Venerable Augustus Tolton (Feast Day July 9)

April 1, 1854-July 9, 1897

John Augustine Tolton, later known as Augustus, or Father Gus, was born into slavery in 1854. When the Civil War began, his father escaped slavery to join the Union army and died in battle. Tolton's mother fled with her three children and crossed the Mississippi River with the help of Union soldiers. They joined a Catholic church in Quincy, made up mostly of German immigrants.

When Tolton tried to go to school, he was rejected and faced discrimination from other students and their parents. He desired to study for the priesthood, but no American seminary would accept him. Instead, he was privately tutored by local priests until St. Francis Solanus College admitted him in 1878. Two years later, he left to study for the priesthood in Rome. Tolton became the first African American priest to be ordained in the Roman Catholic Church in 1886. He anticipated he would be sent to Africa as a missionary but was instead sent back to the United States in 1886. He first served at a church in New York City, and later in his hometown of Quincy, Illinois. He later moved to Chicago, where he helped the Black Catholic community build St. Monica Church on Chicago's South Side. Soon, Tolton became known nationally as a minister and public speaker, yet he remained dedicated to his congregation and community members in need.

• Who are the people that Jesus describes as blessed? Is this teaching surprising to you? Why or why not?

• In today's Gospel, Jesus is trying to teach us that true happiness comes when we rely on God. Share a time when you relied on God.

• Have you ever been insulted or laughed at? What would Jesus say about this situation?

• Venerable Augustus Tolton faced obstacles and rejection in his life. Share a time when you have faced obstacles and rejection in your life. Who helped you through this time?

Decorate Placemats

In the Bible, meals are an important time for relationship and faith sharing.

Use large paper (such as 11 x 17) and decorate the placemat with fun pictures, a shout-out to other family members or prayers before and after the meal. Use them for your family meal today. Consider making extra so that you can donate them to your local Meals on Wheels, nursing home, or other organizations that serve meals. For these placemats, consider offering words of hope, encouragement, and love.

Cereal Bars

Have cereal for dessert with this easy recipe.3 Tbsp butter

2 ½ cups mini marshmallows
5 cups cereal (i.e., Lucky Charms, Cap'n Crunch, Fruit Loops, etc.)
Cooking spray

Spray a mixing bowl with cooking spray and add in cereal; set aside. Melt the butter and marshmallows in a pan, stirring frequently until blended together. Pour over cereal. Spray a spatula or large spoon with cooking spray and mix the cereal and marshmallow together. It will be sticky. Pour content of bowl into a baking pan. Spray the spatula and push the cereal mix until flat. You can shape it with your hands as well. Let cool a few minutes and then cut and enjoy.

Prayer for Vocations

In today's Gospel, Jesus ministered to a great multitude. He needs people today to continue the work he started on earth. As a family, pray his prayer for vocations to call forth more people to serve God.

Father, we are your people, the work of your hands.

So precious are we in your sight that you sent your Son, Jesus.

Jesus calls us to heal the broken-hearted,

to dry the tears of those who mourn, to give hope to those who despair,

and to rejoice in your steadfast love.

We, the baptized, realize our call to serve.

Help us to know how.

Call forth from among us priests, deacons, lay ministers, and religious sisters and brothers.

With our hearts you continue to love your people.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

God forever and ever.

Adapted from Prayer #8 from http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/prayers-for-vocations.cfm

In today's Gospel, large crowds gathered to encounter Jesus. The same thing happens at Mass today. The people in the pews are called the "congregation," and they gather each week to encounter Jesus in the readings and the Eucharist. Count the number of people in the congregation at Mass today.

As a family, identify one person discerning a vocation to either marriage, priesthood, or religious life. Discuss as a family one thing you can do to support that person in their journey (i.e., pray for that individual, send him/her a card with prayers and good intentions, invite them over for a meal, cover the cost of a class or supplies for a class they are taking, etc.).

A Jesuit explorer who came from France as a missionary in 1666 was one of the first Europeans to name the Mississippi. He gave this vital artery of North America the name "The River of the Immaculate Conception." The entrustment of this mighty waterway to the Virgin Mary was part of the French Jesuits' mission to evangelize the Native Americans of the area.