Week of November 6, 2011

Greetings from the Pastor

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time:
When We Don’t Know When

Today we gather together to celebrate the Mass for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary
Time. The year is quickly sliding away. The new liturgical year will be upon us before we know it. I
am being kept busy as I look at all we have to do both this month and the next. Soon Advent will be upon us and then Christmas will be here before we know it. Makes me stop and wonder where the year has gone.

The Responsorial Psalm for today struck me as I read the antiphon, “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.” sets the time of our lives. One of the primary goals of our religious aspect of life is that we seek God at all times. He is the answer to our prayers and we gain consolation when we pray to Him everyday. Our prayers should be one of the central parts of our days. If we are faithful in being a prayerful person then our lives become easier. Our faith makes sense and there is consolation being true to our belief.

One of the wonderful things that happens when we are prayerful is that it sets the tone of a day. It also makes us stop and think of God and we feel better for the moment and a quietness overtakes the moment. We put all the distractions aside and there is a peace that overcomes us.

As I sit here and write I am overwhelmed that the year is slipping by. November, can you imagine it? Where have the other months gone? Before you know it a New Year will be here, are we ready for it?

On a personal note, I thank each of you who ask about my brother. He is doing well as can be expected. He goes to class three times a week and that has been a big help. There is something to do and he is not stuck at home. My sister-in-law is a gem and takes very good care of him. Being at home in a place that he knows has been a big help. When I call home we talk a lot because our memories center on what we did together as little kids. I am always reminded that I am the little brother because of the four minutes that make him the oldest of the twins means I have always looked up to him and he is a good influence on me and always has been.

–FR DAVE