ST. PETER - Colman STS. SIMON & JUDE - Flandreau OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL - Elkton 105 S. Bates St., FLANDREAU, SD 57028 Father Melvin Kuhn, Pastor Phone: 997-2610 Fax: 997-2180 [email protected] [email protected]

This past Thursday the Church celebrated the memorial of St. Monica and the following day the memorial of her son, St Augustine. St Monica herself was a very devout Catholic but her husband (Patricius – Patrick in English) was a pagan. Although he was apparently a difficult husband, Monica’s virtue won him over and he was baptized Catholic before his death. Now St Augustine (born in North Africa in the year 354 A.D. and died in 450) certainly did not start out as Augustine. His mother had him instructed in the faith and when he was a boy, he did take to it somewhat and it would have an effect on him later on. But by the time he was 17, probably with the (at least implicit) approval of his dad, Augustine started following his passions – his desires – which of course, like for all of us, were corrupted by original sin. He took up womanizing and other various sorts of revelry and pleasure seeking. However, Augustine also had a very sharp mind and even as a young man vigorously sought the truth about nature, man, the purpose of life, the question of evil and so on. Although his main interest was in (say) philosophy, he had learned rhetoric (the art of argumentation, if you will, or persuasive speaking) and made his living teaching rhetoric. His persistent desire for, and his insistent pursuit of, the truth was probably his saving characteristic. Initially, however, it led him into the popular errors of his time, especially Manichaeism. Manichaeism (founded by a guy named Mani – hence the name) was a mixture of all sorts of things – Zoroastrianism, Babylonian folklore, Buddhism, etc. Augustine was initially a very committed of it, diving into it more and more and teaching it to others as well. But his relentless seeking of truth, of really boring down on things, of reconciling and unifying all things, eventually led him to question it. Things didn’t fit, some things didn’t add up, they didn’t square with observable reality and he began to ask questions. The other Manicheans would say to him: wait for Faustus (the head Manichean of the time), he will answer all of your questions (Faustus was apparently “the great knower”). Well Faustus finally came and Augustine posed his questions. Faustus responded with rhetoric and Augustine, deeply disappointed, immediately recognized him as a huckster. He rejected Manichaeism and moved to Milan, Italy. In Milan he discovered a bishop named – none other than the future St Ambrose, Father and , a very intelligent man who was well versed in many subjects, including the physical sciences. Augustine would go to Mass, listen intently to Ambrose’s homilies, and then ponder what he had heard. Maybe this was what he had been seeking all along. His conversion had begun. One day during this time, the time of his conversion, he became deeply sorrowful, even overwrought, by all of his past sins. He went out into a garden and even wept over them, saying to God: “How long, Lord? Will You be angry with me forever?” Then he heard a child’s voice say: Take and read, take and read.” He tried to think of some game where kids would say this but there was nothing of the sort. He ran into his house, picked up Sacred Scriptures and read the first thing he came to: “Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying; but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, in concupiscence,” which is from St Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapter 13, verses 13-14. Augustine said he didn’t need to read any further, his soul was infused with light. St Augustine, much to the joy of his mother who had wept, prayed, and pleaded for his conversion for 20 years, was baptized and received into the Church by none other than his mentor, St Ambrose. Augustine would go on to be ordained to the priesthood and eventually made Bishop of Hippo in North Africa. But that is far from the end of the story. St Augustine became one of the, if not the, greatest teachers of the faith in the entire history of the Church. Fr John Hardon, who was perhaps the greatest theologian ever produced by our own country, said he believes that St Augustine was the most brilliant mind in the entire history of the Church – which is no small statement. St , also a Father and Doctor of the Church, was a contemporary of St Augustine but also his senior. St Jerome, who was actually known for a bit of short-temperedness and not (Cont. on page 4)

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ August 30, 2020 Liturgy Schedule Location Mass Intention

Mon., Aug. 31 10:30 AM Flandreau Tues., Sept. 1 7:30 AM Mass Flandreau † Philip Baumberger Wed., Sept. 2 9:00 AM Mass/Exposition/Adoration Elkton † Emmett Coughlin Thur., Sept. 3 9:00 AM Mass/Exposition/Adoration Colman † John/Martha Groos Fri., Sept. 4 9:00 AM Mass/Exposition/Adoration Flandreau Tommy Luze Sat., Sept. 5 9:00 AM 1st Saturday Mass Flandreau † Pauline McGlone 7:00 PM Mass Colman † Ray/Grace Entringer Sun., Sept. 6 8:30 AM Mass Elkton All Parishioners 10:30 AM Mass Flandreau † Richard Headrick Confessions - Elkton & Colman 1/2 hour prior to weekend Mass

