FROM THE DESK OF THE PASTOR

FROM THE DESK OF THE PASTOR       October 30, 2026

  

THE NOVEMBER FEASTS

 

Dear friends in Christ,

This year All Saints Day falls on a Sunday so all the Masses this weekend will be the celebration of All the Saints. Saturday night is All Hallows Eve otherwise known as Halloween.  Halloween has its origins as the eve of the Solemnity of All Saints. The Solemnity of the All the Saints is when we remember all the countless men and women who have reached our ultimate homeland of Heaven. Let us celebrate the victory of All the Saints in heaven and ask their intercession this weekend.

 

THE SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS

Pope Benedict beautifully explained the importance of this feast in just a few words:

This, then, is the meaning of today's Solemnity: looking at the shining example of the Saints to reawaken within us the great longing to be like them; happy to live near God, in his light, in the great family of God's friends. Being a Saint means living close to God, to live in his family. ….Consequently, the more we imitate Jesus and remain united to him the more we enter into the mystery of his divine holiness. We discover that he loves us infinitely, and this prompts us in turn to love our brethren. POPE BENEDICT

 

NOVEMBER 2, THE FEAST OF ALL SOULS, THE COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED.

All Souls Day is this coming Monday, November 2. This Mass, also known as the commemoration of all the faithful departed, remembers all our beloved dead. All Souls is the day for the rest of us, all those who though dying in a state of grace, need a little clean-up in purgatory before entering the heavenly banquet. Scripture tells us “It is a good and praiseworthy thing to pray for the dead.” As Catholics we have a 2000 year tradition of offering prayers for our deceased, that they might quickly enter into the joys of heaven. So let us remember all of our beloved dead, in the hope and promise of the resurrection. This year, All Souls Day will be celebrated on Monday, November 2 at 9 AM at Holy Innocents, and at 9 AM and 7 PM at St Jude. Please join us in prayer for all those who have gone to their rest.

 

Finally, I want to encourage you to visit our cemeteries during this month. Let us remember and pray for our loved ones. Here are some prayers which can be offered at the grave:

 

A PRAYER FOR VISITING A CEMETERY

 

Eternal God,

have mercy on all who are buried here. (In particular, we pray for N. and N.)
 Bring them into your kingdom of light and peace
 and let them share joy with you 
 and with all your saints. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
 R. Amen.

 

Blessed are those who have died in the Lord;
let them rest from their labors
for their good deeds go with them.                       

 

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord! 

               R. And let perpetual light shine upon them! 

May they rest in peace!

               R. Amen

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful

               departed rest in peace. R. Amen.

 

SOME IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS:

 

At Holy Innocents, next Sunday, November 8, our next listening session on “ Who does God want us to become.” After both the 8 AM and 10 AM Masses.

 

At St Jude, Saturday Night, November 7, after Mass

Pasta Festa fundraiser to Benefit the Knights of Columbus College Scholarship Program. Buy your tickets on the St Jude website.

 

Please join us for these great events!

 

THANK YOU!

Finally, a special thank you to all who came, brought food, worked so hard, and made the Feast of St. Jude at Jude and the Italian Dinner at St Anthony such wonderful events last week. 

 

Blessings on you all and blessings on your week!

 

Fr. Johnson