Happy Sunday!

Around this time of year I am often asked: Is it okay to celebrate Halloween? The short answer is yes, it is a Catholic Holy Day of obligation. The word "Halloween" comes from a combination of two words in the English language's history. The word "hallow" means "holy" while the word "e'en" represents a shortening of the word "evening." The word "hallows" means "holy ones" or "saints." Thus "Hallow-e'en" or "Hallows' Eve" refers to "The Eve of All Saints."

Happy Sunday!

In anticipation of the month of November which is dedicated to the poor souls in purgatory, a special Mass for your deceased loved ones will be offered. Available now in the narthex is the Book of the Dead. Please write the names of your loved ones to be remembered next month at the All Souls Candlelight Mass on November 2 at 6:00pm. All are invited to partake in this transcendent and beautiful offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in this particular way.

At each Mass, the priest remembers our beloved dead and asks God to grant them a place of happiness, light and peace. We apply a particular intention for living or deceased members of our family. The Church on All Souls day offers us a special maternal care that does not permit us to forget the poor souls in purgatory but rather comes to their aid through her powerful intercession.

Happy Sunday!

Do you ever have time to quiet yourself and spend time in prayer? With all the busy schedules with school, work and at home activities, so many people struggle to find time for silent prayer. The early morning before the kids wake up may be your only moment to pray before all the preparations of the day begin. Others may have a Holy Hour before the Blessed Lord in the middle of the night or during the day. Regardless of your prayer life, any moment in prayer offers us so much more than what the world has to offer us.

Happy Sunday!

The month of October finds our parish of Saint Joan of Arc very active and busy throughout the week. Everyday I thank God for the many blessings our parish offers in growing in holiness. For the past several Sundays we have been hearing about the vineyard our Blessed Lord speaks about in the Gospel of Matthew. When you look around our parish, the vineyard is where God’s people interact. This reminds me of our active parish of all ages. The first reading from Isaiah speaks of “friend” which is literally translated as “my beloved” and in Hebrew dowdi or didi.

Arizona. October is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, which is commemorated on October 7th. Pope Saint Pius V attributed this naval victory in Lepanto which saved Europe from the invasion of the Turks in the 16th century. With all the chaos in the world occurring, our Lady can help us in small victories at home. My heart is moved with gratitude when I visit families in the home and I stay for the family rosary. Please continue to pray with your families everyday and trust in the powerful intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary!