Reflections 2018

St. Augustine Church FALL 2018 VOLUME 32 ISSUE 1 REFLECTIONS

PASTOR’S GREETING Dear Parishioners,

Sunday, June 3, was a day in the life of the parish of St. Augustine, an historic day. It was the day we celebrated the 125th Anniversary of the beginning of our parish in 1892. Most Reverend John Barres, Bishop of Rockville Centre and a native son of our parish, joined us both at the Anniversary Mass and at the festive Parish Picnic that followed. June 3rd just happened to be the 90th Anniversary of the dedication of our English Country Gothic Style Church by Patrick Cardinal Hayes in 1928. June 3rd was also a day to celebrate our successful 125th Anniversary Campaign. A remarkable number of parish families and households joined together to support a campaign to provide for the future of St. Augustine Parish. Contributions and pledges were received at all levels, from under $100 to over $100,000 and from young families as well as our seniors, a true representation of our increasingly diverse community. We exceeded our $2,000,000 pledge goal by more than $173,000 from approximately 280 families. (See page 10-11 for a complete list of donors.) Parish support has enabled us to install a new lighting system in the church and to paint the interi- or walls of the church in the last two years. During the month of June, the St. John the Evangelist Window has been restored. We are working to provide a new handicap accessible restroom off the vestibule of the church. Both pastor and parish owe a special note of recognition and appreciation to our Campaign Committee! The committee was co-chaired by Linnea Holmes, Mark McNally, and Mary Jo Mitchell and assisted by current and former Trustees Rob Gittings, Sally Robling, Carla Porter and Greg Ran- dolph, and parishioners Rita Murray, Shannon Pujadas and

John Spollen.

I am most grateful for the commitments and financial INSIDE THIS ISSUE sacrifices that have been made by our parishioners. We will endeavor to honor the trust placed in us as we use these RCIA Bringing Faith to Life pg 2 resources to serve the mission of our parish. Profiles: A Priest & A Deacon pg 3,4 In the days ahead, may our parish worship the Lord, minister to the needs of people and teach the Gospel Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve pg 5 in words as well as deeds. Fall Scripture Studies pg 5 Faithfully yours, Msgr. Thomas R. Kelly We Care for Creation! pg 6

Feed the Hungry pg 7

You Are Welcome pg 8 Co-chairs Mary Jo Mitchell, CYO in its 50th Year pg 8 Mark McNally & Linnea Holmes Our Four Parish Practices pg 9

Capital Campaign Donations pg 10-11

RCIA Helps to Bring Faith to Life The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the official process for initiating adults into the Catholic Church. In 2017, we welcomed Eve Cicciu into our family of faith at the Easter Vigil after journeying from inquirer to catechumen to Catholic. Those who are initially seeking information about becoming a member of the Church are called ‘inquirers.’ Below, Chris Ham writes about the three stages and alludes to the process of discussion and learning and the solemn but celebratory ritu- als that mark that process. After the initial inquiry, a person who discerns in themselves the willingness to prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation---Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation---becomes a catechumen [from katekhoumenos, Gr.,one being instructed]. The RCIA process in our Parish is on-going, meaning the individual enter the process at any time during the year in response to hearing God’s call. The three Sacraments of Initiation are received at the glorious celebration of the Easter Vigil.: Becoming a Catholic was never something I expected to pursue in adulthood. While my parents were raised Baptist and Catholic, they chose to raise my brother and I without a church. Though I believed in God, the idea of organized religion never really appealed to me. And, while my wife was baptized and raised Catholic, and received First Communion and was confirmed, she admits she didn’t pay a lot of attention in religious education classes. However, her grandmother, a devout Catholic, was a special role model for her, showing her the importance of prayer and faith in God which has carried her through life. After a crisis in our relationship, we found our way home—-to St. Augustine. While we first sought out the parish in order to baptize our new daughter, we were instantly moved by the love, hospitality and kindness of the parish. We felt called to respond to the feeling in our hearts; we decided to participate together in the RCIA process. I sought out a deeper relationship with God while my wife sought to know more about her religion. We hoped the RCIA program would give us a greater understanding of the history and traditions of Catholi- cism but we were awed at what the program did to our hearts, our souls and our relationship. Each ritual and event fortified our spirituality on every level. From our first Advent and Lenten seasons as a new family to Jen being invited to the foot-washing on Holy Thursday, from the convalidation ceremony that blessed our marriage and strengthened it to the Saturday of the Easter Vigil when I received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation—all along the way, we were loved and supported by Sr. Muriel, the RCIA team and our new parish. It has been one of the best experiences of our lives. Our hearts have never felt warmer and our faith has never been stronger. Through the RCIA process, we have been welcomed home to a place where we truly belong. Joining in Mass and celebrating our faith has become a pillar of our family’s founda- tion. We want to continue to walk on this spiritual path together in all the years to come. Having already been baptized in the name of the Trinity in a Christian church, Tom Fisher wished to make ‘Full Commun- ion’ in the Catholic Church through the reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation and Communion. He also celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.: After several years of attending St. Augustine's parish in Larchmont with my wife, Lynda and our four children, I decided I wanted to be receive Communion and be confirmed as a Catholic. I was influenced by a prominent Catholic figure, Father Rob Hagan of Villanova University. At the funeral for a dear friend's mother, Fr. Rob gave the eulogy and provided a wonderful reflection of this woman, who lived her life guided by the Catholic faith. It was very inspirational and moving. Having spent 9 years attending St. Augustine Church, I am very familiar with the parish and with the priests. For me and for my family, St Augustine's feels like home. We are proud to be part of the parish. Although a practicing Christian my whole life, there was still a journey that I needed to take to become Catholic. Sister Muriel guided me along my journey, providing context to many of the traditions I knew about but had not formally studied. I learned about living daily as a practicing Catholic. (One of the best insights she provided was on the sacrament of Holy Eucharist. Sr. Muriel quoted Fr. Ron Rolheiser, who said that the Eucharist is “a physical embrace with Jesus.” That really resonated with me.) Following this path has been an enlightening experience and I am happy to be a confirmed Catholic. Do you know someone who might be interested in becoming a Catholic? Have them contact Sister Muriel Cooney at 834- 1220 or [email protected]. 2

