October 22, 2023

Twenty-Ninth sunday of ordinary time

by Fr. Boniface Endorf, OP

Dear St. Joseph Parish Family,

This Friday we have the final talk of our three Fall Thomistic Institute talks. Dr. Bronwen McShea will talk about “Forgotten Lay Patronesses of the Church.” She’ll share some really great stories about fascinating women in Church history. It will be in McGuire Hall and the doors open at 6:00pm, the talk starts at 6:30 pm. It’ll be a great talk!

Our All Souls Novena starts on All Souls Day, Nov. 2nd. November is a month in which prayers are especially offered for the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. For the rest of October, a book is in the narthex of the church where you can write the names of departed family members and friends. In November, starting on All Souls Day (Nov. 2), we will offer a novena series of Masses for all of the people listed in the book.

God Bless,

Fr. Boniface

Mass Tidbit:

We now move to remembering the deceased. The priest prays: “Remember also, Lord, your servants who have gone before us with the sign of faith and rest in the sleep of peace. [brief pause to pray silently for specific people] Grant them, O Lord, we pray, and all sleep in Christ, a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

We are united with the whole Church, which includes those who have passed away. We can and should pray for them, and here in the Mass is the moment to do so. We pray for their salvation, and our prayer is always through Christ to the Father and in the Holy Spirit.