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St. augustine of hippo in east st. louis revived, refreshed, renewed

Story and photo by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

Revived. Refreshed. Renewed. Members of St. Augustine of Hippo Parish in East St. Louis spent three evenings — Feb. 6-8 — participating in a revival with themes celebrating elders, youth and families.

Each evening, Father R. Tony Ricard, a priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans spoke to the congregation on the themes chosen. Equally important, parishioners took part of each evening to highlight groups of people important in any parish community.

On Ash Wednesday, parishioners not only received ashes but acknowledged the importance of their elders in families and the parish community.

The second evening, with about 300 people attending, the congregation focused on youth and the future.
The last evening, with close to 200 people filling the worship space, the emphasis was placed on families and the present.

Members of the Willis family welcomed the congregation and explained their connections to each other and their family of faith.

“We are family; we are not perfect; we are friends; we are not alone; we are truly blessed; we are not weak in faith; we are children of God,” Jaye Willis said.

Then, Father Tony Ricard spoke of the need for faith in God and the miracle of touch that can heal.

Using the stories of Jairus and the woman who had been hemorrhaging and memories of his own first Communion, Father Ricard spoke of the healing powers of Jesus’ touch.

“I probably didn’t know it then, but I have since come to realize, that at my first Communion, I was able to touch my Jesus and be touched by my Jesus in a very intimate way,” he said.

Through the Gospel stories, Father Ricard impressed on the congregation the need for deep faith and the great power of healing that comes from that faith.

“Let us pray that in that excitement (of a first Communion) the sickness of our world and the sicknesses within each of us will be healed through our faith in Jesus Christ,” Father Ricard said.

Father Ricard referred to his own faith and hope that survives after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in his native New Orleans at the end of August 2005.

Of his two parishes, one escaped relatively unscathed but the other would eventually be closed because of the damage.

He is grateful his family was unharmed.

As the evening drew to a close, Madonna Aldridge and her daughter, Melinda, prayed a benediction for all of the people, touching on each of themes.

“We have been revived — thanks to the elders, our foundation, for providing us with stability and fortitude to continue our journey.

“We have been refreshed — thanks to the youth, our future, for sharing with us their enthusiasm, gifts and talents, uniqueness and zest for life. We pray that they are reminded on a daily basis who they are and who they belong to.
“We have been renewed — thanks to, and for, our families present and living among us today. We pray that God’s grace remain ever present in our lives through the sacraments we share with one another.”

The theme woven throughout the evenings, and repeated on the last evening was: “Hold on. This is our prayer for all God’s children. Don’t give up the fight, continue to fast and pray; we know that help is on the way,” Ms. Aldridge said.