Message from the Parish Priest…

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,

I have the joy of placing in your hands the first issue of THE AUGUSTINIAN, the monthly parish newsletter, which is intended for the spread of the Gospel, deepening of faith through catechetical instructions, fostering of unity and promotion of brotherhood.

We are the crossroads of faith in the present times, with the confusing interpretations of the Bible and faith being offered from different quarters, with the introduction of incompatible concepts and practices into the indigenous cultures, and with the increasing moral laxity that is being encouraged by the media and individuals. Hence, it is of prime significance and utmost importance that a “sacred space and time” is created in our personal lives, so that we can attend to the inner yearnings of our heart as Christians, listening constantly to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and doing what is right according to God’s will.

Back to top

Saint Augustine (November 13, 354 – August 28, 430) was a philosopher and theologian, and was bishop of the North African city of Hippo Regius for the last third of his life.  Born in present day Algeria as the eldest son of Saint Monica, he was educated in North Africa and baptized in Milan. His works—including The Confessions, which is often called the first Western autobiography—are still read around the world.   Augustine is one of the most important figures in the development of Western Christianity, and is considered to be one of the church fathers. He framed the concepts of original sin and just war. In Roman Catholicism and the Anglican Communion, he is a saint and pre-eminent Doctor of the Church, and the patron of the Augustinian religious order. Many Protestants, especially Calvinists, consider him to be one of the theological fathers of Reformation teaching on salvation and grace. Among the Orthodox he is called Blessed Augustine, or St. Augustine the Blessed. "Blessed" here does not mean that he is less than a saint, but is a title bestowed upon him as a sign of respect.

 

Read Further:

• http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02084a.htm 

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Hippo

• http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/jod/augustine.html

Back to top