Thank you to all who planned, organized, volunteered, or attended our Notre Dame de Lourdes School Carnival last weekend. The Carnival was extremely well organized and was executed with precision. The crowd on Friday was phenomenal, and it added to a very festive atmosphere. Sadly, Thursday evening was lost to the weather and the Saturday crowd danced through the raindrops. Thanks also to the township police for their presence and thank you for your support in this important fundraising event for our parish school.
Tuesday 7 October is the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. The month of October is dedicated to Our Lady, and it serves to remind us of her intercessory care for us through the power of prayer. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers reflections for each mystery and decade of the rosary as well as associating a virtue or fruit of the Holy Spirit with each decade. The link to their website is: How to Pray the Rosary | USCCB
The Rosary is prayed Monday through Saturday after our 8:30 morning Mass. Also, the Knights of Columbus Peace Council 4518 sponsors a rosary recitation every fifth Sunday of a month at Our Lady of Peace Church at 10:45am. The next gathering will be on Sunday 30 November – The First Sunday of Advent.
O God, whose Only Begotten Son, by his life, Death, and Resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech you, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Today, 5 October is Respect Life Sunday and October is also Respect Life Month. The theme this year – Life, Our Sign of Hope – corresponds to the Jubilee Year of Hope. We continue to pray for people to respect the dignity of human life in all its stages from conception to natural death. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers a multitude of resourceful ideas for Respect Life Month, including a Novena for Life from 22 October through 30 October. A link to their website is: word-of-life-2025-10-.pdf
A Prayer for Hope – – from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Heavenly Father, in the sacrament of Baptism, you have given us the gift of life. Through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, you have made us your own. Help us to recognize the gift of human life as a sign of hope in our world. Reveal to us the places where your precious gift of life is most in need of protection and strengthen us to defend life in all stages and circumstances, from the child in the womb to the elderly, and the dying. Guided by your Holy Spirit, guard us from discouragement and give us the grace to be messengers of hope, filled with confidence that nothing can separate us from your love. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Mass readings with reflections for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C (5 October 2025)
Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4 – Do you trust that the Lord listens to your cries for help? / Why does the Lord let you see disturbing imagery? Through that imagery what is he asking of you individually? What is he asking of us collectively? / What is integrity?
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 – If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. – In what ways have you heard the voice of the Lord today? / What are the songs that you joyfully sing to the Lord? / Have you ever tested God? What was the result?
2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 – What is a trust? What is its purpose? How is the grace of Baptism and Confirmation a rich trust? How well are you guarding the trust? / In what area of your faith life do you need to stir the flame?
Luke 17:5-10 – Why does the size of faith not matter? When have you been surprised by what you were able to do with your faith? / In what area of your life do you give a little extra rather than simply what you were obliged to do?