Dear Friends
Today we celebrate the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The scripture readings invite us to continue to focus on our need to pray and pray with humility as exemplified by the prayer of the tax collector: “O God, be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18: 13). The Book of Sirach affirms it saying: “The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds” (35: 16). When we pray, we raise our hearts and minds acknowledging that we rely on God for our existence. When we don’t pray, we are proud and we are telling God, “you know what, I don’t need you. I can manage my affairs on my own.” Hence please pray without ceasing.
Let me bring you up to speed with some happenings at the parish. Louise Vine who has been editing our bulletin for many years has moved to New Jersey to be closer to her husband and children for a few months. I take this occasion to thank Louise for magnificently managing our bulletin which had gone through several changes over the years. We pray that her stay with her family might be a blessing to all concerned. I have now asked Jim Mascarenhas, the Director of Communications, to take on the role of the bulletin editor. Thanks Jim.
Since Jim has taken on this role, we have decided to give our bulletin a new face. I hope and pray that this attempt to give it a new appearance might prompt you to use the bulletin as an important tool in staying in touch with our ever growing and very busy parish. Thank you for your continued support of our beautiful parish.
I also want to take this occasion to thank Joella Prokopowicz for leading the Parish Life Committee since 2006. This committee has been instrumental in coordinating many events that included serving meals on many festivities such as the annual picnics, jubilees, cook outs and trunk or treat and above all hosting repasts at funerals. We are immensely grateful to Joella and her team. I do want to introduce Judie Palinkas as the new coordinator of the Parish Life Committee and thank her and her team for accepting this responsibility.
The month of November brings to mind two very significant occurrences. Every 1st of November is celebrated as the All Saints Day. We celebrate this feast as the Holy Day of Obligation. In honor of this Solemnity, we will have three Masses to make it easier for you to attend any one of them. Please note that the timings of these Masses: 8 a.m.; 12.05 p.m. and 7.00 p.m.
On the 2nd of November the Church celebrates the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed otherwise known as All Souls Day. Since it falls on a Saturday, we will have a special Mass at 9 a.m. This will also take care of the First Saturday Mass. Hence, I request you to make an effort to remember to pray for the souls of the departed especially for those that have no one to remember them.
Have a Blessed Week,
With love,
Fr. John