Pastors Notes from October 29, 2023

October 30, 2023

In the movie “Rhythm of God” a priest is asked how many were at the early weekday Mass. He replied, “There were three old ladies, the janitor, several thousand archangels, a large number of seraphim, and several million of the triumphant saints of God.” Though often forgotten in our daily responsibilities and activities, and too when gathered at the Eucharist, such a ‘cloud of witnesses’ remind us we do not stand alone. All Saints Day, a holy day of obligation is this Wednesday, with our Eucharist celebrated at noon and 5:30pm at Sacred Heart, and 6:45pm at St. Malachy church. But, how do those thousands of saints—or just one—intercede into our earthly lives? St. Jerome gives us the following explanation: “If the Apostles and Martyrs, while still in the body, can pray for others, at a time when they must still be anxious for themselves, how much more after their crowns, victories, and triumphs are won! One man, Moses, obtains from God pardon for six hundred thousand men in arms; and Stephen, the imitator of the Lord, and the first martyr in Christ, begs forgiveness for his persecutors; and shall their power be less after having begun to be with Christ?” Seeking the intercessions of a saint or saints is not drawing us alway from an immediate prayer to God, but rather, as Catholic doctrine states, draws into the very presence of God in the midst of the ‘cloud of witnesses’, through his Son Christ Jesus who alone is our Savior and Redeemer. Of this illustrious holy day—celebrating All Saints—Corrie ten Boom and Mother Teresa remind us of the reality of sainthood and intercessory prayer in our earthly journey of faith.“We never know how God will answer our prayers, but we can expect that He will get us involved in His plan for the answer. If we are true intercessors, we must be ready to take part in God’s work on behalf of the people for whom we pray.” (Corrie ten Boom) "Keep in mind that our community is not composed of those who are already saints, but of those who are trying to become saints. Therefore let us be extremely patient with each other's faults and failures." (Mother Teresa)

Stepping into November the Church traditionally deems this month a time to ‘Remember’ those family members, friends, neighbors and others who have touched our earthly lives in some manner. All Souls Day on November 2nd, celebrated since the early centuries of our Church, call us to ‘remember’ those who have died; and specifically the souls that need to be cleansed of genial sins or transgressions aided by our prayers, almsgiving and the Eucharist.
At St. Malachy church the Book of Remembrance is located next to the baptismal font; at Sacred Heart the Book of Remembrance is likewise near the baptismal font. At anytime before or after Mass you may write in a name(s) of the dead whom you desire to remember in presence of God.
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom,” Dismas’ plea echoes the hope we each have for ourselves, and those we have not forgotten. We are again reminded in this month of November of those saints in the great ‘cloud of witnesses’ and the remembrance of the dignity and purpose of the souls that have gone before us; and how each in their respective journey of faith desired to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. And to love your neighbor as yourself,” as our Savior reminds us in today’s gospel.
We welcome John Franks hired as maintenance/janitor for Ascension parish, with responsibilities at Sacred Heart School, and our church properties. John and Missy are longtime members of Ascension Parish, Sacred Heart church. We are blessed with their faith and presence shared in the Eucharist, and parish activities.
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: “It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.” (St. Francis)