Blessings, Blessings and More Blessings

Last weekend, Sept 23-24, was an especially positive and happy weekend here at the St. Austin campus. On Friday morning St Austin School celebrated Grandparents’ Day. We had an overwhelming response, with a packed church and overflowing the garage. The students and their grandparents and special guests gathered all the old hymnals and packed them away, and put out all the new hymnals in the pews.

These new (grey) hymnals were all blessed by Fr Paolo at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, which was followed by the annual Spaghetti Dinner. The event was another delicious success!

Then on Sunday at the 11:30 a.m. Mass Bishop Joe Vázquez preached and presided at a Mass commemorating the 70th Anniversary of our beautiful church. It was dedicated by Bishop Louis J Reicher on September 25, 1953, as can be read (in Latin) on the purplish stone behind the hand-rail on the south side of the sanctuary. A highlight of the Mass was two pews of parishioners who were here at St. Austin seventy years ago when the church was dedicated. It was a beautiful example of living history!

The Mass was followed by all the people moving to our new Paulist Hall in the ministry building. St. Austin School choir did a beautiful piece to set the tone. Mr. Keith Ziegelman, President of the St. Austin School Advisory Board, welcomed Bishop Joe on behalf of the school. I noticed that Keith mentioned the world-class ventilation in our new school, an issue he had promoted in the planning stage. Then Mrs. Josie Barrett, President of the Parish Pastoral Council, welcomed Bishop Joe with a heart-felt and touching address. After a short reading and prayer, Bishop Joe went around and blessed the hall with holy water, and by extension blessed the entire ministry building and school. The Knights of Columbus then treated us to delicious sausage wraps, with ice-cream for dessert. It was a most enjoyable affair.

On a personal note, twice during the service, once in the church and once in the hall, I received a standing ovation. That was certainly very moving, and I deeply appreciate the sentiment. But what we have achieved so far was a collaborative effort of enormous proportions. So many people worked on the planning, the research, the endless hours of meetings, the finances, the Vatican, Diocesan, State and City approvals. The number of hours spent on the project has been enormous. So many gave fully of their time and talent. Many others donated expertise, money, and support. And many of you ensured success by your prayers. This has only been accomplished by a united community effort.

And we are not done yet! We still have to see through the successful completion of our Paseo area for drop off and pick up, our new gym and exercise track, the new music room for the school, and the rectory for the Paulist priests. We will not be finished till next May or June (or July or ….).

So please do not rest on the laurels of our current accomplishments. Rejoicing in what has so far been so successfully accomplished, let’s take renewed energy to bring this project fully and totally to completion. That will be a great day to celebrate! God bless, Fr Chuck