God is not only love but perfect love (1 John 4:16-18). How can a man and woman become and remain one? Love! How can a family with so many differences and challenges become one? Love! How can a community of hundreds or thousands of people in a parish be one? Love! I know this sounds naïve, but if you read my words again, replacing the word "love" with God, you'll see why it must be so! I'm not talking about just any love, but God-like love!

The radical generosity of the Father: "God so loved world he gave his only begotton Son." (John 3:16). The outrageous mercy of the Son: "Forgive them Father, they know not what they do!" And the life-changing presence of the Spirit: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you!" (Acts 1:8) On this our 147th Anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine Parish we have truly come this far by faith, hope AND love!

God has proven faithful even when our leaders did not. God stuck with us even when our membership did not. This is what today's Feast (Holy Trinity) is truly about: God's fidelity to us in the past; His love for us in the present; and His commitment to us in the future! The reason we are STILL HERE today is because GOD IS.Present.Always!