Ordinary Time 30

Thoughts from  Fr. Bill…….

Dear friends,  as we celebrate nature’s autumn harvest time the Church
celebrates the kingdom’s harvest this week through the celebration of
All Saints Day (Thursday November 1) and All Souls Day (Friday
November 2).  All Saints Day is the “harvest of holiness” in all the
saints, known and unknown, who already rejoice in God’s kingdom.
All Souls Day is a day to remember our beloved dead not yet in heavenly glory, embracing them with the prayers we offer for their eternal glory.  We read in the Second Book of Maccabees “It is a holy and
wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from
their sins.”  We also read in the Order of Christian Funerals, “Though
separated from the living, the dead are still at one with the community
of believers on earth and benefit from their prayer and intercession.”

During the month of November we are called to remember in a special
way those who have died since November 1, 2011.  We will celebrate
their lives on Tuesday October 30 at the 7pm Mass.  During this Mass
we will read their names and the family/friends will carry a candle into
the sanctuary to be lit in memory of their loved one. All who lost a
loved one, even if  not from Holy Cross Church, are invited to attend.
A lite reception will follow in the Church Hall.

On All Saints Day , which is a holy day of obligation, we honor those
who have finished the race and now rejoice in God’s presence.  We
honor the towering figures like Saints Peter, Paul, Augustine, Francis
and Therese of the Child Jesus, and we honor the humble saints as
well, those whose names are known to few or to none: the grandparents and ancestors, the friends and teachers who lived their faith to the full and inspired faith in others.  This is a day to celebrate them all!

The Vigil for All Saints Day will be at 5PM due to the Halloween Parade that begins 6:30PM. I will again be perched on the front porch of
the rectory to distribute treats to those who are out celebrating Halloween.  Have a happy and safe Halloween.

Remember to turn your clocks BACK next Sunday, November 4 at 2
AM,  so that you are not too early for Mass.

This week’s Psalm Response, The Lord has done great things for
us; we are filled with joy, reminds us of the wonderful things God has
done for us  – and challenges us to allow God to do great things
through us.

Here We Go Steelers Here We Go!

Fr. Bill

Ordinary Time 29

Thoughts from Fr. Bill…….
Dear friends, today is World Mission Sunday. The theme is
“Called to Radiate the Word of Truth.” The day’s readings lend
themselves fairly easily to a focus on missions with both the first
reading and the Gospel speaking of God’s servant giving his life
as a ransom for many. At our book study we recently discussed
the changed text of the institution narrative in the Eucharistic
Prayer where Christ pouring out his blood “for all” has been
changed to “for many.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church
(#605) makes clear; Christ died for all people, not just some;
“many” is meant to be inclusive rather than exclusive, though
“all” communicated our belief more accurately.

Next Sunday we invite all youth in grades 7-12 to attend October
Fest in the church hall beginning at 4PM. Food, games with
prizes as well as finishing the homebound service project will
take place. If there is enough interest after the October Fest we
will travel to Lonesome Valley Farms at 6PM for either the
haunted hay ride($15) for non haunted corn maze ($8). Please
register for one or both events by calling the office (724-925-
7811) or email Fr. Bill (wberkey@dioceseofgreensburg.org)
by Friday October 26 at 5PM. We need parents to volunteer
at both events. Please call office or email Fr. Bill if you are
available to assist, thanks

Please mark your calendars for All Saints, a Holy Day of obligation.
Mass on Wednesday October 31 at 5PM, due to the
Youngwood Halloween Parade, and 8AM on Thursday November
1. Also we will celebrate our All Souls Candlelight Memorial
Mass on Tuesday October 30 at 7PM (please see front cover
of bulletin for invitation).

As we continue our journey through the Year of Faith let us reflect
on this: Faith is a gift from God. This gift has 3 dimensions.
1. Faith lights us our minds so that we know the truth
about God. 2. Faith brings about a relationship with God we
could never otherwise have. 3. Faith propels us forward into
eternal life which begins even now.
This week’s Psalm Response, Lord, let your mercy be on us,
as we place our trust in you, reminds us that God’s mercy is a
strong shelter for our fears.

