S T AUGUSTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH 185 N Oak Harbor Street, Oak Harbor, WA 98277 (360) 675-2303 Rev. Paul Pluth, JCL, Pastor Epiphany 6 January 2019 I used to think that Epiphany Wise Men from the East, following a star to Bethlehem, bringing Baby Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh was a made-up story. A tale invented by St Matthew to prove Jesus was the one foretold by the ancient prophecies: Jesus is the star rising over Israel (Numbers 24:17), whose light will shine on kings and nations, leading caravans to him bearing gifts of gold and frankincense (Isaiah 60:1 6, our First Reading for today s Mass of the Epiphany). A story devised to demonstrate that human reason could only lead you part of the way to the true God Jesus Christ and then you needed to turn to the inspired Jewish Scriptures to find the Savior (Matthew2:4 6). I no longer think Epiphany is a made-up story. St Matthew wouldn t have needed to go to that trouble. After all, St Mark and St John don t have any stories about the birth of Jesus in their Gospels. I don t think St Matthew was attempting to deceive his readers. Like the Red Sea, or Easter, something happened that is behind the story of the Wise Men and the star. St Matthew is recalling real history in the Epiphany story, but he also is connecting it with God s promises and prophecies, to help us understand who Jesus is. One thing certainly happened: King Herod, and the entire city of Jerusalem, are greatly troubled when the visitors from the East arrive in the city, asking Where is the newborn king of the Jews? (Matthew 2:2 3) Throughout history, Jesus always is a threat to any government or power structure that is indifferent to their people. Jesus is the Word of God saying individuals are loved by God and matter to God, and only God has final authority over their lives. Christians, too, are a threat to uncaring powers, because our final allegiance is to a God who cares and who is the Judge of history and nations. Father Paul
Parish Office Tuesday - Friday 9 am - Noon & 1 pm - 4 pm Information@StAugustineOH.org www.staugustineoh.org Mass at St Augustine & St Mary Saturday Vigil 5:00 pm St Augustine Filipino Music 2nd Saturday Spanish 1st Saturday 7:00 pm St Augustine Sunday 8:00 am St Augustine 9:30 am St Augustine 11:15 am St Mary Thurs, Fri, 1st Sat 9:00 am St Augustine Thurs 12:10 pm St Mary Confession at St Augustine & St Mary Friday 8:30 am St Augustine Saturday 4:00 pm St Augustine 3rd Sunday 12:15 pm St Mary Anointing at St Augustine & St Mary 1st Thursday 12:10 pm St Mary 1st Friday 9:00 am St Augustine Other times by request. Please contact the Parish Office. Holy Communion for Homebound Please contact the Parish Office. Parish Ministers Pastor Rev. Paul R. Pluth, JCL Administration Mary A. Waters Sacramental Prep, Peggy Smith Adult Faith Formation, & Annulments Religious Education Rowena Harless & Youth Ministry Director of Music Kathleen Dodge-DeHaven Administrative Assistant Ruth Joy Abrea Facilities Joe Blackburn Custodian Jim Kraft St Augustine Baby Boutique* The Pro Life Ministry of St. Augustine invites you to donate baby items to our St. A Baby Boutique. The following specific items are the ones most requested and most needed by the clients of Pregnancy Care Clinic (PCC): size 5 and 6 diapers, baby wipes, Similac Advance Formula, new baby bottles, Walmart Gift cards (PCC uses these gift cards to buy cribs & car seats). No baby furniture please and no used items. We also accept CASH or CHECK donations (please make checks payable to St Augustine and on the memo line write Pregnancy Care Clinic ). Donations accepted January 1-31; volunteers will be in the Vestibule after every weekend Mass in January. *Benefits the Clients of the Pregnancy Care Clinic PRIEST, PROPHET AND KING by Bishop Robert Barron Take a deep, Biblical look at Jesus Christ; come discover who Jesus really was. The real priest, prophet and king foreshadowed in the Old Testament! Your own mission today, to be priest, prophet and king will become clearer to you! This study will begin on January 14 th and go for six weeks, ending on February 18 th. The study times are 10:00 am & again at 6:00 pm. The evening class needs to have a minimum of five people attending. Please call 360-675-2303 x5 to inform us of your intention to attend the evening class. You can order the recommended study guides from Word on Fire at: http://priestprophetking.wordonfire.org/ BAPTISM SCHEDULE Note: These times are subject to change. Please call Peggy Smith at 360-675-2303 to register before making final plans for your child s baptism JANUARY 2019 Class 1 Tues, Jan. 15, 2019 6:30-8:30 PM Class 2 Sat, Jan. 19, 2019 10:00 AM to Noon Baptisms February 16, 2019 morning FORMED.ORG The Catholic Faith On Demand REGISTER USING PARISH CODE G8FJ6Q Eucharist to the Homebound Do you know someone who is unable to come to Mass and would like to receive Holy Communion whether on a temporary or long-term basis? If so, please call the parish office at 360-675-2303 to arrange a visit. Marriage Preparation Are you engaged to be married? Preparations for weddings are a six-month process. Please call 360.675.2303 x5 to begin.
EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS Bible Study Priest, Prophet and King by Bishop Robert Barron, Mondays, January 14 - February 18, 10:00 am and 6:00 pm classes (the evening class must have a minimum of five people attending). Please call the parish office at 360-675-2303 x5 to inform us of your intention to attend the evening class. Order the recommended study guide from Word on Fire at http://priestprophetking.wordonfire.org/ Safe Environment Training, January 15, Tuesday, 5:30 pm in the parish office. Please register at virtusonline.org or call the parish office at 360-675-2303 if you need assistance with your registration. Pro-Life Speaker, Katie Lodjic, will speak on Wednesday, January 23 at 6:30 pm in the Parish Hall. End of Year Tax Statements will be emailed to parishioners with email and mailed to those without email by the end of January. Pancake Breakfast, Sunday, February 3 following the 8:00 am Mass Connect with Father Paul ppluth@staugustineoh.org Facebook www.facebook.com/ FatherPaulPluth Twitter www.twitter.com/@fatherpaulpluth Nine-day Novena for the SANTO NIÑO DE CEBU January 10 to 18, 2019 The last day of the novena, January 19, will be held inside St. Augustine Church, followed by a potluck in the parish hall. Kindly bring your favorite hot dish to share. For more information, please contact Ms. Bibi Albornoz at 360-679-2102 Jan 5 Sat Jan 6 Sun Jan 7 Mon Jan 8 Tue Jan 9 Wed Jan 10 Thu Jan 11 Fri January 5-12 4:00 pm Confessions 5:00 pm Vigil Mass (Andrea Tucci, RIP) 7:00 pm Spanish Mass 8:00 am Mass (Our Parishioners, INT) 9:00 am Coffee & Donuts, PH/K 9:30 am Mass (Tom Karney, INT; Arleen Moyle, INT; Theresa Frazer, INT) 10:30 am Coffee & Donuts, PH/K Office Unavailable 3:00 pm Divine Mercy, CH/CR3 4:30 pm Agape Meal, PH/K 7:45 am POETS, CH 4:30 pm Fitness Group, PH/ST 4:00 pm Parish Health Ministry Mtg., CR1 10:30 am RCIA, PO 4:00 pm Elem RE, All 6:30 pm MS/HS RE, All 6:30 pm Confirmation Class, PO 6:30 pm Parent Confirmation Retreat, CR2 9:00 am Mass 9:45 am Divine Mercy, CH 10:00 am Ladies Prayer Group, CR3 10:00 am St. Maria Guild, CR1/2 4:00 pm SS/RCIA, PO 5:00 pm Pastoral Council Meeting, PO 6:30 pm RCIA, CR1/2 6:30 pm Spanish Choir Rehearsal, CR5 7:30 pm Adoration, CH 8:30 am Confessions 9:00 am Mass (Bill Leitch, RIP; Ron & Gail Meis, INT) 9:45 am Adoration Help keep your bulletin free of charge!!! Please let your favorite business owners know that advertising on the church bulletin is affordable and a great place to advertise! For information, call Catholic Printery at 800-867-0660. Please Pray for Our Family & Friends John Aguirre, Lynn Brown, Josephine Chittum, Tomasa Dagdagan, Raymond Ernest, Theresa Frazer, Virginia Gracey, Cassie Head, Tom Karney, Rose Kessler, Morris Nelson, Kathryn Nienhuis, Richard Rezabek, Juanita Robinett, Edith Stoio, Lyla Whitey Permission is required from the individual prior to adding their name to the prayer list. To include a loved one s name, please call the Parish Office at 360-675-2303. Jan 12 Sat No activity in the morning Thank you for your Stewardship of Treasure! Weekly Expenses: $13,090 Dec. 23 Collection: $15,018 Dec. 30 Collection: $14,063 (Includes all revenue except custodial collections and restricted bequests.) Please write your envelope # on your check.
Protecng God s Children for Adults If you will be volunteering with Religious Education, Eucharist to the Homebound or the Sacristan ministry you must attend a Safe Environment Training Training will be held on: Tuesday, January 15 at 5:30 pm in Classroom 1 & 2 at the Parish Hall of St Augustine Church. If you registered for the previous class that was cancelled, please re-register for this class. If you have never signed on to Virtus previously, please go to virtusonline.org Click on the First-Time Registrant tab and start your profile so you can register for the class. Please call the parish office at 360-675-2303 if you need assistance with your registration or have any questions. (This training is for those who haven t already attended or if you d like a refresher).
March for Life Olympia Jan. 22nd, 2019, 12:00pm - 3:00pm Bus Sign-Ups aer weekend Masses on the first two weeks of January for all St Augusne parishioners! Parcipants of the Washington State March for Life will be gathering at the State Capitol in Olympia at Noon, as we have for the last 40 years! We remember the past as we COMMEMORATE the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, January 22, 1973. We FOCUS on what we can do right now to help women and babies in crisis. And, we look with HOPE to the future when aboron will be unthinkable for all! Website: www.washingtonmarchforlife.org Contact: Washington State March for Life Phone: 253-564-1497 Email: info@washingtonmarchforlife.org 9 DAYS FOR LIFE: JANUARY 14-22, 2019 JOIN THOUSANDS AS WE PRAY FOR THE RESPECT OF HUMAN LIFE 9 Days for Life is a "digital pilgrimage" of prayer and action focused on cherishing the gift of every person's life. A multi-faceted novena highlighting a different prayer intention each day provides reflections, bonus information, and suggested actions. Check back soon at h;p://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-acvies/januaryroe-events/nine-days-of-prayer-penance-and-pilgrimage.cfm to subscribe to receive the novena by email, text message, or mobile app. Sign-up methods, as well as additional information and leaders' resources, will be posted as soon as possible at the website indicated above!