Welcome to St Augustine's Parish, Manchester
Feast of All Saints
‘Beloved: See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God …’
Today’s feast is an occasion for great thanksgiving, honouring all the saints, both known and unknown, who offer us memories and models of holiness. We, too, are called to holiness; to be saints. The Communion of Saints prays for us, willing us on to join them.
We can try to do this by following the message and example of Jesus, as portrayed in the Gospel. Here Jesus teaches the disciples God’s law in a new way. His values and attitudes, summed up in the Beatitudes, are a map comprised of eight different paths. By following them, we align our lives with the heart of God and ‘holiness’.
The First Reading gives us a vision of heaven. Those who belong to the Lord are marked with a seal and kept safe, ‘an innumerable number from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages’.
In the Second Reading, John addresses us as ‘beloved’, reminding us that we are children of God. Although today’s world may misunderstand God’s Way, we are promised eternal life when we will see God as he is.
The Psalmist sings of the created world and all dwelling in it. Those who seek the Lord’s face with clean hands and a pure heart will receive his blessing.
On this feast, let’s pray for all those persecuted for their faith; for those suffering injustice; and for those affected by any form of violence.
(With thanks to St Beuno's Outreach)
ARTWORK
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12a
The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs
Fra Angelico (1423-4)
Greetings from the Jesuit Community
In September of this year the Jesuit community serving the Chaplaincy at Holy Name were asked by Bishop Arnold to also look after St Augustine's.
In so many ways it is an ideal arrangement - both churches have a long history serving this part of Manchester and it's extensive student population. So we were only too happy to agree.
Over time we plan for the churches to do more together and already we have cooperated to adjust Mass times so each church can have dignified and meaningful liturgies on Sundays and through the week.
The Jesuits might be new here at St Augustine's - and thank you for the very warm welcome! But we are of course no strangers to Manchester, arriving here in 1860 and opening the Holy Name in 1871, with only a brief period of absence between 1992 and 2012.
We look forward to being part of the life and mission of St Augustine's and on this website, which will grow and develop over time, you can read more about the Jesuits, our spirituality and our many diverse ministries in the UK and around the world.
Pope Leo's Prayer Intention for October
For mental health ministry
Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.
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Visit the website of Pray With the Pope
Visit the website of Pray As You Go for a reflection on this month's video.