- Flandreau after weekend Mass

MINISTERS OF SERVICE Daily Mass Readings

COLMAN ~ SATURDAY, SEPT. 5 Aug 31: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Ps 119:97-102; Luke 4:16-30 Lect./Comm.: Chad Groos Sept 1: 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; Ps 145:8-14; Luke 4:31-37 Altar Servers: Austin Gullickson, Sutton Bunde Sept 2: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Ps 33:12-15,20-21; Luke 4:38-44 Sept 3: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23; Ps 24:1-6; Luke 5:1-11 ELKTON ~ SUNDAY, SEPT. 6 Sept 4: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Ps 37:3-6,27-28,39-40; Luke 5:33-39 Lect/Comm: Sharon Landsman, Bill Fargen Sept 5: 1 Corinthians 4:6-15; Ps 145:17-21; Luke 6:1-5 Altar Servers: Gabby Mejia, Kathy Fuentes Sept 6: 33:7-9; Ps 95:1-2,6-9; Romans 13:8-10;

FLANDREAU ~ SUNDAY, SEPT. 6 Matthew 18:15-20

Lect./Comm: Les Heinemann Daily Readings can also be found on-line Altar Servers: Maria/Paul Parsley, Liz/Bella Pavlis at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/ Sacristan: Tammy Stenger

rd Intention of the Holy Father for September: Aug. 23 Colman: $1695 We pray that the planet’s resources will not be Elkton: $2548 plundered, but shared in a just and respectful Flandreau: $2372 manner. Thank you!

I am nothing; I am but an instrument, a tiny pencil in the hands of the Lord with which he writes what he likes. However imperfect we are, He writes Beautifully. STS. SIMON & JUDE ST. PETER

CCD Classes begin on September 16th CCD begins on September 9th at 6:30 PM. Grades K-6: 5:45 to 7:00 PM Grades 7-12: 7:15 to 8:30 PM Teachers Needed for grades 3rd-6th. Please contact Marcie at 530-2219. Thank you! Needed: A person or a Team to lead the high school CCD students in the engaging LifeTeen curriculum. This curriculum has many resources and activities available. Contact OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL

Marietta (864-3182) or Laura (530-9428). th CCD Classes begin September 9 at 6:30 PM. We Remember: Supper for junior -and high school students only - James McGlone: his funeral will be on because of sports during the month of Monday at 10:30 AM; wake Sunday at 5:30 at September to start with. the football field. May the Lord grant him eternal Elementary students will not be allowed in peace and give his family and friends hope and the building until 6:25. comfort. Please pray for Shelby Remund and Nathan Krog who will be th TRI - PARISH married on September 12 .

