Saint Augustine 

Due to Hurricane Ida damage to St. Augustine Church, our Sunday Mass is currently being celebrated in the parish hall at 10:00 a.m. On Wednesdays we pray the Rosary at 4:30 p.m., Mass follows at 5:00 p.m. The entrance to the parish hall may be found through the gate on Governor Nicholls St. or through the parking lot on Treme St.
 
Sunday Mass is also live-streamed at facebook.com/saintaugchurch. Everyone is welcome to join us in person or via Facebook. For more information call the office Tuesday-Friday 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (504)525-5934.

For nearly 200 years, Saint Augustine Catholic Church has welcomed
people from every walk of life, creed, and color to worship side by side.
Perhaps that is why Saint Augustine has not only served as the heart
of the Tremé community but has also played an integral role in
shaping the culture of the city of New Orleans. 

PASTOR'S CORNER – October 6, 2024

 A very important announcement:  The Archdiocese of New Orleans is moving ahead with its planning program to revitalize parishes.  They have chosen 8 parishes for this revitalization process.  St. Augustine is one of the parishes.  They asked us to put together a facilitation team from parish members.  Our team consists in June Dumas, Joseph Jeanjacques, Veronica Cross and Marvin Dolliole along with the pastor Fr. Bill.  We will have two consultative meetings with parish members before the end of the year.  At the first meeting the leadership company the Archdiocese has hired will explain to us the process of consultation.  There will be time for comments and questions.  After that our team will put together a draft proposal which will be discussed at the second parish meeting.  The results of the second parish meeting will constitute the proposal which will be submitted to the Archbishop for his consideration and decision.  At this point the Archbishop has assured us that no decision has been made ahead of the consultation.  We encourage all of our members to attend the parish town meetings so that all can be heard.  As soon as we know the dates for the meetings, we will let everyone know.  Please pray for good discernment as we try to envisage our future. 
© Father William “Bill” Mason, OMI, 2024
 
 
 
Dear St. Augustine Members and Friends:
 
PASTOR'S CORNER - September 29, 2024
 The idea that connects both the first reading and the gospel is tolerance.  In the first reading two Hebrews complain to Joshua that two men who were not at the blessings ceremony were doing the same blessings as those who attended the ceremony.  In the gospel two disciples complain to Jesus that two people who are not of Jesus' group are performing healings in Jesus' name.  Both the attitude of Moses in the first reading and that of Jesus in the gospel is one of tolerance, those who do good deeds in my name even if they are not formally part of our group are still with us.

 The problem with the complainers to Moses and to Jesus is that they think exclusively instead of inclusively.  If someone is not formally part of our group, they are excluded from the blessings and benefits of our group.  What Moses and Jesus say is that if someone is doing good things they are included in our group even if they are not formally members.  This attitude does influence how we think about other Christian churches and other religions.  There used to be a theory in the Catholic Church that outside the Catholic Church there is no salvation.  The Second Vatican Council has dismissed that theory.  We now try to exhibit the attitude of Jesus, that if you are doing good works and helping then we are walking together on the pilgrimage to the promised land.  Question for reflection: Am I an inclusive or an exclusive thinker? 

Dear St. Augustine Members and Friends:

 PASTOR'S CORNER - September 29, 2024
 The idea that connects both the first reading and the gospel is tolerance.  In the first reading two Hebrews complain to Joshua that two men who were not at the blessings ceremony were doing the same blessings as those who attended the ceremony.  In the gospel two disciples complain to Jesus that two people who are not of Jesus' group are performing healings in Jesus' name.  Both the attitude of Moses in the first reading and that of Jesus in the gospel is one of tolerance, those who do good deeds in my name even if they are not formally part of our group are still with us.

 The problem with the complainers to Moses and to Jesus is that they think exclusively instead of inclusively.  If someone is not formally part of our group they are excluded from the blessings and benefits of our group.  What Moses and Jesus say is that if someone is doing good things they are included in our group even if they are not formally members.  This attitude does influence how we think about other Christian churches and other religions.  There used to be a theory in the Catholic Church that outside the Catholic Church there is no salvation.  The Second Vatican Council has dismissed that theory.  We now try to exhibit the attitude of Jesus, that if you are doing good works and helping then we are walking together on the pilgrimage to the promised land.  Question for reflection: Am I and inclusive or an exclusive thinker?

© Father William “Bill” Mason, OMI, 2024 

PASTOR'S CORNER - September 22, 2024

Mark your calendars for two big events in October.  On Saturday, October 12 New Orleans East Hospital is sponsoring a Wellness Day for Black Men. It will start at 7:00 a.m. with free screenings, and a 5 K walk at 9:30 a.m. to be hosted at Joe Brown Park, 5601 Read Blvd. in New Orleans East. For more information you can go to a AAWELLNESS.ORG. In the back of the hall there are cards advertising this event. Please take some and give them out to Black men of all ages whom you know.

Also, the church cross was picked up on Monday for cleaning. The time estimate is 4-6 weeks.  It may seem long but we have waited years for steps forward, weeks seem like a short time. More updates as info becomes available.

The 2024 Treme Fall Festival is Saturday October 26 in the churchyard, free admission.  Patron Party is October 25at George & Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center, 1225 N. Rampart, ticket at Tremefest.org, buy now and save.

October is Respect Life Month. Sunday, October 6 is Respect Life Sunday throughout our diocese.