From the Pastor’s Desk: October 28, 2018

     This Sunday’s Gospel presents us with a very powerful exchange of courage and compassion, determination and care, gratitude and love. “What do you want me to do for you?” is Jesus’ response to the cry of the blind man for pity – “I want to see!”  Blindness, darkness, living without light is one of the most difficult aspects of life.  Far more difficult, however, is spiritual blindness over the physical one. I personally experience that truth every Sunday, when one of our parishioners, although physically blind, shares his joyful heart- filled with deep faith and love for Christ- with me and many in our parish. In truth, seeing is the metaphor for faith.
 
     Today many people are trapped in darkness- living faithless lives. Many people in this world, including our own, choose to live without the light of faith that has come into the world and whose name is Jesus Christ. Without the light of Christ, without faith, human beings are engulfed in the utter darkness of egotism and selfishness. Without the light of Christ, we have no sight. Without faith, there is no clear direction in life. The devil loves the darkness. He loves the faithless heart. There is a reason why he is called the “Prince of Darkness.” Without the light of Christ, he is free to kill our hope and fill us with fear. Without the light of Christ, we are unable to move forward, unable to grow in holiness with God to “become the best version of ourselves.” Without the light of Christ, we are spiritually paralyzed in every facet of life.
 
     If we are honest, how often do we feel like the blind man fumbling in the dark or even dazed, sitting disheartened by the side of the road? We do not see where we stand or where we are going, we cannot discern what we have to believe or to do. Today, however, we are invited to take courage, to cry out from the top of our lungs – “Jesus, have pity on me, because I want to see!!!”
 
     This is why we call the Gospel – the Good News. This is why Christ always comes to our aid because He wants us to see, so we can walk in His light. This is why we are called to be His disciples, to follow Him without limits. This is why we are called to be messengers of the Truth of the New Evangelization as the supreme Christian service of teaching and serving the spiritually blind. This is why we have a responsibility to call others, to bring them to the Light, so they can “see” with the eyes of faith and to join us along the road of discipleship. 
 
     On Thursday, November 1 ^st, we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints Day- HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION. The liturgy of All Saints celebrates all the saints known and unknown to us, who enjoy the glory of Heaven. Today we are reminded that sanctity is accessible to everyone in their various jobs and situations.  From the towering figures like St. Augustine, Francis, Faustina, JP II, to the humble saints whose names are known to few or none – our grandparents, friends, teachers who lived their faith to the fullness. Today we celebrate them all. Please check the bulletin for the Mass schedule.
 
     On November 2 ^nd, we celebrate the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed- All Soul’s Day- when in a very special way we call to mind all the faithful dead, both those known to us and those we do not know. During the entire week, we will offer Masses in the intentions you submitted in the special envelopes that will be placed on the altar.
 
     This weekend we continue our preparation for the Ministry Fair and Stewardship Renewal Weekend of Time, Talent and Treasure.  We will have an opportunity to listen to personal testimonies of our parishioners of how much the life of Stewardship has impacted them. Please prayerfully discern your involvement in the life of the parish and generous embrace of Stewardship as a way of life, so together we can “serve the Lord with gladness” (Psalm 100:2)
 
     I wish you a blessed week!
 
With prayers,
Fr. Andy