From the Pastor's Desk November 3, 2024

Praise be Jesus Christ!

Now and forever.

The month of November, marked by the solemnities of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, serves as a poignant reminder of this hope for eternal life and the enduring relationship that exists between those who are still living and those who have passed away.

The Church teaches that the living can offer assistance to these souls through various means, including prayers, almsgiving, and the celebration of the Eucharist. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Church commends the dead to God's infinite mercy and encourages the faithful to intercede on their behalf, particularly through the holy sacrifice of the Eucharist. This sacrament is viewed as a powerful means of grace, capable of benefiting both the living and the dead.

However, the practice of praying for the dead is not confined solely to November 2; the Church encourages the faithful to remember their deceased loved ones on other significant occasions as well, such as on the anniversaries of their passing. These observances serve to keep the memory of the deceased alive within the community of believers.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.

God bless,

Fr. Andrew