From All of Us,
On behalf of the entire parish staff, we want to wish you a Blessed Easter. We are challenged every year to deny ourselves in some way, in order to bring ourselves closer to God. This year brings to us a unique opportunity to be closer to Him, as our yearning continues to fully participate again in the beauty of the Mass and the Holy Eucharist. Let’s all pray in earnest to be reunited in person as a parish community as soon as possible.  God Bless……..
St. Augustin Holy Week
Good Friday
  • We are proclaiming a simple version of the Gospel rather than the whole passion. I will be giving a Homily. We will be asking you to scour your home for a cross/crucifix and we will bless them as we venerate a cross in the chapel. You can view this service anytime after noon on Good Friday.
Easter Vigil (no service)
Easter Sunday
  • We will have a full Easter celebration to view anytime after noon on Holy Saturday. Dress up if you want!
Find our Masses online through our Facebook , website , or YouTube Channel .
Parish Outreach:  
Serving One Another
During these times of uncertainty and need for community, we have decided to launch  Serving One Another ; an initiative to connect with our faith family during this unprecedented time.
Volunteers are needed. Each volunteer will have a defined list of St. Augustin parishioners to call. The more volunteers we have, the lower the call number 😊. A call-script will be provided. Volunteers  may  be asked to do basic services such as, picking up a prescription, or making additional phone calls to provide companionship.
  • Please call Pam Arnold Powers at (515) 778-7629 to volunteer to serve your fellow parishioners.
  • If you have any urgent, or immediate needs at this time, please call the parish office at (515) 255-1175.
April 9 th , 2020
Daily Gospel Reflection
by Deacon Kurt Heinrich
Gospel                                     JN 13:1-15
Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

Dear Friends and Family,
The final line of the Gospel is a powerful challenge to us all. In ancient times, feet would become very dirty as people went about their daily business in sandals or bare feet. To honor one’s own home or the home of another, one would stop at the door and wash their feet before entering. The home would often have a bench and pitcher of water and a basin to give everyone the opportunity to wash. In an affluent home a servant would do this for the guests that would come into the house. If there were many servants it would be the task of the lowest of the slaves to wash the guest’s feet. They would do it as act of obedience to the master and to honor the master’s house. In this social context it would be a very humiliating act to take off your outer garment and wash another’s feet, it is the work and posture of the lowest of slaves. Remember the price paid for Jesus is the ransom paid for a slave. All the imagery, actions, and postures at the end, point to Jesus becoming a slave for us all.
Why does Jesus become a slave at the service of humanity? The simplest and most profound explanation is that Jesus loves his Father and Jesus loves all of the Father’s children. Jesus chooses to take on the status of the lowest of all to lift us up. Jesus explains to Peter, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” This action, posture, and sacrifice can only be understood after one enters into similar sacrifices themselves and spends time in reflection on meaning of such action. Today we are called to both, action and reflection, with the same motivation that moved Jesus, the love of the Father. In our homes we are called to serve one another, to put the others needs before our own out of love. We can seek ways to prepare for Easter without being asked. We can model our love for others by the manner and tone we use with each other. We can do what nobody else wants to do for the good of all. It will be through our humility, service, and love that we will come to understand the example Jesus set for his disciples and for us. Let us pray that today through our humble service and our love for others we might all better understand the lengths our God will take for our salvation.
Easter cookies to be made the evening before Easter
You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
Bible
zipper baggie, mixing bowl, tape, wax or parchment paper
wooden spoon, cookie sheet

  1. Preheat oven to 300 (important to do before beginning)
  2. Place the pecans in the zipper baggie & let the children beat them with a wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Set baggie aside to use later. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3
  3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put the vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was offered vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30
  4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life so that we would live. Read John 10:10-11
  5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it & brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers. Read Luke 23:27
  6. So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing, add sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalms 34:8 &John 3:16
  7. Beat with mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until soft peaks are formed. Explain that the white color represents the purity in God’s eye for those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 &John 3:1-3
  8. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax or parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60
  9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66
  10. Go to bed! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 & 22
  11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give a cookie to everyone. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are HOLLOW! On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9
Thank you Rhonda Heim for sharing!
Are you passionate about Catholic Education? Are you willing to share your time, talent and treasure to ensure that St. Augustin leads the way in preparing our children to live faith filled lives? Are you willing to share your thoughts and ideas to constantly improve the future through the education of our youth? If so, please prayerfully consider submitting your name for consideration of a three-year board term. Board applications can be downloaded at this link .
Applications must be returned by April 24th, 2020 to the school office .
Looking for a Lenten Activity for children? Checkout this Stations of the Cross Craft purchased for your use! DOWNLOAD HERE
  1. You do not need any glue, tape, staples, NOTHING to assemble these! Just print them and cut them out!
  2. When you are finished praying your stations of the cross, just slide the little slots back apart. They store FLAT so you can put them in an envelope for next time!
How To Use These Stations Of The Cross With Kids
After assembling your stations of the cross, set them up around your house in various locations trying to make a circle in order. This could also be set up outside given good weather.
Then travel around your house praying the stations like you would at church!