Dear Friends,

This weekend we celebrate the beautiful and holy feast of All Saints. This doctrine of the Church comes to us from the very beginning of the Christian Faith. This wonderful teaching expresses our common belief that those who have led heroic Christian lives are now with God in Heaven. Thousands of men, women, and children have been canonized over the last two centuries, with more to come until Christ returns. The Saints and martyrs now in Heaven are called a “Communion of Saints.“ Saint Paul refers to them as Heavenly Throngs, “cheering us on the victory“ in Jesus Christ.

The Church describes this Communion of Saints as the Church Triumphant, or those now in Heaven. We who are living upon the Earth are referred to as the Church Militant, fighting in this world for holiness and the salvation of our souls. Those in Purgatory (on their way to Heaven) are described as the Church Suffering – being purified before entering Heaven. The Saints in Heaven are examples for us. God does not propose impossibilities. He wants us all to strive to be Saints, to become more holy every day, to search Him out, to be more Christlike. The combination of prayer and redemption by confession and the reception of the Holy Eucharist are what make us saintly. It is through obedience to God and faithfulness in our duty to love, we become a pleasing fragrance to Him. The only words we wish to hear are, “well done, good and faithful servant“! Getting to heaven is our most important mission.

On Monday, November 2, 2020, we celebrate All Souls Day. On this day we remember all those who have died, who will go to Heaven, but after a purification. The poor Souls in Purgatory need our prayers. That is why having Masses said for the dead is an important and Holy thing we do for friends and loved ones who have died. These days of All Saints and All Souls are two great celebrations and evidence of the great Faith we possess and share with the world. It is a great thing to be Catholic!