Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Our thanks to PJ, Lori, and Chloe Nicolini for the great and delicious spaghetti dinner last Saturday. Also thanks to our basket committee, Patricia and Karen Batten, and all those who prepared and donated those beautiful arrangements. We are impressed and grateful to the members of the parish youth group and faith formation who could not be more helpful and professional in serving and all the kitchen staff and of course our always present custodial staff and KofC. Finally, thanks to all who supported our annual dinner. It was a most pleasant and fraternal evening.

This week we celebrate and contemplate another aspect of Ecclesiology, i.e. the nature of the Church. The Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, begins with Jesus Himself, He is the Head, and Mary, His Mother and ours is the heart: and the Holy Spirit is power that flows through the “veins” of this Mystical Body. The Body is composed of three tiers: The Saints in Heaven, those who assist us in our pilgrim journey to the Kingdom. This is called the Church Triumphant since they are victorious with Him. Secondly, the Church in Purgatory, those in need of purification from venial sins. These poor souls rely upon us, by our prayers and sacrifices, to expiate their time in Purgatory. That is why we offer Mass intentions almost daily that by the power of Christ’s Sacrifice they may be set free. And finally, the Church Militant here on earth. We who are pilgrims are in mortal combat with the forces of evil in the world. Empowered by the Sacraments and the intercession of our Blessed Mother and the Saints we struggle and make our way in confidence to our ultimate goal, our home in Heaven.

Following the ancient practice of the Church, following our Masses on All Souls Day, we make a pilgrimage to the cemeteries to pray for our beloved dead and bless their graves as they await the resurrection of their bodies at Christ’s Second Coming. A plenary indulgence is granted to the Souls in Purgatory when the living faithful visit and pray at the cemetery from November 1st to the 8th. What better gift can you give to your departed loved ones.

With Blessings,

Father Langan