Today the Church remembers St. Ambrose who was instrumental in St. Augustine of Hippo’s life. James Kiefer writes:
Ambrose was governor of Northern Italy in the capital of Milan. When the Diocese of Milan fell vacant, it seemed likely that rioting would result, since the city was evenly divided between Arians and Athanasians. (Note: St. Athanasius taught that the Logos or Word (John 1:1) is fully God in the same sense that the Father is. There was a group that thought that the Word (the Second person of the Trinity) was the first being created by the Father. They are known as Arians. East Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Reformed, Baptists, Methodists followed St. Athanasius.)
Ambrose went to the meeting where the election was to take place, and appealed to the crowd for order and good will on both sides. He ended up being elected bishop with the support of both sides. He gave away his wealth, and lived in simplicity. By his preaching, he converted the diocese to the Athanasian position, except for the Goths and some members of the Imperial Household.
The Emperor was enraged by a crowd who defied him, and he ordered them all killed by his soldiers. When the Emperor next came to Church, Ambrose met him at the door and said, "You may not come in. There is blood on your hands." The Emperor agreed to do public penance and to promise that thereafter he would never carry out a sentence of death without a forty-day delay after pronouncing it.
Ambrose was largely responsible for the conversion of St. Augustine. In fact, Bishop Ambrose baptized Augustine.
Ambrose died on 4 April 397, but because this date so often falls in Holy Week or Easter Week, he is commonly remembered on the anniversary of his consecration as bishop, 7 December.
St. Ambrose is regarded as one of the Eight Great Doctors or Teachers of the Church. The list includes four Latin or Western Doctors: Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine, and Gregory the Great, and four Greek or Eastern Doctors: Athanasius, John Chrysostom, Basil the Great, and Gregory of Nazianzus.
The collect for the day: O God, who gave your servant Ambrose grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellence in preaching and faithfulness in ministering your Word, that your people may be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
THE PRESIDING BISHOP OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WILL VISIT ST. AUGUSTINE’S TO CELEBRATE THE EUCHARIST ON SUNDAY, 16 JANUARY 2011.
“Who could believe what we have heard, to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” (Is. 53:1-2). I think that was everyone’s reaction when we heard the news, but yes, the Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, will visit the Island and celebrate the Eucharist with us. What a blessing this is to not only our faith community at St. Augustine, but to everyone on the Island.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY
During this Advent Season and as the Spirit moves you, please consider offering your assistance to these three organizations: (1) Lord of the Streets needs warm men’s clothing; (2) St. Vincent’s House needs food for its pantry, and (3) Ronald McDonald House needs food for those who stay at the center while their children are undergoing treatment. You can bring the goods for these organizations to St. Augustine’s and we will distribute them.
PEARL HARBOR DAY
Please remember in your prayers today everyone who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor on this day.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Please remember to sign-up for Sunday Fellowship.
Adult Christian Formation during the weeks of Advent at 11:00 a.m.: “Looking Back, Looking Forward and at the Present: Christmas, the Final Judgment and Prophets”.
It is almost here—the BBQ fundraiser for the Community Garden, Saturday, 11 December. Melva Pope has tickets, so please pick some up for friends and family.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Cindi Clack and Carol Freeman.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
Ambrose was governor of Northern Italy in the capital of Milan. When the Diocese of Milan fell vacant, it seemed likely that rioting would result, since the city was evenly divided between Arians and Athanasians. (Note: St. Athanasius taught that the Logos or Word (John 1:1) is fully God in the same sense that the Father is. There was a group that thought that the Word (the Second person of the Trinity) was the first being created by the Father. They are known as Arians. East Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Reformed, Baptists, Methodists followed St. Athanasius.)
Ambrose went to the meeting where the election was to take place, and appealed to the crowd for order and good will on both sides. He ended up being elected bishop with the support of both sides. He gave away his wealth, and lived in simplicity. By his preaching, he converted the diocese to the Athanasian position, except for the Goths and some members of the Imperial Household.
The Emperor was enraged by a crowd who defied him, and he ordered them all killed by his soldiers. When the Emperor next came to Church, Ambrose met him at the door and said, "You may not come in. There is blood on your hands." The Emperor agreed to do public penance and to promise that thereafter he would never carry out a sentence of death without a forty-day delay after pronouncing it.
Ambrose was largely responsible for the conversion of St. Augustine. In fact, Bishop Ambrose baptized Augustine.
Ambrose died on 4 April 397, but because this date so often falls in Holy Week or Easter Week, he is commonly remembered on the anniversary of his consecration as bishop, 7 December.
St. Ambrose is regarded as one of the Eight Great Doctors or Teachers of the Church. The list includes four Latin or Western Doctors: Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine, and Gregory the Great, and four Greek or Eastern Doctors: Athanasius, John Chrysostom, Basil the Great, and Gregory of Nazianzus.
The collect for the day: O God, who gave your servant Ambrose grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellence in preaching and faithfulness in ministering your Word, that your people may be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
THE PRESIDING BISHOP OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WILL VISIT ST. AUGUSTINE’S TO CELEBRATE THE EUCHARIST ON SUNDAY, 16 JANUARY 2011.
“Who could believe what we have heard, to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” (Is. 53:1-2). I think that was everyone’s reaction when we heard the news, but yes, the Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, will visit the Island and celebrate the Eucharist with us. What a blessing this is to not only our faith community at St. Augustine, but to everyone on the Island.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY
During this Advent Season and as the Spirit moves you, please consider offering your assistance to these three organizations: (1) Lord of the Streets needs warm men’s clothing; (2) St. Vincent’s House needs food for its pantry, and (3) Ronald McDonald House needs food for those who stay at the center while their children are undergoing treatment. You can bring the goods for these organizations to St. Augustine’s and we will distribute them.
PEARL HARBOR DAY
Please remember in your prayers today everyone who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor on this day.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Please remember to sign-up for Sunday Fellowship.
Adult Christian Formation during the weeks of Advent at 11:00 a.m.: “Looking Back, Looking Forward and at the Present: Christmas, the Final Judgment and Prophets”.
It is almost here—the BBQ fundraiser for the Community Garden, Saturday, 11 December. Melva Pope has tickets, so please pick some up for friends and family.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Cindi Clack and Carol Freeman.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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