George Selwyn, the First Bishop of New Zealand

Fellowship Breakfast on Palm Sunday: Carol Freeman was originally signed up; however, she will not be able to do breakfast on the 17th, Palm Sunday. I would ask that we make it a “pot luck” breakfast. Just let everyone know what you will bring so that we don’t duplicate. Thanks in advance!

Today the Church remembers a missionary who went more than half way around the world to spread the Good News, George Augustus Selwyn who was born in London, England in 1809 and died on this day in 1878.

Selwyn was educated at Eton and Cambridge and ordained in 1833. He served as curate to the Rev. Isaac Gossett, vicar of Windsor. Both at Eton and at Windsor, Selwyn displayed much organizing talent.

In 1841, after an Episcopal council held at Lambeth had recommended the appointment of a bishop for New Zealand, Bishop Blomfield offered the post to Selwyn.

Selwyn was consecrated bishop at Lambeth on 17 October 1841, and sailed on 26 December. He appointed William Charles Cotton as his chaplain, and with a missionary party of 23 people, he set sail from Plymouth late in December 1841. During the voyage, Selwyn mastered the Māori language with the help of a Māori boy returning from England so that upon his arrival he was able to preach in the native language.

Selwyn journeyed around his vast diocese partly by canoe but mainly by walking, often for large distances over difficult and dangerous terrain. In 6 years, Bishop Selwyn completed a thorough visitation of the whole of New Zealand, and in December 1847 began a series of voyages to the Pacific Islands, which were included in his diocese by a clerical error. His letters and journals descriptive of these trips present the reader with a vivid picture of his versatility, courage, and energy.

Selwyn elaborated a plan for the self-government of his Diocese, and in 1854 visited England for the purpose of obtaining power to subdivide his diocese, and permission to the church of New Zealand to manage its own affairs by a general synod of bishops, presbyters, and laity.

By 1855, the Land Wars interrupted the progress of Christianity among the Māori, and caused an almost universal rejection of the Church of England. Selwyn was a keen critic of the unjust and reckless procedure of the English land companies, and was misunderstood by the English and the Maoris alike. His efforts to supply Christian ministrations to the troops on both sides were heroic and indefatigable.

In 1867, Selwyn was pressured to accept appointment as Bishop of Lichfield. Reluctantly, he returned to England, where he died eleven years later.

Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant George Augustus Selwyn, whom you called to preach the Gospel to the peoples of New Zealand and Melanesia, and to lay a firm foundation for the growth of your Church in many nations. Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO WORKED ON THE STEPPING STONES FOR THE BIEHL COMMUNITY GARDEN! We had about 10 folks who made 20 stepping stones for the garden, and they look great!

NETS FOR LIFE: We have about 8 nets thus far and our goal is 50. Spread the word and do what you can.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Next Wednesday, 13 April at 6:00 p.m. we will meet at Grace for the Lenten program where we will experience the Covenant Players.

S.A.S.S. (St. Augustine Spiritual Support group) for those whose lives have been impacted by HIV/AIDS meets every Thursday starting at 6:00 p.m. with a pot luck dinner. Let others know of this ministry as well.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE:
Palm Sunday: Procession with Palms & Eucharist Rite II- 9 a.m.
Maundy Thursday: Foot Washing, Eucharist & Striping of the Altar- 7 p.m.
Good Friday: Stations and Good Friday Liturgy -3 p.m.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Liz Mack.

Your servant in Christ,

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

John Donne: Lawyer, Poet, Priest, Preacher

Today the Church remembers someone you might remember from your high school English class, John Donne. He was a lawyer, a poet, a priest, a preacher and the Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Donne was born in 1573 into a Roman Catholic family, but he became an Anglican in 1594. He was educated at Oxford and Cambridge and Lincoln’s Inn, where people prepare to become barristers (lawyers who argue in court in England).

Donne traveled across Europe and later fought with the Earl of Essex and Sir Walter Raleigh against the Spanish at Cádiz (1596) and the Azores (1597), he and witnessed the loss of the Spanish flagship, the San Felipe. Donne became the private secretary to Sir Thomas Egerton. During the next four years he fell in love with Egerton’s niece Anne More, and they were married just before Christmas in 1601 against the wishes of both Egerton and George More, Lieutenant of the Tower and Anne’s father. Donne’s career was ruined and the marriage earned him a short stay in Fleet Prison, along with the priest who married them as well as the man who acted as a witness to the marriage. Donne was released when the marriage was proven valid, and soon secured the release of the other two. When Donne wrote to his wife, Anne, to tell her about losing his post, he wrote after his name: “John Donne, Anne Donne, Un-done.” It was not until 1609 that Donne was reconciled with his father-in-law.

