We are quickly approaching the busiest time of the year – and I thought we were busy already!
The school year is off to an excellent start. I would like to commend Mr. Donahue for setting a vibrant and warm tone to the year. We have had a few minor bumps, and have needed to replace two new teachers already, but we are happy with the process and our newest hires. Mrs. Dayton has similarly made a positive impression as she has now for the past month taken on the responsibilities of faith formation. We have more students enrolled at present in our religious education programs than we have had in over a decade.
This past Thursday, the Feast of St. Luke, we held our third annual White Mass for health care workers and care givers. Thank you to all who attended, and may the Lord bless all of you in your work and ministry.
This weekend the Knights of Columbus inaugurated the recitation of the Holy Rosary on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. They will do this on the last Saturday of every month.
Next weekend we will dedicate a new pilgrim statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through the generosity of a parishioner and the initiative of Father JM, this new statue will be used for Marian Feast Days and for brides when they make a presentation to Mary during their weddings. We are grateful to the family and to Father for their commitment to this project.
The Holy Day of Obligation – All Saints Day – is November 1st . Believe it or not that is next week already (Thursday)! Through the initiative of Father JM and the parish Liturgical Committee, we will celebrate a Holy Hour on the Vigil of the First Friday each month. Different ministries from the parish will be asked to be present and to sponsor the prayer. This will involve Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction. The first of these will be held on Thursday, November 1st, following the 5:00 p.m. Mass.
Friday, November 2nd – is the Commemoration of All Souls. There is a 7:00 p.m. Mass that evening where we remember in a special way all those who were buried from our church during the past year. This year that accounts for 53 souls. However, as we remember all of the faithful departed, everyone is invited to attend to remember their own loved ones who have passed. As per our custom, the memorial envelopes will be placed at the altar for the entire month of the souls.
As you know Pope Francis has asked that we reinstitute the Prayer to St. Michael in parishes. This prayer – part of the Leontine Prayers – was suppressed in the Liturgy in 1964.
It had been the practice here, but that ceased on Sunday Masses about three years ago.
We still say the prayer after daily Mass, and I am inclined to maintain the current custom. Certainly we are all free to say the Prayer to St. Michael silently, or even as a family, after Mass.
Soon we will be talking about the annual Raine Thanksgiving week dinner, and the various Advent giving opportunities.