Follow Jesus’ Way The Pulse of L.I.F.E.

L.I.F.E.is… “Living in Faith Everyday” “Forming Adults to Create Households of Faith”

Welcome Back! February 10, 2013 Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time Cycle C Luke 5: 1-11 (Fr. Denis is welcomed this month!!)

Where L.I.F.E.has taken us most recently: December…Mark Hoggard returned but to immerse us in the Vatican II Council as we celebrate its 50 th anniversary! January… Creeds…and our own Creeds…a challenge to understand our creedal history, our core beliefs, our willingness to stand as community stating those beliefs, & a willingness to pass on those beliefs to a catechumen…to Rebekah!

This month, did you…  Have a favorite insight from a homily?  Bring items to the food cart?  Try preparing for Mass by studying the readings in advance?  Look at one of the L.I.F.E-recommended websites?  Hear something about our faith that enlightened or challenged you?

Biblical thoughts we pondered…as we journeyed into Ordinary Time… January 13…Oh, the consequences of this baptism of repentance…for the followers then yet to be called and for us, yet to be called? January 20…Oh, the consequences of this sign…a first miracle at a wedding…for the first followers and for us! January 27…Oh, the consequences of unrolling the scroll…of the Word proclaimed…for the listeners and for us! February 3…Oh, the consequences of driving Jesus away…for people of His time and for us!

Feb. 11Our Lady of Lourdes Feb. 13Ash Wednesday Feb. 14Sts. Valentine, Cyril, Mark and Methodius Feb. 21St. Peter Damian Feb. 23St. Polycarp Feast Days (Feb. 11-Lent): any favorites of yours ?

Mar. 4St. Casimir Mar. 7Sts. Felicity and Perpetua Mar. 8St. John of God Mar. 8St. Francis of Rome Mar. 18St. Cyril of Jerusalem Mar. 19St. Joseph Mar. 23St. Thurbius de Mogrovejo

W e & the world contemplate and share this season… February is…National Black History Month Feb. 10Chinese New Year (Year of the Snake) Feb. 12Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday Feb. 12Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) Feb. 13Ash Wednesday Feb. 14St. Valentine’s Day Feb. 15Susan B. Anthony Day and Vasant Panchami (Hindu festival/coming of Spring) Feb. 22George Washington’s Birthday Feb 24Purim (Hebrews celebrate deliverance of the Jewish people from Persia)

What is St. Augustine all about? Can you see these happening????.... Fellowship and feeding! Outreach within and beyond our borders! Formation for all…ongoing, ongoing, ongoing!

L.I.F.E (Living in Faith Everyday) What was St. Augustine Parish doing to bring about the reign of God during the last month? Our Food Pantry… feeding about families this month. ***See the bulletin for special needs and requests!! Where can I find this?? ***Help the pantry: participate in Food Lion Community Rewards program Collecting and posting names, and praying for those in our church family separated from us by military service or the Peace Corps in areas of conflict and unrest. Offering funeral receptions for our bereaved. Operating a seasonal children’s clothing closet.

and…“Healthy Bodies and Big Smiles” come weekly… Tuesdays in St. Augustine’s parking lot ….a wonderful sight when the Bon Secours CARE-A-VAN and the VDH Dental ”Smiles” vans pull in! So very many children and adults being given good care…and such a visible sign of our support of their work!!

…and, on Care-a-van Tuesdays!!! JAMES HOUSE is now offering, on site, their counseling services in areas of domestic violence and sexual abuse…

…& a great service on Mondays! Commonwealth Catholic Charities …has individual and group counseling at St. Augustine on Mondays. Contact Ms. Rodriguez Perez at

…&…Caring for God’s Creation Improved recycling can become a reality! It’s not easy being Green! Are you & yours part of the effort already? What happens in your life every April 22nd? Does Earth Day happen?

What can you do?????...BEGIN! Begin…bring your own cup to L.I.F.E.! Begin to participate in recycling at home. Begin to buy “green” whenever possible. Begin to think “green” in all that you do and in all that you teach your children & grandchildren.

and…St. Augustine continues… Providing food for the Men’s Shelter Serving as mentors in local schools & reading to children at the CARE-A-VAN Buying and utilizing fair trade coffee Adopting a highway Caring for the homebound and hospitalized Providing prayer shawls for so many in need of comfort Sponsoring children and the aged within CFCA Please come join others in these ministries!

…and in the wider community… We continue in our role as a Red Cross disaster shelter site. We continue our involvement with CCHASM…assisting our own parishioners as well as our neighbors. We continue to pray for the needs of the wider Richmond community, joining many other Christian Churches and Richmond Hill. When?

Small Group Study EveryWoman: Women of all ages gather prayerfully to systematically study and share insights on worldwide efforts toward a just and peaceful world. They have continued to gather since 2010 and, this Fall and Winter have been reading Abraham, A Journey into the Heart of Three Faiths by Bruce Feiler. Ecumenical Men’s Bible Study: Men of St. Augustine and of St. John Episcopal meet 2x monthly on Saturday mornings (Deacon Eric has attended!...and breakfast is integral). Contact Darren Van Guilder here today to consider joining these men. These men and women join others in on-going small adult communities sharing & pondering our weekly Scripture readings. **Tuesday a.m. group meets after daily Mass and is open to all! Would you like to be part of small groups like this? Men & women, call Eileen!

