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