As this blessed week comes to a close, I offer this version of the Smothers Brothers singing “They Call the Wind Maria”:
02 November 2013
As End of Daylight Saving Time Approaches, “Change Your Clock Change Your Battery” Reminder Issued
Daylight saving time will end on Sunday, 4 November. As families change their clocks, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) advises that it is a good time also for them to replace smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries and to make fire safety an ongoing priority.
Background information and resources:
International Association of Fire Chiefs
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 – every those who most need our prayers.
Reflections on this day:
Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D.: All Souls, Purgatory and Prayers for the Dead
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: All Souls (November 2, 2012)
Msgr. Charles Pope: Purgatory is Rooted in a Promise. (1 NOV 12)
Thank You, Lord
Thank you, Lord, for the many ways in which You work through us, whether we are aware of it or not.
Br. Clement Dickie, O.P., on the Church built by Marcus Agrippa
“[Last week would have been] Marcus Agrippa’s 2078th birthday, if he were still alive. The Roman General served as an aedile, supervisor of public building, during the reign of Augustus Caesar. Becoming an aedile was actually a step down for Agrippa, who had already held the higher office of consul. Yet is was his construction work as aedile that proved his most lasting legacy.
“If you have been to Rome, chances are you have seen this inscription on the façade of the Pantheon with his name:
M.AGRIPPA.L.F.COS.TERTIVM.FECIT
Or, ‘Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius,consul three times, built this.’
“The Pantheon was completed during Agrippa’s time as aedile in 27 B.C., although the present structure was rebuilt during the reign of Hadrian in A.D. 126, with the inscription intact. The temple was dedicated to all the gods – just to make sure that no deity was left out of Roman worship.”
In a recent commentary, Brother Clement Dickie, O.P., offered a reflection on Marcus Agrippa’s achievement – a temple that today serves as a Catholic church, Saint Mary and the Martyrs (also know as Santa Maria Rotonda).
To access Br. Clement’s complete post, please visit:
Dominica: The Accidental Church Builder (23 OCT 13)
Background information:
Reflection Starter from Bl. John Henry Newman
“We can believe what we choose. We are answerable for what we choose to believe.” – Blessed John Henry Newman
01 November 2013
“Blessing and Glory”
As our celebration of All Saints Day continues, I offer this version of “Blessing and Glory”:
Little Compton, RI, Honored by Executive Travel Magazine
“The 2012 Census confirmed what most Americans already suspected: These days, more of us are choosing to live in cities. Yet as we downsize to high-rise apartments and squeeze onto subway cars, it’s hard not to yearn for the pleasures of space and small-town living.”
In a recent article, the magazine Executive Travel honored twelve small towns that it recognized as the Best Small Towns in the United States. These honorees included one New England community – the Town of Little Compton, Rhode Island.
To access the complete Executive Travel report, please visit:
Executive Travel: America’s Best Small Towns (September 2013)
To access the Little Compton page of the report, please visit:
Executive Travel: America’s Best Small Towns: Little Compton, Rhode Island (September 2013)
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
Thank You, Lord
Thank you, Lord, for the love You have bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.
Msgr. Pope on the Mystery of Order Proclaiming the Glory of God
“One of the things that most amazes me about the universe is its order. And its order is even more striking for its context of another widespread force: disorder, the tendency of things to fall apart. Let me explain.
“When we look at things we can observe that, left to themselves, things tend to fall apart and and become disorderly.”
In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on how the order in the created universe shouts the “existence of one who orders and directs it,” on how its order and beauty proclaims God’s Glory.
To access Msgr. Pope’s complete post, please visit:
Reflection Starter from C. S. Lewis
“Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods.” – C. S. Lewis
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