Saint Augustine 

Thanks to all who were able to join for the first devotion at the Tomb of the Unknown Slave in November. We look forward to our Spring devotion.

For more information and photos of November event, click here.

We are proud to announce that St. Augustine Catholic Church has received $200,000 in funding from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a program from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

This funding will support the masonry and plaster repair and restoration of St. Augustine Catholic Church.

Since 2017, the Action Fund has raised more than $91 million in philanthropic funding, and serves as the largest U.S. resource dedicated to the preservation of African American historic places.

See the full list of this year’s grantees and site descriptions here.

Donations to our general fund, including tithings can be made here.

Please give here. 

HISTORY OF EARLY CHURCH May 25,2025
     
From Easter to Pentecost the first reading at Mass is from the Acts of the Apostles.  The readings describe the development of the early church.  This week's reading deals with one of the biggest decisions in our history, the decision of how to include 7the Gentles in the faith community.  The question was what Jewish practices should the Gentiles follow.   The leaders met with the community, heard the various opinions and asked the Holy Spirit for wisdom.  The decision was made to follow certain practices eg, abstain from meat sacrificed to idols but they did not have to be circumcised.  This decision influenced greatly the mission preaching of the early church.  Moments of decision have happened many times in our church history.  It has always been the Holy Spirit that has guided us.  This is our confidence as we move into our future.  
 
© Father William “Bill” Mason, OMI, 2025

A DAY TO CELEBRATE SACRAMENTS
May 18, 2025
 
Today at our celebration of the Eucharist we will also celebrate baptism and first communion. Cooper Murphy, son of Eliza and Matthew Murphy will be baptized during our liturgy.  We welcome Cooper into the experience of divine life.  Also Paul and Gabriel Rebourg will be celebrating their first communion at our Mass.   We welcome them into full communion with Jesus Christ.  Sacraments are special moments to experience the presence of God.   For us it is a moment to welcome new members to our faith community.  Through the sacraments God is making all things new.       
Amen. 
 
© Father William “Bill” Mason, OMI, 2025
 




Blessing for Mother’s Day 
                    May 11, 2025
 Loving God, as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, so you give life and care for your Church. Bless these women, as we celebrate this day in their honor. May they be strengthened as Christian mothers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor and appreciate them with a spirit of profound respect. May the example of Mary, mother of Jesus, inspire them to live their vocation as Christian mothers and call their children to faith. Guide and protect them in challenging times and help them to continue to trust in you all the days of their life. Grant this through Christ our Lord. 
Amen.

PASTOR'S CORNER - MAY 4, 2025

THE STORY OF JESUS' DIALOGUE WITH  PETER

The gospel today is the resurrection story of a conversation between Jesus and Peter.  Jesus asks Peter three times "Do you love me?", reminiscent of the three times Peter denied Jesus.    Peter's response was an unconditional "yes".  Jesus was grooming Peter for leadership among his disciples.  
The timing of this gospel story is very appropriate since the college of cardinals will be entering a Conclave this week to discern the person who will be the leader of our church.  We need to pray for the cardinals that they will be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in this discernment process.  A Conclave is a very important moment in our history.  The next decade or so will be influenced by what happens now.  Please pray intensely. 
      
 © Father William “Bill” Mason, OMI, 2025


PASTOR'S CORNER APRIL 27, 2025
 
HIRING OF NEW PARISH SECRETARY

 We are glad to announce the hiring of  a new parish secretary.  It is Mrs. STEPHANIE GALLO.  She is a member of our parish and participates in the Ladies Altar Society and the Ladies Knights of St. Peter Claver.  She is a graduate of Nicholls State University and Delgado Community College.  She has professional management background at Rouses, Murphy's and Sam's Club.  We welcome Mrs. Gallo to our staff and anticipate God's blessings of service through her.

 We are also planning a gathering of gratitude for our outgoing secretary Mrs. Linda Harris.  When details are finalized, we will inform everyone.        
              
© Father William “Bill” Mason, OMI, 2025

 PASTOR'S CORNER - Easter Sunday ~ April 20,  2025
 
RESURRECTION IS NOT RESUSCITATION
 
The gospels tell us that Jesus brought three people back to life: his friend Lazarus, Jairus' daughter and the son of the widow from Nain.  All three died again.  Resurrection is not bringing us back to the same life we had before.  Resurrection is giving us an altogether new life.  It is giving us divine life, a life that is everlasting.  This divine life starts in our baptism; we have already started eternal life.  The presence of the Trinity within us, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, means that we have less to fear when we pass from this world.  This lessening of the fear of death enables us to live life here on earth with more depth.  We can have the confidence that whatever suffering we endure here on earth God will resurrect some new life out of it.  
               
© Father William “Bill” Mason, OMI, 2025
 
PASTOR'S CORNER - April 13,  2025

 WE ALL HAVE A SACRED TIME

 As individuals and as community there are sacred times in our lives.  As individuals birthdays and graduations are sacred moments for us.  As married couples anniversaries are sacred days.  As a nation we hold July 4th, Thanksgiving Day, Memorial Day and others as sacred for our country.
 As Christians Holy Week is sacred for us.  As we remember Christ's last supper with his disciples on Holy Thursday we celebrate the sacredness of our bond with each other in the Eucharist.  On Good Friday we hold sacred Christ's victory over death for us.  On Easter we experience the divine life we have in Christ.  This week is sacred because of the meaning it has for us.  May we reverence this week with the sacredness it deserves. 
              
© Father William “Bill” Mason, OMI, 2025
 
Pastor's Corner  - April 6, 2025

HOLY WEEK IS APPROACHING 
Fifth Sunday of Lent

As Lent winds down we are getting closer and closer to a very sacred time, Holy Week.  This is the week when we remember and celebrate important moments in the life of Jesus.  In Palm Sunday we celebrate his triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  In Holy Thursday we remember the Lord's last Supper with his disciples.  In Good Friday we remember his suffering and death for us.  In Holy Saturday, the Easter vigil, we anticipate the celebration of new life in Jesus.  And on Easter Sunday we celebrate Christ's resurrection from the dead.
This year during Holy Week on Holy Tuesday we will have celebration of communal reconciliation at 6 PM in our hall.  This sacrament of reconciliation is a special way to prepare for the Holy Week ceremonies.  Please plan on participating.