Dear Brothers and Sisters in  Christ,

The month of November has  a way of reminding us that all things in this world are passing. Leafless trees and  dried-up plants evoke the  slumber of the earth in the  northern hemisphere and a  certain quiet drowsiness, not  exactly hibernation, comes upon us as well. This time  presents certain opportunities: quiet meditation and  preparation for our final victory is one of them. 

We began by recognizing the victory of all saints,  known and unknown; and also those who are being  purified in Purgatory that they may present themselves untarnished before the Lord. The first group  we implore to assist us in living the Faith whole heartedly, the second are those imploring us to assist  them in that purification process by prayer, fasting  and works of charity. When they become full fledged saints we may certainly need their help for the same  reason. 

When we step back and see this interaction we see  the beauty of this three dimensional Church to which  we belong: the Church triumphant in Heaven, the  Church being purified that it may glean like the sun,  and the Church on earth still struggling and making  progress to Its final goal — Paradise. We who pres ently are members of the pilgrim Church on earth  have a lot to do, principally to bring others to Christ.  We are very much reminded of that in today’s Gospel  when the summation of the Law requires us to love  others as we do ourselves. This of course requires a  certain boldness in how we conduct ourselves here  and now. We must let others know the Truth that  Christ has revealed to us even at the expense of  personal suffering and rejection. Our heroes are the  Saints in Heaven and we engage their help to evangelize those who know not the Truth. Let us together  concentrate on one truth in particular these crucial  days. God is the author and giver of life and no one  has the right to put innocent life to death most especially the innocent life of a child in the womb. 

Vote wisely. 

In Christ, 

Father Langan

October 31 (Vigil)-St. Joseph’s, Rileyville – 5:00PM

November 1- St. Mary Magdalen-7:25AM & 12:05PM

St. Bernard’s, Beach Lake, 5:00PM

October 12-13

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

     Have you a list of people you would like to meet and chat with when you get to Heaven?  -I certainly do.  And one of them is the young fellow who inquires of our Lord how to get to Heaven.  He has just encountered the God Who created him and Who is the source of all his good fortune but his attachment prevented him from dropping all and following Jesus.  You can almost hear the joyfulness in his question and then his mood becomes sullen because he cannot detach from his possessions.  How sad in deed but how prevalent in our own day and age.  This certainly is the reason why there are so few vocations to the Priesthood these days.

      I could not have imagined when I was ordained 47 years ago the number of good people, children and adults who have become a part of my life.  So when our Lord informs His disciples about the real “riches” they will receive because they have given up a personal family and property it is not an empty promise.  My only regret is that there is not enough time to keep in contact with all those who have blessed me on my journey.  The hope and joy of Heaven will be to enjoy them all again for eternity.   I bet anything that the young man in today’s Gospel came to the realization that only Jesus Christ could provide the joy he longed for and at some point left everything for the Lord.  Would that many other young men and women would come to the same conclusion and find their happiness in HIM.

    Remember that this is Rosary month and that next Saturday we have our rally in Central Square and of course our Spaghetti Dinner featuring the beautiful baskets is also coming up.  Let’s have a tremendous showing for both.

With Blessings,

Father Langan

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     Passing through Beach Lake one can see some ramshackled structures that at one time were abuzz with tourists, probably from the hot big city looking for a respite from the summer heat.  Now they quietly remind us of a more simple bucolic time when families could really enjoy being together and could relax without running to and fro. Nostalgic, no doubt, but also a time and place for contemplation, peaceful reflection and enjoyment of God’s beautiful creation.  Sadly, we have lost the appreciation for the quiet life. Now, in order to enjoy, we have to be in a constant state of movement.  Is it better? I think not.

     We are celebrating the 100th anniversary of St. Bernard’s Church in Beach Lake this weekend.  It was dedicated on the 24th of August, the feast day of St. Bernard, in 1924. Because of scheduling, we have chosen today for our festivities.  In the order of things 100 years does not seem to be so long but the rapid change in society and technology since WW II makes 1924 sound like the dark ages.  What was so dynamic about those early years was the practice of the Faith to the point that it necessitated the construction of a fitting House of God to accommodate the worship needs of Catholics in the area.  

     From our perspective we are indebted to those pioneers who sacrificed to build the first church in Beach Lake and to all those who, again by sacrifice and devotion, maintain the beauty of this lovely edifice to this very day.  The anniversary of a church building speaks of something more profound than wood and shingles.  It speaks of the power of Faith still vibrant in our area and above all we give thanks to God for the grace of our Faith in Him and in each other.

     Many parishioners have contributed in one way or another to prepare and bring this anniversary celebration to fruition.  As your pastor I am profoundly grateful for your selfless efforts and the good example you have set for the generations to come after us.  We pray that they will be instilled with your enthusiasm and devotion to your parish church.  May what we celebrate today by your kindness and generosity be the seed-ground for the next hundred years.

A Blessed Anniversary,

Father Langan