Greetings of Great joy my dear Sisters and Brothers.
It is clear that all things come together in God's time according to his plan. "We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." Rom 8:28
I can recall seven years ago celebrating Eucharist with you, and sharing with you your hopes and dreams when I visited St. Augustine and we were discerning the next steps, for both St. Augustine and for me and my parents at the time.
It is with great humility and honor that we will embark on this next chapter of our lives together. I stand on the shoulders of great giants like the Late Archbishop James Paterson Lyke, OFM, and Fr. Anthony Clark, SVD and the many other priests who have served the great parish of St. Augustine. Although I have yet to arrive, I have felt a warmth and loving embrace by our parishioners as well as by your bishop. Bishop David Talley has enthusiastically received me to serve in your parish and here in the Diocese of Memphis.
We can feel the great presence of our mighty great God as our paths are finally brought together. Let us walk side by side and discover where the Lord wishes to take us as we grow as His people in loving service of all who enter the doors of St. Augustine. It is my hope to spend the next year listening, learning and being guided by you as the parishioners of St. Augustine. Learning your history, hearing your stories and celebrating your joys, embracing you in your sorrows and walking with you bearing witness to the kingdom. I would like to have various gatherings, meets and greets, breakfast, cookouts, coffee corners and the like to get to know each other and to open my heart that I might hear.
Please reflect on a few questions to prepare for the first of our gatherings which will allow me to understand, and know your joys, hopes and dreams. What are we doing well? What do you love about St Augustine? Why do you come and your family call St. Augustine Your Church Home? What is being done well and what do we need to improve? What concerns? What ministry opportunities do we have to address needs?
Please know that I am excited and overjoyed to join you and begin this new season of grace and favor for St. Augustine, I am filled with joy to know that God is taking us into a new future filled with love. Let us pray for one another that God might bring the good work done in us to fulfillment.
Sincerely Yours in the Divine Word
Rev. Stephan Brown, SVD
Pastor
Rev. Stephan Brown, SVD
Pastor
Hello St. Augustine Parish,
As we await the arrival of our new pastor, Fr. Stephan Brown, it would be a blessing if we could take this opportunity to be an intricate part of assisting with the needs of the rectory. I have enclosed a list of items that are needed. This will also allow us to take ownership of the parish needs while minimizing the use of parish financial resources at the onset. If you see something you may be interested in purchasing and it may be out of your price range, please consider asking someone in the parish if they would like to share in the cost. So let us begin anew with this endeavor before us so that we may prepare and welcome our incoming pastor. Certainly, this is all voluntary and will definitely be appreciated if your personal finances allow. Simply click the link below to view the items that are needed for the rectory.
Peace and Blessings
As we await the arrival of our new pastor, Fr. Stephan Brown, it would be a blessing if we could take this opportunity to be an intricate part of assisting with the needs of the rectory. I have enclosed a list of items that are needed. This will also allow us to take ownership of the parish needs while minimizing the use of parish financial resources at the onset. If you see something you may be interested in purchasing and it may be out of your price range, please consider asking someone in the parish if they would like to share in the cost. So let us begin anew with this endeavor before us so that we may prepare and welcome our incoming pastor. Certainly, this is all voluntary and will definitely be appreciated if your personal finances allow. Simply click the link below to view the items that are needed for the rectory.
Peace and Blessings