Anne and Donne had 12 children in 16 years of marriage (including two stillbirths—their eighth and then in 1617 their last child). Anne spent most of her married life either pregnant or nursing. The 10 surviving children were named Constance, John, George, Francis, Lucy, Bridget, Mary, Nicholas, Margaret and Elizabeth. Francis, Nicholas and Mary died before they were 10. Anne died on 15 August 1617, 5 days after giving birth to their twelfth child, a still-born baby. Donne mourned her deeply, including writing the 17th Holy Sonnet. He never remarried.

Donne was elected as a Member of Parliament for the constituency of Brackley in 1602, but this was not a paid position and Donne struggled to provide for his family, relying heavily upon rich friends. His writing gave him a means to seek patronage and many of his poems were written for wealthy friends or patrons, especially Sir Robert Drury, who came to be Donne’s chief patron in 1610.

King James was pleased with Donne’s work, and urged him to become a priest. Donne finally agreed and in 1615 was ordained priest. Donne became a Royal Chaplain in late 1615, Reader of Divinity at Lincoln’s Inn in 1616, and received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Cambridge University in 1618.

In 1621 Donne was made Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in London and he remained Dean until his death in 1631. During his period as Dean his daughter Lucy died; she was 18. In late November and early December 1623, Donne suffered a nearly fatal illness. During his convalescence he wrote a series of meditations and prayers on health, pain, and sickness that were published in 1624 as Devotions upon Emergent Occasions. In that book is the well known phrase "for whom the bell tolls" and "no man is an island".

One is his most well known sonnets was Sonnet X:

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee

Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;

For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow

Die not, poor Death; nor yet canst thou kill me.

From rest and sleep, which but thy picture be,

Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow;

And soonest our best men with thee do go--

Rest of their bones and souls' delivery!

Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,

And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell;

And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well

And better than thy stroke,

Why swell'st thou then?

One short sleep past, we wake eternally,

And Death shall be no more:

Death, thou shalt die!

Donne earned a reputation as an eloquent preacher and 160 of his sermons have survived. Donne died on this day in 1631.

Let us pray: Almighty God, the root and fountain of all being: Open our eyes to see, with your servant John Donne, that whatever has any being is a mirror in which we may behold you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

LENTEN PROJECT -- NETS FOR LIFE! NetsforLife® works to eliminate malaria in some of the most remote areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Churches are often the only functioning institutions in these communities located “at the end of the road.” Episcopal Relief & Development is a key part of this program. Their presence and power unite people to bring about lasting change for the whole community. By drawing on this trusted delivery system—churches and faith-based groups— vulnerable people are reached with life-saving nets and other services. NetsforLife® serves people in need regardless of faith affiliation.

We at St. Augustine’s can help. Each net only costs $12.50; it is a small price to pay to help save someone made in the image and likeness of God. Let’s work toward a goal of 50 nets during this Lenten season and help God in healing the world.

St. Augustine Spiritual Support Group (SASS) has its first meeting this evening. If you know someone who has been impacted by HIV/AIDS, please let them know that there is a place for them to seek support in a safe and loving environment. They meet every Thursday evening starting with a pot luck dinner at 6:00 p.m. Please lift this ministry up in prayer!

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The next program in the Lenten Series is at St. Augustine’s next Wednesday, 6 April starting at 6:00 p.m. with Stations of the Cross, followed by the Eucharist. We will then have a light meal and begin the teaching by the Benedictine Monks. Please come!

We will have a pot luck lunch for Easter so begin thinking about what to bring.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially the men and women of our Armed Forces serving at home and abroad, the people of Japan and Libya.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

John Keble & the Oxford Movement

Today the Church remembers and honors John Keble who was part of the liturgical reform in the Anglican Church known as the Oxford Movement.

Keble was born in 1792 in Fairford, Gloucestershire where his father, the Rev. John Keble, was Vicar of St. Aldwyns. Keble attended Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and, after a brilliant academic performance there, became a Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford, where he taught for some years. While still at Oxford, Keble was ordained a priest in 1815. He first served as a curate to his father, and later he became curate of St. Michael and St. Martin’s Church, Eastleach Martin in Gloucestershire.

