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.
One of our civic duties as citizens is to vote. One might go so far as to say it is a sacred duty here in the US where voting gives us our political leaders. If you haven’t already done so, please vote on November 6.
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.
We are nearing the end of our reading of the Gospel of Mark at our Sunday Masses. Today Jesus is asked by a scribe, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Remember there were 613 commandments to be followed, not just the ten we talk about. Jesus’ response is good for us today as well. “The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus is quoting the Book of Deuteronomy in the first part and that is our first reading today. Loving God above all else is in both parts of the Bible.
In our second reading the Letter to the Hebrews continues to talk about Jesus as High Priest and Son of God. “For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests, but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law, appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever.
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.
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.