Greetings Saint Augustine Family,
Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints. How wonderful it is to celebrate it on a Sunday this year! This is the day on which we remember all those holy men and women who walked the path of earthly life before us.
Everyone needs a hero, someone to be inspired by and to aspire to emulate. Somewhere deep down inside, we know that we are more than what we have become. We know that God wants to do more through us than we have yet allowed Him to do.
On the Solemnity of All Saints, the Church throughout the world celebrates the real-life heroes and heroines of faith, whose examples of extraordinary love, service, sacrifice, and courage challenge us to embrace our own call to holiness and heroism in the service of God and one another, just as the saints did!
May our celebration today remind us that we not only have Christ Himself to sustain us on this journey, but also a cloud of faithful witnesses in heaven to cheer us on along the way!
Happy Feast Day!
We welcome you to join us for Mass celebrations on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. The 12:30 p.m. Mass will be live-streamed via our YouTube Channel. Daily Mass is held at 8:15 a.m. in the church from Tuesday through Friday.
We greatly appreciate your support of our parish's mission. If you are able to financially contribute at this time, click here to sign up with ParishSOFT for automatic contributions or a one-time donation. You can also text a dollar amount to (202) 930-8147 to give.
Click here or download the attachment to read this week's bulletin with Father Pat's Sermon notes. He reminds us that the communion of saints connects us with the holy ones in heaven who cheer us on in our faith journey, while All Souls Day calls us to hope and pray fervently for all the departed, trusting in God’s infinite mercy and leaving judgment to Jesus alone.
Since 1990, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated Black Catholic History Month to recognize the many contributions of Black Catholic men and women to the life and growth of the Church. This year, we continue our reflections on the seven African American Catholics whose causes for canonization are currently underway. Today, we reflect on the extraordinary life of the Servant of God, Sister Thea Bowman.
Born in 1937 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, Thea Bowman was raised Protestant. At the age of nine, with her parents' permission, she converted to Catholicism. She later joined the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse, Wisconsin. A gifted scholar, she earned a bachelor's degree from Viterbo University and both her master's and doctoral degrees from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Born in 1937 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, Thea Bowman was raised Protestant. At the age of nine, with her parents' permission, she converted to Catholicism. She later joined the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse, Wisconsin. A gifted scholar, she earned a bachelor's degree from Viterbo University and both her master's and doctoral degrees from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Blessed with a brilliant mind, a beautiful voice, and a deep love for God and His people, Sister Thea devoted her life to making the Catholic faith more accessible, relevant, and welcoming, particularly to African Americans and the Black Catholic community.
For sixteen years, she served as a dynamic teacher at the elementary, secondary, and university levels. She also helped establish the National Black Sisters' Conference and was instrumental in the publication of Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal in 1987, the first hymnal of its kind.
For sixteen years, she served as a dynamic teacher at the elementary, secondary, and university levels. She also helped establish the National Black Sisters' Conference and was instrumental in the publication of Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal in 1987, the first hymnal of its kind.
A gifted evangelist and speaker, Sister Thea traveled widely throughout the United States, Africa, and Canada, promoting intercultural understanding and celebrating the richness of Black Catholic spirituality. As theologian Christopher Pramuk observed, few people in recent memory did more to challenge racism and segregation in the Catholic Church. Through her charismatic presence, music, and powerful witness to God's love, she inspired fellowship well beyond the Catholic community.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1984, Sister Thea embraced the prayerful determination to "live until I die." Despite her illness, she continued preaching the Gospel and sharing her faith wherever opportunities arose. During one of her visits to Washington, D.C., in 1986, she preached right here at St. Augustine Church, from the very ambo where I stand today.
Perhaps one of the most memorable moments of her ministry came in 1989, when the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops invited her to address their annual assembly on the question: "What does it mean to be Black and Catholic?" Her powerful presentation earned a prolonged standing ovation and moved several bishops to tears!
Sister Thea died in 1990, having lived a life of extraordinary faith, courage, and service. In 2018, the U.S. bishops supported the advancement of her cause for canonization at the diocesan level. She has since received the official title of Servant of God.
Let us pray fervently that Sister Thea Bowman's cause for canonization will continue to advance, and that her extraordinary witness may inspire us to live our faith boldly, joyfully, and courageously for the good of God's Church and the glory of His name!
Perhaps one of the most memorable moments of her ministry came in 1989, when the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops invited her to address their annual assembly on the question: "What does it mean to be Black and Catholic?" Her powerful presentation earned a prolonged standing ovation and moved several bishops to tears!
Sister Thea died in 1990, having lived a life of extraordinary faith, courage, and service. In 2018, the U.S. bishops supported the advancement of her cause for canonization at the diocesan level. She has since received the official title of Servant of God.
Let us pray fervently that Sister Thea Bowman's cause for canonization will continue to advance, and that her extraordinary witness may inspire us to live our faith boldly, joyfully, and courageously for the good of God's Church and the glory of His name!
Would you like to support the SHARE ministry as a volunteer or donor?
We are seeking your help to continue serving our parish and surrounding community. Share Food Ministry provides three (3) bags of nutritious meats, vegetables, and dry goods each month to help offset the enormous expenses our seniors and families with young children are experiencing now.
Grocery Packages are $ 30.00 per month, but we will accept any amount you are able to contribute. Make checks payable to St. Augustine Share any usher after masses or the church office.
If using a credit card or EBT, please contact Lester Smith (Share DC Coordinator) 703-955-9649, or Dena Grant (202)-713-2503.
Thank you for your support!
We are seeking your help to continue serving our parish and surrounding community. Share Food Ministry provides three (3) bags of nutritious meats, vegetables, and dry goods each month to help offset the enormous expenses our seniors and families with young children are experiencing now.
Grocery Packages are $ 30.00 per month, but we will accept any amount you are able to contribute. Make checks payable to St. Augustine Share any usher after masses or the church office.
If using a credit card or EBT, please contact Lester Smith (Share DC Coordinator) 703-955-9649, or Dena Grant (202)-713-2503.
Thank you for your support!
The Prayer Group Ministry has several ways you can either seek prayer or participate in intercessory prayer.
First, you can submit your prayer intentions via our church website by clicking the button below or by placing in the Prayer Request Box on the table at the entrance of the church. These prayer intentions are collected and lifted up on a monthly basis.
Second, join our monthly Prayer Meeting which will meet virtually on Friday, November 20 and every third Friday of the month at 7:00pm.
Third, if you need prayer urgently, there will be a few prayer volunteers who are happy to pray with and for you today after the 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Masses. Please meet in front of the tabernacle immediately following Mass.
First, you can submit your prayer intentions via our church website by clicking the button below or by placing in the Prayer Request Box on the table at the entrance of the church. These prayer intentions are collected and lifted up on a monthly basis.
Second, join our monthly Prayer Meeting which will meet virtually on Friday, November 20 and every third Friday of the month at 7:00pm.
Third, if you need prayer urgently, there will be a few prayer volunteers who are happy to pray with and for you today after the 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Masses. Please meet in front of the tabernacle immediately following Mass.