Monsignor Robert Larkin

In the three years that he has been serving at St. Augustine’s, Msgr. Robert W. Larkin has found a lot to like about the parish and its people. He said that everyone gave him a warm welcome when he arrived, and he noted “the attentiveness of people at Mass, and their real concern for the poor, the needy and the hungry.” Msgr. Larkin has had many years of experience in parish work. He came to St. Augustine’s as an associate in 2015 after serving for two years as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Hartsdale. Previously he was pastor of Visitation in the Bronx for 23 years, from 1991 to 2014. At St. Augustine’s, Msgr. Larkin carries out the duties of a parish priest, primarily celebrating Mass and hearing confessions. He said that he finds it particularly rewarding “to try to make things pleasant for people and make it easy for them to talk about something, and to be able to offer advice.” Parishioners at St. Augustine’s “really are believers,” he said, and he is inspired to see them at prayer or stopping to make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. “What I like here,” he added, “is that parents of young children will speak to them about God and the Church and teach them to make the sign of the cross with holy water. It’s something that impresses me.” He also said, “People here are very generous. Any cause or need, they’re willing to share. I think they realize that God has blessed them, and they want to return that in some way.” He describes St. Augustine’s as “very well run.” “This place is filled with such talented people,” he said. “They’re very dedicated.” He praised the service of volunteers of all ages in religious education, ministry to seniors, recreational activities and fund raising. Msgr. Larkin also enjoys music, and he is impressed by what he hears at St. Augustine’s. “The music here is wonderful—the children’s choir, the adult choir, the organ and stringed instruments,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed music and singing. It lifts the spirit and allows people to feel God’s presence and his love for us.” He added that one of his favorite hymns is “Ave Maria.” His love for music began in childhood. “My mother played the piano quite well,” he said. “If there was a party, she would always get people singing.” He grew up in Mount Vernon, where his family belonged to Sacred Heart parish. His father was a Mount Vernon police officer and his mother was a homemaker. He was the youngest of four children, three boys and a girl. (One brother is deceased.) The children attended the parish school. Msgr. Larkin said that the example of the parish priests inspired him to pursue his own vocation. As a teenager he worked in the rectory a few evenings a week, and that gave him a sense of the life of a parish priest, he said. He also mentioned the influence of the Sisters of Mercy, who operated the school and brought the students to daily Mass beginning in the second grade. The principal, Sister Mary Aidan, R.S.M., distributed report cards. Msgr. Larkin recalled the day when she handed his report card to him and asked, “Why don’t you become a priest?” He told her agreeably, “I’ll think about it.” He studied for the priesthood in the New York archdiocesan seminary system, which at the time comprised Cathedral College—four years of high school and two of college—and St. Joseph’s Seminary, with the final two years of college and an additional four years of study. He was ordained in 1973. Msgr. Larkin taught English and religion at Cardinal Hayes High School, 1977-1980, and served at St. Barnabas parish, 1980-1988, both in the Bronx. He was a vice chancellor in the Chancery Office from 1988 to 1991. He is grateful to parishioners for their kindness, and his only request is: “Keep up the good work that you do here.” - Claudia McDonnell

