Lenten Program

Beginning Thursday, February 11, 7:30 to 9:00 pm. continuing through the remaining Thursdays of Lent, in the Parish Centre there will be a special program entitled The Mystery of Faith

Each evening begins with a video presentation with Rev. Michael J. Himes providing a marvelous introduction to the depth of Catholic doctrine. Utilizing dramatic scenes, artwork and images to enhance his warm, humorous and challenging presentations, Father Himes focuses on ten vital faith topics:
 Trinity, Grace, Incarnation and Salvation, Church, Baptism and Eucharist.
 Sacraments of Vocation, Reconciliation

Lenten Program Page
 

St. Augustine’s Contemporary Choir have
produced a CD of some of their music.
Click the image below for more details.

Augustine’s Men’s Fellowship Group
The group is made up of men from the parish who come together in fellowship to support one another
in their journey of faith. Contact parish office for contact information.
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General - That the Pastors of the Church may always be docile to the action of the Holy Spirit in their teaching and in their service to God’s people.

Missionary - That the Church in Africa may find adequate ways and means to promote reconcilliation, justice and peace efficationous, according to the indications of the Synod of Bishop’ Special Assembly for Africa.
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CHILDREN’S SUNDAY LITURGY PROGRAM is offered during the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sundays from October to May for children from Early Childhood to Grade 2. We invite the school children registered in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 2 to participate in the program. The program offers interesting activities and stories to bring the Gospel message to our children at a level they will understand. The programs are run on volunteer commitment from our parents and community. All volunteers are required to complete a volunteer information form and police records check. To register for the Children’s Liturgy Program visit the Children’s Liturgy page.                                                             See Children’s Liturgy Page.
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CHILDREN’S MASS BOOKS

Now available at the back of the church is Children’s Mass Books for the children to follow along with the Mass. It contains all the prayers and respnses for the mass along with pictures depicting the various parts of the mass.

These copies are intended to be returned at the end of each Mass.

Children’s Liturgy
 Sunday, 9:00 am. Mass

Please complete the enrolement form and bring to either the Parish
See Children’s Liturgy page for details & enrolement form

 St Augustines Senior Choir
 Newsletter. 

For 175 years, the musically inclined parishioners of St. Augustine’s have come together to lift their hearts and voices in the praise of God. We carry on this Ministry to this day as the choirs of our church create a symphony of devotion for their God and Saviour. We invite you to add your voice to our spiritual harmony. The Parish Choir meets on Monday evening from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm for practice and sings each Sunday at the 10.30 am Mass and also on special Feasts and Celebrations. The choir is currently 24 members strong with 11 sopranos, 8 altos, 2 tenors and 3 basses. We are looking for new singers to bring our number above the 30 member level we have enjoyed over the past number of years. If you would like to join us in the celebration of the musical liturgy, please don’t hesitate to call David Paines at (905) 627-1601 or speak to any member of the pastoral staff. Thank you.
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 CONTEMPORARY CHOIR

Come and sing praise to God with us! THE CONTEMPORARY CHOIR at the 9:00 am Sunday Mass is actively seeking new members of all ages, as we create a wonderful “new sound” with an ensemble of singers, acoustic guitars, brass guitar and electronic keyboard. It is truly a beautiful way to start the Lord’s day! Practises are Tuesday evenings 7-8:30 pm. Contact Debbie Bowman at 628-0517

Video
Parish Family Skate
January 24, 2010

Garden Party 2009 (click icon to view)

This year’s Garden Party was a great success! It wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity and the time of so many people. Special thanks go out to the members of the Catholic Women’s League, Bereavement Committee and the Knights of Columbus. Also to Betty-Anne Pickett, Cindy de Nobriga, Andrew Pala for the photo’s, Tyler Mah for the video, Tony Pizzacalla, everyone who donated baked goods and of course parishioners and friends who came to celebrate this special day. Thank You. Father Curtin and the Parish Council

Join the Gardening Team!

We need more members as the flower beds around the church are multiplying. Join us for the season, for a task, or just for an evening. No experience needed. Call Lucy Dubeckyj for more information at 905-628-4484.

