-
Community Thanksgiving Dinner cancelled due to Covid-19.
Governor Kate Brown Announces Statewide Two-Week Freeze to Stop Rapid Spread of COVID-19. The Two-Week Freeze measures will be in effect from Nov. 18 through Dec. 2, statewide.
Mass limited seating has been reduced to 25. We are reserving our limited seating for our registered parishioners only at this time.
Church Hours:
Tuesday - Friday 12:00 noon
Saturday - 5:30 pm
Sunday - 8:30 am & 11:00 am
Confessions Saturday 4:30 pm or by appointment.
State limits and social distancing requirements must be observed
•Appropriate social distancing must be observed. The use of face masks/coverings is required.
•The church will be cleaned between each use.
•Those who are at all sick should not come to Mass and those in vulnerable, at-risk populations are also urged not to attend.
-
Homily for the First Sunday of Advent (11/29/2020)Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,
Today we begin Advent, a hopeful and holy season in which we are called to be alert and watchful. This season anticipates the great celebration of Jesus’ birth and his incarnation in human history. While Advent prepares our hearts for Christmas, we are also called in a special way during Advent and throughout our lives not only to “anticipate” something that already happened – Jesus’ birth – but to be alert for signs of God’s presence in our lives.
It is easy for us to be distracted by the details of what we feel we must do for the celebration of Christmas. We can wander from the ways of God and instead focus on the more secular aspect of the celebration.
The writers of the book of Isaiah – which we will hear proclaimed these first three Sundays of Advent – witnessed colossal historical events in the life of the Israelites: wars, revolts, dethroned rulers. Yet in Isaiah, no military or political power compares in importance to God’s majesty, and to the intimate relationship between God and his beloved chosen people. In the midst of the Israelites’ exile, Isaiah recalls all the times in history that God provided protection, and begs for the Lord to come once more to their aid. He acknowledges that we have sinned, but is confident in God’s abiding covenantal promises. Isaiah’s plea is one of confident hope, proclaimed. Isaiah emphasizes God as Father and redeemer – a God who shapes us with the loving tenderness of a potter molding clay. We will hear the same confidence in the Gospel message of Jesus to his disciples.
What the Prophet Isaiah names is what St. Paul confirms: “In him you were enriched in every way, because God is faithful.” We have already been given the graces we need to face our circumstances. In the words of St. Paul in today’s reading: you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. As God did for those early Christmas, God bestows countless graces on us and enrich us in every way. Let us be thankful to God always.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples, be watchful! Be alert! For the do not know when the Lord of the house is coming. This is not a threat or some doom message. They are instead instructions for how to live with assurance: We don’t have to wonder or worry, because we know with certainty that the Lord of the house will come! We will not be abandoned or forgotten. The Master will return.
Most of you know that the nights are much longer than the days in this dark time of the year. We may be facing challenges, unknown risks, uncertainty, pandemic threats and restrictions and painful circumstances. As baptized children of God, we can rely upon the Holy Spirit to keep us alert and watchful for the small ways that God reveals himself to us in our lives. We do not need to ask for spectacular signs of God’s presence. God is faithful. God is with us. The only question we must answer is, how are we responding to this awesome grace. One way to train ourselves in watchfulness is to adopt, at least during Advent, the nightly practice of the Examen.
This involves reviewing the past day – not only remembering times when we might have displeased God, but perhaps especially to remember times that God might have been gifting us with grace. These can be seen as gifts from God, signs of God’s love. This practice can help us be more alert and watchful. This can make us feel that God is with us or God is present to us. As people of faith, we are called to God in the ordinary. Advent gives us the opportunity to take time to pray – to sharpen our vision of God’s presence in our daily lives.
As we begin to prepare the Eucharistic table on this first day of the Advent Season, let us try to be more cognizant of the many ways God uplifts us each day as his children. Jesus calls us to share in his banquet. This banquet, the Eucharist will strengthen and enlighten us to be always alert, awake, watchful and prayerful as we wait for the Lord’s return.
-
A Prayer in the Time of a Pandemic
May we who are merely inconvenienced remember thosewhose lives are at stake.May we who have no risk factors remember those most vulnerable.May we who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close remember those who have no options.May we who have to cancel our trips remember thosewho have no safe place to go.May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market remember those who have no margin at all.May we who settle in for a quarantine at home remember thosewho have no home.As fear grips our country, let us choose love.During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.Amen -
Special Request from our Pastor:
I want to thank everyone who has continued to support our church financially throughout this difficult time. As you know, while masses are suspended church expenses will continue. Therefore, once again, I am prayerfully asking for your continued financial support. You can continue to support St. Augustine by sending your weekly/monthly offering through the mail. Your continued financial support of our church will be greatly appreciated. I pray that you stay healthy and safe in your homes until this pandemic is over.
Father Joseph Sebasty -
Livestreamed masses
If you are interested in livestreamed masses please visit the Archdiocese of Portland website at:
https://archdpdx.org/live-masses
-
Special announcements
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
For more than ninety years, St. Augustine Church has been a beacon of light in Lincoln City, and a gathering place of prayer, worship and service.
Please click here to find out more
Please click here to help
-
-
works of charity
Wash your hands often.
Keep social distance. -
From our Pastor :
Parish Life
Regarding parish life, the Archbishop encouraged pastors and priests to move forward with parish activities, including in-person gathering for all ages while observing the health and safety restrictions of the state. Whenever possible, we need to prudently proceed with the life of the Church. We need to focus our efforts on strengthening the faith of our people, especially the religious knowledge and faith of our children. In these unique times, our church may become poorer and smaller, but more fervent.
Religious Education
Religious education lasses will be every Wednesday from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. For information please call the parish office at 541-994-2216.
RCIA
If you know someone who is interested in becoming Catholic. Please let Fr. Sebasty know or have them call the parish office at 541-994-2216.
-
Weekly ReadingsSaturday November 28
First Reading: Revelation 22:1-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 95:1-2, 3-5, 6-7
Gospel: Luke 21:34-36
Sunday November 29
First Reading: Isaiah 63:16-17, 19
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Second Reading: First Corinthians 1:3-9
Gospel: Mark 13:33-37
Monday November 30
First Reading: Romans 10:9-18
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 19:2-3, 4-5
Gospel: Matthew 4:18-22
Tuesday December 1
First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 72:1, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Gospel: Luke 10:21-24
Wednesday December 2
First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
Gospel: Matthew 15:29-37
Thursday December 3
First Reading: Isaiah 26:1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27
Gospel: Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Friday December 4
First Reading: Isaiah 29:17-24
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-14
Gospel: Matthew 9:27-31