Deacon Bob Gontcharuk

Deacon Robert Gontcharuk made history when he began his service at St. Augustine’s on June 15, 2017. He is the first permanent deacon to be assigned to the parish. “Change is tough for people when something is new,” he said, but at St. Augustine’s, “The priests and the people have been very welcoming, accepting and supportive.” Deacons are members of the clergy; they receive the sacrament of Holy Orders. Transitional deacons are preparing for priesthood and continue to priestly ordination. Permanent deacons remain deacons. The major- ity serve in parishes; they assist at Mass, deliver homilies, officiate at baptisms and weddings, visit the sick, and lead wake and burial services. Many are involved in religious education, youth work, marriage preparation, programs for seniors and service to those in need. Deacons do not celebrate Mass or hear confessions. The permanent diaconate began in the early years of Christianity but fell into disuse. It was restored by the Second Vatican Council, and it was introduced into the New York Archdiocese in 1968. A deacon is properly addressed with the title “Deacon” followed by his surname. Deacon Gontcharuk also likes to be known as Deacon Bob. At St. Augustine’s he assists at Mass at least once a week, preaches homilies, officiates at baptisms, does pastoral outreach and marriage preparation and trains altar servers. He described St. Augustine’s as “a very well-educated community.” “People are very interested in their prayer life, and their spirituality and its development, both individual and communal,” he said. “At the Masses you can sense that there is a thirst for prayer, for relationship with God.” He noted that parishioners are concerned not only about local needs but also the needs of the universal Church. Deacon Gontcharuk is a member of the archdiocesan Diaconal Formation Team at St. Joseph’s Seminary. He teaches prayer and discernment to men who are considering serving as deacons. He said that he would like to recruit candidates for the permanent diaconate from St. Augustine’s. Men from age 35 to 60 are eligible. Married men may be ordained to the diaconate, but if a deacon is widowed he is not permitted to marry again. Deacon Gontcharuk talked about the qualities that the diaconate requires. “You have to be humble, and a man of prayer, and willing to help God’s people,” he said. “It’s a vocation, it’s not a job.” He remarked that a critical part of the deacon’s vocation is “to reach out to the people on the fringe.” “It’s social outreach to those who might be in need of help, and it’s visiting the sick in homes and hospi- tals.” He also serves on the Ethics Committee of Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital; the committee assists “people who have no family or support,” most of whom are chronically ill, he said. Deacon Gontcharuk also holds the archdiocesan post of director of Catholic Identity in Central Westches- ter, with responsibility for 24 regional and parish schools. He works with pastors, principals and teachers to ensure that the schools continue to teach Catholic faith and values. Deacon Gontcharuk’s journey to the diaconate began when his pastor at Holy Name of Jesus in New Ro- chelle asked him to consider the idea. On Nov. 18 he will celebrate his 25th anniversary of ordination. Born in Manhattan, he graduated from the former Power Memorial Academy there. He then entered the Congregation of Christian Brothers; he taught at all levels from elementary school through college and served on the formation team. After leaving the congregation he worked for Con Edison for 12 years. Ordained a deacon in 1993, he served for 24 years at Holy Name of Jesus. He worked for the Archdiocese of New York, 1997-2000, as director of training and management development in the Human Resources Of- fice. He was a guidance counselor, chair of the religion department and a teacher at Blessed Sacrament-St. Gabriel High School in New Rochelle. He taught for 16 years at the New York Catholic Bible School and was parish manager of Immaculate Conception on Gun Hill Road in the Bronx for three years. He holds graduate degrees in theology, religious education and pastoral counseling. Deacon Gontcharuk and his wife, Louise, live in New Rochelle. Mrs. Gontcharuk works part time in the Holy Name of Jesus parish office. They have worked in marriage preparation for engaged couples for 20 years. Deacon Gontcharuk is enjoying his latest assignment. “It’s an honor to be able to serve the people of St. Augustine’s,” he said. - Claudia McDonnell 4

