Greetings Saint Augustine Parishioners: I've had a chance to meet with the members of the Parish Finance Council and the Parish Pastoral Council. Their hard work behind the scenes keeps the mission of Saint Augustine Parish going well. I have also met with Nancy Takach, who serves as Business Manager, and Deacon Mel Tardy. I continue to look forward to meeting all the members of the parish, as all of us reflect on the gifts and talents God has given us to serve the common good.

Thank you for your patience during my absence. Skiing was great, and the weather at first was very cold. But we had a good time together, and I'm anxious to begin my term as pastor (or more accurately administrator). Being away gave me an opportunity to see the history of our parish on the website. I pray that I can provide the leadership in these next few months to keep the spirit moving here.

It is very cold here in Colorado. But I remain grateful for the good health that allows old guys like me to continue to enjoy the sport of skiing. I am scheduled to return on Saturday evening, February 1. But knowing the ups and downs of winter travel, Father Augustine is on deck to take the Mass next Sunday, just in case.

Thank you for your very warm welcome last Sunday. I am so sorry that I will be away for these next two weeks. I had scheduled the time away last year, counting on my new status as a retired priest. As you know, that has changed. I am grateful to Father John Santone for all the ways he has organized the administration of Saint Augustine. But, for me, it is a daunting task. Although I had served as pastor of two large parishes in the last forty years, I never had to deal with some of these administrative tasks. So, in my absence, please contact Deacon Mel Tardy if you need help or have any questions. Once returned, I will have time to figure all of this out.

I am honored that Bishop Rhoades has appointed me as Administrator of Saint Augustine and look forward to celebrating Mass with you this Sunday. I have been retired since July 1 and will serve at Saint Augustine until June 4, when Bishop Rhoades will be able to appoint a more permanent pastor.

This week I was reading an article about the decline in church attendance and the closing of parishes. The article focused on the process taking place in the Diocese of Buffalo (NY), while also reflecting on how this is not a “Catholic problem” but a reality for all faiths.

On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome marking the beginning of the Year of Hope, the 2025 Jubilee Year. This special year will end on January 6, 2026. Bishop Rhoades has designated six churches as Jubilee sites in the diocese. In our area those churches are St. Pius X (Granger), St. Matthew Cathedral (South Bend), and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Notre Dame). In designating these sites, Bishop Rhoades said, “The faithful of the diocese are invited to visit our jubilee churches during the Jubilee Year where they can obtain the Jubilee Indulgence by devoutly participating at Mass or making a pious visit for Eucharistic adoration and meditation with particular prayers … another condition of receiving the indulgence is to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, though that does not have to be at the jubilee site.”

There’s a large mosaic over the front entrance of the Guardian Angel Cathedral in Las Vegas with three figures: Penance, Prayer and Peace. I was struck by this image as we move into the final days of Advent and prepare for the great solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord. I offer those words as a spiritual meditation for your personal reflection this week.

Every Tuesday morning, I celebrate Mass at a local nursing facility. I’m always humbled when I see the residents gathering. There are those who walk in on their own with the assistance of a walker or cane. In the first row is a gentleman who sits next to his mother. There are a number in wheelchairs who are brought in by the nursing staff. And then there are those whose memory is fading and have a caregiver sitting next to them. It’s a beautiful sight of God’s children coming together for prayer.

Do you take the time each day to “give thanks to the Lord?” Are you finding time to list all that has happened between waking and sleeping to thank the Lord for another day, your family, caring friends, the food on your table, good health, and your faith? Are you sitting in silence to acknowledge that we have comes from God who is love?

Advent invites us to find time to recenter ourselves on the Lord. May these four beautiful weeks be a time of spiritual renewal. Find a few minutes each day for personal prayer and reflection. Open your hearts to the Lord this Advent. Share your joys and sorrows, your struggles and triumphs. Let these weeks be a time of spiritual renewal and growth. Pray for the strength to move beyond what troubles you. And ask for spiritual peace and a greater awareness of Christ alive in your life.

A Thanksgiving Day prayer to be shared and prayed: Dear God, we thank you for this meal and for all the hands that helped prepare it. We give you thanks most of all for the gift of your Son, Jesus. Please bless the food we eat, all who are gathered today to share it, and all our loved ones who can't be with us today. Amen.

Today we come closer to the end of the Church year. Next Sunday we’ll celebrate the solemnity of Christ the King. This marks the very last Sunday in the Church’s calendar. Our readings during these last few weeks speak in a clear voice God’s message: “The end will come, so be prepared!” How are we preparing ourselves spiritually?

The words of sacred Scripture aren’t meant to simply be heard. We’re invited to reflect upon them and incorporate what they’re teaching us into our lives. I offer the Beatitudes and invite you to pray with them. Ask yourself, “Am I making the Beatitudes my identity card? Am I living them as I strive for holiness each day?”

Lord God, as the election approaches, we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our city/state/country, and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community.

What does it mean for us to be Christians? It certainly should be more than a title that we use to identify the faith that we profess. Today’s world needs us to live that faith now more than ever. However, it’s a challenge because it demands a way of life that will often place us in situations, and taking stands, that go against our increasingly secular society.

As was announced last week, this Sunday is the annual Mission Appeal. Please welcome Fr. Richard Veevin, SAC to St. A’s. A second collection will be taken up to assist the Pallottine Fathers and their ministry. You may make checks out to St. A’s and the monies collected will be forwarded. Please be sure to put “Mission Appeal” on the memo line. THANK YOU for your generosity!

Next Sunday, October 20, we will have the annual Mission Appeal. The Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines) will send a priest to preach about their work. I’ve been asked to share the following letter of introduction with you a week before they arrive at St. A’s.

Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed countless threats to human life. The war between Russia and Ukraine is in its third year. Gaza and Israel have been battling since October. Another war has broken out in Lebanon. There are wars in other parts of the world that continue but don’t garner news headlines. Innocent lives have been lost. People have been displaced from their homes. Children have been separated from their parents. Food and water are scarce. Famine is a reality for so many people. We have much to pray for and about this month as we reflect on our common call to RESPECT LIFE!

After Mass last Sunday you voted on whether we would remain with one Sunday Mass or return to two Masses. As I stated in my letter to you last week, and at the end of Mass, “this is your parish and I will respect the outcome of the vote.”