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While Fr. G was pastor of St. Augustine this weekly bulletin column was entitled “Under the Acacia Tree.” That was his title and I will not presume to use it for my column.  But I don’t have a new title yet so for now it is simply “A Column in Search of a Name.”  If you have any suggestions for a name let me know.

 

I spoke with Fr. G this week.  He conveyed to me how blessed he felt by his final mass with the St. Augustine parish family on Sunday, June 27.  He has been at a family reunion in Seattle but now has arrived in Grand Rapids and his new assignment at St. Andrew’s Cathedral.  His new address is elsewhere in this bulletin.

 

Last weekend was my first at St. Augustine and I felt very welcomed.  So many people stepped up to help out the “new guy.”  So every day I feel a bit more at home.  Of course I have much to learn about the life and traditions of St. Augustine but with good expectations.  Learning your names is most important.  Please be patient with me if I need to ask your name more than once or twice.

 

Summers, I am learning, are hot in Memphis.  So lets all take it easy and enjoy each day as best we can.

 

God’s Peace,

 

Fr. Bob Cary, CSP

 

Well folks, I am now solidly into week two here at St. Augustine.  Sadly the days have been marked by deaths and funerals of long time parishioners.  Mrs. Cora Harris, Mrs. Bonnie Draper-Taylor, and Mrs. Annie B. Jones have passed to the next stage of life - -- the fullness of the resurrection with Jesus Christ.  I presided at the funeral liturgies for Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Jones and participated in the Going Home service for Mrs. Draper-Taylor.  Each service was a celebration of the life of a woman of faith, family, and service.  May they rest in peace.

 

On June 30 we closed the fiscal year for the parish.  My initial review of the financial statements leads me to believe the parish did reasonably well with the budget but still ran a deficit.  With church budgets it can be hard to predict some events and expenses. Our new budget will be realistic if we are faithful with our giving and fundraising and watchful on expenses.  If you would like a copy of the financial statement contact the office.

 

With the advice of the Liturgy Committee and Pastoral Council we are starting the search for a new minister of music.  A special committee of representatives from the musicians, Liturgy Committee and Pastoral Council are working on a job description and the best ways to recruit.  I envision the minister of music (the title for now) as the coordinator and leader of the various music ministries at St. Augustine.  He/she will recruit and train the singers and musicians and also help us sing better as a congregation.  Music is very important for the liturgies of St. Augustine.  Please pray for the success of this effort.

 

Have a great week!

 

Fr. Bob Cary, CSP

July 18, 2010

 

Dear Friends

 

We will keep the column short this week.  It is summer and the living is supposed to be easy.  We certainly know it is summer here in Memphis with the heat.  A cool day is 88 degrees!  Of course it is all relative. My family and friends up north keep telling me of heat waves of three days in a row of temperatures topping 90 degrees.  They have no idea!  One of the blessings we receive from God in the summer is the ripening of crops.  This week I visited the St. Augustine Gardens across Kerr from the Church.  The small gardens of vegetables and flowers provide neighbors with the opportunity to prepare and eat their own food. The garden will soon expand with the construction of additional planting beds. Now a farmers’ market has opened at the corner of Mississippi Blvd and South Parkway East. It is open Thursday 2:00 PM until 8 PM.  Check it out!

 

I am keeping busy attending the meetings and activities of the many organizations of St. Augustine.  Last week I sat in on the planning for the parish festival of the Feast of St. Augustine August 28.  Saturday morning I was alternating between attending the Council of Organizations and witnessing the wonderful outreach effort of the homeless breakfast.  What impresses me is how the various organizations and parishioners, of all ages, come together to plan and carry out events for the whole parish.  I know there can be some jostling for time and space but I really believe parishioners want to support each other’s efforts and programs. I am getting closer to a name for this column.  I want a name with connections to the acacia tree symbol yet reflective of scripture and our parish.  I hope next week to announce the new title with my explanation.

 

Have a wonderful week. Peace.

 

Fr. Bob Cary, CSP

July 25, 2010