Enter to Learn and Leave to Serve

The motto of my high school, St. Cyril Academy, was “Enter to learn, and leave to serve.” I have been af- fected by those words my entire life. They may hold the life and breath of what our family-based religious education program could yet be. Our Religious Education program has grown in the last ten years from 465 to 640. The number of catechists and assistants has also multiplied---but has Christian discipleship taken sufficient root in the lives of our children and young people, and in their families? Of course, only God knows that; we humans are left with the desire for authenticity, relevance and passion in putting Gospel living in practice. The person of Christ is at the heart of our faith. “But today, when young people are surrounded by a culture in which choosing to believe is more and more a revolutionary act, religious education must do much more than hand on the basic tenets of the faith. Unless the option of belief is made real by family and community relationships that offer examples of true Christian discipleship, creedal affirmations are taking root in rocky soil. . . The good news is that innovative models of catechesis that look beyond the classroom, like family-based religious education programs that center on small group discussion and service, have shown great potential…[T]hey can also be resource-intensive, requiring greater involvement and investment on the part of families, parish staff and clergy. No program, however, can ever replace the central role of parents as “the principal and first edu- cators of their children.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1653)... Now is the time for the church to reflect on these words and move urgently to develop religious formation programs that introduce children to the person at the heart of our faith, who desires not only well-informed students but lifelong disciples.” (America Magazine, Jan. 23, 2017) Since I first read these words, they continue to haunt me! We already have a lectionary-based program that explores the Sunday readings of Scripture at developmen- tally appropriate levels—the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies. However, this program implies that families participate weekly in Sunday Mass. Only parents can make this happen; let us all pray for this. Only parents can make this happen. We have dedicated adult catechists and now teen catechists who are taking the challenge of passing on the faith. However, we need to add the missing piece: service. I am imploring parents who give their children every opportunity for sports, the arts and music to also ‘walk the mile’ of serving oth- ers. Working for the common good, keeping our eyes on social justice, should become a passion. Unless social justice is an integral part of our program, the Gospel of Jesus is not alive to any of us. Parents just need to make service as a family, a priority with their children. This is a form of family catechesis that can root us in putting the Gospel of Jesus in practice! Teens and young adults will also become involved in this aspect of living our faith. After each service opportunity is experienced as a family, it is important to talk to your children about what they experienced, how their service reflects their living like Jesus. Follow-up is essential. Questions like these could be the starting point: Did anything surprise you while we were there today? Did anyone inspire you or make you think of things differently? How did the people you helped make you feel? Were you helped or changed by them? And most importantly, how was Jesus speaking to you? (Please send any suggestions for service opportunities to [email protected].)

READ & DISCUSS SCRIPTURES in a SMALL GROUP

This fall join a small group to study one of the Gospels together—or the Book of Job or the Book of Revelation—or a shorter, 3-week study entitled Hope or Introduction to the Bible. A group reading of Rejoice and Be Glad (Gaudete Et Exsulatate), Pope Francis’ Letter of Exhortation to us, is also ready to start. Contact [email protected] to let us know your availability. We build the sessions around your schedule. Daily study is 15-20 minutes; weekly meetings are 1.5 hours. This small investment

of your time gives benefits that last eternally!

We Care for Creation!

In the sixth chapter of the Gospel of Mark that we heard on a hot Sunday this summer, Jesus sends his disciples into the world to heal, preach repentance and drive out evil spirits. They are to travel light lest they become distracted from the urgency of their mission or lose trust in the power available to them. Rejected at Nazareth, Jesus readied his disciples to minister beyond his three earthly years and, two by two, they went forth in mission. With a real sense of mission, many have read Pope Francis’ June 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home (our 2016 ‘Parish Read’) and heard the Holy Father call on each and every citizen of the world to tread lightly upon the planet, to hear and respond to the cries of the earth and of the poor, and to repent of wasteful, thoughtless consumerism in our lives: to live simply so that all may simply live. In the three years since Laudato Si’, numerous local and global efforts have arisen to promote and create a more sustainable future. One such local response began here at our parish in the fall of 2016 after witnessing presenta- tions by Franciscan Patrick Carolan and a second by Sr. Kathleen Deignan and Br. Kevin Cawley of Iona’s Thomas Berry Forum on the Encyclical. As with many community building efforts at St. Augustine’s, it started with an invitation to Lu Doyle, our director of ‘AFF’, this one at an Iona interfaith event from presenter Ron Schulhof of the Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale: Would a group of our parishioners like a tour of their Temple, school and catering facility’s pioneering food waste composting program? Informed by Laudato Si’ and inspired by the Temple’s commitment to divert food waste to compost and to replace single-use plastic serveware with reusable or compostable items, St. Augustine’s Creation Care Team (CCT) was born. Since then, the CCT has been enthusiastically and diligently led by Karen Khor. If you have attended a St. Augustine potluck in recent years, picked up a food waste recycling kit at the Larchmont Farmer’s Market or volunteered to tend compost bins at Town events or Hommock’s lunches, chances are, you know Karen and, most likely, the entire Khor-Tan family. In the words of the CCT mission statement, it goes forth “to change mindsets and behaviors at parish, school and household levels, and to move our larger community toward zero waste through education and communica- tion and by modeling zero waste practices in response to Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home.” To that end, the team set out to adopt waste reduction practices for parish events, large and small, by replacing plastic and plasticized cups and plates with (industrially) compostable ones from World Centric, investing in metal ‘silverware’ and in signage that clearly indicates recycleables and compostables as well as staffing parish events to help direct waste to its proper bin. While not quite at zero, our waste destined for garbage at even the best attended parish events is most often reduced to a single bag. The Creation Care Team’s mission has grown more visible at St. Augustine’s and is inspiring broader change. Since October 2017, the Rectory composts its daily food waste, which volunteers collect and transport to the Maxwell Avenue drop-off site. Last summer, parishioners painted parish and FASNY dumpsters to help the parish and school campus better distinguish trash from recycling and, most recently, parishioner George Gristina was inspired to dedicate his Eagle Scout project to building two beautiful recycling/composting stations for Kenny Hall (see photo, above). Thank you, George! Team members are also visible in the community, lending volunteers as ‘zero waste’ guides to Sheldrake’s Earth Day, Larchmont Yacht Club’s Race Week, Town Movie Nights, Larchmont Farmers’ Market, the Chats- worth Carnival, and much more. These collective efforts have not gone unnoticed. On June 19th, Karen (in her role on the Town of Mamaroneck’s SC---Sustainability Collaborative) accompanied Town of Mamaroneck Mayor Nancy Seligson as the Town received Westchester County’s Eco Award for the Food Waste Recycling Program it launched in September 2017. And, as a fitting reward for residents’ food waste efforts, Maxwell Avenue recently offered free compost to nourish home gardens and flower beds. Here too, Karen and other CCT and SC members were visible, manning shovels to fill buckets and bags with beautifully rich, still-steaming soil. For more ideas on living more simply, visit catholicclimatecovenant.org. We invite you to join our parish Crea- tion Care Team by emailing Wendy Gittings at [email protected] as we plan a St. Francis celebration for Oc- tober 7. Larchmont’s Committee on the Environment has news on local initiatives [email protected]. The Town of Mamaroneck’s Sustainability Collaborative is open to all---please contact sodierna@townofmamaro neck.org for more info. Regionally, our local chapter of the Catholic Climate Movement (catholicclimate movement.global) is co-sponsoring a MetroNY Care for Creation Conference in October 27 at St. Francis of Assisi on 31st Street. Save those dates! - Wendy Gittings 6

