As we celebrate All Hallow's Eve and as this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Bobby Pickett's "Monster Mash":

 

Belated Birthday Blessings, Jamie!!!

Belated birthday greetings to nephew James Fedoras, whose birthday was yesterday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Belated Birthday Blessings, Leslie!!!

Belated birthday greetings to Leslie Ann Ascencao, whose birthday was yesterday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the graces You give us as we answer Your call to holiness.

Caitlin Bootsma on the Saints

Monsignor Robert Sarno has worked on canonization causes for decades.  He has met people who are today recognized as saints, and knows the ins and outs of the canonization causes for many men and women who may be canonized as saints in the future. Recently, he spoke at the Seton Shrine's second annual Saints on Their Way event, revealing what was titled 'a theology of canonization.'

"A retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn and a former official of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Monsignor Sarno says that there are two reasons that we should look to the saints throughout our lives. The first is imitation – they are examples of men and women with many challenges who lived lives of heroic virtue. The second is intercession – the saints bring our petitions to God."

In a recent commentary, writer Caitlin Bootsma reflected on Msgr. Sarno's presentation.

To access the complete post, please visit:

Aleteia: What we often forget about the saints (30 OCT 26)

Reflection Starter from Isaac Bashevis Singer

"Life is God's novel. Let him write it." -  Isaac Bashevis Singer

"Living by Faith"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of "Living by Faith":

 

Belated Birthday Blesings, Chris!!!

Belated birthday greetings to Christopher Medeiros, husband of Myrna's daughter Mimi, who recently celebrated his birthday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of those who work to promote and support religious freedom.

Human Dignity Remains at the Heart of Defending Religious Freedom

On October 27, the United States observes International Religious Freedom Day to commemorate the signing of the International Religious Freedom Act in 1998. "As Catholics, the Spirit of Truth, who dwells in human hearts, compels us to build a digital culture that respects the innate human search for truth and freedom"” said Archbishop Alexander K. Sample, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee for Religious Liberty and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, chairman of the USCCB's Committee on International Justice and Peace. 

The bishop chairmen called attention to the need for human dignity to remain the central criteria for promoting religious freedom in the context of rapid technological change:

"Throughout the world, millions of people continue to suffer violations of the basic human right to religious freedom, and rapidly developing technological tools, such as artificial intelligence, have the potential to expand such abuses, increasing the scope of surveillance and persecution of religious groups. Pope Leo XIV reminds us, in Magnifica humanitas, that the right to religious freedom is rooted in human dignity, providing 'decisive criteria' for protecting individuals and societies. As brother bishops, we affirm that, in the age of AI, human dignity remains at the heart of defending religious freedom.

"The USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace actively collaborates with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom on addressing religious freedom violations around the world. This partnership is a testament to the power of joint efforts by government and faith leaders to protect this most cherished right. In this era of technological change, all of society - including the private sector - is called to work together to ensure that technological tools are not used to facilitate new and intensified forms of religious discrimination.

"As Catholics, the Spirit of Truth, who dwells in human hearts, compels us to build a digital culture that respects the innate human search for truth and freedom. In this 250th year commemorating American independence, may the Sacred Heart of Jesus, burning with love for all of humanity, make us beacons of hope for our brothers and sisters throughout the world by defending religious freedom in the digital age."

Reflection Starter from Reinhold Niebuhr

"It's always wise to seek the truth in our opponents' error, and the error in our own truth." - Reinhold Niebuhr

"On a Wonderful Day Like Today "

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of the Portland, OR, Choir & Orchestra presenting "On a Wonderful Day Like Today ":