Where did the summer go? I am glad we are celebrating our parish feast day in early October. With a chill in the air and less daylight each day, we move with the seasons to reflect that in every age and at every time, God promises to be there with us and for us.
Many thanks to all who will make our feast day celebration a great event. As we seem to have moved increasingly into a post pandemic existence, adaptions to this new time still remind us of what we have been through. I want to affirm that we need to take care of ourselves so that we can take care of each other. In very practical terms, if someone wants to continue to wear a mask at Mass, which is 100% fine, and no one should feel any less because of it. Some are still staying home and watching the Mass each week via our Facebook link. Again, that is fine if there are any health issues about which one is worried. For those who are just very comfortable watching Mass in your bathrobe and with a cup of coffee, I would encourage you to come in person. There are connections, feelings and prayer experiences that are only possible when we are physically together. Come back and try it!
Did you notice that the flu season was less biting that previous years in spite of worrying about Covid. That may have been a bonus of the good practices we maintained, and I hope will continue to maintain going forward for the sake of all. As it gets cooler and it will be time to turn on the heat, we will be faced with how we keep the air flowing in the church and how do we stay warm at the same time. Someone has already suggested that we can close the doors to keep the heat in if we keep open the upper windows and wear masks during this time. I and the staff welcome your comments and suggestions on this matter so we can all stay healthy during the fall and winter months that are upon us.
As I have already noted, October has yearly been the month when we focus on respecting life from the moment of conception to a natural passing when God calls us. The Catholic conference is presenting a many pronged approach to say no to Proposition 1 on the November ballot. Many of you have started the novena on the Holy Angels’ feast day and the rest of this week.
Respecting life is something we sadly see ignored or abused in our world whether it is the tragedies we witness in Ukraine, Cameroon, Iraq and other far away places or the horrible and senseless murders withing the city of Oakland and places near our city. Pope Francis has been forthcoming with the overall call of the gospel to us as disciples. Here is a small quote that sums up his teaching:
“Our defense of the innocent unborn, for example, needs to be clear, firm, and enthusiastic, for at stake is the dignity of a human life, which is always sacred and demands love for each person, regardless of his or her stage of development. Equally sacred, however, are the lives of the poor, those already born, the destitute, the abandoned and the underprivileged, the vulnerable infirm and elderly exposed to covert euthanasia, the victims of human trafficking, new forms of slavery, and every form of rejection”
— Pope Francis
Gaudete et Exsultate, #101
The USCCB has dedicated this October under the patronage of St. Joseph who never says a word in the gospels, but receives and welcomes Mary and Jesus into his life, finds ways to care for them when ‘there is no room in the inn’, leads them to safety when a threatening menace approaches their existence and provides for their care every day by his work and guiding of Jesus as he reaches maturity. May St. Joseph help, protect and guide us. As he let Mary and Jesus to safety, may he help our journey to life in God’s Kingdom teaching us to love and respect one another.