Ordinary Time 31

Today’s readings describe a common trap in which believers often find themselves. We try to live according to the precepts and laws of the Church but, when we do so without regard for the poor and lowly of this world, we can find ourselves becoming smug and self-satisfied. The Lord Jesus warns his followers not to fall into this trap. Rather, he says, they must be humble themselves as they strive to live out the law of the Lord. This is the only path to exalted glory with the Lord. This message is the same for us today.

Tomorrow is Halloween. For the safety of the children who will be participating in the parade and then trick-or-treating, the Vigil Mass for All Saints Day will begin at 5:00 PM. All trick-or-treaters are invited to stop by the rectory’s front porch for a treat! I promise to wear my costume!

Tuesday is the Solemnity of All Saints, a holy day of obligation. This is a day that is dear to the hearts of the faithful, for it gives us a glimpse of God’s promise of eternal life for all who put their hope in the Lord. May we always strive to pattern our lives on the Beatitudes.

Wednesday is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls). We gather in a special way that evening at 7:00 PM to remember those whom we have known and loved and all the souls who have gone before us. For some of us, the pain of grief is still fresh, but for all of us the memories give us strength to carry on in our faith as we pray for those who have died. Let us always proclaim our hope in the resurrection and in the promise of Christ for all whose lives have touched us.

Today is Priesthood Sunday. A prayer for priests: Jesus, our high priest, you were human in all things except sin, so you understand the human frailties, fears and weariness of our priests. Reassure and comfort them, illumine and challenge them. Give them hope and wisdom and grace so that they may lead all of us home to you, and send more young people into the priesthood to follow after you. Amen.

Our Responsorial Psalm this week, "In you, Lord, I have found my peace," reminds us that in God’s presence we may always find rest and relief from our distress.

Six rings are great but 7 would be heaven ... GO STEELERS!

Ordinary Time 30

A major hotel chain was doing extensive testing of its customers’ satisfaction with the hotel. Repeatedly, one particular hotel in the chain scored highest. Upon further investigation they discovered that the employees who dealt with the customers rarely consulted the extensive manual on customer service procedures. As one happy employee put it, “Our boss just told us to listen to the customers and treat them like we would want to be treated.” Manuals have their place and can come in handy. But the most important consideration, whether in customer service or living out our faith, is a question of the heart. If our hearts are in the right place – loving God and loving our neighbors – we’ll know just what to do.

We warmly welcome Fr. Pleban to Holy Cross this weekend as I am making my annual visit to Notre Dame.

The words we proclaim at Mass may be changing but our faith will remain constant. Million of Catholics will the celebrate the liturgy with deeper understanding and renewed vigor. Thousands of churches will echo with the sound of voices united in joyful songs of praise. Hundreds of families will gather with eager hearts, yearning to rediscover their faith. You are invited to a special presentation of the Third Roman Missal, which will be implemented on the First Sunday of Advent (November 27) on Saturday, November 5 at 9:00 AM in the church.

Saturday, October 22 is the first Memorial of Blessed Pope John Paul II. O God, who are rich in mercy and who willed that Blessed Pope John Paul II should preside as Pope over your Universal Church, grant, we pray, that instructed by his teaching, we may open our hearts to the saving grace of Christ the sole redeemer of the human race. Amen.

Our Responsorial Psalm this week, "I love you, Lord, my strength," reminds us to offer joyous praise, for our Lord will shelter and protect us.

Six rings are great but 7 would be heaven... GO STEELERS!

Ordinary Time 29

Sometimes when we hear the words of today’s Gospel about repaying Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God we get caught up in the an accounting problem and lose sight of the fact that everything belongs to God. Let us remember that even when we think we have earned everything we have, it is still a gift – given to us by our loving God. How can we repay that?

All clergy from the Diocese of Greensburg will be attending our annual convocation this week, Monday through Wednesday, at Chestnut Ridge in Blairsville, PA. Please keep all of us in your prayers and we promise to pray for all of you!

