“Jesus performed many other signs which were not written in this book.” (John 20:30). Thank you for your generous response to the Stockings for Soldiers campaign that was conducted at the beginning of this month. This appeal afforded you an extremely small window of response, yet you responded whole-heartedly and extremely enthusiastically. I delivered many bags to Notre Dame de Lourdes School that were filled with toiletries, food items, clothing, and notes of hope, gratitude, and support. Thank you again for your thoughtfulness, generosity, and most especially your prayerful remembrance of the members of our military.
There are many other signs that are not written. Pope Francis, at the conclusion of the Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2016, dedicated each 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time (today) as World Day of the Poor. In the 2016 Apostolic Letter Misericordia et Misera (Mercy with Misery) Pope Francis writes of the Scriptural encounters of Jesus when he shines the light of mercy upon those who were in the depths of despair and darkness. Pope Francis remarks: “Mercy cannot be a mere parenthesis in the life of the Church; it constitutes her very existence through which the profound truths of the Gospel are made manifest and tangible.” “As to another tangible sign of mercy, the entire Church should celebrate, on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, the World Day of the Poor. This would be the worthiest way to prepare for the celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe, who identified with the little ones and the poor and who will judge us on our works of mercy.”
On this World Day of the Poor, I thank you for your tremendous response to our food collection. Other opportunities to assist the needs of the poor could be to add a little extra to the Poor Boxes at our Churches, support our weekly Peanut Butter and Jelly collections, or donate to our annual Christmas collection for St. John’s Hospice. As Pope Francis reminds us: “Mercy is always a gratuitous act of our heavenly Father, an unconditional and unmerited act of love.” Mercy enables us to engage in many other signs that are not written. Thank you.
The annual St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Appeal is underway. At St. Charles Borromeo Seminary our seminarians spend years in spiritual, academic, and pastoral formation. Our seminarians are formed into faithful shepherds who will serve, lead, and celebrate the Sacraments with God’s people. With your support, our seminarians receive the tools they need to proclaim the Gospel with courage and joy and to accompany those who are searching for a relationship with God and the Church. By prayerfully and financially supporting the seminary, you invest in the future leadership of our Church as well as helping to form priests who will offer the Sacraments and pass down the faith for generations to come.
Envelopes for the Seminary Appeal can be found at the entrances of our churches. The envelopes contain options for one-time or recurring gifts as well as a QR code. Please feel free to visit the Seminary website at www.scs.edu or for more information about the appeal visit: www.scs.edu/appeal. Thank you for your prayerful support and generosity.
Heavenly Father, you call and send leaders to guide your Church in every age. Bless those in formation – seminarians, deacon candidates, and lay leaders. Make them shepherds after your heart and bless all who support them. May our efforts this day strengthen the Church for tomorrow. Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Readings and reflection questions for the 33rd Ordinary Sunday – 16 November 2025
Malachi 3:19-20a – Malachi is the final book of the Old Testament. How does it set the stage for the New Testament? / Where do you need the healing rays of the sun of justice in your life?
Responsorial Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9 – The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice. – How can rivers clap their hands? (Hint: think about the places such as Pittsburgh, where rivers converge.) How can this be a place of prayer? Where is your place of prayer? / God rules the world with justice and the people with equity. With what standards do you rule?
2nd Thessalonians 3:7-12 – How is St. Paul a model for you? What do you admire about St. Paul? / The theme of 2nd Thessalonians is awaiting the Second Coming of the Lord. Many of the Thessalonians had their bags packed and were eager for his prompt return. St. Paul’s advice is to wait patiently, and to keep yourself engaged at your job at hand. Are you a clock-watcher or do you enjoy the beauty of the current moment?
Luke 21:5-19 – Do you like public speaking? What do you enjoy about it? What do you despise about it? / Who are the current false prophets? What advice does Jesus offer to counter these false prophets? / Why is perseverance necessary for faith?