Please be mindful as you travel through the township this week. The Ridley School District commences their academic year with half-day sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Blessings to our young parishioners, may you do your very best in this school year and be active in school, community, and parish.
Blessed are you, Lord God, Creator of body, and mind, and heart; you have sent the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge to guide your people in all their ways. At the beginning of this new school year, we implore your mercy; bless our students, teachers, and staff that together we may grow in faith, hope, and love as we learn from you and from each other. Expand the horizons of our minds, that we may grow in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge; deepen our commitment to seek the truth of your ways; and enliven our faith to reach out to those in need. Glory and praise to you, Lord God, in the Church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever. Amen.
– adapted from the Archdiocese of New Orleans
Reminder that our PREP begins in the middle of September. PREP meets on Tuesday afternoons from 4:30 – 5:45 at Notre Dame de Lourdes School. Registration for PREP is available on our website. Sacraments are received in PREP Level 2 (First Penance on 26 January; First Communion on 2 May); and in Level 7 (Confirmation on 26 February). You must be enrolled in PREP at least two years before receiving these Sacraments. Thanks to our catechists and PREP volunteers. Blessings for the coming year.
The Knights of Columbus Peace Council 4518 will gather for the recitation of the Rosary next Sunday 31 August at 10:45 am at Our Lady of Peace Church. Please join us as we thank Our Blessed Mother for the graces of the summer season and entrust our intercessions to her Immaculate Heart.
Thank you for your enthusiastic support of all our upcoming events at Our Lady of Peace and Notre Dame de Lourdes. The Golf Outing (26 September) falls in the middle of the Carnival (25-27 September), the Drama Karaoke Night (20 September) and our Christmas Bazaar (14-15 November) complete a busy season. Thanks again and blessings to our organizers, volunteers, and supporters.
Thursday 28 August is the Feast of St. Augustine. Pope Leo XIV is an Augustinian Friar. The Augustinians were founded in 1244. Through the centuries they have been a community of teachers, missionaries, or contemplatives. These varied ministries depended upon the needs of the community and the faithful being served. Currently there are three Augustinian provinces in the United States. They are in California, Chicago, and Villanova Pennsylvania.
The Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, the first Augustinian province in the United States, was founded in 1874, it celebrated its 150th anniversary last year. Villanova University, through its origins with St. Augustine parish in Old City Philadelphia predates its province by thirty-two years.
St. Augustine was a fourth / fifth century bishop. His conversion to Catholicism was sparked by the intense prayers of his mother, St. Monica. St. Augustine was an inquisitive and thoughtful person whose search for truth led him to embrace the Catholic faith.
The Augustinians continue the values of St. Augustine through a life of community that emphasizes truth, charity, service, and unity.
Pope Leo XIV, a Villanova University alumnus, frequently quotes St. Augustine in his homilies and audiences. During his homily for the beginning of his papacy, Pope Leo referenced St. Augustine’s remarks about the meaning of church. “The Church consists of all those who are in harmony with their brothers and sisters and who love their neighbor” (Sermon 359,9).
We are grateful for the Holy Spirit entrusting this harmony of brothers and sisters who love their neighbor under the leadership of Pope Leo.
“Never be satisfied with what you already are, if you want to be what you are not yet.” St. Augustine, Sermon 169