I am on vacation visiting my family in Boston. Once again Father Pete Logsdon, CSC will be filling in for me. Please continue to give him a big St. A’s welcome. Father Pete and I were in the seminary together and served the Church for many years in the South and then in Mexico together. He is the assistant superior at Holy Cross House at Notre Dame.
Every year we plan our Parish Picnic as close to the Feast of St. Augustine as possible. Plan ahead and mark your calendar for Sunday, August 25, 2019 at the Berta Pavilion in St. Patrick’s Park from 12:30 – 6 PM.
Lectors and Extraordinary Holy Communion Ministers, please remember to pick up our lists for July – December.
In today’s Gospel we have the familiar story of Martha and Mary. Martha shows great hospitality and does all the serving and finally goes to Jesus to ask him to tell her sister to help her, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” Jesus tells her that “Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” Mary had been sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to him speak. Hospitality and prayer are both needed.
In our first reading Abraham is rewarded for his hospitality to the Lord. In their old age Abraham and Sarah finally have their son, Isaac.
In our second reading St. Paul rejoices in his sufferings which he offers up for the church, because God chose him to reveal the glory of God to the Gentiles.
This week the Church honors several famous saints: on Monday, Saint Mary Magdalene, on Thursday St. James, Apostle, on Friday Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Let us continue to pray for peace in the world. Let us also pray for vocations to the church. Let us pray for the sick of the parish. Let us pray that all will come to respect life. Let us pray for one another and for the canonization of Father Tolton. Let us also pray for those who are victims of sexual abuse and mass shootings.
A Father Tolton Prayer:Father in Heaven, Father Tolton’s suffering service sheds light upon our sorrows; we see them through the prism of your Son’s passion and death. If it be your Will, O God, glorify your servant Father Tolton, by granting the favor I now request through his intercession (mention your request) so that all may know the goodness of this priest whose memory looms large in the Church he loved. Complete what you have begun in us that we might work for the fulfillment of your kingdom. Not to us the glory, but glory to you O God, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are our God, living and reigning forever and ever. Amen.
Good News
It was announced in the Vatican that Pope Francis accepted - the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Augustine Tolton, Diocesan Priest; born in Brush Creek (United States of America) on April 1, 1854 and died in Chicago (United States of America) on July 9, 1897. This means that Father Tolton now can be called Venerable. The next step is Beatification. For this a miracle approved by the Vatican is needed. So, keep those prayers coming!