LENTEN PARISH MISSION 2009
Redemptive Suffering:
“Moving from Loss to Hope”
Hear Audio Replay of the Talks
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Retrouvaille: A Lifeline for
Troubled Marriages
1-888-663-0223, Or email: Retrouvaille@cogeco.ca or visit the web site at www.retrouvaille.org.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
“Project Rachel” is a ministry of reconciliation and healing meant for any person who has had an abortion experience. The project is seeking volunteers to act as intake workers to answer the phone when the initial contact is made. No experience is necessary. Contact Teresa at the Office for Family Ministry at 905-528-7988 Ext. 250.
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BIBLE STUDY GROUP:
Sessions are held at the Parish Centre, Thursday mornings, 10:30 am to 11:30 am. Resuming in the Fall
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PRAYER NETWORK:
Interested in becoming involved in the Prayer Network please call Helen. We need your prayers! If there is someone you know who is in need of prayer, place their request on our Prayer Network by calling >>>
Gail = 905-628-2304 or Helen = 905-627-1194
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ST. AUGUSTINE’S YOUNG AT HEART SENIORS
  meet every Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Parish Centre for cards and fellowship. We are always looking for new members. Come and join our friendly group and enjoy an afternoon of Bridge and Euchre. Membership is $10 a year.
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ST. AUGUSTINE’S PLAYGROUP
for moms with small children meets on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 am. at the Parish Centre.
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The RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS
 commonly known as R.C.I.A. program, will be offered for those who have never been baptized, and who would like to be baptized in the Catholic faith. Weekly sessions will be offered in both programs, beginning early October, 2003 through April, 2004. There is room also for those who have been baptized in other Christian Churches who may be interested in learning about the Catholic faith. If you are interested, or know of some interested person, please call the Rectory at 628-2880 as soon as possible.
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NEW HALL RENTAL REGULATIONS

As of January 2006, the Diocese of Hamilton has issued new regulations regarding the use of church facilities and associated insurance requirements
The Catholic Bishops of Ontario have established an insurance fund to provide insurance for all the diocese in Ontario and their parishes. This fund, into which each parish pays premiums, is administered by a management body established by the bishops and is called Catholic Mutual Canada. Rental of parish facilities is now subject to the following rules for insurance purposes.

• Uses deemed normal parish functions are included in the basic parish coverage.
• All functions at which alcohol is served, whether by parish or outside groups require additional insurance coverage.
• All personal or group use of parish facilities not considered normal parish functions require additional insurance coverage. It is up to all outside individuals or groups to obtain their own additional insurance coverage. The parish can help direct them in obtaining this insurance. Catholic Mutual Canada must confirm this insurance as adequate. Two weeks notice is required for confirmation.
• In addition to this insurance requirement a contract/license must be signed.

The details surrounding all these regulations will be clarified when contacting the parish office.
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Haiti Emergency Appeal

St. Augustine’s Parish will receive monetary donations for Haiti emergency relief and forward them to the Diocesan Office for discernment. An envelope is available at the church or parish office. These funds will be channeled through the following two agencies. You can indicate on the envelope how you wish your donation to be directed.

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A Joint Campaign for Funds for Haiti by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. Further information is available on the website of Development and Peace at: http://www.devp.org/devpme/eng/pressroom/2010/com m201O-01-13-eng.html

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For over twenty years the St. Joseph Health Care System in Hamilton Diocese, under the Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton have been directly involved through an outreach program in improving medical care in two hospitals in Haiti. They are prepared to provide a team immediately to assist the people of Haiti in this time of great need. The Outreach Program assures us that 100% of funds donated will be used for medical assistance.

Development Peace

Canadian Conference 

ATTENTION PARENTS OF A CHILD
ATTENDING A PUBLIC SCHOOL!

