We have officially entered the month of November when the Church focuses on the communion of saints. The communion of saints is one of the articles of faith in the Creed. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church describes it, the communion of saints has two closely linked meanings: communion in holy things (sancta) and among holy persons (sancti). It comprises the whole spiritual wealth of the Church that enables us to be true to who we are as sons and daughters of God, and it emphasizes our sublime call to holiness. When we refer to the Church as the communion of saints, we do not just refer to those who have already entered into the joy of God’s embrace, but also to the other two levels of “Church.” The Church consists of three levels: the triumphant church (those who are already enjoying the promise of eternal life with God), the suffering church (those who are in the process of purification and awaiting their full integration into heaven), and the church militant (this refers to us who are still in this world, “militantly” living the call of discipleship with love and the values of the Gospel). Part of the responsibilities of the
militant church is to pray unceasingly for the suffering church since they count on us for their full integration into God’s bosom. The communion of saints makes us realize that our journey back to God is not a solo flight, but with the rest of the faith community. This is also the very reason why we pray for our beloved dead, especially in this month of November; as we pray for them, we are moved to examine the quality of our own discipleship to determine if it would lead us to that joyous and eternal reunion with our loved ones at the end of our own journey. Please do not forget to write the names of our departed loved ones in the Book of the Dead found near the sanctuary. The names listed there will be included in our Mass intentions for the month of November.
This week (Nov. 6 – 12), the Church in the United States celebrates National Vocations Awareness Week. As the USCCB website explains “National Vocations Awareness Week (NVAW) is an annual, week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for
those who are considering one of these particular vocations. NVAW began in 1976 when the U. S. bishops designated the 28th Sunday of the year for NVAW. In 1997, this celebration was moved to coincide with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which fell on January 13 in 2013. Beginning in 2014, NVAW was moved to the first full week of November.” We are very much blessed to have a very active Vocations Committee here in our parish. They work so hard to promote vocations, not just to the priesthood and religious life, but to really foster a culture of vocations in general, leading us to a profounder reflection as to what and to where God is calling us to actively participate in the building up of his Kingdom. As we pray for vocations, we also give thanks to the Lord for the men and women behind our Vocations Committee—may the good Lord continue to strengthen them in their pastoral work and bring to completion the work that they have begun.
I would also like to express my profoundest gratitude for the cards, prayers and warm greetings last weekend in celebration of Priesthood Sunday. I thank the Lord for leading me to this wonderful community here at St. Cecilia’s. I have always loved and enjoyed my priesthood ever since I got ordained, but thanks for making it so much better!
– Fr. Cary