The month of November is the month of All Souls. If you haven’t already done so, I urge you to put a list of your dearly departed in the basket by the altar. This gives you a chance to recall them by name and to have their names by the altar for the month. November is also Black Catholic History Month. Look it up online and read a little Black Catholic History each day. There is also a lot of Black Catholic History listed in our Josephite Parish Calendar.
Even though there may be some political races still being contested, the election is over for most of us. I wonder how soon we will start getting people running for the next cycle? At least we shouldn’t be getting those terribly negative ads on TV. Let us pray for a working together of our elected officials.
The Annual Bishop’s Appeal has started. Our goal this year has gone up a little to $13,406.64. We may have trouble making it this year because some of our bigger donors have moved out of town to be closer to their families. Illness and death have also taken a toll on the parish this year. So, please pray over your sacrificial gift to the Bishop’s Appeal this week and especially during Mass today. As usual you can give on line, make sure you mention St. Augustine’s to give the parish credit. You can also drop your pledge card in the collection or give it to Father Len.
In our first reading today, we have the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. The whole region was in a terrible draught, which Elijah had called down because of the sins of the people. The draught would last another year. Elijah asks the widow for food and water. Even though she is about to prepare her last meal for herself and her son and actually expects to die shortly thereafter, she shares her food with the prophet and Elijah tells her that because of her generosity, “The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus points out another poor widow who gives her last two coins to the Temple treasury. “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”
In our second reading, the Letter to the Hebrews continues the theme of Jesus as High Priest, but also tells us of his second coming. “Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment, so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.”
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.