October 29 - 30, 2011
Dear Cathedral Community,
We are bring the month of October to a conclusion, and preparing to celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints followed quickly by the observance of prayer for All Souls Day. These celebrations afford us an opportunity to reflect on several important teachings of the church.
Each Sunday and major feast day, we pray the words of the Nicene Creed professing our faith. One of those beliefs is in the Communion of Saints. The church is a community of believers brought together through, with and in Christ Jesus. As such, the church is not bound by the human limitations of time and space, but is connected to those “on the other side” or through death to eternal life. Each time we gather in prayer and in particular for the Eucharist we gather in the presence of all those “holy ones” who have gone on before us marked with the sign of faith. Each Eucharistic liturgy as like a great spiritual family reunion with the Lord Jesus as our common link.
Celebrating the Feast of All Saints is a reminder to us that all of us are called to holiness. LUMEN GENTIUM, The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church from the Second Vatican Council makes a clarion call for the universal call to holiness. Each member of the Body of Christ regardless of his or her station in life receives the initial grace of becoming holy in the Sacrament of Baptism. One might say that through the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) we are set forth on the path of holiness that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Kingdom of God. Meanwhile, we have the example of the saints to encourage us, and their prayers with and for us to strengthen us.
I highly recommend as spiritual reading the wonderful book by James Martin entitled, MY LIFE WITH THE SAINTS. It is an excellent reflection on one person’s rediscovery of the saints and their impact on his life.
Closely related is observance of All Souls Day. On this day we remember those who have died, and pray for their final fulfillment in God and eternal life. Related to this observance is the teaching on Purgatory. Throughout the centuries, there have been various treatments and even artistic depictions of Purgatory most of which I have found unhelpful. My favorite definition of Purgatory is found in a book by Father Herbert McCabe O.P. called simply the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. Father McCabe states that Purgatory may be described as the “final letting go of the things of this world.” I think this is a wonderful description of Purgatory. Hence, our prayers for the departed assist them in that “letting go” of the things of this world and accompanies their souls into the fulness of God’s life and love.
On these two wonderful feast days, let us give thanks for the example of the saints, and pray for our departed brothers and sisters. The Mass schedule for the the Feast of All Saints, a holy day of obligation, is 8:00 AM, 12:00 Noon and 5:15 PM. Masses on All Souls Day will be at the usual times of 8:00 AM and 12:00 Noon.
Please note that Book of the Dead located near the Baptismal Font for the recording of names you wish the community to remember in prayer during the month of November.
I want to encourage as many as possible to join in the fun of the Parish Trivia Night, Saturday evening, November 5 at 7:00 PM across the street from the Cathedral at the Catholic Center.
Thanks to the anonymous benefactor who contributed to the Prayer Cards that I have been sending out to parishioners.
Finally, I’m grateful to Judy Cunningham for posting my homilies, columns and other reflections on the parish web site. From time to time, I will be posting brief reflections and points of information for your reflection.
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
Father Noah
