Dear Parishioners,
As we announced last week we begin the 35th Annual Bishop's Appeal today. We will show the Bishop's video at Mass today and have in pew sign ups. Any of you who are registered should have received a mailing from the Bishop already. He thanks you for your continued support of the works of the diocese. He says: "The Bishop's Appeal is one way we can respond to the Lord's love for us, by supporting the Church's mission of love here in our diocese. Motivated by love for Christ and His Church, we sacrificially give support to the many ministries and works in our diocese, including Catholic education, seminary formation, priests in retirement, evangelization ministries, communication efforts, services to the needy, and support to parishes." 100% of the funds donated are utilized within the diocese. 33% is allocated to education through our 43 schools and catechesis. 13.2 % is granted to Catholic Charities, parishes, and agencies in need. 26.9% supports our priests, transitional deacons, and seminarians. 15.5% supports communications, worship, and Hispanic ministries. St. Augustine's surpassed our goal last year and that overage came back to the parish. Our goal this year is $ 9,327.84. You can make your gift to this appeal either here at church or on line. If you want to do it on line just go to the diocesan website at: diocesefwsb.org/aba. Otherwise please use the card at the end of the letter and mail or bring it to church. Thank you for supporting our diocese. Any overage will be used on our grounds.
Our first reading and the beginning of our Gospel today are very optimistic. Moses tells Joshua: "Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets! Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all!" In the Gospel Jesus says: "For whoever is not against us is for us." This goes well with our Baptism Rite when we are told we are priests, prophets and kings! The second part of the Gospel goes deep into Jewish hyperbole when Jesus talks about causing little ones to sin and even sinning yourself. Cutting off hands and feet and plucking out eyes is really extreme. But so is sin! It is really good that baptism and penance take away our sins. In our second reading St. James lists some of the sins we sometimes overlook.withholding wages, living in luxury while cheating others, condemning and murdering the just one.
We continue to have Sunday Masses at 8:15 and 10:30 AM. With the pandemic still on, if you feel sick, please stay home. In Mass you should wear a mask, if you are not vaccinated. If you are vaccinated, you can still wear a mask, if it makes you feel safer. The 10:30 is still on our web page later on Sunday. Look at the bottom of the page for the link. Website: http://www.SaintAugustineParish.org Catechesis of the Good Shepherd meets in the basement at 9:30 AM, Sundays. Sacrament Classes meet at 9:30 AM as well.
Now that Fall has arrived, I have seen a very few trees changing color. Hopefully more will do so soon. The church celebrates two popular saints this week. On Monday, St. Vincent de Paul and on Friday, St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the Little Flower! All holy men and women, pray for us.
Peace, Father Len