“My brothers and sisters, we believe that all the ties of friendship and affection which knit us as one throughout our lives do not unravel with death.” – The Order of Christian Funerals
Our annual Memorial Mass for our recently deceased will be commemorated this weekend at our 11:30 Mass. We continue to keep in our prayers those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, and for the family members and friends who grieve their loss. These beloved and all the names inscribed in the Memorial Society and on our All Souls’ envelopes will be remembered in our prayers throughout this month. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.
God, our creator and redeemer, by your power Christ conquered death and returned to you in glory. May all your people who have gone before us in faith share his victory and enjoy the vision of your glory forever, where Christ lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Many of the local food banks are struggling to keep items on their shelves. Boxes for donations are in place at the entrances of our churches if you can donate items to help to support the local food cupboards. Perhaps we can organize a system where we can focus on particular items to see us through to the end of this calendar year. Thank you for your assistance and generosity.
Suggested items for November: cranberry sauce, stuffing, turkey gravy, canned vegetables, yams, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes
Suggested items for early December: soups, rice, mac n’ cheese, pasta, red gravy, marinara, canned vegetables, canned fruits, canned meats
Suggested items for late December: breads, bagels, English muffins, tuna, mayonnaise, cereals, granola bars, breakfast treats
Our audio and video system at Our Lady of Peace will be extensively upgraded and updated in a few weeks. This upgrading will limit our access to Our Lady of Peace Church for a few days next month. Please note the following changes.
- The 8:30 morning mass, as well as any other Mass that may be necessary – such as funerals – from Monday 10 November through Saturday 15 November will be celebrated at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church.
- There will be no period of Exposition, Adoration, or Benediction on Tuesday 11 November at either Our Lady of Peace Church or at Notre Dame de Lourdes.
Thank you for your flexibility with the needs of our parish facilities. We look forward to the upgrade in quality of our audio and video equipment here at Our Lady of Peace, and we thank all who have made this upgrading possible. Also, we thank our parish school community for hosting us at ND for that week. Blessings to all!
Readings & Reflections for the Commemoration of the Holy Souls – 2 November
Wisdom 3:1-9 – What is hope? Why is it filled with immortality? / Wisdom describes the deceased like sparks of charcoal breaking off and lighting other coals with their light. Whose light do you miss the most? Whose life needs your light to shine upon it?
Responsorial Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 – Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me. – Where do you go to refresh your soul? Why there? / Where in your life do you need the courage of God’s rod and staff?
Romans 5:5-11 – Hope does not disappoint is the theme of this Jubilee Year. What does it mean that hope does not disappoint? How is this related to hope being filled with immortality? / St. Paul describes God’s love as being poured into our hearts. How often does God pour his love into your heart? Is this too frequent or not frequent enough?
John 6:37-40 – Through the Crucifixion the sins of all humanity have been forgiven. Thus, Jesus did not reject anyone who came to him. By refusing to acknowledge and confess our sins we ignore Jesus’ acceptance of us. With the assurance that we will never be rejected, why do we still refuse to come to Jesus in the Sacrament of Penance?