Tuesday is the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist. Luke’s gospel tells the story of Jesus sending out disciples ahead of him. The disciples are to take nothing with them, except peace. Their job: to prepare the way for Jesus. When most people go on a long trip, however, they usually pack a suitcase full of stuff. Luke’s story reminds us of the importance of our “spiritual suitcase.” That’s the piece of luggage that goes with us wherever you go. The contents – peace, respect, care for others – not only prepare us for what’s ahead in life, they also manifest the values of Jesus in a world greatly in need of them. What do you carry in your spiritual suitcase?

The words we proclaim at Mass may be changing, but our faith will remain constant. Million of Catholics will celebrate the liturgy with deeper understanding and renewed vigor. Thousands of churches will echo with the sound of voices united in joyful songs of praise. Hundreds of families will gather with eager hearts, yearning to rediscover their faith. You are invited to a special presentation of the Third Roman Missal, which will be implemented on the First Sunday of Advent (November 27, 2011), on Saturday, November 5 at 9:00 AM in the church.

Our Responsorial Psalm this week, "Give the Lord glory and honor," reminds us that we have been created to praise God on earth and in heaven.

Six rings are great but 7 would be heaven... Go Steelers!

Ordinary Time 28

Jesus spoke to his disciples in parables. Parables compare something in a story to something outside a story. As a parable unfolds, the comparison becomes clear and listeners realize they are being challenged to change their behavior or outlook. The parable we hear this Sunday about a wedding feast is a masterpiece. It has two moments that challenge us. First, Jesus’ hearers realized he was pointing out how their rejection of him meant rejecting the Father and prophets as well. The lucky new invitees to the feast, however, don’t have it much easier, as they find out that merely showing up isn’t enough. What gets you a seat at the table is not who you are or aren’t, but whether you have faith and live it.

I invite all who worked the festival to stop by the Church Hall this Sunday between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM for a "thank you" for a Job Well Done Party! As you can see in this week’s bulletin, our profit was $3,653 over last year. And that would not have been possible without you! So, come and eat, drink, and cheer on the Steelers! May the tradition continue in 2012!

Sunday, October 9 is National Children’s Day. Let us pray for all the children of our parish:

Lord God, your Son, born of the Virgin Mary, gladly welcomed little children. He took them in his arms and blessed them, and held them up as an example for all. May you send your blessing down upon the children of our parish so that they may grow in Christian maturity and, by the power of the Holy Spirit become Christ’s witnesses in the world, spreading and defending the faith. Amen.

Our Responsorial Psalm this weekend, "I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life," reminds us that we will always find kindness and guidance in God.

Six rings are great but 7 would be heaven... Go Steelers!

Ordinary Time 27

Not many people would prefer conflict to harmony and unity, violence and war to friendly coexistence, anxiety to inner calm, and Sacred Scripture agrees. Jesus greets people with “peace be with you“ and bids them farewell with “go in peace.” Jesus also warned, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. Faith can bring different priorities, decisions, and loyalties, some of which might be in conflict with the old; ultimate peace comes from turning to God.

Today is Respect Life Sunday. We are called to pray for greater concern and respect for all human life, especially that of the unborn, the elderly, persons with disabilities, the terminally ill and others whose lives are easily threatened.

We are very pleased to announce that beginning Sunday, October 9 at the 10:00 AM Mass, we will celebrate Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW). Thanks to a few parents who came forward with the idea and the willingness to be leaders. Children from Pre-K to third grade will be dismissed after the Opening Prayer to the Sunday Morning Café area and hear the readings that are more appropriate to their understanding. The children will participate in discussion and activities on how the gospel relates to them today. It is very important for parents to realize that this time is not a baby-sitting service, but a time for your children to grow in their faith. If parents wish to accompany their child to see if CLOW is right for them, you are certainly welcome to do so. We are so blessed to have this opportunity to nurture God’s Word in our children. Let us all pray that this time is meaningful to all who attend.

Friday is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. May we discover how praying the rosary nourishes our faith which flourishes again by meditation on the sacred mysteries, and raises minds to the truth revealed to us by God. We are pleased that one of our stained glass windows is that of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Our Responsorial Psalm this week, "The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel," reminds us that God will protect what God has created.

Six rings are great but 7 would be heaven ... Go Steelers!