Dear Parishioners,

This coming week, beginning on Monday, we begin a Triduum of celebrations of the Church: All Hallows Eve (a.k.a. Halloween), All Saints Day, and All Souls Day. Among these three the center is All Saints Day, a holy day of obligation. While our culture has taken on Halloween as the second most popular holiday (and a favorite of dentists all over), All Saints Day is that special celebration of those who are in heaven and are not named in our calendar of recognized saints. Yet, heaven is our destiny, and so we should celebrate what God has done to grant us such a gift. So, imagine what it will be like. “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8) Why? Because all of these things in this world that have such characteristics are foreshadowings of heaven, but infinitely greater. Now that is Good News!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor