Pentecost XXII
Photos from Our 40 Hours Devotion
Fr. Lehtoranta chants the Gospel during our opening Mass.
Closing Benediction. The rose petals on the floor mark where the Blessed Sacrament passed during our procession.
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Daily Sermons
October 27 – Fr. Lehtoranta – The Zealous One and the Brave One
October 30 – Fr. Lehtoranta – The Unforgiving Servant
October 31 – Fr. Lehtoranta – St. Cyprian, The Halloween Saint
November 2 – Fr. Lehtoranta – How We Can Help the Poor Souls
November 3 – Bp. Dolan – Blessed Martin de Porres, Sacred Heart Saint
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✠ The Bishop’s Corner ✠
Fr. McKenna says he’s always edified by the numbers who come back, freely, one day after the day of obligation, to pray for the Poor Souls to be freed from their fiery prison. And it is true, but the Bishop remembers many years ago that one could have an evening High Mass for All Souls, and draw a good crowd to pray for poor souls, “whom no man could number.” Those who once attended are dead, and it is for us the living now to remember them too in prayer, at Mass and with indulgences. It is a wonderful thing that we can offer many Masses on November 2 (each priest is privileged to offer three) and that the living still come, albeit in little clusters rather than crowds, to pray for our dear dead.
Well, this was part of the Autumn Holy Week. It ends today. Go to the sacraments and then go in and out and gain some indulgences if you haven’t yet done so. By saying your “six,” (Pater, Ave, Gloria) a soul could be released from prison, purified and ready for God. It is encouraging to see teachers and parents and children making their visits. The charity of our Faith is being passed on.
Fr. Lehtoranta is always yawning these days, and now I know the reason why. In addition to his priestly duties and teaching, he’s perpetually writing or publishing a book. His latest project is an indestructible Mass book for little children, “tiger toothed toddlers,” Fr. Cekada called them in a recent tweet. This little book is illustrated with photos of our African missionary, Fr. Nkamuke, at the altar. Thus it also serves as an early reminder of the Church’s universality. But Father must raise big bucks to get it published. I heard about it at dinner the other night.
Another apostolate which flies under the radar is called Altar & Hearth, some sort of a magazine for Catholic Mothers, I think. I saw an issue once. Really, these initiatives should be better promoted. The zeal of our authors and publishers just needs a little PR tweaking, a tweet or two, a good word, and many souls could profit. But be cheered that so much good is being done. I am.
Speaking of apostolates, last Sunday afternoon some twenty twenty-somes met in Helfta Hall to continue the good work of this summer’s Young Adult Get-Together. It’s for more than finding spouses, though. How important it is to find friends of like mind and Faith. It’s cold out there, but we are all of us warmed by these fires of faith. God bless those who do the kindling.
Today’s little All Saints Procession and presentation is a wonderful tradition at St. Gertrude the Great. See and be proud of our young ones. The Faith is being passed on. We love our saints, and would like our little ones to learn as much as possible about them. The charm factor, the innocence, make these to be unforgettable days, well worth the effort. In some sense, this is true of all we do for children, but especially at church.
This should be a quiet week after a busy October. Fr. Cekada goes down to the Seminary, and the McFathers are driving to Wisconsin for a second Forty Hours, at St. Hugh. I admire their zeal. On Tuesday the school children make their indulgenced cemetery visit in Hamilton. Next Sunday we’re meeting at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ft. Mitchell. Paulina was just buried there, but I know there are some Brueggemanns there waiting for the Resurrection. Let me know if you have any graves you’d like us to visit and bless.
Did you remember to fall back this morning? No, not fall back into bed, although some of our Sunday tardies must be in the practice regularly. Why do the 7:30 faithful get to Mass on time, and the 11:30 stroll in late? But I digress.
No, I’m referring to falling back into the natural or standard time today. That means the dark months now, until some time in January, when you notice the days a little longer. All Souls was warm and humid, and it looks like our St. Martin’s Summer will continue into the month. Somebody come to church Saturday, St. Martin’s day, to pray for the veterans and the soldiers and the collateral damage and for peace.
Oh, pray for good health too. That nasty virus with its long lasting cough is still around, and it’s the sick season starting in any case. Also, Sr. Jeanne Marie is having minor surgery Monday, which we pray leads to major recovery. I had a gruesome trip (but most trips are, for all the Fathers) to Louisiana and an excellent visit with the faithful of Christ the King Chapel. On Saturday we had about twenty Confirmations in an impressive ceremony, and a beautifully organized outdoor procession of the Blessed Sacrament on Sunday. In a nod to their French heritage the Cajuns always eat well. I had the best Gumbo ever, I think. It was also good to see so many of our dear old parishioners from Our Lady of the Rosary joining with their brethren at Christ the King. Who says there isn’t any good news?
Jesus Christ is the Good News. He lives in His Church. Spread the news. I met a young man on the plane last week as we were landing in Cincinnati. He said he heard that St. Gertrude was a neat church. I told him it is, and that he should visit sometime.
– Bishop Dolan