Beloved Family:
This year, we have the opportunity to celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints on a Sunday. It is followed immediately by Monday’s observance of All Souls. These two commemorations open a month that is dedicated to a consideration of the limits of mortal life and an awareness of the importance of spiritual preparation for Eternal Life to come.
Rather than fear or dread, meditating on the precious gift of life—and time, although limited— can bring us to a place of deep gratitude. Hence, it is fitting that the month of November concludes, more or less, with the celebration of Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, the Catholic liturgical year closes with the acknowledgment of the Kingship of Jesus Christ, reminding us of the supreme beneficence of the Savior and our utmost duty to place ourselves—our whole selves and every aspect and relationship of our lives—under his sovereignty.
On Monday evening, at 7 p.m., we will host an Evening Prayer (Vespers) service for the Faithful Departed. While those in the Saint Mary community who have been impacted by a loss of a loved one receive a personal invitation to this service, no one would be turned away who desires to attend and honor a deceased loved one, no matter when or how long ago that loss took place.
Next Saturday, November 7, Bishop Edward Malesic will come to Saint Mary to confer the sacrament of Confirmation upon 31 young men and women from Saint Mary and Saint Agnes. I realize we have been “advising” parishioners regarding the fullness of church that evening and the possibility of shifting to an alternate Mass. This is a practical consideration.
That said, let us not lose track of the joy in being able to host our Ordinary, our Bishop, as well as members of the music ministry of Saint Agnes Church. May we not miss the significance of this milestone in the spiritual walk of the Confirmandi—not and end, but the opening up of a lifetime of discipleship, called to ever deeper relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit and commissioned to place their spiritual gifts in service to the community and beyond. Please offer prayer and some sacrificial practice this week, on behalf of them and their sponsors and families.
Role models of holiness are surely not limited to “old times.” We have a mighty generous roster of contemporary figures who embody a witness of heroic and joyful living out of their faith. Some of those officially canonized and recently beatified — think of Blessed Fulton Sheen and the just-beatified (October 31). Franciscan Martyrs of Georgia (read their story at thegeorgiamartyrs.org). Beyond that, there are two lists of holy people in this weekend's bulletin. Take note of the list of Dearly Departed (Page 5) and the list of children recently baptized (Page 3) at St. Mary. Look out world ... future saints are abundant.
Let’s all launch and renew our campaign to live holy and joyful lives in Christ!
Let His Peace be with you,
Fr. Stephen