A Corporal Work of Mercy: Feed the Hungry

HOPE COMMUNITY SERVICES The demand for HOPE’s services continue to increase as Address: 50 Washington Av., demographics change. Women with children, elderly clients on New Rochelle, NY 10801 a fixed income, entire families are forced to choose between Contact info: (914) 636-4010 paying for rent and buying food. Federal budget cuts and other [email protected] government cutbacks continue to affect HOPE’s ability to pro- hopecommunityservices.org vide food and other services. All food donations are welcome at St. Augustine. They are With the assistance and support taken to HOPE in NR or to the Missionaries of Charity in the of a host of volunteers, HOPE Bronx (below). Please bring food every time you come opened the doors of its first soup to Mass or any time during the week—leave your offer- kitchen in 1984. Since then, it has ings in the baskets at the entrances to the church or children grown to become one of the largest may bring them up at the 10:30 Family Mass. (Cooks & serv- emergency food pantry and soup ers are also needed at both locations’ soup kitchens.) kitchens in our region. >>>>>

______About the MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY The act of charity begins on a Sunday morning when a mom or dad takes a a box of pasta for their child to con- tribute at the 10:30 Mass Offertory. When it is time for the gifts of bread and wine to be offered at the altar, Approximately 80 men and women also arrive at the convent their child walks down the center every day needing food, many of them homeless. Hot food is isle of St. Augustine, clutching that prepared for them from vegetables and meats that are contribut- box, and hands it to the priest. The ed by neighborhood stores. The volunteers who serve also in- boxed and canned food—pasta, rice, clude parishioners of St. Augustine. These acts of charity take beans, tomato sauce, vegetables, place without fanfare. The reward is the experience of witnessing cereal, corn flour (maseca)—is gath- a group do sisters who work tirelessly, day after day, carrying ered in an area at the back of our out a truly spiritual ministry of service to the poor. Also, per- church. Once a week, volunteers haps, the blessing of an elderly nun, who turns from stirring an from our parish load up the food and urn of food to say, “Thank you for your help. God bless you.” drive it to the Missionaries of Charity To the Mom or Dad, to the child that walked that box of pasta food pantry and soup kitchen at up to the altar, to all that play a role in the unseen chain of events 145th Street in the Bronx. For that is this ministry—thank you. And God bless you! nearly 30 years, this ministry has MOTHER TERESA FOOD PANTRY & SOUP KITCHEN helped to feed the hungry in the Address: 335 E. 145th Street, Bronx, NY 10451 Phone: Bronx, those living in a neighbor- (718)292-0019 (call 9:30 - 11:30am or 3:30 - 6:30pm) De- hood where the church, long closed, livery times: Donations welcome every day except has been converted into a bustling Thursday (they are closed) before 11:30am To sign up soup kitchen run by the nuns of the to deliver food for the parish, please email John at order established by Mother Teresa [email protected] (Volunteers will typically be of Calcutta. The volunteers carry the asked to go once every two months.) Days/hours to food to the basement of the kitchen, volunteer in the kitchen: During Lent: Sunday, Mon- where it is unpacked and then re- day, Wednesday 9 - 11am (there is no soup kitchen packed by white-robed sisters and meal on Fridays) After Lent: same days plus Tuesdays volunteers for pick-up, each month, and Saturdays. You do not need to call ahead to volun- by 200 needy families living in the teer in the kitchen unless you would like to organize a

neighborhood. >>>>> group and then call ahead to arrange : (718) 292-0019.

