St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church

There is a saying that when God closes one door he opens a window. In my case it was Archbishop Chaput who closed the doors to my beloved parish where every religious seminal event in our family took place. With this closing I became a church nomad. For most of the summer I have the Franciscan order on LBI spreading God’s word in masses with homilies which speak to those of us sharing the pews in the way The Apostle’s intended.
My post Labor Day nomadic search for a Philadelphia based parish took me to places where the priest had a packed house but spoke at the congregation leaving me with a building disappointment in the Diocesan Order.
By mid-​September I realized I needed a Church run by an order. So one Sunday in mid-​September I attended the 7pm mass at St. Augustine. From the lovely candle lit lanterns welcoming you on they steps of this beautiful historic landmark church, and music so beautifully arranged and performed by the most talented group of young adults, you immediately know this is how a true parish should be.
Another phenomenon at this mass is the strong presence of young adults. The very demographic most parishes are hemorrhaging. All are welcomed here, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and race have the warmest of pews welcoming them without hesitation.
The Augustine Order priests are so genuine, sincere, with brilliant minds which allow them to deliver a homily that not only keeps you from wanting to read the weekly parish bulletin during this part of the mass but more importantly find ways throughout your week to incorporate it into your crazy, challenging daily life.
Each of us have been in beautiful churches. When I enter and exit St. Augustine’s each week I am reminded that it is the inner beauty displayed by all who comprise this parish, priests and laity where we truly witness the love God intended and wants us to share.