WINGS started back up Jan. 9! “Women in God’s Spirit” …a ministry of encouragement & enrichment for women of all ages who seek to deepen their faith and grow in their relationship with God and one another …groups will meet weekly during the school year & have 3 different seasons, focusing on three areas of spiritual growth: 1) Catholic teachings; 2) Scripture; 3) Spiritual witness talks.

St. Augustine Formation Events Summary… Daytime Learning Opportunities Tuesday:Bible study after daily Mass in Room PC 1-2 Wednesday: WINGS 9:45a.m.-11:30 a.m. in Room PC 1-2 (in the Fall) Thursday: Women’s Scripture Group in individual homes Saturday:Men’s Breakfast Study Group (every other week) Evening Learning Opportunities Tuesdays (2 nd and 4 th ): “EveryWoman” …for every woman and about every woman! (reading/issues study group resuming the Fall in PC 1-2) Outreach activities are a part of this group’s focus!

Upcoming St. A’s Events **( YEAR of FAITH: Oct Oct. 2013) *Fridays of LentFish Fry (and Bake) 6p.m. *Fridays of LentBilingual Stations of the Cross (follows above event) *Lenten Family Night *Lenten Rice Bowls distributed…get yours today! Feb. 13Ash Wednesday/LENT begins Feb. 16Rite of Election at Cathedral 2p.m. Feb. 17Welcoming & Orientation for New Parishioners (NO POOR BOX Breakfast) 10a.m. Feb. 19Holy Hour 7p.m. Feb. 23Volunteer Party 7p.m. Feb. 24Meeting of Interested Seniors 12:15 p.m. Feb. 24Men’s Shelter 6p.m. *Jan. 29-Parenting by Chesterfield County 6p.m. March 19

Great Area-wide Opportunities Feb. 12 Ash Tuesday Light Dinner and burning of palms St. Ann Catholic Church Feb. 20 Black History Program at the Pastoral Center of the Catholic Diocese Feb Parish Mission of St. Edward Catholic Church Feb “What Vatican II taught about Liturgy and Life” at St. Mary Catholic Church Feb. 19- Lenten Lunch Series at St. Michael Catholic Church Mar :30a.m. Lunch & 12:15p.m. speakers Feb. 13 Week- St. Paul Episcopal Church Lenten Lunch series Mar. 25 Week Lunch with varied speakers each week

Website of the Month orship-and-education-resources/lenten- calendar/ The Global Women's Project highlights women's empowerment and economic justice. The project is offering a free Lenten calendar that can be sent through the mail or daily via . t

AND WHERE WILL L.I.F.E. TAKE US THIS MONTH?

What do we see in the gospel of LUKE? The “historical context” was highlighted: it confirms dates of the events of the time. Worship and Prayer were central: Jesus was at prayer before, during, and after each significant event. A “Theology of Glory” was presented: The disciples suffer…but joyfully. Food was prominent: Jesus revises table etiquette! We are now in Year C/Luke’s Gospel

Father Mike and Mark Hoggard always ask of us… Remember that the Lectionary has a specific purpose in its arrangement of readings. BUT,…this often causes readings to be heard “out of context.” During this “Year of Luke” (Year C), we are challenged to gradually read Luke …chapter by chapter, verse by verse, immersing ourselves in its revelation of Jesus’ character & mission.

…and today???? In our continued journey through the Year of Faith, we look at… “Minor Prophets of Cycle C”

Words of the Month Oh, no… Not me…Not right now…Not to those people, Lord!!

A Warm WELCOME! To everyone newly registered in L.I.F.E. and to all guests today

…and, today, for whom shall we pray?

…and, always, prayer for those journeying toward full initiation into the Catholic Faith!  Rebekah GugamuckCatechumen  Allie DickenCatechumen

An invitation… If you, or someone you know, has questions about becoming Catholic, please consider a time of thoughtful inquiry, of welcomed questions, of discerning conversation… Call Eileen Brown , ext. 1113

…need Adult Confirmation ? If you are a Catholic adult who has never been confirmed and would like to prepare for this sacrament of initiation, please contact: Eileen Brown at the Parish Office , Ext Call Eileen also if you are in need of a CATHOLIC BIBLE!

Where will L.I.F.E. take us in March? We continue exploring our faith in the Year of Faith…with a… …guest speaker from Catholic Relief Services **Bring a friend to a “Slice of L.I.F.E.”

To Adults with Youth in L.I.F.E. A reminder : the handout “Disciples at Home” is to be used in the coming week to be a source of good “faith- dialoguing” with your children in grades 7 through 12. A reminder : youth/children/adults are not to be texting or using cell phones during L.I.F.E. Do have that discussion!!

Reminder for all in L.I.F.E. Each July: Remember to assist the staff by returning your yearly invoices for L.I.F.E. promptly!! Postcard reminders sent…children will get books after fees are paid!