Thursday, October 27, 2011

Fertile Soil

I am back from our 2011 Diocese of Texas Clergy Conference at Camp Allen which was wonderful, and I bring back greetings from Bishop Doyle and Bishop Harrison! We visited about the wonderful happenings at St. Augustine of Hippo in Galveston, and they could not be more delighted. I also had the opportunity to visit with representatives from the Diocese of Southern Malawi who were present at Clergy Conference, but more on that later.


In today’s Daily Office Gospel selection, we hear from the Gospel according to Matthew where we hear the parable of the sower:

‘Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’ (Mt. 13: 18-23).

At St. Augustine, the seed is being sown in fertile soil! What a community of faith we have at St. Augustine’s in Galveston. It was with great joy that I was able to convey the wonderful things happening at St. Augustine’s to Bishop Doyle and all of the clergy at conference. One of the most wonderful things is the new Women’s Bible Study with Jillian Bain. What a joy, people being immersed into the Word of God. I also told everyone about our third annual art show and how that event allowed St. Augustine to be a place where different views met. The Bishop and clergy were also very excited to hear about SASS, as well as the upcoming Fish Fry, Yard Sale and TV raffle. St. Augustine is a place where the seed has been planted in fertile soil.

Let us pray: Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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CALENDAR REMINDERS & UPCOMING EVENTS

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Sundays at 4:00 p.m. in Sutton Hall. Please join Jillian Bain for this prayerful study of Scripture.

JOINT MISSION EFFORT BETWEEN ST. AUGUSTINE & HOLY SPIRIT IN HOUSTON: The Youth from Holy Spirit in Houston will be at St. Augustine’s on Saturday, 29 October at 10:00 a.m. to help us pack snack bags for the visitors at St. Vincent’s House. We will celebrate Eucharist as well. Please join in if you can.

THE FISH FRY & YARD SALE: Saturday, 5 November 2011, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (proceeds for Church renovation/maintenance), and we are raffling a 32 inch flat screen TV (for the victims of the wildfires in Texas). We are starting to collect items for the yard sale benefiting the Community Garden so bring in your items. Dinner tickets are $7.50 each and the raffle tickets are $2 each of $5 for 3.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST especially Hugh who is recovering from surgery, everyone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, all parishes with search committees as they seek new rectors, for all of those suffering from the wildfires, and in thanksgiving for all that God has done for us.

“Remember there's nothing so difficult and no stronghold so impregnable that it can't be broken down (and you built up) by Love.”— St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

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