From the Vicar — November 10th, 2024
The Stewardship for Saints and Scholars Campaign
I love Catholic Schools! As a graduate of 20 years of Catholic education, I am deeply convicted of how vital this campaign is for the future of our Church. It was in Catholic School that I encountered Jesus’ personal love for me, that I decided to give my life to the Lord, and that I discerned becoming a Priest. I don’t think any of those things would have happened in my life without the environment created by Catholic Schools. That is what I want for future generations of kids in our Diocese.
I know many of you, like my own parents, have already spent much on Catholic School tuition for your own children. Without minimizing the sacrifices you have already made, I ask you to consider giving generously, and even sacrificially, to this campaign. Educating future generations of children of our Diocese is a shared responsibility. The effort should not, and cannot, be shouldered by one family, or a few families. It is the responsibility of the entire faith community to ensure this effort is a success.
It is important to know…100% of individual donations to the Stewardship for Saints and Scholars campaign will directly support teachers, schools, families, and parishes. The Diocese is covering all campaign expenses, so don’t worry, your contributions are going right where you intend.
Throughout the next few months, I encourage you to pray the campaign prayer* for the success of the campaign at St. Pat’s and to pray for our hard-working campaign volunteers who are willingly giving of their time. Please prayerfully consider how you can contribute to this campaign and turn in your pledges as soon as you are ready. Thank you for your support for the future of our Diocese!
Pray for the Souls in Purgatory this November
November is the traditional month to pray for the souls in Purgatory. What is Purgatory? The Catechism states that, “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect.”
Purgatory is a testament to God’s merciful love for us! It is a state in which souls are purified from attachments to and effects of sin. Why do we pray for them? Well, from the beginning of the Church, prayers and Masses offered for the dead have been encouraged. We hear in the book of Maccabees: “Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.” Our prayers have power! The souls in Purgatory need our prayers. So, during this month of November, I encourage you to do something in particular to pray for the dead. Maybe that looks like praying a rosary at the grave of a loved one, or adding this short prayer to the end of your prayer before meals: And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. Whatever you decide to do, big or small, find some way to pray for these souls, that they may soon enter the eternal joys of Heaven.