To My Spiritual Family of Holy Redeemer and St. Anthony, Remembering the Souls in Purgatory: Pope Benedict XVI once wrote: “If purgatory did not exist we would have to invent it.” It’s a statement that points us to the incredible goodness and mercy of God: (1) We cannot be united to him if we do not share in his perfect goodness; and (2) He gives us a final means of purification through the merciful preparation of purgatory. The Church turns her thoughts to the souls in purgatory during this month of November. Mother Church encourages us to pray and offer penances to hasten souls on their journey to heaven. Certainly, we should, in charity, pray for our deceased loved ones and friends. It is wonderful, as well, to pray for all those from our parish who have gone before us in faith. And it’s a beautiful act of kindness to pray for the most abandoned souls in purgatory and those who have no one else to pray for them. All Saints, All Souls, and Our Books of Remembrance: The great feast of ALL SAINTS is a holy day of obligation this year. Please take that obligation seriously and attend Mass. There will be vigil Masses for the feast on the evening of Monday, October 31: 5:00 pm @ St. Anthony and 7:00 pm @ Holy Redeemer. On All Saints Day itself, Tuesday, November 1, Mass will be 7:00 am at Holy Redeemer (note that there is no morning Mass @ St. Anthony that day). Priests are allowed to offer three Masses on All Souls Day (one for all the souls in purgatory, one for a specific intention, and one for the pope). I will celebrate Masses for the folks at Kinzua Rehabilitation and the Rouse Suites during the day. Then our annual All Souls Day Memorial Mass will at 7:00 pm @ Holy Redeemer on Wednesday, November 2. All those who have been buried out of our parish in the last year will be remembered by name. Family members are invited and encouraged to attend. I hope that many from our parish will attend as well. It’s always a moving ceremony as we light candles of remembrance during the course of the liturgy. Also, for the month of November, parish Books of Remembrance will be located in both St. Anthony and Holy Redeemer churches so that you can record the names of your deceased loved ones. We will remember those loved ones during the intercessory prayers at each Mass, and I promise to pray for those deceased souls as well. Ongoing Eucharistic Revival: Even though we are some days removed now from our 35-hours of Eucharistic Adoration and Revival, I still feel the grace of those moments. Living a life that is absolutely centered on Christ and his presence in the Eucharist is our goal. So I invite you to return again this week to our Eucharistic Lord, as he will be present on the altar for First Friday and First Saturday adoration. Remember that confessions are available each of those mornings as well. A Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Last year, on the feast of St. Nicholas (December 6), the Catholic musical group, Vigil Project, was here at the parish to lead a night of praise, worship, and song. It was a powerful night of beauty and grace. There was a real sentiment in the parish that we should do it again. I’m excited to announce that this Advent, on the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12), John Finch (formally of Vigil Project) and his team of talented musicians will be here to celebrate our Lady with Mass and an evening of adoration! Please plan to attend! I genuinely am so excited that we are able to offer this gift to each of you! What a great way this will be to prepare our hearts for the feast of Christ’s birth! Have a blessed week and I look forward to seeing you in church. Mary, Mother of the Holy Redeemer – Pray for us! St. Anthony – Pray for us!