Pentecost XXIV
Our social hall was filled today for our All Saints party
Our 2018 saints
✠ The Bishop’s Corner ✠
Our Autumn Holy Week concludes today with little Saints, a sort of Christian alternative to pagan excesses which mark All Hallows Eve nowadays. Fr. McKenna was kindly shopping for dinner that day at Jungle Jim’s, and was annoyed at how many people complimented him on his “Halloween costume:” a black suit and clerical collar! Signs of the times.
But Father was consoled to remember that October 31 was also the anniversary of his arrival to join us at St. Gertrude the Great several years ago. On All Saints Fr. Nkamuke celebrated a Solemn Mass in thanksgiving for his fifth anniversary of priestly ordination. November 6 is the actual day but there’s the funeral this year. Father will offer another Mass on the 8th.
Busy days with Requiems and Forty Hours and a Holy Day and processions. Busy days and blessed days which bring such glory to God, and graces to souls. We had a good attendance for the two mornings Masses on All Saints, despite the rain. Anymore the evening Holy Day Mass draws fewer and fewer. People either are able to make it in the morning, or just don’t make the effort. But there were still some souls who stayed on in the evening to gain the Poor Souls indulgences. God reward your help for the helpless. Lots of colds making the rounds, but we still sang our Double Vespers. We could, would, do no less.
But I was amazing with the excellent attendance for First Saturday’s High Mass, impressed and very grateful after so busy a church week. It’s always wonderful as well to see so many slipping in to hear a Mass or gain an indulgence on All Souls Day. Behold the fruit of Forty Hours. Many thanks to all who worked and watched and served and sang. Oh, and don’t forget the excellent chili supper. Some interesting names…
Next Sunday is Veterans Day, and marks the centenary of the end of “the war to end all wars.” Only it didn’t. It only opened the bloodiest century in history, with the Organized Forces of Naturalism sponsoring both National and International Socialism, and a toll of over one hundred million. Meanwhile, back home, we’re still bombing somebody somewhere in the world every 12 minutes. Deep State. What a price will have to be paid. Pray.
But today be refreshed, quieted, and renewed by the sight of innocent children who want to be saints. Look at them, look at the Saints, and look at Jesus, and offer them all to God the Father in union with your Holy Mass. Everything is here. Peace be to you.
The 11:30 Mass won’t be the same without Pat Patton, who died somewhat suddenly last Tuesday. How far she came, all the way from Hillsboro, Sunday after Sunday, and year after year. By word and example and prayer she waged without wavering the battle to save her children and grandchildren. Despite all, “Against hope she believed in hope.” And—how beautiful—she died having completed the Five First Saturdays just last month. Pray for her soul, and cherish the memory of this pioneer mother of St. Gertrude the Great. Of such was our church once built.
God bless you, and so do I.
—Bp. Dolan