Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of art in all its forms and for the many ways in which You guide/encourage artists in their creative endeavors.

Michael Barber on Parish Outreach

"At the close of the recent synod, Pope Francis made a brilliant comment that deserves some reflection. He said:

'So, the duty of the Pope is that of guaranteeing the unity of the Church; it is that of reminding the faithful of their duty to faithfully follow the Gospel of Christ; it is that of reminding the pastors that their first duty is to nourish the flock – to nourish the flock – that the Lord has entrusted to them, and to seek to welcome – with fatherly care and mercy, and without false fears – the lost sheep. I made a mistake here. I said welcome: [rather] to go out and find them.'

"This seems right to me. The mission of the Church is not one of sitting around and hoping someone rings the rectory doorbell. We must be involved in outreach. We must go out."

In a recent commentary, Professor Michael Barber, Ph.D., reflected on parish outreach via the use of social media.

To access Dr. Barber's complete post, please visit:

 The Sacred Page: Parish outreach in the 21st century (1 NOV 14)

Reflection Starter from Ven. Solanus Casey

"Blessed be God in all his designs." - Venerable Solanus Casey

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

Today the Church observes the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed  (All Souls). The assigned readings are Wisdom 3:1-9, Romans 5:5-11, and John 6:37-40. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 23 (Psalm 23:1-6).

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Jesus said to the crowds: "Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day."

As we observe this day, we entrust to the Lord’s mercy each of our deceased family members, friends, neighbors, and associates, as well as each of soul around the world who has passed away – especially those who most need our prayers.

Reflections on this day:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Commemoration of All the faithful Departed (November 2, 2014)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflection: All Souls (November 2, 2014)

Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D.: All Souls, Purgatory and Prayers for the Dead

The Deacon's Bench: Homily for November 2, 2014: All Souls (1 NOV 14)

The Sacred Page: "Hope does not disappoint": Readings for Sunday's Commemoration of All Souls (29 OCT 14)

Word on Fire: All Souls' Day and the Mystery of Immortality (Feast * All Souls)

Dr. Scott Hahn: All Souls (November 2, 2014 – Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed [Year A])

Spirituality of the Readings: A Fresh Surprise of Love (All Souls [Commemoration of the Faithful Departed])

The Word Embodied: Wholeheartedness of the Saints (All Souls [Commemoration of the Faithful Departed])

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Catherine of Genoa (All Souls [Commemoration of the Faithful Departed])

Word to Life Radio Broadcast: Word to Life Radio Broadcast: All Soul’s Day (31 OCT 14)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of Purgatory and its opportunity to properly prepare us to enter Heaven.

Fr. Kocik on the Seven Deadly Sins and Their Remedies

"The disorder introduced into our human nature by Adam's fall from grace reveals itself especially through seven dominant vices known in the Catholic tradition as the capital sins. These are: pride, avarice, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth. We call them 'capital' sins (from the Latin caput, 'head') because they are the sources or fountainheads of all the sins people commit, whether sins of commission or sins of omission. We call them 'deadly' because they cause spiritual death; Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen liked to call them the 'seven pallbearers of the soul.'

"Spiritual growth is impossible unless we try to dig up the roots of our sins with the help of God's illuminating and sanctifying grace."

In a recent commentary, Father Thomas Kocik reflected on the virtues that serve to counteract these deadly sins and their effects.

To access Fr. Kocik's complete post, please visit:

One Peter 5: The Seven Deadly Sins and Their Remedies (22 OCT 14)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"To change the world we must be good to those who cannot repay us." - Pope Francis

"Blessing and Glory"

As our All Saints Day celebration continues, I offer this Couples for Christ Middle East (Doha, Qatar) version of "Blessing and Glory" (see Revelation 7:12):

Youtube: Blessing And Glory - CFC Doha Qatar Praise Song

Solemnity of All Saints

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints. The assigned readings are Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; and Matthew 5:1-12. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 24 (Psalm 24:1-6).

The Gospel reading is as follows:

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

Reflection on these readings:

Msgr. Charles Pope: For all the Saints – Reflecting on a Great Hymn of the Church (31 OCT 13)

The Deacon’s Bench: Homily for November 1, 2013: All Saints Day (30 OCT 13)

Solemnity of All Saints - Homily of Pope Benedict XVI (1 NOV 06)

Fr Munachi Ezeogu, cssp: The Beatitudes: Road Map to Happy Eternity

Saint Anthony Messenger: The Feast of All Saints: God's Glorious Nobodies

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the many ways You encourage each of us to become saints.

On Catholic Cemeteries and Evangelization

"Beyond their traditional roles as predictably quiet and often-beautiful places, 'cemeteries have a huge opportunity to evangelize and a responsibility to stand for what the church represents,' said Andrew Schafer, executive director for Archdiocese of Newark Catholic Cemeteries in New Jersey.

"People who come to a committal service in a cemetery may be encountering Catholic funeral tradition for the first time, or for the first time in many years, and a positive experience might encourage them to return when they need to arrange a burial, Schafer said."

A recent Catholic News Service article examined some issues currently facing Catholic cemeteries as well as the importance of funerals rites.

To access the complete Catholic News Service report, please visit:

Catholic News Service: Official says Catholic cemeteries have 'huge opportunity to evangelize' (22 OCT 14)

Background information:

Diocese of Green Bay: The Order of Christian Funerals: A Resource for Preparation of the Catholic Funeral Rites

Thank you, Deacon Greg Kandra, for the tip.

Reflection Starter from St. Benedict

"Each day has reasons for joy." - Saint Benedict