On 28 June 2020, we returned to celebrating Mass in the Church under strict COVID guidelines. Just a few weeks later we found ourselves in a lockdown yet again but were subsequently able to gather and celebrate Mass in our parking lot for the next eleven months. We are now back in the Church. What an adventure! From celebrating an Easter Vigil in December, to having a true Pentecost Vigil in May – a first for St. Augustine -- we have grown as a community and celebrated the sacraments during a time filled with challenges. We have no answers to some of these challenges, but we do know that God has been with us through them all.
As we return to Mass in the Church building, I would like to remind everyone that we still need to be aware of the COVID-19 health risks, especially related to the ‘delta strain’. The Los Angeles County Health Department mandates that all people, whether vaccinated or not, continue to wear a mask while indoors. We will continue to follow County and Archdiocesan guidelines as they apply to celebrating Mass indoors. For those of you who still prefer to celebrate Mass outdoors, we will be moving the Sunday 5:00 p.m. Mass to 3:00 p.m. on November 14 due to the cooler weather and it getting dark earlier.. As more parishioners begin to complete the vaccination process, we anticipate a significant growth in our in-person attendance and will adjust our Mass times accordingly We encourage you to monitor your health for your own safety and that of others. If you feel unwell, please wait to come back to in-person services.
Our opening of the Church is only the beginning of our celebration in turning the corner on the pandemic. It will be good to be back in the Church building, but always remember that WE are the Church, whether we are in a parking lot or in a building we call “the Church.” As we open the doors to a new journey, one of community building and walking as true disciples, we will do so slowly. What does this mean? Basically, we will open the Church gradually, adding Masses as attendance increases. This means that we will continue to have four (4) Sunday Masses at 9:00 a.m. (English), 11:00 a.m (English), 1:00 p.m. (Spanish), and 3:00 p.m. (English). On November 14th, the 5:00 p.m Sunday mass will move to 3:00pm and there will be no 5:00 p.m. Mass on Sunday. The 9:00 a.m. 11:00am and 1:00 p.m. Masses have moved back into the Church. Many of you have indicated that you would feel more comfortable having Mass in the parking lot, and so we continue to celebrate the Sunday afternoon / evening. Mass in the parking lot. All our weekday. services are back in the Church. Please refer to our Mass Schedule.Please remember to check our website regularly for COVID-19 updates, news about the celebration of the sacraments, the revised weekday and Sunday Mass schedules, and other important information about our parish life.
Thank you for your continuing patience and understanding in these challenging times. Let us pray that working together, we will get through the current difficulties and become an even more faith-filled
May the blessings of Ordinary Time fill you with health, joy, and peace of mind.
Fr. Chris
Nurtured by the Eucharist, St. Augustine Catholic Parish is a Christ‐centered sacramental community, which welcomes and invites all to grow in faith, share the good news, engage in ministry and build a just society.
The Parish Office will be open as follows:
Mon to Fri - 9:00pm - 5:00pm
Sat 9:00am - 2:00pm
Sun 9:00am - 1:00pm
Sunday Mass is currently celebrated in the Church at 9am and 11am in English and 1pm in Spanish. We will continue to celebrate Mass in the parking lot at the new time of 5:00pm.
Weekday Masses will be celebrated on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 5:30pm; and on Wednesday and Thursday at 8:00am. All weekday Masses are in English and are celebrated in the Church. Please visit the "Return to Mass" page for more information.