ST. A TODAY -- MAY 2017 ST A TODAY--MAY 2017 FINISHED COPY | Page 3

Faith in Action
SAINT OF THE MONTH
By Maureen Hannon
St. Columba was born in Ireland in 521, of royal descent. He went to school to become a
priest and was taught by St. Finnian. Ordained before he was 25, Columba spent the next fifteen
years preaching and setting up monasteries. Because of a family feud, in which 3,000 people died,
Columba partly blamed himself, so he left Ireland at the age of 42 and landed in the island of Iona
off the coast of Scotland. Columba built a monastery there that would become world famous. With
two other men, Saints Canice and Comgall, Columba converted the Picts, ancient people of
northern Scotland, to Christianity. Until the introduction of St. Benedict's Rule, Columba designed
a rule which many followed. St. Columba died in Iona in 597. His feast day is June ninth.
THERE’S A SAINT FOR ASTRONAUTS??
By Carolina Rivero
St. Joseph o f Cupertino, born in 1603, is the patron saint of astronauts. After
a simple childhood, he joined the Franciscan Friars. After his priesthood, he lived a
life of devotion to the Lord. His mother treated him very harshly. He had a bad
temper and couldn’t seem to do anything right. He joined the Capuchins, but they
sent him back! He kept forgetting what he was told. But, he grew in humility and
holiness. The Holy Spirit worked many miracles through him. Over 70 times,
people saw him rise from the ground while praying! St. Joseph lived alone, always
praying and meditating on Jesus, until one day, Jesus brought him up to Heaven.
Pope Clement XIII canonized him on 1767. St. Joseph of Cupertino had an
unbelievable patronage, and there are so many more saints that have a weird
patronage, like this one!
ST. AUSTIN IS MOVING!
By Lily Kinnison
We’re moving! The Saint Austin School will be just a hop, skip, and a jump away, down
the street at Destiny Church. St. Austin will have eight classrooms and an exclusive entrance
on the other side of the building. Destiny Church is allowing us to use their gym as well,
complete with an indoor playground. But, it gets better: while the school is stationed at Destiny,
we will be raising money and getting ready to start building our very own St. Austin School! The
several acres next to Destiny Church will someday be the permanent school. Many thanks to all
the faculty, board members, and families who have helped in finding us a new home. Special
thanks to the kind and welcoming people here at Assumption Greek Orthodox who have let St.
Austin start to grow. Keep on praying for a successful move to the new location and a blessed
school year!