You are Welcome

There’s a new ‘strategic planning group’ in the parish; it’s called the Welcome Committee. Seven parishioners began meeting on a regular basis to think of ways to help our parish spread the welcome that we all felt when we joined the parish in the years between 1987 and 2016. We came from North and South America, Europe and Asia. Our diverse yet universal experiences spurred us to share what welcome can mean in the context of a Catholic community of faith. We asked ourselves how to make people feel welcome, those who literally walk through the door of the church to come to worship and those who walk through our electronic portal by registering online to be a member. We wanted to think about how to welcome as well as to what we as a parish are inviting them. Our first effort was to invite the parish to eat together in Kenny Hall, potluck style---equally good for those who love to cook and those who love to eat. Empty nesters, families with kids, empty nesters, singles and friends of all ages made an intergenerational pastiche that was fun for all. We then started a new tradition of Wine & Cheese Receptions for New Parishioners twice a year in the rectory where people could meet the Pastor, some staff members and a Parish Council members with a selection of wines and cheeses from around the world. These new efforts, coupled with existing‘fellowship’ events such as the weekly social hour in the cafeteria after the 10:30 Mass, the Baptism Reunion on Epiphany Sunday each year, the Holly Party each December, the Seniors’ meetings on Thursdays, the Irish Fleadh in March—all help people to feel more at home in their faith community. All of us can extend hospitality with a smile and an introduction as we enter the pew! Or become a Greeter by coming 15 minutes early to your favorite Mass. (Contact [email protected]) Our CYO Basketball Program—-50 Years! The Catholic Youth Organization, a program of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, fields 1,640 basketball teams in nine counties. Some 17,000 boys and girls participate in its programs every year building ball-handling, passing and shooting skills, learning how to be a good team member and practicing good sportsmanship in the spirit of competition. St. Augustine's CYO basketball program will celebrate it's 50th season during this 2018-19 season. The program currently includes 175 boys and girls playing on 15 teams and includes children from 2nd grade through high school, and is currently coordinated by Mark McNally a long time St. Augustine parishioner. "I have been involved in either the coaching or coordination capacity for the past 25 years. It has been fun to see the program grow and to see the many families that get involved. We are always looking to expand. We look for children to participate and parents to get involved in the coaching and coordination efforts." The season runs from November 15th through February 15th. For more information on this Archdiocesan program, please visit wpcyo.net. For questions regarding the St. Augustine program, please contact Mark McNally at [email protected] or visit our parish CYO webpage at staugustinecyo.leagueapps.com. What is WeShare?

Formerly ParishPay, We Share is St. Augustine’s online giving program. Join it by going to the parish website; look for Stewardship and you’ll find We Share. Some good reasons to give to your parish online…

 It is consistent---support of your parish continues even when you are away.  It is safe, secure and convenient for you and for your parish.  It provides you with a giving history for tax statements.  You can earn rewards through your credit card.  You can set up weekly or monthly donations according to your budget.  Dedications or messages can be included with your donations.  You can handle your account with an app on your smart phone.

Happy 125th! From Here to P.R., the People of God!

Our Four Parish Practices Our four parish practices—Welcome (koinonia), Wisdom & Word (didache, kerygma), Worship (leiturgia) and Charity & Justice (diakonia)—correspond to the four parts of the Mass: the Introductory Rite, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Sending Forth. Within each practice, you will find these parish ministries, comprised of parishioners of all ages worshiping together, studying together, praying together, serving together. We need your presence! (For an expanded description of each ministry, go to our parish website, staugustineny.org.)

Adult Faith Formation Team Knights of Columbus Altar Guild Ladies Auxiliary Altar Servers Larchmont Catholic Library Angel Tree Larchmont Interfaith Council Basketball Program (CYO & adults) Lectio Divina (Thurs AM) Bereavement Group Lectors Bird Watching Midnight Run Blood Drive Moms & Pops & Tots Book Clubs Parish Council Catechists & Aides Parish Read Centering Prayer Parish Technology Committee Choir (children & adult) Prayer Network Clothing Drive RCIA Creation Care Team Redirect Christmas Cub Scouts Reflections Dads that Do Renovations Committee Eucharistic Ministers Scripture Study Groups Family Mass Social Hour Seniors Group Food Pantry & Soup Kitchen Thanksgiving Dinner Drive Greeters & Ushers Welcome Committee Habitat for Humanity Youth Group