Tri-Parish Confirmation Meeting: Sept. 9th at 6:30 PM at SS&J, church basement Catholic Conversations: The Catholic for students in grades 9 & 10 and a parent. Church, Why Does It Matter? - We are living in uncertain and difficult times. Now, more Parish Annual Reports for the fiscal year of than ever, we need the Gospel and the grace July 1,2019 - June 30, 2020 are available in the of Jesus Christ to carry us. Come see where church entrance of each parish. Jesus is most present to us, and rediscover the power of Jesus in the . Join us in person or via livestream Sept. 30th, 7pm, St. , Mobridge. www.sfcatholic.org/ Safe Environment Training conversations for volunteers working with minors and for any parish employee who prefer not to complete Sioux Falls Diocese Openings: their training on-line. 1) Chancery Office - Chief Financial and Wednesday, September 2 - 7:00 PM Administrative Officer. The qualified applicant at the CCD Center in Flandreau will have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in an Annual training is required for all parish Accountancy or business-related field, with a CPA preferred plus 10 to 15 years of experience in a chief employees and anyone who volunteers with financial officer role or equivalent. minors regardless of the frequency that they 2) Vocation & Tribunal Offices - carry out the role. Administrative Assistant On-line training can be completed at 3) Discipleship & Evangelization Office - siouxfalls.cmgconnect.org Thank you! Administrative Assistant 4) Catholic Community Foundation of Eastern SD - Administrative Asst. 5) Catholic Family Services - Executive Director We are looking for faith-filled, dynamic Catholics to serve in all of these positions to September/October help further Bishop's DeGrood's vision of Mass Schedule Missionary Discipleship across the Diocese. For further details go to Colman - Saturday 7:00 PM www.sfcatholic.org/human-resources/ Elkton - Sunday 8:30 AM category/employment-opportunities (Cont. from page 1) known for being loose with compliments, said that Augustine “established Broom Tree anew the ancient Faith.” St Anselm, a Doctor of the Church who lived 600 Day of Recollection years after Augustine, said of his own writings: I have not said anything September 15 – “Our Lady of contrary to St Augustine and nothing that St Augustine has not already Sorrows” directed by Father said! A -theologian once said that if someone says they have read all Jeff Norfolk. Register at that St Augustine ever wrote, he knows they don’t know Augustine, so www.broom-tree.org or email: prolific was his writings and sermons. It is, of course, impossible to [email protected] quantify but St Augustine and St (who came 800 years after Augustine) probably account for at least half of all of our Catholic Fall Grief Share will run doctrine – the definitive teachings of the Church; and Aquinas drew Sept. 15 - Nov. 24, from 6-8 heavily on Augustine. A person does not do that without knowing the PM on Tuesday evenings at mind of God, lessons he learned by sitting at the feet of the Master. Catholic Family Services, St Augustine’s writings are generally fairly easy to read; although it Sioux Falls. The overall cost might help, you don’t generally need a background in philosophy or of the group is free with a free to read his writings. Two of his most well-known books are: -will offering available. Each “The Confessions” and “City of God.” If you are looking for good personal workbook costs $15 Catholic reading (and I hope you are) that take up the serious questions of with scholarships available if life, of man, of death, of reality, these would be excellent choices. I read needed. To register or inquire about Grief Share, please The Confessions even before going to seminary so it is fairly readable. email [email protected] or “The Confessions” is not just St Augustine telling all of his sins, even call 605-988-3775. though he does touch on that as well. It’s not just an autobiography, even though it is partially that too. It is more of an exploration of the inner life Surviving Divorce Program of man and his struggle to unite with God. In the later chapters of this Begins Sept. 15 in Sioux book, for example, Augustine goes back to the beginning of man, using the Falls. Sessions are held on first few chapters of the Book of Genesis. Tuesday evenings, 6-8 p.m. One of the things that was happening during Augustine’s life was the Cost of $45 per person downfall of the Roman Empire. The empire was being invaded frequently includes a “Personal Survival and there was much chaos throughout Roman territory – perhaps not Guide,” refreshments and all entirely unlike our own times. Some of the Roman pagans blamed the materials for six weeks. For Catholics (perhaps also not entirely unlike our own times) and Augustine information or to register, was asked to write a response to this. The book “City of God” was the contact Catholic Family result. In this book, Augustine contrasts two cities – the “city” of man, of Services, 605-988-3775 or worldliness, so to speak, and the “city” of the true and sincere followers of [email protected]. Christ. It is a great theological (not political) work but is still quite readable. Scholarships are available.

I had hoped to take up one or two subjects or questions that Augustine Bishop’s Charity Hunt had addressed, especially the question of evil which is at least tangentially Sept. 21-22 related to the readings for this Sunday. But there is not enough time or For information or to register space so maybe we will take this up the next time. call 605-988-3765 or visit God bless you, Fr Kuhn www.ccfesd.org

South Dakota Right to Life "Celebration of Life Weekend" and 49th Annual State Convention is being hosted by Sioux Falls Area Right to Life.

The life affirming and informational weekend starts Friday evening October 2nd and concludes the afternoon of Sunday October 4th with the annual Life Chain event. Friday and Saturdays events will be at Sioux Falls First Church, 6300 W. 41st Street. Friday night is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC while Saturday’s speakers and events require registration.

The First 200 Registrants will also receive a free "My Pillow"! Owner and founder of My Pillow Mike Lindell has been an ardent supporter of Pro-Life causes including the financial backing for last years box office success and impactful movie "Unplanned".

Featured speakers for the weekend include Scott Klussendorf Pro Life Author and Founder of Life Training Institute, Dr. Patti Giebink - former Abortionist, and Joanna Hyatt of Live Action

Also included on Saturday is a special Youth Session and Speakers with activities conducted by Kassidy Noem Peters. This is free for all Middle School and High School aged students with a focus on how they can be involved in the Pro-Life effort. Contact Sioux Falls Area Right to Life for your child or Youth Group to register.

On Sunday Oct. 4th, 2-3 pm will be the annual Life Chain where participants from across the region join in peaceful prayer along 41st Street from S. Kiwanis to S. Sertoma Ave for the end of abortion. Last years event had over 700 people participate!