Pastor’s Corner — November 5th, 2023
Singing the Propers Begins this Weekend
An Important Note From our Music Director Steve Royal:
“This weekend the cantors or choirs will begin singing the Entrance and Communion propers at all Masses after the hymns. So, what are “propers?” For most of its history through today, the Catholic Church has assigned short antiphons (refrains) to be sung at Entrance, Offertory, and Communion for deeper contemplation on the Word of God and prayer. These antiphons are part of the Mass itself and are generally sung with a psalm. While the Church allows hymns or songs to be sung in their place, it is more fitting that they be sung as part of the Mass either with hymns and songs or in place of them. To provide a finer liturgy and to fulfill the Church’s vision to sing the Mass, we will sing hymns, songs, and the propers. At the Sunday 9:30 AM and Sunday 5 PM Masses the propers will be chanted in Gregorian Chant style and at the other Masses they will be sung in a more choral or contemporary style. Please use these moments after hymns to reflect on the texts so as to enter more deeply into the Holy Mass.“
Knights of Columbus Membership Drive This Weekend
Men are called to serve. When men step up and live out their discipleship in service they will make a difference. I’m proud to be the pastor of a parish with a strong Knights of Columbus council. The Knights of Columbus is the largest Catholic Fraternal Men’s Association in the world with about 2 million members and 16,000 councils around the world. The Knights serve our parish and local community in many ways.
One of the chief ways it serves is they work to secure funds to give to worthy charities. Perhaps the most well-known way the Knights serve is through all of the service activities for the parish and our community from the tootsie roll drive last weekend to helping run our parish festival to the pancake breakfasts to hosting Holy Hours for vocations.
One of the most rewarding parts of being a Knight from my perspective is the friendships the Knights have formed with each other. Men serving alongside other men, living their faith and making a difference. When a Knight joins, he is free to choose one or more events or service opportunity in which to participate. Some Knights are more active than others, but everyone’s help matters.
Our Knights are very active and effective in serving our parish and community. I’d like to invite parish men to consider joining the Knights. Joining the Knights is easy – you can join online today for free or see one of our Knights in the gathering space who can answer your questions and register you in person.
November: A Month Time to Pray For and Gain Indulgences for the Dead
For those who are reading this article in the bulletin, rather than online, this might seem to be a little late. Here is an edited excerpt from a short guide on indulgences for the month of November, which is dedicated to the Souls in Purgatory:
Indulgenced Acts for the Faithful Departed
There are many indulgences that can be obtained during the month of November. You may only receive one Plenary Indulgence a day, and the indulgences below are only applicable to the Souls in Purgatory. From the fourth edition of the Enchiridion of Indulgences, 1999:
• A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who,
o on any and each day from November 1 to 8, devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, if only mentally, for the departed;
o on All Souls’ Day (or, according to the judgment of the ordinary, on the Sunday preceding or following it, or on the solemnity of All Saints), devoutly visit a church or an oratory and recite an Our Father and the Creed.
• A partial indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who,
o devoutly visit a cemetery and at least mentally pray for the dead;
o devoutly recite lauds (morning prayer) or vespers (evening prayer) from the Office of the Dead, or the devoutly pray the Eternal Rest prayer: “Eternal Rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
What Are the Conditions for A Plenary Indulgence?
A quick summary on the conditions to gain a Plenary Indulgence:
While being detached from sin,
• Sacramental Confession—one Confession can cover many indulgences, and can be done 20 days before or after.
• Eucharistic Communion—one Communion per indulgenced act, but can be received 20 days before or after.
• Prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father—usually an Our Father and a Hail Mary, one set of prayers for each act, can be prayed 20 days before or after.
Thanksgiving Reminder: A Note From Our St. Pat’s St. Vincent DePaul
The Thanksgiving Day collection is a major source of funding for our local St. Vincent de Paul Society whose volunteer members work year-round attending to the needs of those less fortunate in our community. We have virtually no overhead and this means that your donations go directly to the needy. If you can assist in this worthy cause of helping the needy, please make your check payable to: St. Vincent de Paul Society
On behalf of our many needy neighbors, we thank you for your generosity.
Your servant in the Lord,
Fr. Mathias