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Adventures in the Archives
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The Indwelling Issue of Sin
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The Thread of Lent
Intertwined in the practices, reflections and atmosphere of the season of Lent is a primary thread. An often unspoken theme pervades these forty days. This is a season of preparation for reconciliation. And in the whole movement of reconciliation there lies the truth of sin.
The concept of sin has become more and more uncomfortable for us. We would rather call it by another name, perhaps one with a psychological or even sociological flavor. However, as people of faith we are called to look at all of reality with “sacramental” eyes. Every aspect of my existence speaks of my connection with my Lord. So what is this pain saying to me?
Perhaps our focus for this forty-day retreat we call Lent could be this question: where is sin in my life? This investigation need not be one of self-punishment or give rise to fear. Instead it can be a chance to look within for the cause of a nagging pain that needs healing. For from the heart comes sin, but in the heart also resides goodness. And we are blessed with a sacred encounter that heals and strengthens, where sin is washed away, and goodness is given nourishment for growth – Reconciliation.
As Jesus challenged the man at the pool of moving water, “Do you want to be healed?”Michael Flahive, Pastoral Associate
St. Austin Parish Newsletter
January/February 2002
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A Twisted History
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A 1500 Year Tradition That's Still Rolling
Did you know that the pretzel has been a special Lenten bread for over 1500 years? The students in St. Austin’s CCD and Day School could have told you.
They were involved in making these Lenten breads and learning about their history. It is thought that the “pretzel tradition” began with the monks, who shaped the dough in this fashion, to resemble their arms crossed in prayer.
Since pretzels were basically made out of flour and water they also reminded them of fasting. I don’t think fasting is what these students had in mind as they smelled the aroma of their freshly baked pretzels! You can be assured, they were enjoyed by all.
“The Spirit” newsletter
May 1984
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A Lenten Reflection from Sr. Sharon
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Fasting, The Prayer of the Body
The Lenten season is a time of prayer and fasting for many Catholics. Here are a few thoughts on fasting from Sister Sharon Groetsch, DC, our pastoral associate, written in 2002.
Fasting, The Prayer of the Body
Some reasons for the discipline of fasting are:-
It reminds us of and puts us in solidarity with the large population of the world’s suffering and starving peoples.
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Symbolically, it can represent an emptiness within or a prayer of openness to God for whom we hunger to be our ultimate fulfillment.
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It enables us to maintain good health and to steward that resource which is the gift of our body.
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It can foster in us an awareness of the difference between want and need.
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It can be a “body prayer” of supplication for a particular intention, expressing the depth and authenticity of our interior prayer.
For those who cannot fast from food, because of ill health or other circumstances, there are many other creative ways of fasting. One might fast from some form of entertainment such as TV or recreational reading, from unkind words or gossip, from excessive use of electronic devices, or in some other way that would require sacrifice on one’s part. -
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These photos of Sr. Sharon were taken when she was a member of our parish staff and more recently in her retirement in Evansville, Indiana.
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Catholic Schools Week Memories
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22 Years Ago...
The celebration of Catholic Schools Week brings back some memories from more than 20 years ago when St. Austin Catholic School students celebrated the unique Paulist influence on the parish and school community.
In January 2001, Paulist Heritage Week honored the eight Paulist Fathers then in residence at St. Austin. The priests received handmade cards and pictures. Parents prepared and served lunch on the Paulists’ feast day, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. Students learned more about the Paulists and their charism through daily readings from Isaac Hecker. Students and teachers were also treated to doses of Paulist trivia.
Each priest visited the class that adopted him and answered questions and shared about his life. “The Paulist Fathers teach us how to treat each other, so they must be a very important influence on our relationship with peers,” said eighth grader Greg Maher. Other Paulist trivia that made an impression on the students when they learned that Paulist founder Isaac Hecker was a convert to Catholicism and the Paulists were the first order of priests founded in America.
This Paulist Heritage Week was a first for St. Austin Catholic School.~Michelle Sneed February 2001
St. Austin Parish Newsletter
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A Step in Our Property Development Journey
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20 years in the Making
It was 20 years ago in December 2002 when something happened that radically changed the expansion and renewal of our parish facilities. Here is how Pastor Rev. Patrick Johnson, CSP described this event in the January 2003 St. Austin Catholic Parish Newsletter.
“It was a week and a half before Christmas and I was dropping something off to Bishop Gregory Aymond’s secretary when the bishop called out from his office, ‘I hear you’ve bought yourself a gas station.’
It was on December 6th, 2002, with the strong encouragement and support of Bishop Gregory Aymond and the diocesan staff, that St. Austin Catholic Parish made an offer to purchase the property on the northwest corner of Martin Luther King Boulevard and San Antonio Street, just across the street from McDonald’s.
The site was currently being used as a contract surface parking lot, but many of you will remember it as the site of the old Choate’s gas station and, later, auto repair shop. To find property that close to our campus is a break we have not had in many, many decades. If we can reach an agreement with the seller and if the property becomes ours, we have some new options and gain some flexibility. This opportunity is truly Spirit-sent!”
And truly it was Spirit-sent, because we were able to buy that property and our parish parking garage and office space were built on that corner.
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More Adventures in the Archives
