The Catholic tradition of honoring Mary throughout the month of May has roots as far back as the 13th century. Prior to Christianity May was a month dedicated to pagan goddesses of fertility and new life.  As Christianity spread and its traditions developed, many pagan feasts were Christianized thus allowing the local people to maintain their traditional celebrations with, of course, an altered meaning. 

  

It wasn't until the 18th century however that the practice of celebrating May in honor of Mary began to grow, especially among the Jesuits and from there spreading throughout the entire Church. Especially popular with various Popes, some of them even incorporated the practice into official writings.  In 1965, Pope Paul VI wrote a short encyclical entitled the Mense Maio in which he exhorted devotion to the Blessed Mother as a means for preserving peace.

 

Though very little is said in Sacred Scripture specifically about Mary, her role in salvation history is prophesied throughout the Old Testament and she is mentioned in all the Gospel accounts as well as in the Acts of the Apostles and Revelation. Throughout the history of Christianity, the Church's understanding of Mary has grown, bringing us to a greater understanding and appreciation of her in relation to God and to ourselves.  

 

Though Marian devotional practices began as early as the 2nd century it wasn't until 1854 that the Church proclaimed the first of two dogmas regarding her.  The dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX declares that Mary was conceived without original sin.  The second dogma, proclaimed in 1950 by Pope Pius XII, the Assumption of Mary, declares that Mary was assumed bodily into heaven.

  

Since the beginning of Christianity, devotion to Mary has found a place in every age and every place.  Honored and depicted in countless works of art, music and literature, she is also the object of much study, prayer and devotion.  There are prayers recited and titles assigned to her for just about every situation in life.  

 

Catholics are sometimes falsely accused of "worshipping" Mary. We do not worship her - that is an act reserved for the Triune God. Mary's place in the life of the Church is as the model of perfect virtue and as our Intercessor.  Created by God as the purest human to prepare her for her role as the Mother of our Savior, she has a special relationship with Christ in which she brings our prayers to him.  In our prayers and in our liturgies we venerate her, we do not worship her.

 

During the month of May, we hope you set aside some time to be with Mary in prayer.  One of the best loved Marian prayers, the Rosary, is prayed communally every Tuesday at 3:30pm in the church and the Divine Mercy chaplet is prayed daily after the 8am Mass.  

 

To learn more about Mary there are many excellent resources available - here's a great online one I just discovered from the Mary Center at the University of Dayton.  Please also help yourself to the various pamphlets available in the back of the church specifically related to Marian devotion.  There are also several books in our resource area in the parish center available for borrowing.

by Danette Morris

The month of May holds so much promise - promise of warmer weather, longer days, new life, new beginnings.  How appropriate that the month of May be devoted to Mary - what better image of promise and hope than that of Mary, expectant with the Christ child, Mary praying at the foot of the Cross and in the upper room, Mary assumed bodily into heaven where she intercedes for us as the Mother of God.   Another sign of promise is that of 200+ children in our parish receiving First Holy Communion this month.  Please remember them in your prayers that the Lord continue to bless them as they continue their journey of faith.

• 10:30am School Mass
• 11:30am Exposition and Adoration begins
• 11:30am Seniors First Friday Luncheon
• 5pm Augustinian Corona and Benediction

Saturday 5/4

Mondays 5/6, 5/13, 5/20 - 7pm Eucharist Study

Tuesdays 5/7, 5/14, 5/21 - 6:30pm Praying with Scripture in church

Tuesdays 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28 - 7pm Catholicism Series

Wednesdays 5/8, 5/15, 5/22 - 9:15am Catholicism Series

Fifty days after Easter and nine days after Ascension Thursday, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, this year on May 19th.  Just before Jesus ascended into heaven he told his Apostles that they would receive the Holy Spirit and they would be His witnesses throughout the world.  While gathered in the upper room where they were staying, the Holy Spirit descended upon them in the form of tongues of fire, filling them with the various gifts they would use to build the Church.   This marks the end of the Easter Season and we return to Ordinary Time of the Liturgical Year.

2013-2014 Registration 

Registration information will be sent via email to all families registered in our program during the week beginning Monday May 20.   We ask all our families to return their completed registration form and payment as soon as possible. You may do this through the mail, by bringing your form to the Religious Education office or by registering on line!  Please note discounted rates apply through June 17!!!  The sooner you complete registration the more likely you are to get the class day and time of your choice.  If you do not receive an email or are new to the program please go to the Religious Education page of the website (AFTER May 20) where you will find everything you need to register. 

We also ask you to consider teaching in the program - it is truly a wonderful experience to be responsible for passing on the faith to our young people. NO ONE WILL BE DENIED PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM DUE TO FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS. 

 

First Communion

Congratulations to all our children who will be receiving their First Holy Communion this month.  First Communion Masses are held at 10am, 12noon and 2pm on Saturdays May 4th and May 11th. Please double check the date for your child's rehearsal on our web site where they are listed by teacher.  If you are unsure of the teacher's name, please email our grade 2 coordinator Janice Zackular.

 

All First Communicants and their families are invited to attend 9:30 Mass on Sunday June 2 for a presentation to the parish community - please come in your Communion clothes and join us afterwards for a reception in the Parish Center

 

Vacation Bible School - Kingdom Rock

July 29-August 2 - Vacation Bible School registrations filled within 24 hours of opening.  However, the waiting list does move so please register at the website if you would like to add your child to the wait list.  We are also in need of volunteers, adult and teens (grade 7+) and you must register as a volunteer.  Contact Bridget Rao if you have any questions.

Several teens from St. Augustine's participated in a spring break mission trip with the Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Dominican Republic the week of April 12th.  Loaded down with 18 duffle bags full of contributions from you, our parishioners, the teens spent their days working with over 400 children, attending Mass and helping with all kinds of handyman projects.  

 

This reflection by one of the teens sums it up: "The mission trip was not so easy.  It was a good week, but hard too.  If you had said, "ok, no technology- limited water and electricity and Mass everyday, I would have said, "no thanks!"  Beyond the inconveniences, and there were a lot,  I experienced what it was like to live as the poor of another country.  They truly have nothing but do not live their lives as if they have nothing.  They are filled with love and care and you can see it in their eyes and in their hearts.  They gave us way more than we gave them.  I feel like this trip helped me to see more - see what I have but starting to see what is inside of me as somehow a reflection of all the love I experienced.  It's hard to explain, but I know it changed me for the better.  As far as going to Mass everyday, you can see that church is very much part of their culture, so it made sense that we prayed with them.   The Masses were really lively." 

 

See photos...

Martha's Ministry 

The Martha's Ministry of St. Augustine Parish is dedicated and committed to supporting the upkeep of the Church environment where we all worship together.  This Ministry supports 3 areas of parish life - ongoing upkeep of the church building, supporting the use of the parish center for non-ministerial events and assisting with parish-wide mailings.  The leaders of each area are seeking volunteers.  If you are interested in helping, please contact:

•  housekeeping tasks - Nancy Cronin 978-655-1991
•  use of the parish center - Susan DeBenedictis, 978-475-2658,
•  assisting with parish-wide mailings - Mary Ann Jelson, 978-886-2029

This electronic newsletter has been prepared and edited by Danette Morris.  Please send comments/questions to dmorris@staugustineparish.org