He wrote The Christian Year, which appeared in 1827, and met with an almost unparalleled acceptance. It has been described as the most popular volume of verse in the nineteenth century. Although it was written anonymously, its authorship soon became known, and in 1831 Keble was appointed to the Chair of Poetry at Oxford, which he held until 1841.

In 1833 his famous Assize Sermon (“Assize Sermon” refers to the opening of a term of the civil and criminal courts and is officially addressed to the judges and officers of the court exhorting them to deal justly) on “national apostasy” wherein he stated that England had turned away from God and regarded the Church as a mere institution of society instead of the prophetic voice of God and had become too secularized. This was the first spark to the Oxford Movement which argued for the reinstatement of lost Christian traditions of faith and their inclusion into Anglican liturgy and theology. Along with his colleagues, including John Henry Newman and Edward Pusey, he became a leading light in the movement. The movement postulated the “Branch Theory,” which states that Anglicanism along with Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism form three branches of the one “Catholic Church.”

In 1835, Keble was appointed Vicar of Hursley, Hampshire, where he settled down to family life and remained for the rest of his life as a parish priest at All Saints Church. Keble died on this day in 1866.

Let us pray: Grant, O God, that in all time of our testing we may know your presence and obey your will; that, following the example of your servant John Keble, we may accomplish with integrity and courage what you give us to do, and endure what you give us to bear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

LENTEN PROJECT -- NETS FOR LIFE! NetsforLife® works to eliminate malaria in some of the most remote areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Churches are often the only functioning institutions in these communities located “at the end of the road.” Episcopal Relief & Development is a key part of this program. Their presence and power unite people to bring about lasting change for the whole community. By drawing on this trusted delivery system—churches and faith-based groups— vulnerable people are reached with life-saving nets and other services. NetsforLife® serves people in need regardless of faith affiliation.

We at St. Augustine’s can help. Each net only costs $12.50; it is a small price to pay to help save someone made in the image and likeness of God. Let’s work toward a goal of 50 nets during this Lenten season and help God in healing the world.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The next program in the Lenten Series is at Grace, Wednesday, 30 March starting at 6:00 p.m. with Stations of the Cross, followed by the Eucharist. We will then have a light meal and begin the teaching by the Rev. Gena Davis. Please come!

We will have a pot luck lunch for Easter so begin thinking about what to bring.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially the men and women of our Armed Forces serving at home and abroad, the people of Japan and Libya.

Your servant in Christ,

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

Stir Up Your Might and Come to Save Us!

On this third week of Lent, we hear from the 80th Psalm:

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,

you who lead Joseph like a flock!

You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.

Stir up your might, and come to save us!

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure.

You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.

You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land.

The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches; it sent out its branches to the sea, and its shoots to the River.

Why then have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?

The boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it.

Turn again, O God of hosts; look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine, the stock that your right hand planted.

They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of your countenance.

But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself.

Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

I was up early this morning to catch a flight to Dallas. People were trying to find a parking space in the airport garage. Then everyone trooped over to the terminal to stand in the security line, many of us half asleep. After we unpacked bags and briefcases and had our bodies scanned, we repacked and made our way to get out morning coffee before we all stood in line again to board our flights. In the midst of travel for business or pleasure, I wonder how many people, if any, were thinking about their spiritual lives.

“Stir up your might and come to save us.” Even though we walk through life as if we were on auto pilot, we are all, every one of us, looking for meaning in our lives. Know it or not, we are looking for God. The good news is that God has found us. Not only has God found us, but God has saved us.

Let us pray: Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

LENTEN PROJECT -- NETS FOR LIFE! NetsforLife® works to eliminate malaria in some of the most remote areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Churches are often the only functioning institutions in these communities located “at the end of the road.” Episcopal Relief & Development is a key part of this program. Their presence and power unite people to bring about lasting change for the whole community. By drawing on this trusted delivery system—churches and faith-based groups— vulnerable people are reached with life-saving nets and other services. NetsforLife® serves people in need regardless of faith affiliation. We at St. Augustine’s can help. Each net only costs $12.50; it is a small price to pay to help save someone made in the image and likeness of God. Let’s work toward a goal of 50 nets during this Lenten season and help God in healing the world.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The next program in the Lenten Series is at Grace, Wednesday, 30 March starting at 6:00 p.m. with Stations of the Cross, followed by the Eucharist. We will then have a light meal and begin the teaching by the Rev. Gena Davis. Please come!

