We are quickly coming to the end of the liturgical year of grace 2022 and the last Sunday of November will begin the new liturgical year with the First Sunday of Advent.  The month began with our celebration of the great cloud of witnesses, namely the saints, who from the realms of glory watch over us and assist us in our earthly journey to the Kingdom.  Not only are we "connected" to the heavenly Church but also to those souls being purged from the dross of repentant sins.  They need our help just as we need the help of the saints in glory.  The Church suffering and being purified in Purgatory depends on our prayers and sacrifices, most especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, to prepare them for entrance into Heaven.  How wondrous is the mercy of God in willing this mutual cooperation.  Yes, we are our brothers and sisters keepers.

Some of the present generation have forgotten the mutuality of assisting each other, both the living and those beyond the pale of this life. An important question we might ask ourselves is: "Who is going to pray for me when I pass to the other side?"  "Will the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass be offered for me?”  "Will I have the purifying graces of a funeral Mass offered for the repose of my soul?"  How terribly sad it would be to languish in Purgatory because no one is praying for me.  

 November puts starkly in mind that this world is passing and the four last things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell, are something we must deal with.   The present culture  is going to push us to speed up, but the natural world, that God has given us, reminds us to slow down.  God's lessons are all around us.  Let us take heed.

 This week your pastor, along with 7 parishioners and 24 other pilgrims will be travelling to the Holy Land to walk in the footsteps of Our Savior, His beloved Mother and disciples.  During this 10-day pilgrimage we ask your prayers for safe travel.  You most certainly will be remembered in our Masses and prayers as we visit those sights recalled in the Sacred Scriptures.   In my absence our dear Fr. Balaraju Desam will be covering and serving your spiritual needs I know you will be delighted to welcome him back as he is happy to visit all his friends in Wayne County.