Happy Labor Day Weekend to everyone! As our summer holidays come to a close, with our children back in school, I hope everyone drives a little more carefully. Please stop when school buses have their stop lights and stop arm showing.
On Labor Day we honor all those who work or have worked for a living. There is great dignity in work. The Church teaches that and also says there should be a just wage. In this time of mass migrations all over the world, due to wars and gangs and climate change, we have to work for solutions through the love of Christ. Faith in St. Joe County is one group working on this.
Today is Del Shawn Taylor’s last day with us. He is getting married and going to school and will no longer be available to play at our 10:30 Mass. Thank you, Del Shawn for adding so much to our liturgy. May God’s blessings follow you wherever you go!
A big thank you goes out to all those who have helped getting the basement ready for the Catechesis of the Good Shepard. Keep up the good work.
Congratulations to Kristen Brugh and Tyler Walker who will be married in the Church on Friday evening. May God bless you in your life together.
Our Annual Parish Picnic was a great success last week. I want to thank all who attended and especially those who worked so hard to make it a success. We can give credit to St. Augustine for the great weather we had. What a beautiful day! And a great time was had by all. Special thanks go out to Marian Newbill and her crew for getting it all together!
Our first reading today from Sirach is a series of good advice. We can all try to practice the one that says: “Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.” If we conduct our affairs with humility, we will be loved. A little bit of Lent comes in the last line “and alms atone for sins.”
In our Hebrew’s reading, there is a contrast between the way God appeared to the Hebrews early on, in fire and storm and trumpet blast and the way God shows himself in Jesus. Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant and “the spirits of the just (are) made perfect” in him.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus, while dining with the Pharisees, teach us about humility. He also teaches us about hospitality. “Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
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.
Good News
It was announced in the Vatican that Pope Francis accepted - the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Augustine Tolton, Diocesan Priest; born in Brush Creek (United States of America) on April 1, 1854 and died in Chicago (United States of America) on July 9, 1897. This means that Father Tolton now can be called Venerable. The next step is Beatification. For this a miracle approved by the Vatican is needed. So, keep those prayers coming!