THANK YOU for your generous response to the collection for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith last
weekend on World Mission Sunday. Our parish raised $3,222.00 You may stay connected year-round to the
Pope’s missions, continuing the commitment of World Mission Sunday, by visiting MISSIO.org.
All Saints: All Saints’ Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church celebrated annually on November 1.
The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church, that is, all those who have attained heaven. What does it mean
to be a saint? Surprisingly, it is much more down-to-earth and obtainable than we might think. Francis de Sales
observed: “We must love all that God loves, and God loves our vocation; so, let us love our vocation, too, and
not waste our energy hankering after a different sort of life, but get on with your own job. Be Martha as well as
Mary, and be both gladly, faithfully doing what you are called to do…” We will celebrate this Holy Day with
Mass at 8:30 AM and 7 PM.
All Souls: The day after All Saints, November 2, is All Souls. And is dedicated to those who have died and not
yet reached heaven. We honor our loved ones who have died. We will celebrate a Mass at 8:30 AM in the
Church. And in the evening at 5 pm we have a special prayer service at Hardage Giddens (Chapel Hills) on
Saint John’s Bluff and bless all the graves. If you have a loved one buried there, we will visit the grave.
In today’s Gospel, we experience Jesus’ compassion as He heals the blind man who has faith in His healing
power. St. Francis de Sales notes: “Your heart is held in God’s hand of mercy. God will never abandon you
even if you are troubled and in anguish. You never want to leave God when you are feeling sad and bitter.
Instead call out to our Lord and our Lady, who never stop loving you. God’s goodness with its gentle strength
comes to our aid if we accept the needed help. In no way must we lose heart. If we cooperate with God’s loving
care for us, God’s goodness will give us another, even greater help.” God’s mercy leads us from good to
better so that we may advance in holy love.
By frequently lifting up your heart to God during the day, you will strengthen your mind against useless and
habitual thoughts that upset and torment you. You can say: “Yes Lord, I want to do this action because You
want it.” Choosing to endure difficulties so as to achieve what is better for us is a very powerful prayer before
God, regardless of the complaints that come from our feelings. If you happen to fail, don’t be disturbed. With
great confidence in God’s mercy, pick yourself up and continue to walk peacefully and calmly, as before, in
faith. Even though we are weak, our weakness is not nearly as great as God’s mercy toward those who want to
love and hope in God.
Have faith in God’s healing power
Great occasions for serving God come seldom, but little ones surround us daily.”
(Saint Francis de Sales)
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