Respect Life Month – The month of October is Respect Life month. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities is inviting Catholics to join a focused effort of prayer and action, through invoking the intercession of St. Joseph, to stop the spread of abortion, especially through medications. The following prayer seeks the intercession of St. Joseph.
“Dearest St. Joseph, at the word of an angel, you lovingly took Mary into your home. As God’s humble servant, you guided the Holy Family on the road to Bethlehem, welcomed Jesus as your own Son in the shelter of a manger, and fled far from your homeland for the safety of both Mother and Child. We praise God that as their faithful protector, you never hesitated to sacrifice for those entrusted to you. May your example inspire us also to welcome, cherish, and safeguard God’s most precious gift of life. Help us to faithfully commit ourselves to the service and defense of human life – especially where it is vulnerable or threatened. Obtain for us the grace to do the will of God in all things. Amen.” (The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
4 October – Blessing of Animals – The annual tradition of the blessing of animals on the memorial of St. Francis of Assisi will be commemorated on the Our Lady of Peace Church grounds next Sunday 4 October beginning at 1pm. This year commemorates the 800th anniversary of the passing of St. Francis who, in his Canticle of Creation, reminds us of the role that every living being, created by the Father, performs for the well-being of the earth.
“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired Saint Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.” (From Franciscan Media)
4 October – Our Lady of Peace Parish Youth Ministry – The initial Mass for our parish Youth Ministry was celebrated in August. Our next gathering will be next Sunday 4 October at 6pm with Mass at Our Lady of Peace Church, followed by a social, then a meeting. All are most welcome.
Pope Leo, on the 40th anniversary of World Youth Day wrote encouraging young people: “not to use the words of faith to divide, but to work for reconciliation, becoming active artisans of peace.” It is our hope that this ministry will assist our parish youth to become active artisans of peace who use their uniquetalentstowelcomeallinto“thesweetjoyofbearingwitnesstotheKingdomofGod.” (Pope Francis)
Seven Days with Mary – The month of October is dedicated to the Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of the Rosary. During the month of October, a statue of Our Lady will be moving throughout our parish community in the form of weeklong house visits. These visits are intended to nurture our appreciation for the maternal care of Mary, to strengthen our understanding of her role in the Church, and to draw us closer to her. These visitations are opportunities for:
Novena Prayer – a seven-day prayer journey with Mary to appreciate her trust and perseverance
Family Prayer – entrusting your special needs and intentions to the Blessed Mother
Praying of the Rosary – offering the mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary for the needs of your family, our parish community, our nation, our world, and the intentions of our Holy Father – Pope Leo XIV.
Praying the Litany of Loreto – prayerfully listening to the many titles associated with Our Lady
Works of Mercy – offerings of small acts of sacrifice filled with generosity, and kindness to each other
House and Community Blessing – prayerfully invoking Our Lady and calling upon her intercessory grace to unite us with her Son
These seven days with Mary begin with the reception of a statue of Our Lady at the 11:30 Sunday Mass. The statue of Mary is then enthroned within a residence for a week of prayer and service. The statue is then returned to Church the following Sunday. More information about these enthronement weeks will be forthcoming as we draw closer into October and the Autumn season.
“Mary, our Mother, bring peace to our hearts, our families, and our world.”
Mass Readings and reflections for the 26th Ordinary Sunday (Cycle A) – 27 September 2026 Ezekiel 18:25-28 – Do you see the Lord as being unfair at times? Why? / From what iniquities have
you turned away? From what iniquities do you struggle to turn away? Why?
Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 – R. Remember your mercies, O Lord. – What lessons has the Lord taught you? What lessons do you still need to learn? / What mercies has the Lord shared with you? What mercies have you shared with others?
Philippians 2:1-11 – How well are you completing the joy of St. Paul? / Do you have the same attitude as Jesus? What do you need from him to be of the same mind? / For whom do you empty yourself? Who empties themselves for you?
Matthew 21:28-32 – Have you ever begrudgingly worked in the Kingdom? How did that go? Have you ever refused to do the will of God? How did that go? / What assistance are you giving to ‘tax collectors and prostitutes’ who are seeking the Kingdom?