During the month of November, as the liturgical year comes to an end and we prepare to begin a new one in Advent, we remember all the faithful departed: those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith and washed in the Blood of the Lamb. As members of the Church who are still living, the Church Militant, we have a duty to pray for our brothers and sisters who are now in Purgatory, the Church Suffering. These souls are assured of their salvation, but they must still undergo purification so that they may see God face to face. The souls in Purgatory can no longer pray for themselves, because “death puts an end to human life as the time open to either accepting or rejecting the divine grace manifested in Christ” (CCC 1021; cf. 2 Tim 1:9–10). Once our lives are over, we can no longer make a human moral act, since our souls have been separated from our bodies. At the moment of death, we are immediately judged by our Savior and receive one of three outcomes: entrance into the blessedness of Heaven through a purification (that is, Purgatory), immediate entrance into Heaven, or immediate and everlasting damnation in Hell (CCC 1022). The souls in Purgatory need our prayers, asking God’s mercy for our brothers and sisters who are still being purified.

We do not believe that our prayers change God’s mind. God is omniscient (all-knowing), so why would our prayers shorten the time the poor souls spend in Purgatory? Because God desires us to take part in His saving work. Abraham interceded for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, Job offered sacrifices for his sons, and Judas Maccabeus made atonement for the dead. God hears the cry of the poor, but if no one prays for them, how will we learn to love as God loves? God desires all of His children, made in His image and likeness, to be saved. The problem is that, as God’s children, we have grown so attached to the things of this world that our souls are simply not ready to see Love face to face. We would not be able to behold holiness itself in all its glory and majesty. This is what Purgatory provides: a time to be purified of all the disordered attachments of this life. We can help our brothers and sisters by loving them as God loves them, interceding for them, and offering up little sacrifices for their souls so that they may enjoy eternal splendor.

You are all in my prayers during this final month of the liturgical year. I hope that you continue your earthly journey drawing ever closer to the One who loves us. May we all remember what we are destined for and live our lives accordingly.

Happy Solemnity of All Saints! How wonderful that this year our great feast falls on a Sunday. At the morning Masses, you may very well spot some of our children dressed up as saints, which we’ve encouraged our young families to do this weekend. After the spooky celebration of Halloween, it is good to remind ourselves that All Hallows’ Eve was not invented by secular culture and does not belong to it. October 31 is the vigil of All Hallows, the blessed souls of heaven. And so today we set before our eyes these little ones, whose saintly costumes show our true image.

It may sound strange, but clothing is an integral part of expressing our Christian life. In the liturgies of the Church, for example, the priest, deacon, and servers don’t walk into the sanctuary wearing whatever they want. The sanctuary of a church is meant to be a visual representation of heaven, and so those who enter it are clothed in the garments of heaven.

The priest’s white alb is the innermost of all the vestments, worn closest to the body. It is the garment of Baptism, which signifies our Christian dignity as sons and daughters of God. The alb is girded at the waist by the cincture, the garment of chastity, by which we remain pure in body and heart. Over his shoulders, the priest wears the stole, the garment of immortality. This garment was lost through the sin of our first parents but regained by the crucified Christ. The priest wears the stole as the primary image-bearer of Christ in the Mass, since he is the one who brings immortal life to God’s faithful in the Eucharist. Outermost, he is cloaked in the chasuble, the garment of Christ’s yoke worn by a shepherd. It is the clothing of God’s provision and protection. He calls us by name and leads us on the way of salvation; we recognize His voice and follow Him.

Scripture often speaks of heavenly things in the language of clothing. Proverbs praises the virtuous wife as being “clothed with strength and dignity.” Isaiah rejoices that God “has clothed me with the garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness.” St. Paul writes to the Galatians, “All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” To the Colossians, he writes, “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” In Revelation, the fine linen worn by the bride of Christ is described as “the righteous acts of God’s holy people.”

At the end of this mortal life, when we stand before God, how will we be clothed? Will we see ourselves then as we see our little costumed saints today? As we head into the bustling holiday season, let us remember once more, on this All Hallows’ Sunday, the God who has authored our lives, and commit ourselves anew to the holy life we owe Him in thanksgiving.

From Fr. Brian

There will be a Euchre Tournament on Wednesday, November 18 in the Good Shepherd Knights of Columbus Hall at 6:30 pm. Cost is $5.00 per person. All levels of experience. Bring your own snacks and beverages. Pizza is available for purchase. Friends and Family welcome! 

Hope to see you there!!

*They will be held the first and third Wednesday of the month.

The Good Shepherd Advent Service is back! After a multi-year break, we are thrilled to welcome everyone back for our cherished annual gathering! All parish ladies are invited as guests or hostesses. The service will be held on Sunday, November 29, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Registration forms are available at the front entrance of the church and on the table outside the parish office. RSVP is required. Seating is limited. Deadline to register is Sunday, November 22.

Men of the parish are invited to come and enjoy growing in their spiritual walk with others. We will meet in the Knights of Columbus Hall from 6:30—7:30 on Wednesday, November 11 for our next Cor Meeting. We always have snacks and refreshments! Invite a friend or family member. We look forward to seeing you!

See what men are saying about it in the film below:

The mission of the Cor is to refocus Catholic men on Jesus Christ and to form and strengthen them in faith and virtue through a brotherhood committed to prayer, formation and fraternity.  The goal of each Cor gathering is to provide the opportunity for men to encounter Christ, to pray together, to be formed in their faith, and to strengthen their bonds of brotherhood, preparing them for courageous leadership and the mission of Evangelization for their families and communities.