August 28.    St Augustine.  The PPC chairman thanked all those who had participated in exploring the month’s theme of sexuality as a family gift which we know also includes gender justice.    We now have a new pope, after the death of Pope Francis in April. Pope Leo XIV chose his name, following the approach of Pope Leo XIII who was one of the early proponents of social justice. Harassment is one aspect of injustice that happens in the context of power.  As an Augustinian, and a close follower of St Augustine, who lived in the 4th century in North Africa, Pope Leo will no doubt be teaching us much about him in the future.  One of his most famous sayings is,  “Our hearts are restless Lord, until they rest in you.”   

Scripture:  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God.   1 John 4:7. Pope Leo in his first address after his election.  “I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian. He said, ‘With you I am a Christian, for you a bishop.’ So may we all walk together towards that homeland that God has prepared for us.”   JUBILEE:  Saint Paul often speaks of patience in the context of our need for perseverance and confident trust in God’s promises. Yet, before all else, he testifies to God’s own patience, as “the God of all patience and encouragement” ( Rom 15:5). Patience, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, sustains our hope and strengthens it as a virtue and a way of life. May we learn to pray frequently for the grace of patience, which is both the daughter of hope and at the same time its firm foundation. SNC 4.  Act and pray. For the needs of families of all kinds to grow in love and acceptance.