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November 11, 2022Monday, November 14, 6pm to 8pm
St. Michael Night Out
Salt Island Fish and Beer
Sunday, November 20, 6pm
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service
Trinity UMC
November is a time for remembering and praying for our loved ones who have gone before us and whose loss we feel. It is a time when we are particularly conscious of those in our faith community who are grieving and all those families who have lost loved ones in the past year. I am grateful to Gay Williams who for the last few years has been producing our Scroll of Remembrance.
Our Catholic Faith teaches us to cherish the memory of our dead. It urges us to commune in prayer, especially at Mass, with the souls of those we loved while they walked this Earth. And November has been the traditional month for praying for the souls in purgatory.
The Church has a long tradition of offering Masses for prayer intentions and for the souls of the faithful. Many people offer a Mass intention for the repose of the soul of a loved one, but it’s also common to request a Mass in thanksgiving to our Lord, for health and blessing or special intentions. Intentions can even be offered for someone on their birthday, anniversary, or wedding day.
A $10 offering is suggested for each Mass requested, but it is a free will offering and I often offer a Mass without a stipend being offered. Delia keeps the Mass Intention Book in the Parish Office and places the intentions for the week in the Sunday Bulletin. If you are hoping for a specific date stop by the office well in advance of that date.
-- Fr. Jerry
November 13, 2022 | Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time | by the Faithful Disciple
Mal 3:19-20a | 2 Thes 3:7-12 | Lk 21:5-19
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: In today’s Gospel, Jesus describes events leading up to the end times: wars, earthquakes, famines, plagues, persecution, and even death. It’s no wonder some Christians believe the Second Coming could be any day now. After all, our world has seen more than its share of these signs. However, as Jesus tells the disciples, we don’t know when the end times will come. We do know, however, that Jesus remains at our side through the thick and thin of these “in between times.” Just as Jesus tells the disciples he will give them “wisdom in speaking” to refute their enemies, he will give us the strength we need to persevere in faith. As St. Paul reminds us, we can do that by imitating the early Christians, working quietly to build up the kingdom of God each day.
GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT
GO: When facing a difficult decision or situation, it can be easy to fall into the trap of “catastrophizing” – that is, thinking of our biggest fear coming true, or of the worst that can happen. Today’s readings include a laundry list: a blazing fire, toil and drudgery, wars and insurrections, earthquakes, famines, persecution, and death. Yet Jesus tells the disciples, “Not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” Rather than focus on our fears – not only about the end times but in our day-to-day lives – Jesus challenges us to trust in God’s love for us. It doesn’t mean we should resign ourselves to the difficulties we or others face. However, by placing faith over fear we can seek to help others here on earth, confident that Jesus will lead us home when our time comes.
ACT: Many people today suffer due to natural disasters, authoritarian leadership, and human violence. Pray for these victims, of course, but also – in your creativity – seek out ways to use your time, talent, and/or treasure to alleviate their situation if possible.
