Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Way to the Kingdom

The disciples were trying to be helpful.  In the Temple of Jerusalem, only priests could enter the Holy of Holies, the men could enter the sanctuary, while women and children only got into the vestibule.  So the disciples knew that children never approached the Rabbis.  To show their respect for Jesus, they tried to turn the children away.  But Jesus saw this as a chance to teach the disciples about the kingdom.

As they tried to send the children back to their parents, Jesus changes the rules.  He invites the kids to come to him and even makes an example of them: “accept the kingdom of God like children” or you won’t get in at all.  So what do we learn from this?

Children don’t make themselves look important.  They haven’t learned to brag about their accomplishments, or how to offer a bribe to get what they want.  They simply accept what is given to them.  In a culture where we are expected to make a good impression, where we compete to get scholarships and jobs, we may be more like the disciples than we think. A young man falling in love may be tempted to show what a great athlete he is, or how he plans to get a high paying job after graduation.  Yet all he really needs to do is tell the girl that he loves her.  We cannot make ourselves look important to God; we can’t bribe Him with good works or change His mind with promises to avoid sin.  We can be sorry for our sins, and tell Him we love Him, and ask for help with our weaknesses.

Children also have great faith.  Not the deep faith that comes with adult experience, but a faith that sees goodness in everyone.  If we can keep that faith in God’s goodness, while developing a deeper faith that is not discouraged by sin and evil, we are on the way to the Kingdom.

-Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

 

Our Lady Of The Rosary-October 7

In 1571 Pope Pius V instituted “Our Lady of Victory” as an annual feast to commemorate a victorious naval battle near Lepanto, Greece. In 1573, Pope Gregory XIII changed the title of this feast day to “Feast of the Holy Rosary.” In 1969, Pope Paul VI changed the name of the feast to “Our Lady of the Rosary.” Prayer to Our Lady now focuses more on peace than on military victory.

 

 

Our Lady of The Pillar – October 12

The story is told that in the year 40, while in Saragossa, Spain, the Apostle James saw the Virgin appear with the Child Jesus, standing on a pillar and asking him and his eight disciples to build a church on the site. This church is thus reputed to be the first church dedicated to Mary; it remains standing to this day. Nuestra Señora del Pilar is the patroness of Spain and all Hispanic peoples, and the origin of the popular name Pilar for Spanish girls.

 

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TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION

Using beads for prayer and meditation is an ancient custom, found in many cultures and religions. The Christian rosary dates from the twelfth century, when it provided a way for ordinary Christians to learn about the lives of Jesus and Mary. Alan de la Roche, a fifteenth-century Dominican, preferred “Psalter of Our Lady” to “rosary.” This fitting name recalls an explanation of the devotion’s origin. Unable to read the one hundred fifty psalms that formed the Church’s “official” daily prayer, medieval Christians substituted first one hundred fifty Pater Nosters, and later one hundred fifty Ave Marias. By meditating on the various mysteries of the rosary while repeating these simple prayers, the faithful could immerse themselves in the whole mystery of the Incarnation and the Resurrection.

The dedication of October to the Blessed Virgin Mary is an appropriate reminder of this venerable form of prayer. Faithful Christians everywhere continue to meditate on the mysteries of the rosary, praying in groups or alone. Why not take advantage of this season to renew your acquaintance with the rosary? -Rev. James Field, Diocesan Publications

 

Dear Faithful,

This year’s Respect Life Month coincides with the final month of our efforts to defeat Amendment 4, so this will be our primary focus for the weeks ahead. At our last Presbyteral Council meeting, we discussed how to approach the month of October. We decided our final emphasis should be on the spiritual and prayerful response.  I ask you to engage and promote a coordinated effort of fasting and praying the rosary.

I am asking each of the priests of the Diocese of St. Augustine, and the faithful, to commit to fasting each Friday and on Election Day, Nov 5. This quote from Ezra is one of many in scripture that highlights the power of fasting.

“Then I proclaimed a fast, there by the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our possessions. For I was ashamed to ask the king for troops and horsemen to protect us against enemies along the way since we had said to the king, “The favoring hand of our God is over all who seek him, but his fierce anger is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted, seeking this from our God, and it was granted.” – Ezra 8:21-23

Secondly, I ask you to join in the prayer of the rosary. The rosary has long proved to be a powerful response to the needs of our lives and our society. This effort will lead us to the Feast of Our Lady of La Leche (Oct. 11), which unites our diocese with Mary under the title that has long graced our land.

I am grateful to all of you who have engaged in this spiritual battle. We must remember that we are resisting the evil that wishes to destroy lives. We pray to engage this enemy with God’s grace, so our hearts are filled with charity. We continue to love those who do not perceive God’s gift of life and seek the ongoing conversion of each beloved soul.

In Christ,

Most Reverend Erik T. Pohlmeier

Bishop of St. Augustine

  

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Oct. 11, Our Lady of La Leche Feast Day Celebration

 Celebrate the Our Lady of La Leche Feast Day on Oct. 11 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine. The evening begins with a rosary at 6:30 p.m., followed by Mass led by Bishop Emeritus Estévez at 7 p.m., and a procession with the Our Lady of La Leche statue at 8:15 p.m.

Visit www.missionandshrine.org for updates.

 

 

DIOCESE OF ST. AUGUSTINE
OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
THE MOST REVEREND ERIK T. POHLMEIER

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On September 24, Florida was struck by Category 4 Hurricane Helene, marking the third major hurricane to hit the state’s Big Bend region in just 13 months.  Many rural areas in our diocese, including Cedar Key and Horseshoe Beach, have been devasted once again.  It’s the third blow for these communities after Hurricane Idalia and Debbie, making recovery efforts even more challenging.

Residents of other rural counties across the diocese have also been severely impacted.  Many have lost their homes, livelihoods and irreplaceable belongings accumulated over a lifetime.  The path to recovery will be long, and for some, it may take years to rebuild what was destroyed.

The Catholic Charities Bureau (CCB) of the Diocese of St. Augustine has a long history of supporting communities in long-term disaster recovery.  They provide essential services such as home repairs, temporary housing, replacement of lost items, food, disaster kits, case management and emotional support.  Their team remains on the ground, walking alongside survivors long after the media and emergency response teams have left.

I urgently need your help to continue offering hope and assistance to those affected by Hurricane Helene in our diocese.  Your monetary donation will enable us to meet immediate and long-term needs that are often unmet by other relief efforts.

In addidion, I anticipate that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will call for a special collection for disaster relief to assist communities across the country impacted by Hurricane Helene.  More details will be shared as they become available.  Please be assured that your generosity will extend to many who are suffering across the U.S.

You can donate online by visiting Catholic Charities’ website at https://www.ccbdosa.org/donate or by sending a check to:

Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc.
3100 University Blvd. South, Suite 250
Jacksonville, FL 32216

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Knights of Columbus Columbus Blood Drive and Pancake Breakfast

Sunday, October 13th, 2024

8am-1pm

Family Life Center