The St. Augustine Correspondence Religious Instruction Program (Kindergarten to High School) compiled by the Diocese is offered at St. Augustine’s Parish. This year the cost will be: $40 per program, $90 for three or more children in a family. Parents are encouraged to begin FIRST COMMUNION preparation in Grade One.  For those preparing for the SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION, besides the immediate program: Christ our Life, Confirmed in the Spirit, it is recommended that Program four on the Commandments and Program five on the Sacraments be completed. Length of all Courses: 7-8 months. For programs to be completed by end of April, an early start is important. Registration forms are available at the back of the Church or the office, or download below. Early registration would be appreciated so that the programs can be delivered the last week of September. We encourage you to pay for your package when you pick it up at the Parish Office. For more information contact Betty-Anne Pickett at the parish office, 905-628-2880.

<<<Download registration form >>>

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CANADIAN FOOD FOR CHILDREN

END OF THE YEAR CLEANING?

CANADIAN FOOD FOR CHILDREN is a non-profit Catholic Charity serving the poor in third world countries around the world. They provide necessities of life to refugee camps, hospitals, schools, orphanages and the destitute through the missionaries. There is no paid staff or advertising and because all donations are sent directly to the missions there is no loss to corrupt governments or agents. Please keep them in mind when clearing out left over school supplies.

They gratefully receive paper (all kinds), new or used pencils, pens, erasers, sharpeners, color pencils, rulers, math sets, math and chemistry templates (stencils), alphabetical and numerical stencils, note books, duo-tangs, folders, covers, puzzles, abacus, small toys (especially educational), small chalk boards, magnetic letter and number sets, paper clips etc.

In most places there is neither electricity nor access to batteries, so nothing that requires them can be used. However anything solar powered will be put to good use, including solar lights for reading and calculators. In return, the missionaries and children who receive your generosity will pray for you.

Thank you! Sincerely, Joan Verhey
For more information please contact Joan Verhey at (905) 627-3003 or email: granny@cogeco.ca
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See our Canadian Food for Children page with a follow-up to our 2007January project. Pictures and report from Honduras.
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Over the Christmas season St. Augustine’s Parish focused support to our St. Vincent de Paul Society, The Good Shepherd Centre and The Canadian Food For Children. Due to your generous donations the following was given to these three charities.

• St. Vincent de Paul Society: $1,381.00
• The Good Shepherd Centre: $1,716.00
• Canadian Food For Children: $2,316.00

As well our parishioners donated a total of 40 boxes of non-perishable food items to the Good Shepherd’s Annual Christmas Food Drive and approximately 200 gifts to the “Angel Tree of Hope”. Please know that your donations were a true sign of God’s love for all those in need.
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Contact Joanna Emery
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PENITENTIAL DISCIPLINE
IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Law of the gospel: The Church wants new emphasis to be given to the evangelical law that a follower of Christ must do penance. While the heart of penance is hatred for sin as an offence against God external forms of penance are required to deepen and encourage the internal virtue.

Fridays are days of abstinence from meat, but Catholics may substitute special acts of charity or piety on this day.

The penitential character of Lent is to be maintained. On these days penance is to be considered an important requirement of the Christian life. Fulfillment of this duty involves prayer, works of piety and charity, and self-denial by fulfilling one's obligations more faithfully and especially by observing the prescribed fast and abstinence.

In the Roman rite, including Canada, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting and of abstinence from meat. It is in the best interests of the Church that these days be proclaimed and practiced in the parish community as days of true penance.

Privileged forms of penance are to be encouraged, especially during Lent. These forms are privileged because they are based on the teaching of the gospels (fasting, almsgiving, prayer, works of mercy) or because of their traditional value among the people of God (abstinence from meat).

Christian fasting obtains its full meaning when we deprive ourselves of food in order to be more open for prayer, to share more in the suffering of those who are starving and to save money to give to the poor. Fasting among Christians is a penitential discipline intended to open our hearts to God and others, a means of purification and spiritual liberation, a witness of the depth of our faith.

The law of abstinence from meat. binds those who are 14 and older; the law of fasting binds those from 18 to 59 years of age. Parents and educators are reminded of their duty to introduce children gradually to the understanding and practice of penance. Adult example will be the greatest influence in this matter.

GO TO THIS WEEKS MASS INTENTIONS >>> CLICK HERE