"Although the lost sheep could lose itself while wandering, it could not find itself. It would not have been found if the mercy of the shepherd had not sought it out." St. Augustine

This Sunday’s gospel reading from Luke is about lost things – lost sheep, lost coins, lost people! God comes after us when we stray because He loves us so much and it is His desire for us to be united to Him. Because it is through the exercise of our free will that we go astray, we can only come back to Him by availing ourselves of the grace which God provides in His desire for us to return to Him. St. Augustine, sometimes referred to as the Doctor of Grace, put it this way: “Remember the gospel: For the Son of man came to seek and to save what had got lost . If man had not got lost, the Son of man would not have come. So man had got lost, God did come as man, and man was found. Man had got lost through free will; God came as man through the grace that sets free. Do you want to know what freedom of decision is capable of for the worse? Call to mind man sinning. Do you want to know what the one who is God and man is capable of for the better? Observe in him the grace that sets free.” As you prepare for Mass this weekend, reflect on the ways in which you can be more open to the grace that God gives to you in order to be more united with Him.

Please keep in prayer our Religious Education students who will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation this Saturday, September 14th at two Masses - 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM. For a list of their names, please see the bulletin (link below). To accommodate the extra Masses for Confirmation, the regularly scheduled opportunity for Reconciliation has been cancelled. As always, those wishing to receive Reconciliation may call the parish office to make an appointment - 978-475-0050.

Adult Faith Programs beginning... Coming in October - 33 Days to Morning Glory! Join us for this small-group retreat in preparation for Marian Consecration. Through a combination of private daily reflection and six weekly small-group sessions, this parish-wide retreat will guide us to a deeper relationship with our Blessed Mother and ultimately with Her Son. Mondays at 7 PM in St. Augustine Church, beginning October 21st. Weekly meetings feature shared prayer, video presentations featuring Fr. Michael Gaitley, and small-group discussion. Participants read and ponder a daily reflection in preparation for each meeting. For more information or to sign up, visit StAugustineParish.org/33-days or call 978-475-0050 x36.

Jesus Revealed: Encountering Christ in His Biblical Names The ultimate Bible study - join us as we dive deep into Scripture from Genesis to Revelation to illuminate the many names of Jesus in Scripture and explain how each one reveals something new about Our Lord. This 18-week program is ideal for ALL levels - first time Scripture study to seasoned participants. Each of the 18 weekly sessions includes prayer, scripture, engaging video, and lively discussion. Tuesdays from 1-2:30 PM beginning September 24th. FMI and to register online...

Columbia Gas will be repaving the two St Augustine parking lots over 2-3 weekdays this week. At the time this email was scheduled, we did not know the exact days but during paving they will be inaccessible. We'll post the exact dates online when we know them.

It's not too late to contribute to the parish's grand annual appeal. St. Augustine Parish's many active ministries are a very visible sign of God's presence in our local community - please consider supporting this annual effort to fill the gap in the offertory so that we may continue to be a vibrant, welcoming parish.   Click here for this year's letter and to donate...

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For complete information about parish events please read our weekly bulletin or visit our website at  www.staugustineparish.org You have received this email because you are a member of St Augustine Parish and/or you signed up for it. If you no longer wish to receive emails from us, please use the unsubscribe link below.