From The Bishop

This Sunday is the great Solemnity of All Saints. We rejoice and give thanks for the many saints in heaven, holy men and women who have fought the good fight and received the unfading crown of glory. Where they have gone we hope to follow. An important focus of this feast is that we are called to be saints, to strive for holiness and to be another Christ. “All you saints of God, pray for us” (Litany of Saints). Monday is All Souls Day. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “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 (1030). The Catechism goes on to say, “The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the doomed” (1031). We should take the opportunity to preach about purgatory to assist parishioners in deepening their understanding of this mystery. It seems today that many of our faithful assume that immediately after death our loved ones are in heaven. Sometimes even our preaching at funerals can contribute to this assumption. If everyone is in heaven then there is no need to pray for the dead or offer Masses for the repose of their souls. Unfortunately, these practices are becoming less known especially with our youth. To pray for the dead is not morbid, but hope filled as we are able to assist those we love even after death. We pray these souls to heaven. “Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them.”