November: The month of All Souls

11-01-2016Pastor's LetterMsgr. Gregory W. Gordon

Dear Saint Anne Family,

In November, the month of All Souls, we remember our faithful departed. As Catholics, we believe, in accord with scripture and tradition, that praying for the dead is “a holy and pious thing…that they might be delivered from their sins” (2 Macc. 12:45).

As we conclude the Jubilee Year of Mercy, we offer a “spiritual work of mercy” by praying for the faithful departed in our All Souls Day Novena, from All Souls Day, Wednesday, 2 November, through Thursday, 10 November. On each of the 9 days of this Novena, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered at Saint Anne’s for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, especially for your family members and loved ones who have died.

To participate in this Novena, simply write the names of your deceased family members on the enclosed All Souls envelope together with your offering, and return the envelope by mail or offertory before Tuesday, November 1, All Saints Day. In that way, the names of you deceased loved ones can be placed on our Main Altar and remain there throughout this Novena.  

On Sunday in this Novena, we will celebrate our Catholic Daughters 70th Anniversary Parish Breakfast on 6 November after our 8 AM Mass; tickets are available at the parish office. Following this Novena, we remember our deceased veterans in our parish Veterans Day Mass on Friday, 11 November. Thursday, 24 November is Thanksgiving Day, when, in the Holy Eucharist, we  “Give Thanks to the Lord…His Mercy is Everlasting” (Psalm 136:1). 

Padre Gregorio, Deacon Santiago, Brother Jose and I look forward to praying with you in this month of November, especially as we remember in our Novena of Masses our deceased brothers and sisters and commend them to the Lord’s Mercy.  

May the Souls of the Faithful Departed, through the Mercy of God, Rest in Peace

Msgr. Gregory W. Gordon
Pastor, Saint Anne Parish

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