We will have a pot luck lunch for Easter so begin thinking about what to bring.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially the men and women of our Armed Forces serving at home and abroad, the people of Japan and Libya.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

Saying Yes

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the annunciation. In the midst of the Lenten Season, we see the young girl, Mary, say “yes” to the Lord. In the Gospel according to Luke we read:

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her. (Lk. 1: 26-38).

“Greetings favored one, the Lord is with you!” That is what the Lord’s messenger says to you and to me. You and I are favored ones and the Lord is with us. What is our response? Do we respond like Mary, “Here I am, the servant of the Lord, let it be with me according to your word.” Or do we respond in the negative? The choice is yours. Are you open to the Lord or not?

Let us pray: Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord; that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought unto the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR ALL OF THE WORK LAST NIGHT FOR OUR LENTEN SERIES! This was our first time to host the Lenten Series and to share our home with the people of Grace since 2008. Thank you to everyone, from those who cleaned before, to those who set up the altar, to those who prepared the food, and to everyone who helped clean up. I may be partial, but St. Aug’s does the best food (and I’m glad a few cupcakes and M&Ms found their way in too). THANKS AGAIN!

LENTEN PROJECT -- NETS FOR LIFE! NetsforLife® works to eliminate malaria in some of the most remote areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Churches are often the only functioning institutions in these communities located “at the end of the road.” Episcopal Relief & Development is a key part of this program. Their presence and power unite people to bring about lasting change for the whole community. By drawing on this trusted delivery system—churches and faith-based groups— vulnerable people are reached with life-saving nets and other services. NetsforLife® serves people in need regardless of faith affiliation.

We at St. Augustine’s can help. Each net only costs $12.50; it is a small price to pay to help save someone made in the image and likeness of God. Let’s work toward a goal of 50 nets during this Lenten season and help God in healing the world.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The next program in the Lenten Series is at Grace, Wednesday, 30 March starting at 6:00 p.m. with Stations of the Cross, followed by the Eucharist. We will then have a light meal and begin the teaching by the Rev. Gena Davis. Please come!

We will have a pot luck lunch for Easter so begin thinking about what to bring.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially the men and women of our Armed Forces serving at home and abroad, the people of Japan and Libya.

Your servant in Christ,

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

Oscar Romero: The Bishop of the Poor

Today the Episcopal Church honors and remembers not someone from the Early Church, or an Anglican or an Episcopalian, but a Roman Catholic archbishop from El Salvador who lived during our time, Oscar Romero, who was born on 15 August 1917 and died on 24 March 1980. He is a modern day martyr who became known as the “bishop of the poor” for his work defending the Salvadoran people. After calling for international intervention to protect those being killed by government forces, Romero was assassinated on this day in 1980.

Oscar Romero was born in Ciudad Barrios, a small town in El Salvador . Longing to be a priest, he left home at 14 on his horse and rode to San Miguel, 7 hours away, where he could begin preparing himself for his vocation.

He was ordained in Rome in 1942. Romero remained in Italy to obtain a doctoral degree in theology, but before he could finish his degree, he was summoned back home in 1943 from Italy (which was under the Fascists) by the bishop at the age of 27. He traveled home with Fr. Valladares, who was also doing doctoral work in Rome. On the route home they made stops in Spain and Cuba, being detained by Cuban police for having come from Benito Mussolini's Italy and placed in an internment camp. After several months in prison, Fr. Valladares became sick and some priests of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer helped to have the two transferred to a hospital. From the hospital they were released from Cuban custody and allowed back home, where they sailed for Mexico and then back home to El Salvador.

In El Salvador, Romero worked as a parish priest promoting various groups, including starting an Alcoholics Anonymous group. He was later appointed Rector of the seminary in San Salvador. In 1966, he began his public life when chosen to be the Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference for El Salvador. He also became the director of the archdiocesan newspaper.

In 1970 he was appointed auxiliary bishop to San Salvador Archbishop Luis Chávez y González. He took up his appointment as Bishop of the Diocese of Santiago de María in December 1975.

He spoke out against poverty, social injustice, assassinations and torture. As a result, Romero began to be noticed internationally.

In 1979, the Revolutionary Government Junta came to power amidst a wave of human rights abuses by paramilitary right-wing groups and the government.

Romero was shot on 24 March 1980, while celebrating Mass at a small chapel located in a hospital called "La Divina Providencia", one day after a sermon where he had called on Salvadoran soldiers, as Christians, to obey God's higher order and to stop carrying out the government's repression and violations of basic human rights.

