From the Office of the Bishop

 Beirut Explosion Response
The massive explosion that resulted in an immediate need for shelter and other basic needs, especially for vulnerable affected populations including the elderly and refugee and migrant populations. Many health care facilities, already stretched due to the COVID 19 response, were impacted by the explosion.   
 

CRS has initiated support to Caritas Lebanon and our seven PEER partners (a group of local faith based partners), while coordinating closely with other Caritas members and sharing information with donors, including USAID/BHA. Our Charitable Giving team has set up a donate page at Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in an effort to raise funds for the response. The Diocese of St. Augustine has contributed $5,000 to the relief effort.
 

Thank you for always keeping in your prayers those we serve, the families affected by this horrible disaster, the vulnerable around the world, the hungry, the displaced, the poor and those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and lastly, thank you for your prayers for our CRS staff and their families serving around the world.
 

 Mary, friend and mother to all, Through your Son. God has found a way to unite himself to every human being, called to be one people. Sisters and brothers to each. other.

   We ask for your help in calling on your Son, seeking forgiveness for the times when we have failed to love and respect one another.

   We ask for your help in obtaining from you Son the grace we need to overcome the evil of racism and to build a just 

society. 

  We ask for your help in following your Son, so that prejudice and animosity will no longer infect our minds or hearts but will be replaced with a love that respects the dignity of each person.

   Mother of the Church, the Spirit of your Son Jesus warms our hearts: pray for us. Amen.

If you would like a copy of the full letter on the Sin of Racism please Email one of us in the office or come in to pick up a copy.

Open Wide our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love

A Pastoral letter on the Sin of Racism from the USCCB

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  U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Archbishop José H. Gomez, racism, Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism.      

http://www.usccb.org/news/2020/20-83.cfm 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfQvYelF_9k&feature=youtu.be 

"We need to participate for the common good. Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern."
- Pope Francis, 9/16/13

The Catholic bishops of the United States are pleased to offer once again to the Catholic faithful Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (en Español), our teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics. This statement represents our guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy. We urge our pastors, lay and religious faithful, and all people of good will to use this statement to help form their consciences; to teach those entrusted to their care; to contribute to civil and respectful public dialogue; and to shape political choices in the coming election in light of Catholic teaching. The statement lifts up our dual heritage as both faithful Catholics and American citizens with rights and duties as participants in the civil order.

Read Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States (en Español), which provides a framework for Catholics in the United States.

 http://usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/index.cfm 

 Take the pledge below as an individual, family, or community. Anyone and everyone can commit together to honoring human dignity through civil conversation. 

I Pledge:

 https://www.wearesaltandlight.org/civilize-it 

  GIA Music Digital Resources

Resources for Parents and Teachers

Resources for Pastors and Musicians

Resources for Personal Prayer and Development

Diocese of St. Augustine