As we enter the month of November, the Church invites us into a sacred time of remembrance and prayer for all the faithful departed. On November 2nd, we commemorate All Souls’ Day—a solemn occasion to lift up in prayer our beloved family members, friends, and all souls who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. This is not a day of sorrow, but of hope rooted in the Resurrection of Christ, who conquered death and opened the gates of eternal life.

This year, our remembrance is beautifully enriched by the Feast of St. Martin de Porres, celebrated on November 3rd. St. Martin, known for his humility, compassion, and tireless service to the poor and sick, reminds us of the power of love and mercy. His life was a living prayer, and his devotion to the suffering and forgotten mirrors our call to remember those who may have no one to pray for them.

We invite you to bring your All Souls prayer intention envelopes to the parish. These envelopes will be placed near the altar and kept throughout the entire month of November. Each name written is a soul we entrust to God’s infinite mercy. As a community, we will pray daily for these intentions, asking the Lord to grant eternal rest and peace to our departed loved ones.

November is a month of grace and remembrance, especially for the souls of our departed loved ones. The Church offers a special opportunity for indulgences during this time, particularly from November 1st to 8th. By devoutly visiting a cemetery and praying—even silently—for the souls of the faithful departed, the faithful may obtain a plenary indulgence each day, applicable only to the souls in purgatory. On November 2nd, All Souls’ Day, this indulgence is especially meaningful as we unite in prayer for all who have gone before us.

To honor this tradition, we warmly invite you to join us for a special Mass at 1 PM on November 2nd at Valhalla Cemetery. After the Mass I will also bless the graves of our beloved departed. It is a beautiful way to express our love, offer our prayers, and entrust their souls to God’s infinite mercy.

Let us come together as a community of faith, not only to remember but to actively participate in the spiritual works of mercy. Through prayer, presence, and the offering of indulgences, we affirm our hope in the resurrection and the communion of saints. May this month be filled with peace, reflection, and the comforting assurance that our prayers truly matter.

“Eternal Rest Grant them O Lord, and let perpetual Light shine on them always.”

With love and prayers,

Fr. Charley

My Dear Parish Family,

As October draws to a close, we are reminded of the richness of our faith and the communion of saints who inspire us. This week, we celebrate the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude on October 28th. These apostles, though lesser known, were pillars of the early Church, proclaiming Christ with courage and fidelity. May their example strengthen our own witness to the Gospel.

On Friday, October 31st, we invite everyone to join us for a special Adoration and Healing Mass at 11 AM. This is a sacred time to come before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, seeking spiritual renewal and healing of body, mind, and soul. Let us gather in faith and hope, trusting in God’s mercy and power.

As we enter November, we mark two profound days in our liturgical calendar. November 1st is All Saints Day, when we honor all the saints—known and unknown—who now rejoice in heaven. November 2nd is All Souls Day, when we pray for all the faithful departed, asking God to welcome them into eternal peace. Please bring names of loved ones to be remembered during Mass.

This Sunday’s Gospel, Luke 18:9–14, reminds us that humility is the path to holiness. The Pharisee boasted of his righteousness, while the tax collector humbly begged for mercy. The Pharisee’s prayer is almost a parody of the thanksgiving psalms. Instead of praising God for His mighty works, the Pharisee congratulates himself for his own deeds, which he presents to God in some detail.

The tax collector stands at a distance, too ashamed even to raise his eyes to God. He prays with a humble and contrite heart. He knows that before God no one is righteous, no one has cause to boast.

Jesus teaches us that “whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Let us strive to walk humbly with our God, recognizing our need for grace and offering it to others.

May these celebrations deepen love for Christ and His Church.

In Christ’s peace,

Fr. Charley

Dear Parish Family,

This Sunday’s Gospel reminds us of the power of persistent prayer. In Luke 18:1–8, Jesus shares the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow, urging us to “pray always and not lose heart.” Her unwavering faith moved even a hardened judge—how much more will our loving Father respond to us when we cry out day and night?

As we reflect on this message, we also celebrate two great saints whose lives embodied perseverance and prayer.

On October 20, we honor St. Paul of the Cross, founder of the Passionists. He devoted his life to preaching the Passion of Christ, helping souls find healing through the Cross. His deep prayer life and love for the suffering Christ continue to inspire us to embrace our own trials with hope.

Then on October 22, we celebrate St. John Paul II, a towering figure of faith in our time. His papacy was marked by courage, compassion, and a profound devotion to Mary and the Eucharist. He taught us to “be not afraid” and to trust in God’s mercy, even in the face of global challenges and personal suffering.

Let us take heart from these witnesses and renew our commitment to prayer. Whether we are praying for healing, guidance, or peace, God hears us. He may not answer in the way or time we expect, but He always responds with love.

May this week deepen our faith and strengthen our resolve to pray without ceasing. Gratitude is more than politeness—it’s a spiritual posture. The one who returned was not only healed, but saved. His thanksgiving became an act of worship, a recognition of who Jesus truly is.

In our own lives, we receive countless graces—health, family, forgiveness, second chances. Do we pause to thank God? Or do we take His mercy for granted? Let us ask ourselves: Am I a person of gratitude? Let us cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving—for healing, for hope, for life itself. May we never forget to say, “Thank you, Lord.”

With every blessing,

Fr. Charley