Our Annual Parish Picnic is today. I have reserved our usual space at St. Patrick’s County Park. We have the picnic as close to the Feast of St. Augustine as possible. That date is August 28. Guess what? With our picnic this year we will begin our 90th year as a parish, since we were established as a parish in the diocese in 1928. Time really flies when you are having fun.
School has started, so drive more carefully.
I am still looking for the wind shield for the lapel mic. I contacted several places and it seems they have to be ordered special, so I’ve done that.
In our first reading today from Isaiah, God tells his people that he will establish a new order. He will change the master of the palace. He talks about new authority to open and close the place.
We see this fulfilled in the Gospel, when Jesus says to Peter: “Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the neither world will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus’ question earlier in the reading is for each of us: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Each of us must answer this question.
Saint Paul gives us his answer in the second reading. He tells us that Jesus is God. “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”
On Monday, the 28th we celebrate our Patron, St. Augustine. He was born in Tagaste, north Africa. After a dissolute life, he received baptism at the age 33 from St. Ambrose. He was elected bishop of Hippo. He opposed many heresies. He is most noted for his “Confessions” and “City of God”. Over 500 homilies are extant. He is considered a founder of monastic life in the West. He is one of four doctors of the Latin Church and called the “Doctor of Grace.” One of his most famous quotes deals with his heart being restless until he found rest in Christ. Saint Augustine pray for us.
Since St. Augustine was one of the brightest minds of all time, it is good for our teachers and students to ask his help in this new school year.
As I mentioned above, we are about to begin our 90th year as a parish. We are looking for more history of the parish as well as ideas on how to celebrate this great anniversary. Why not spend a little time looking at the pictures of the priest and deacons who have served here? Maybe you will be enlightened by the Holy Spirit to contribute a great idea or two for this coming year.
I have contacted a couple of companies to look at our pews and kneelers. I think they need a little work on scratches, etc. However, I cannot find anyone local who does this type of work. One company is in IL. The other in OH. If you know of a local carpenter who could look at our pews and kneelers, please let me know. It may only need at little refinishing and a few screws.
At the 10:30 Mass last week, in the prayer of the faithful, we prayed for Father Don McNeill, CSC, who spent most of his life at ND. Father Don died Thursday morning. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.
Let us also continue our prayer of the faithful from last Sunday and continue to pray for peace and racial harmony in our own country.
As Deacon Mel mentions in The Youth Corner, we are looking at having an RCIA class starting in September and finishing at Easter next year. If there is anyone interested in becoming Catholic or anyone who is Catholic but missed a sacrament along the way, please see me or Deacon Mel and we can plan accordingly.
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.