The Annual Bishop’s Appeal started last Sunday. 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.
Y’all received Bishop Rhoades’ letter in Today’s Catholic. He has called for a day of prayer and penance on October 5. I ask the each of you observe this day by a small fast. Please, pray and eat less and then bring a can good or two to church on Sunday for our St. Vincent de Paul Society to distribute to those in need.
Now that school has started in the entire area, please drive safely and watch out for the children. There is a clever sign on Diamond which reads: Drive like your kids lived here! That is good advice all the time.
The hole in the parking lot has been repaired. The cost was $1,750.00
There will be a Rosary for Abuse Victims at St. Joseph High School Football Stadium today, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018 from 4 – 5 PM. All are invited. For more info contact RosaryCoastToCoast.com or call Fr. Glen Kohrman at 574-282-2317.
There is no limit to God’s power. In our first reading today, God bestows some of the spirit that was on Moses on 70 others, but only 68 show up for the installation. However, the spirit finds its way to the other two. Joshua has a problem with this since the two men missed the ceremony. Moses sees it as God does: “Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets!”
We have a similar situation in the Gospel. John complains to Jesus: “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replies, “For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.” He then goes on to condemn those who oppose him.
In our second reading, St. James, like Jesus, turns things upside down by saying the rich who cheated the poor will suffer. The rich were thought of as being blessed by God, but James tells us even though blessings come from God, ill gotten wealth leads to unhappiness.
The Church celebrates two very popular saints this week, The Little Flower on Monday and St. Francis of Assisi on Thursday. Let us ask them to help the Church in this time of difficulty.
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.