We thank the following parishioners for their support of the 125th Anniversary Campaign:

John & Gloria Allen John & Bridget Devine Harley & Tia Griffiths Brian & Suzanne Anderson James Devitt Andrew & Margaret Gristina David & Kate Anderson James & Iraci DiBuono Arthur & Jeanne Grubert Gennaro & Carole Anzisi Paul & Mary Ellen Dillon Joseph & Kathy Gryzlo Anne Avenius Rev. Richard Dillon Rima Gudaitis Eduardo & Jessica Ayala Frank & Beatrice Dinger Nicholas Gugliuzza & Elena Barnabei Andrew & Theresa Donnellan Courtney Nunns John & Mary Gail Barry James & Nancy Dougherty Christopher & Jennifer Ham Dolores Battalia Cheryl Dufort Michael & Lorraine Hannigan Paul & Kathleen Benson Richard & Ann DuMoulin Joan Haworth Ann Betkowski Charles & Claire Brenda Heffernan Christopher & Kristen Bevilacqua Dupin de Saint Cyr David & Carla Henderson Douglas Bleckner & Matthew & Laura Dupuis Michael Henry & Brigid Brennan Jacqueline Forbes Joseph & AnitaRose Dziwura Matthew Herman & Mara Laurence & Muriel Bodkin Margareta Ehnes Bardinelli Carmen Bracho Suzanne Elsesser Jeff & Suzanne Hersh Timothy & Monica Brenton Howard & Mary English June Hesler James & Linda Brown Michael & Ruthanne Fairweather John & Courtney Hewson Frederick Bruno Donato Fanelli Family Cathy Hickey Eduardo & Tasha Cabral Francis & Patricia Fanning Paul & Hope Hickey John & Stacy Caffrey Helen Fay Michael & Megan Hildebrandt Bruce & Cannon Campbell Fred & Carey Federspiel Edward & Amy Hogan Edward & Elizabeth Capuano Joseph & Nora Feghali Wesley & Linnea Holmes Joseph & Catherine Carney John & Florrie Feuerbach James & Margaret Hosey Richard Cassin Robert & Kimberly Finn William & Maureen Hughes Andre & Claudia Castaybert Loren & Pilar Finnell Michael & Patricia Hyland Anthony & Katrina Cavalli Patricia Finneran John & Kathleen Ibelli Maria Cetra Elizabeth Fitzgerald Vincent & Joan Ibelli Anthony & Merigo Chianese John & Kate Fitzgerald Francis & Erin Irwin David Ciminesi Michael & Mary Ellen Fitzsimons William & Marianne Irwin Christopher & Joan Clarke Honorable Anita Florio James & Kerry Jacobs Suzanne Clephane Joseph & Biagina Fonti Scott & Jodi Jamieson Anthony & Gabrielle Colletti John J. Fox Funeral Home Brian & Lynn Janson Dwight & Hillary Collins Bruno & Patrice Francois David & Jane Joyce Bill & Lisa Collins Charlotte Frede Gerard & Eugenia Juliano Francis & Mary Cox Julien & Jennifer Furioli Paul Kaminski Patricia Cox Thomas Gallagher & Maureen Kane Laird & Csilla Criner Michele Faber David Katz & Cecelia Absher Daniel & Susan Cronin Mary & Thomas Gardiner Henry & Elizabeth Kearney John & Sonya Cronin Cara Gentile Nancy Keelan Diane Crowley Debra Gerace John & Edwina Keenan Fred & Helen Cuccia Thomas & Eileen Gerspach Thomas Keller Thomas & Miriam Curnin Catherine Gigantino William & Gabrielle Kelly Vincent & Lisa Dailey Robert & Wendy Gittings Msgr. Thomas R. Kelly Nicholas & MaryAnn De Feis Mary Ellen Gluck Msgr. Walter F. Kenny Dominique De La Chapelle Deacon Robert & Louise James & Laura Kiernan Paula DelGuercio Gontcharuk Maria Kim Sergai & Patricia DeLaMora Austin & Megan Graham Eugenie Klatte & Helen Bellotti Brian & Maura Devaney Angela Griffiths Brett & Alison Klein

