Last Sunday, we heard Simon Peter’s profession of faith, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Today, in the scene following that passage in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus admonishes Peter, who struggles with Jesus’ prediction of his passion and death. The Lord says to Peter: “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are not thinking as God does, but as human beings do.”

Thinking as God does is not easy for us. We see things from a limited view and experience. But, over time, as we reflect on God’s word, we can acquire a new vision and a new heart, to love as God loves.

Pensar como Dios no nos resulta fácil. Vemos las cosas desde una perspectiva y una experiencia limitadas. Pero, con el tiempo, al reflexionar sobre la palabra de Dios, podemos adquirir una nueva visión y un corazón nuevo para amar como Dios ama.

Some reminders: 1. In keeping with the Covid-19 protocols of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Holy Communion is to be received only in the hand at this time. 2. Unless you are members of the same family and live together, you are asked to keep social distancing of six feet between yourself and the next person in line. 3. Please sanitize your hands before coming forward to receive the Body of Christ.

The Ladies and Knights of St. Peter Claver will celebrate the Feast of St. Peter Claver, which falls on September 9, at the 12:30pm Liturgy on Sunday, September 6. All are invited to attend. St. Peter Claver (1580-1654) was a Spanish Jesuit who dedicated his life to serving African men, women, and children who were captured and taken as slaves to other parts of the world. He treated them with dignity, cared for their needs, both physical and spiritual, and baptized many.

Join us in thanking God for the life and ministry of this dedicated servant of God and of God's people on Sunday, September 6, at the 12:30pm Mass, and on his feast day, Wednesday, September 9, at the 12:00pm Mass. St. Peter Claver, pray for us!

St. Joseph's Church Downtown is open with the usual schedule of weekday and weekend Masses, sacraments, and ministry. Because of increased coronavirus cases locally, social distancing, hand-sanitizing, and the use of a face mask are observed during church services, in order to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Videos of Sunday Mass and other Masses from St. Joseph's are posted on YouTube at the St. Joseph Church Downtown Media page. Special thanks to John Francis Strelchun and his parents for filming and editing these videos so beautifully. Some Masses are also live-streamed.

Presently, we are working on the 2020-2021 calendar for the Sacramental Preparation, Faith Formation, the Rites of Christian Initiation for Children and Adults, Confirmation for Teens and Adults, and First Penance and First Communion. We will abide by the guidelines of the Archdiocese of San Antonio in providing a safe environment for the students and the teachers. Please call Bea at 210-227-0126, ext. 210, if you would like to register your child(ren) in one of these classes.

In a spirit of caring for each other in these difficult days, we encourage you to support efforts to feed our neighbors in need via Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Antonio and area food banks.

Thank you for supporting St. Joseph through our parish website (https://stjsa.org/) or Give Central (https://www.givecentral.org/location/935).