The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, ministering to him, loving the name of the LORD...Isaiah 56
Next week I am incredibly excited to have three members join our community to speak about the great works they do with immigrants and refugees here in Austin and Central Texas. Jennifer Long with Casa Marianella, Mary Vanderheyden with Gabriel Project, and Justin Estep with Catholic Charities. Jennifer and Mary are parishioners at St. Austin and I could not be more excited to hear their stories shared among their St. Austin family.
In the readings this weekend, the first and second reading speak perfectly to how we treat those who are foreigners to whichever land they are arriving to. Are we welcoming them? Are we treating them with love? As Paul says in the second reading; "I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous and thus save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable". Everyone is a foreigner at sometime in their life. Whether you are traveling to a different country for a vacation or an extended trip, you are a foreigner. When you visit another state, you are a foreigner. When you visit north Austin from south Austin or vice versa, you are a foreigner!
We all get complacent in our day to day lives that we just assume that no matter where we go it will be the same, but it is not. As many of us know there are huge differences between north and south Austin, and even east and west Austin. The atmosphere is different, the culture is different, the homes are different, the types and chains of restaurants are different. It is all different, but yet it is still Austin. And yet, if I were to attend St. William's in Round Rock, or St. Louis in North Austin I would be welcomed. How are you following God's commandment of welcoming those who are not in your day to day zone? How are you going out of your way to make sure that no matter who you interact with you do it with love? How are you treating others when you are visiting their country? Not everywhere we go is Austin and not everywhere we go is the United States of America. But everywhere we go we see humans. Beings that God had a hand in creating. Beings that God said let there be light and let it be good.
Part of the reason I am so excited for Jennifer, Mary and Justin is because they are all shining their light upon those who are looking for a light. They are shining their light and not judging who picks their light, they are shining their light because God calls us to shine our lights (even in song!). How are you being a light in your world? During this pandemic we need more lights than ever, how brightly is yours shining?
To put it mildly, Catholic Action helped to place the foundation for lay involvement in church life that was so prominent in the Second Vatican Council, but there has been a subsequent lull. Now is the time for a revival and renewal. Hopefully the new evangelization of St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis can spark such a revival and renewal. Certainly the caring witness of Pope Francis, and his magnificent apostolic exhortation The Joy of the Gospel, provide reasons for hope.
America today is desperately in search of a way to embrace the motto e pluribus unum, “one out of many.” It is precisely Catholic Action, both as a movement and a mentality, that offers the best opportunities to unite the polarized pro-life and pro-poor camps.
Recently I participated in a unified effort in Texas coordinated by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Brownsville. The purpose was to serve immigrant children and families coming across the U. S.-Mexico border from Central America in a desperate flight from poverty and threats of ruthless gangs and drug traffickers. There at the Rio Grande, at Sacred Heart Church in McAllen, Texas, were volunteers from all walks of life and ideologies. We came from the faith communities, the medical profession, various levels of government, the legal profession, the local food bank, and even the bus station.
We were there working together to meet the basic humanitarian needs of God’s precious children. There, in a border town filled with a cross section of the human race, I rejoiced to see a return to Catholic Action.
For the Fall Semester of 2020-2021 I would be able to listen in, or participate in a weekly talk on this day....
Sunday's at 10am
- View Details
Monday's at 7pm
- View Details
Tuesday's at 7pm
- View Details
Wednesday's at 7pm
- View Details
Thursday's at 7pm
- View Details
Another day and time
- View Details
Join us in Live Mass from St. Austin webpage!!!
Click below to watch
Prayer for a Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart … I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Immigration in the US
Immigration in the United States is a complex issue. When evaluating immigration policy issues, it necessary to address the human dignity of immigrants and refugees who are seeking refuge and a better life, and respect and recognize due process and human rights.
Aug
19
6:30pm An evening with Casa Marianella, Gabriel Project and Catholic Charities on immigration and refugees in Central Texas
https://meet.google.com/ekv-evmx-oow
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
Please join Jennifer Long from Casa Marianella, Mary Vanderheydan with Gabriel Project, and Justin Estep with Catholic Charities of Central Texas Immigration Legal Services on Wednesday, August 19 from 6:30-7:30 (maybe 8!) to discuss immigration and refugees here in Austin and Central Texas.