St. Augustine Catholic Church & School
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St. Augustine Catholic Church & School Celebrating 100 Years of Catholic Tradition May 24 2020 The Ascension of the Lord Liturgy Schedule (all liturgies are currently cancelled) Sacraments (all Sacraments are currently cancelled) Offertory Information during time of suspended Masses. Many of you have inquired about what to do with your offertory Baptisms envelopes during this period of suspended masses. Let me assure you that even though Masses have been suspended, certain parish Baptisms are scheduled once a month and incorporated operations, ministries, and expenses have not been suspended and within our Masses. we need your continued support. We continue to pay for utilities, our property taxes, insurance For information on how to register your child, premiums, and general maintenance. Hence, it is critically important that we receive the offertory support needed to remain contact the Parish Office at (310) 838-2477 operational and sustainable. With this in mind, let me offer you a few of options on what to do with your offertory envelopes: Reconciliation 1. You may mail your offertory envelopes into St Augustine Saturdays from 3:30-4:45PM or by Appointment Church. The address appears at the bottom of this bulletin. Weddings 2. If you feel comfortable, you may move to Online Giving. This may be done on a regular basis by creating an on-line account, or Weddings are held at 10:00AM, 12:00PM and 2:00PM you may do a one time “quick give”. Please visit our parish website or go directly to on Saturdays. https://st-augustine-church.org/online-giving 3. Our Office remains open during regular business hours and you may drop your envelopes at the reception desk. Again, thank you for you continued support and during this time Wedding & Quinceañera Coordinator (310) 838-2477 of uncertainty and anxiety, I pray that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. Hall Coordinator (310) 838-2477 Blessings, Fr. Chris Mission Statement: In following the teachings of Jesus Christ, St Augustine Parish lives and radiates the love of God through prayer and action. We strive to accomplish this mission by fostering our Catholic identity, joyfully celebrating the sacraments together as a diverse community, and recognizing and promoting social justice. 3850 Jasmine Ave. Office: 310.838.2477 www.st-augustine-church.org Culver City, CA 90232 Fax: 310.838.3070 May 24, 2020 Seventh Sunday of Easter Be a Star! One of my all-time favorite TV series was Farscape, a clever blend of human actors and animatronics. (Imagine Star Trek meets The Muppets meets The Fugitive.) It combined science fiction with a manhunt with a love story that was literally intergalactic. The series involved characters who were complex, well-intentioned, but deeply flawed, and called to do heroic things, however reluctantly. The series made a great story, full of humor, and drama, sometimes bittersweet. The readings for Ascension Sunday remind us that we, too, are part of a great story – the drama of our salvation. The Acts of the Apostles sets the scene. St. Luke reminds us of what has taken place, just like the announcer does at the opening of a new episode of our favorite TV series -- previously, on Farscape …-- and sets us up for what is to come. Luke reminds us who Jesus is and what he has done. He also tells us that each of us has a role to play in the story. We can’t just stand around, waiting for something to get done or to happen. Imagine a TV series with people just standing around and doing nothing – that series would be cancelled in a flash! Yet that is a very real temptation – especially in a time of pandemic – when we are growing accustomed to sitting at home and living our lives vicariously through Zoom and the internet. We are in dan- ger of believing that we are just two-bit players, or worse, only spectators, with no contribution to make to the story. That’s just not true! We are called to be stars! In fact, in Acts, two men dressed in white (angels or directors?) chastise the disciples: Why are you standing here? This Jesus will return. Get busy! But get busy doing what? Both Acts and the Gospel of Mathew are quick to tell us: (Acts) you will receive the Holy Spirit and be Jesus’ witnesses, beginning in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, to the ends of the earth. (Matthew) Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Our role in the great Salvation Series is to share God’s love, forgiveness and service with others. We are not specta- tors. We are to do miracles, just as Jesus did, because his Spirit is with us; Jesus is with us. The Spirit sends us on a mission that continues after Jesus’ Ascension, because in every good series, there are sequels and spin-offs that explore the implica- tions of the main story line. Just as a series makes sense only if you know what’s happened previously, so our discipleship on- ly has meaning and authenticity if it is connected to Jesus’ story, to Jesus’ life and mission, and flows from that. But just as every new episode or sequel introduces new situations and characters, new story lines and challenges, so our discipleship only remains strong, vibrant, vital and interesting if we engage new characters, bring Jesus’ story into new situations and storylines – the ones that involve our families, friends, communities, the ones that are played out in our concrete experiences. We never have to worry that the story will become old or tired or outdated because Jesus promises us that he will be with us always, un- til the end of the age. He makes all things new. He makes us stars! But there is also another equally important side to the role we have, a side that gives our roles depth, character and believability. We cannot proclaim the Good News with integrity, without living it ourselves. Ephesians makes this clear. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ…. St. Paul makes it clear that we must be true disciples who live with humility, gentleness, patience. We are stars, but we cannot be divas. We must bear with one another – with our fellow actors – with love and forgiveness. We must be agents of hope who preserve our unity in the Body of Christ and recognize that we need each other for the series to work. No part or role is greater than the other. All are important and necessary to the mission, to the series’ successful conclusion. When COVID-19 is finally behind us, and it will be behind us at some point, we must be ready to respond to the di- vine casting call. Just as with the apostles, the Spirit emboldens and empowers us to take up our roles in new episodes and se- quels of the Salvation Series. We will not only have occasions to hone our own discipleship skills, but opportunities to serve and inspire others in their Christian discipleship. What role will you accept, to what call will you respond? Usher? Eucharistic Minister? Lector? Altar Server? How about teacher for our children, teens and adults who are preparing for their sacraments? Or maybe your call is to support our outreach to the poor and homeless through S.A.V.E.S. or St. Vincent de Paul. There are an incredible number of roles that you can fill, an incredible number of ways you can use your gifts to build up the Body of Christ. You want to make a difference in the world? You want to put your faith into practice? You want to play your role in the ongoing, great story of Salvation. Be bold. Say yes. Sign up. Be a star. Be Catholic. This is the role we are called to play in the great drama of our salvation -- to bear witness to Christ and to live the Gospel daily, so that we can bring others into the story – ever ancient, ever new – as we await the series’ finale, the return in glory of Jesus. One day we, too, will experience fully that glory that presently we share only vicariously through Jesus, who has taken on our humanity and brought it and us to the Father’s side through his Death, Resurrection and Ascension. This is the reason for our hope and joy – for God mounts his throne with shouts of joy; the Lord amid trumpet blasts. Get ready! Say “yes” to the Spirit! Lights! Camera! Action! Easter blessings, Fr. Chris 2 Parish Contacts Mass Intentions May 23 to Pastor: May 31 Rev. Christopher Fagan (310) 838-2477 x203 Saturday, May 23 Associate Pastor: 8:00AM - Owen Bouwman Rev. Tim Grumbach 5:00PM - Mary El Salem † (310) 838-2477 x205 7:00PM - Thomas Villa † In Residence Sunday, May 24 6:30AM - Bishop Thomas J. Curry 8:00AM - For the People (310) 838-2477 9:30AM - Lucia Uy, Rosi Uy, & Alex Uy Fr. Lawrence Shelton 11:00AM - Lisa Felix (310) 838-2477 1:00PM - Deacon:( 310) 838-2477 x206 5:00PM - Peter Kraus † Monday, May 25 Rev.