madeleine
Experience the Divine Office in Gregorian chant
Free time for spiritual renewal in the lavender fields of the Provence Region of France

🏛️ June 23 – Avignon

Discover the Papal Palace and medieval bridge of Avignon
Free time for shopping and site-seeing in the city

🏙️ June 23–24 – Lyon

Visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière overlooking the Rhône
Explore the early Christian heritage of the Church in Gaul
Discover hidden traboules and savor local cuisine

❤️🔥 June 25 – Paray-le-Monial

Visit the Chapel of the Visitation where Jesus revealed His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary

🕊️ June 25 – Nevers

Venerate the incorrupt body of St. Bernadette Soubirous
Final reflections before your journey home

✈️ June 26 – Return to Rensselaer

Fly home filled with grace, friendship, and unforgettable memories

💼 What's Included

Round-trip airfare
Ground Transportation
Hotels & daily breakfast and/or dinner
Entrance fees, guides, and tips
Daily Mass & spiritual direction
Opportunities for confession, adoration, and retreat

📞 Reserve Your Spot!

Limited spots available! For more information and to register, contact:
Grant Allen (gcallen@parish.dol-in.org) 219.866.5351

"Come and see the places where saints walked and heaven touched earth."

Join us.

Rekindle your faith.

Encounter God in the beauty of France.

Vacation Bible School

St. Augustine: Week of June 9

Sacred Heart: Week of June 23

At this time, we are inviting spirited volunteers to join us in serving during this summer adventure.

We're looking for a talented decorator to help transport and set up our Vacation Bible School themed decorations from St. Augustine Parish to Sacred Heart Parish. If you're skilled in helping to recreate this atmosphere, we'd love your help in bringing our vision to life!

If you are interested in volunteering, reach out to Grant

gcallen@parish.dol-in.org

Sacred Heart Anniversary

Help Us Celebrate Our History!

As we prepare for our upcoming anniversary celebration, we’re looking to create a special display honoring the rich history of our church and school. If you have any old photos, keepsakes, or memorabilia, we’d love for you to share them with us. Your memories will help bring our shared story to life for generations to come!

Please bring your reproduced photos with a written description and place in an envelope. These reproduced photos will not be returned.

Memorabilia items must be tagged, boxed, or put in an envelope with your name and phone number on it. These items will be returned after the event.

For more information, contact Susie Flickner (765) 490-0810.

Save the Dates

Graduation Mass

Sacred Heart: May 18

St. Augustine: June 1

Rogation Days & Field Blessings: May 26-28

Contact Fr. Bennett for field blessings.

Email: fr.jbennett@dol-in.org

Phone: (219) 866-5351 ext. 2

Ascension of the Lord: June 1

Holy Hour after each Sunday Mass

Pentecost Sunday: June 8

Father’s Day Cookout: June 13

Most Holy Trinity: June 15

Corpus Christi: June 22

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

June 27 at Sacred Heart Church

Solemn Vespers: 5:30pm ET

Mass: 6:00pm ET

Congratulations!

Easter Flower Memorials

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