This is Labor Day Weekend. Let us pray for all workers. Did you know that the Catholic Church played an important part in the Labor Movement? Many early labor organizations met in Catholic Church basements and several priests were leaders in the Labor Union Movement. The Church preaches a living wage for workers as well.
The Parish Picnic went very well. There were lots of people and great food. One parishioner suggested that we open a catering service because the food was so good. Thank you to all who participated and worked to make the picnic in honor of St. Augustine a success.
School has started, so drive more carefully.
I am still looking for the wind screen 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 the Prophet Jeremiah, Jeremiah laments his calling by God to be a prophet. He says God duped him. When he was called to be God’s messenger, he probably thought it would be a good job, but he soon found out it wasn’t as the people rejected God’s message and him. He really had his ups and downs.
In the second reading St. Paul tells the Romans and us a similar thing. “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls Peter, Satan. This is just after he told Peter that Peter was the rock upon which he’d build his Church. Peter had many ups and downs. He sees Jesus as the Christ and yet questions him and later even denies him. In the second part of the Gospel Jesus talks directly to us and tells us to take up our cross and follow him. But he end on a high note: “For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”
On Friday the Church celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This 5th century feast marks the anniversary of the dedication of a basilica in Jerusalem built, according to tradition, on the location of the home of St. Anne, the mother of Mary.
On Saturday, the Church celebrates St. Peter Claver, a Catalonian Jesuit who served in the Colombian missions in Cartagena. For 38 years, he devoted himself to caring for the African Slaves, baptizing over 300,000. He called himself “the slave of the slaves forever. He died in 1634. He is honored by the Knights and Ladies of St. Peter Claver.
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.
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.