All Saints and All Souls’ Day
We celebrate the feast of All Saints because
there are countless men, women and children united with God in the heavenly
glory for whom we do not celebrate on any specific day throughout the
Liturgical year. Many of these would be our own parents and grand-parents
who were heroic women and men of faith. Today we keep their honorable memory.
We celebrate what the first reading calls "a great multitude that no one
could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing
before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in
their hands" (Rev 7:9). This celebration gives us a peek into our eternal
destiny. The saints we celebrate were men and women like us. Where we are now
they used to be, and where they are now we hope to be someday. Today the Church
invites us to walk the path of the saints, the way of the Beatitudes.
Today, we are celebrating All Souls' day, also
known as the "Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed." Yesterday,
we were gathered to commemorate All Saints' day. Since both of these liturgical
celebrations concern the departed, some may ask: "What is the difference
between these two days?" On All Saints' day, we commemorate those who are
in Heaven, those who are presently enjoying the beatified vision of God in
their eternal glory.
On All Souls' day, we remember those who have departed from this world and may not be perfectly cleansed or have not yet fully atoned for their past transgression. These departed souls remain in Purgatory. To assist them so that they may be freed from purgatory, we, their spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ, can help them through our prayers and most importantly, through the sacrifice of the Mass. Please remember to inscribe the names of those you wish to be remembered during November into our holy souls book.
On All Souls' day, we remember those who have departed from this world and may not be perfectly cleansed or have not yet fully atoned for their past transgression. These departed souls remain in Purgatory. To assist them so that they may be freed from purgatory, we, their spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ, can help them through our prayers and most importantly, through the sacrifice of the Mass. Please remember to inscribe the names of those you wish to be remembered during November into our holy souls book.
Oktoberfest
I would like to thank the Knights of Columbus
for all their hard work in putting together the Oktoberfest celebrations. It
was a wonderful evening in every way. Thank-you to the people who were able to
attend. Many thanks to the great band and accompanying singer. The music was
fantastic! Midway through the evening we had an unexpected surprise of Austrian
bells! I would like to thank Cheri Koschir for her wonderful performance! It
was superb and the standing ovation she received was in order!
Resettlement Bazaar
Please remember that the resettlement Christmas bazaar is on November 8th
in the hall. We are still in need of
volunteers and bakers. If you can help, please use the sing-up sheets at the
back of the church. Your help for the baking table will be greatly appreciated.
Christmas Caring and Sharing Program
Please
note that this year, the Christmas program will be done with gift cards only.
St. Vincent de Paul will place an ornament on the tree in the vestibule. The
ornament will have the name of a store and the amount of the gift card
required. Please take any of the ornaments off the tree that you can fulfill
and purchase that gift card. All gift cards will be returned on December 13th
between 10am and 2pm. When you come to bring the gift cards, you will be
invited to stay for coffee and Christmas treats. The gift cards will be sorted
and delivered by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Many thanks for your
generosity!
Fr. Phil