Here We Go Steelers, Here We Go!

Peace
Fr. Bill

Trying to live a full life in the service of the Lord,
failing frequently and falling on the mercy of God each time….

Ordinary Time 28

Thoughts from  Fr. Bill…….

Dear friends, in today’s second reading from the Letter to the
Hebrew’s we hear “The word of God is living and effective.”
So if you are ever wondering what to do with your life?  Follow
the Acts of the Apostles.  Struggling to get past a difficult time?
Pick a Psalm form the Old Testament, any Psalm.  Unsure how
to live in gratitude?  Read Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 46-55).
Open a Bible and you unleash the word of wisdom gathered
from generations of wayfarers whose paths, both humble and
epic, led them to the same place:  the waiting arms of God. The
teachings of the church are essential to understanding your faith,
but scripture opens you up to the mysteries and possibilities of
that faith.  So start with scripture as you make your way through
each day.

All the priests from the Diocese of Greensburg will gather with
Bishop Brandt Monday through Wednesday at our annual Convocation.  As we will keep all of the people we serve in our prayers please remember us in your prayers.  Our convocation
this year will focus on the Pastoral Formation for Our Future!

This past Tuesday at the Women’s Guild evening of reflection
we talked about two women who will be declared Saints by
Pope Benedict on Sunday October 21:  Kateri Tekkakwitha and
Marianne Cope.  May Kateri inspire you to be faithful in spite of
difficulties, and may Marianne challenge you to love the outcasts in your life.

Thursday October 18 is the Feast of Saint Luke. He is traditionally known as the author of the Gospel of Luke as well as the Acts of the Apostles. A tradition states that he was the first con
painter, and that the Black Madonna of Czestochowa is attributed to him.  His symbol is the ox of bull because the Lucan Gospel begins with Zachary, the father of John the Baptist, offering a sacrifice in the temple.  Saint Luke if the patron saint of artists and physicians.

This week’s Psalm Response, Fill us with your love, O
Lord, and we will sing for joy,  helps us to  remember
that it is God’s love that brings us true joy.

Here We Go Steelers, Here We Go!

Fr. Bill
Peace

Ordinary Time 27

 Thoughts from Fr. Bill…….

Dear friends, 40 years ago the Catholic bishops in the
United Sates designated October as Respect Life Month
and named the first Sunday of October “Respect Life Sunday.”
Throughout October we are called in a special way
to reflect on the gift of human life, the threats against it and
how we can protect all persons from conception to natural
death. This Thursday October 11, Our Holy Father, Pope
Benedict XVI, will open the Year of Faith. This year commemorates
the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second
Vatican Council and the twentieth anniversary of the
Catechism of the Catholic Church. The year will conclude
on November 24, 2013, on the Solemnity of Christ, King
of the Universe. During this Year of Faith, we are to pray
in a special way that all who seek God may enter the door
of faith and discover the risen Christ alive in our Catholic
community. Let us ask God today to make us convincing
witnesses to the sanctity of human life and to joy of faith in
Jesus!

Two parishes in the Diocese of Greensburg are celebrating
the dedication of new church buildings: Christ the King in
Leechburg and Saint Margaret Mary in Lower Burrell (my
1st assignment.) We offer our congratulations to both!
Last weekend was the Seminarian and Clergy Formation
collection. Our collection here at Holy Cross was:
$969.00. One of the newest seminarians in our Diocese is
a former member of Holy Cross Church: Daniel Carr. Dan
is a student at St. Mark’s Seminary in Erie, PA. Please
pray for Dan and all the Seminarians in our Diocese and
for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate
and religious life.

This week’s Psalm Response May the Lord bless us all
the days of our lives, reminds us to ask for the very thing
God so wants to do – to bless us!

Here We Go Steelers, Here We Go!

Fr. Bill
Peace