Andrew & Margaret Kohler Brendan & Ann O’Brien Joseph & Francoise Shein Bator & Karen Kovacs Kevin & Moira O’Connell Bradford Siazon & Teofila White Colin & Donna Lamont Mary O’Connor Joseph & Ann Siragusa Carl & Renee Landegger Colleen O’Friel David Smalley John Latona Mark & Patricia O’Friel Jan Karel and Anne-Mieke Smeets Alexis & Michele Lavion Sheila O’Friel Ryan & Amy Smith Thomas & Theresa Leghorn John & Judith O’Gorman Jeff & Judi Smith John & Mary Leitner John & Valerie O’Keeffe Gregory & Lisa Sommer Fabien & Domitille Lemoine Colin & Eliza O’Neill John & Mary Spollen Paul & Nancy Lennon Thomas & Randi Opladen Robert & Barbara Staffaroni George & Lynn Lex Stephen Orban Kevin Staudt Jesus Llorca & Elizabeth Luth Frank Owens & Margaret Burke Michele Steichen Christopher & Janice Loll Agostino Paganini & Gustavo & Lina Stringel Robert & Lynn Maffei Margaret Beretta Dermod Sullivan Carmine Magazino Elizabeth Page Robert & Jane Symington Louis Maggio Robert Paoli Tim & Nancy Taussig Andrew & Eleanor Maloney Umberto Paolucci Christopher & Kim Tofalli Matilde Mancini Cyrus & Kimberly Pardiwala Annette Treacy Ed & Debra Manetta Francois-Xavier & Jill Patricot John Troy Ann Mangone Duane & Mary Pfennigwerth Linda Velasquez Evelyn Manzano Stephen & Stephanie Piccone Martin & Helen Waters Kaaren Marcato John & Beth McErlean Pierce William & Jenny Webb Frank & Maria Massimi Paul & Megan Plato Paul & Elizabeth Wellington Amy McCarthy Timothy & Carla Volpe Porter Tom & Mary Wey Richard & Dorothy McCarthy Robert & Shari Porucznik Jeff & Carmen White Sean & Chrissy McCarthy Jean Power Jeff & Chiara Wiedmeyer Martin & Mary McCormack Jeffrey & Eilis Powers Ray & Maureen Wilcoski Sean & Nancy McCreery Michael & Valerie Puglisi Jeff & Marilyn Wilkie Claudia McDonnell Juan & Shannon Pujadas Sam Williamson Michael & Ellen McEvily Bill & Kimi Quinn Deirdre Eilis Winters Thomas & Celia McEvoy Dennis Quinn Louis & Debra Young Thomas & Jennie McFarland Marino & Alison Radovich John (RIP) & Mary Zampino John McGarr Lennard & Starr Rambusch Johnathan & Patricia Zobel Jeffrey & Lynnelle McLane Gregory & Christine Randolph Joseph & Wendy McManus Helen Rauh Keith & Mary McMillan Greg & Carolyn Reimers 125th Stewart & Elizabeth McMillan Kenneth & Annalea Ricci Anniversary Mark & Nannette McNally Edward Rice & Maura Gallagher St. Augustine Church Ann Meehan Christopher & Rachel Riendeau Campaign 2018 Lionel & Cecilia Mellet Padraic & Frances Riley Nicole Menettrier John Risner & Sharon Parente Victor & Tara Menezes Steve & Sally Robling Douglas & Kathleen Millar Jay & Susan Romagnoli Henry & Thea Minello Jack & Kathryn Romita Bob & Lisa Mitchell Peter & Melanie Rush Mary Jo McDermott McCarthy Gregory & Michelle Ryan Mitchell Soledad Sambrano Edward & Mary Ann Mooney Vik & Margarita Sawhney Gregory & Valerie Mouracade Matlock & Amanda Schlumberger Peter & Abigail Murray Tom & Louisa Schneider Rita Murray Christopher & Melissa Schoen Arturo & Phyllis Muzzio Vinny & Terri Scully Dennis & Margaret Nolan Mary Sepp

St. Augustine Church Non Profit 18 Cherry Avenue U.S. Postage Larchmont, NY 10538 PAID Permit No. 237 White Plains, NY

Pray for peace — and be the peace you seek.

Some dates to remember...

SEPTEMBER Bereavement Group (10th) + Seniors Group (13th) + Welcome Sunday Pancake Breakfast (16th) +Catechetical Sunday (16th) + Religious Ed Classes (23rd & 26th) + Scripture Stud- ies (25th) + Divorced & Separated Group (wk of 23rd) + Centering Prayer (Sat) + Lectio Divina (Thurs) OCTOBER St. Francis Feast & Blessing of the Animals (7th) + Midnight Run + Clothing & Household Goods Drive + Wine & Cheese Reception for New Parishioners (20th) NOVEMBER All Saint’s Day (1st) + All Soul’s Day Memorial Mass for the Dead (2nd) + Advent Potluck (2nd) + Habitat Walk (4th) + Blood Drive (18th) + Thanksgiving Dinner Drive (22nd) DECEMBER Wreath & Candle Sale + Angel Tree Gifts + Holly Party (7th) + The Feast of the Immaculate Conception (8th) + ReDirect Christmas

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+ Mass and Sacrament Schedule + Info about all ministries + Weekly bulletin + Religious Education Schedules + Registration (Parish & Rel. Ed.) + Online Donations (We Share ) + Church History and Photos + Link to cyo registration + Links to Encyclicals, publications12 & other Catholic websites