Dear Friends
Thanksgiving sentiments are in the air as we draw closer to the Day of Thanksgiving. I take this occasion to primarily Thank God for leading us as a flock that is pleasing to him. God our Father loves to hear us utter those indispensable words “Thank You” as gratefulness is at the heart of prayer. The readings for the Thanksgiving Mass present to us the healing of the 10 lepers and how only one returned to give thanks to God. Jesus’ heart wrenching question still reverberates into our senses: Where are the other nine? As we once again enter into the celebratory mode let us not forget to Thank God for all the blessings we have received. Please remember to come to celebrate the Eucharist which is the ultimate act of thanksgiving for Catholics. We have two Masses. The Vigil will be celebrated on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and on Thursday, the Day of Thanksgiving, the Mass will be at 10 a.m.
On the 22nd of November we celebrated the Feast of St. Cecilia, Patroness of Sacred Music. This is the best time of the year to think of those involved in helping us with music and singing. I take this opportunity to thank our very gifted and talented Music Director Heidi Pranzoni. Heidi is deeply rooted in to the Catholic Tradition and has been doing a phenomenal job of choosing hymns that are appropriate to the Liturgical Seasons and the cycle of Scripture Readings. The Sacred Music occupies a preeminent place in the Sacred Liturgy as it “adds delight to prayer, fosters unity of minds, or confers greater solemnity upon the sacred rites” (Sacrosanctum Concilium by Pope Paul VI #112). The quintessential purpose of Sacred Music is the “glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful” and it is definitely not for entertainment. I want to recognize the members of the choir of all of our Masses. We have been so blessed to have such varied and highly talented musicians, cantors and singers. They spend quite a deal of time practicing and rehearsing and singing thereby making our participation even more active. People involved in Media Ministry also come under this umbrella as they closely follow each of their verse. May God abundantly bless you all!
Today we celebrate the 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time and it is the last week of the Liturgical Year. The last week always ends with a triumphant note as we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of Universe. The church in her wisdom provides us with that glorious vision of Jesus who is, as Paul tells us in his letter to the Colossians, “the head of the body the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent.” (1: 18). The Gospel of Luke presents us with the scene of the crucifixion where he was sneered and jeered by the rulers and soldiers: “If you are king of the Jews, save yourself.” (Luke 23: 37). It is a pity that they could not understand that the test of a true king is not whether he can save himself, but whether he is willing to save his people. We are truly blessed to have Jesus as our king who is the ONLY ONE who can SAVE US.
Have a Blessed Week!
With Love,
Fr. John