The Parochial Council met last week and spent a good deal of time preparing for our Annual Town Hall, which will be held on Sunday, November 12th during “Coffee and” at 12:15 PM. Please plan on being there with ideas to make our parish even better.
Just a reminder to participate in the 31st Annual Bishop’s Appeal! Your pledge and payment are important to the work of the diocese. If you couldn’t sign a pledge card last week, please pray over your pledge this week. If you have already made a pledge, thank you!
As I’m sure we have all heard President Trump has ended the DACA program with a six month leeway. That means that if congress does nothing about it, 800,000 young people brought here as small children can be deported from the only country they remember and grew up in. Let us pray for a quick solution that these 800,000 American children can stay here where they grew up.
We are about to begin our 90th year as a parish. We are looking for more history of the parish as well as ideas on how to celebrate this great anniversary. Why not spend a little time looking at the pictures of the priest and deacons who have served here? Maybe you will be enlightened by the Holy Spirit to contribute a great idea or two for this coming year.
October is the Month of the Rosary. Try it, you might like it!
Just as in everyday life, food plays a big part in the Bible. In our first reading today, the Prophet Isaiah describes a banquet for all peoples that God will provide in the future. There will be “a feast of rich food and choice wines.” All tears will be wiped away and all reproach will be removed. “For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.”
The Psalmist continues the theme: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. You spread a table before me.”
Jesus uses the image of a wedding feast, where the invited guests refuse to attend and so the king sends his servants out to the streets to invite everyone they see. This is his third parable in a row directed at the chief priests and elders of the people. He is trying to convert them.
Every time we come to Mass, we come to a banquet, too. We are served the finest bread and the finest wine, the Body and Blood of Christ.
In our second reading, St. Paul thanks the Philippians for helping him in his time of need. He promises them that God will take care of them in their time of need as well. Our circumstances may be humble our we may have abundance, Yet, we can look to Paul’s exhortation: “My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.”
On Wednesday, the Church celebrates Saint Luke, Evangelist. Luke was a Syrian physician from Antioch and companion of St. Paul. Around the years 75 – 80, he authored Acts of the Apostles and a gospel for gentile Christians which speaks of God’s mercy, universal salvation, love of the poor and the marginalized, absolute renunciation , prayer and the Holy Spirit. He is the patron of the medical profession, painters, artists, sculptors, and butchers.
On Thursday, the Church honors Saints John de Brebeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests and Companions, Martyrs. Between 1642 – 1649 they were martyred here in North America bring Christianity to the various indigenous tribes.
Let us continue to pray for peace in the world. Let us also pray for vocations to the church. Let us pray for the sick of the parish. Let us pray that all will come to respect life. Let us pray for one another and for the canonization of Father Tolton.