Here is a little trivia: A statue of Oscar Romero sculpted by John Roberts fills a prominent niche on the western facade of Westminster Abbey in London. The statue was unveiled in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II in 1998. Barry Woods Johnston sculpted the statue of Oscar Romero displayed in the National Cathedral (the Episcopal Cathedral of Sts. Peter & Paul) in Washington, D.C.

Let us pray: Almighty God, you called your servant Oscar Romero to be a voice for the voiceless poor, and to give his life as a seed of freedom and a sign of hope: Grant that, inspired by his sacrifice and the example of the martyrs of El Salvador, we may without fear or favor witness to your Word who abides, your Word who is Life, even Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be praise and glory now and for ever. Amen.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR ALL OF THE WORK LAST NIGHT FOR OUR LENTEN SERIES! This was our first time to host the Lenten Series and to share our home with the people of Grace since 2008. Thank you to everyone, from those who cleaned before, to those who set up the altar, to those who prepared the food, and to everyone who helped clean up. I may be partial, but St. Aug’s does the best food (and I’m glad a few cupcakes and M&Ms found their way in too). THANKS AGAIN!

LENTEN PROJECT -- NETS FOR LIFE! NetsforLife® works to eliminate malaria in some of the most remote areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Churches are often the only functioning institutions in these communities located “at the end of the road.” Episcopal Relief & Development is a key part of this program. Their presence and power unite people to bring about lasting change for the whole community. By drawing on this trusted delivery system—churches and faith-based groups— vulnerable people are reached with life-saving nets and other services. NetsforLife® serves people in need regardless of faith affiliation.

We at St. Augustine’s can help. Each net only costs $12.50; it is a small price to pay to help save someone made in the image and likeness of God. Let’s work toward a goal of 50 nets during this Lenten season and help God in healing the world.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The next program in the Lenten Series is at Grace, Wednesday, 30 March starting at 6:00 p.m. with Stations of the Cross, followed by the Eucharist. We will then have a light meal and begin the teaching by the Rev. Gena Davis. Please come!

We will have a pot luck lunch for Easter so begin thinking about what to bring.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially the men and women of our Armed Forces serving at home and abroad, the people of Japan and Libya.

Your servant in Christ,

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

St. Gregory & Armenia

Today the Church honors and remembers the life of St. Gregory the Illuminator who died in 332 and was instrumental in converting Armenia to Christianity which was the first state to adopt Christianity as its official religion.

James Kiefer writes:

Armenia was a buffer state between the powerful empires of Rome and Parthia (Persia), and both of them sought to control it. Gregory was born about 257. When he was still an infant, his father assassinated the King of Parthia, and friends of the family carried Gregory away for protection to Caesarea in Cappadocia, where he was reared as a Christian. About 280 he returned to Armenia, where he was at first treated severely, but eventually by his preaching and example brought both King Tiridates and a majority of his people to the Christian faith. About 300, Gregory was consecrated the first bishop of Armenia. He died about 332. Armenian Christians to this day remember him with honor and gratitude.

Let us pray: Almighty God, whose will it is to be glorified in your saints, and who raised up your servant Gregory the Illuminator to be a light in the world, and to preach the Gospel to the people of Armenia: Shine, we pray, in our hearts, that we also in our generation may show forth your praise, who called us out of darkness into your marvelous light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

LENTEN PROJECT

NETS FOR LIFE! NetsforLife® works to eliminate malaria in some of the most remote areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Churches are often the only functioning institutions in these communities located “at the end of the road.” Episcopal Relief & Development is a key part of this program. Their presence and power unite people to bring about lasting change for the whole community. By drawing on this trusted delivery system—churches and faith-based groups— vulnerable people are reached with life-saving nets and other services. NetsforLife® serves people in need regardless of faith affiliation.

We at St. Augustine’s can help. Each net only costs $12.50; it is a small price to pay to help save someone made in the image and likeness of God. Let’s work toward a goal of 50 nets during this Lenten season and help God in healing the world.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The next program in the Lenten Series is at St. Augustine’s tonight, Wednesday, 23 March starting at 6:00 p.m. with Stations of the Cross, followed by the Eucharist. We will then have a light meal and begin the teaching. We will have a sign-up sheet on Sunday for the meal. Please come!

We will have a pot luck lunch for Easter so begin thinking about what to bring.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially the men and women of our Armed Forces serving at home and abroad, the people of Japan and Libya.

Your servant in Christ,

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