Solemnity of All Saints and Observation of All Souls

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. — Hebrews 12:1-2

Let us consider the great cloud of witnesses of old and among in this day and age. Their heroism, endurance, holiness, love of their brothers and sisters, the crosses they bore, the example they provide are not accomplished on their own. Rather, through the grace of God they have been strengthened to do what Jesus asks of all of us. Let us heed their example, knowing that for every failing in our lives, God picks us up, renews us, and enables us to be saints.

Let us also recall that our brothers and sisters who have preceded us in Holy Death are a hopeful sign. Jesus overcame death; so shall we because of our faith in Him. He told us that we who weep and mourn will be comforted. Be comforted in His promise of eternal life. With that confidence, offer up prayers for our friends, family, neighbors, and parishioners who have died. With our prayer, their journey to the heavenly kingdom is eased and their souls are made strong. With our help, they will attain the new and heavenly Jerusalem. There we will stand with them, also among the multitude of angels, saints, elders, and faithful worshiping before the throne of God and the Lamb. The family of faith is eternal, we are all joined together, here and now and forever with God.

Bible Study for the 30th Week in Ordinary Time
  • 10/28 – Psalm 33:9 – Lord God, You are supreme over all, and all nature heeds Your command. Hear my prayer in times of distress and grant me Your protection.
  • 10/29 – Isaiah 29:18 – Lord God, in my trials and need I cry out to You. Grant me faith and complete trust in Your promises and providence.
  • 10/30 – Matthew 11:5 – Lord Jesus, in Your coming the words of Isaiah were fulfilled. Help me to see past the false promises of the world to the hope that is found in You.
  • 10/31 – John 9:5-7 – Lord Jesus, You were sent by the Father to restore my sight, to give me eyes of faith. Grant me strong faith and perseverance so that I may see You in the new and heavenly Jerusalem.
  • 11/1 – Acts 26:18 – Lord Jesus, continually grant me the grace to turn to You, to see You, to live in You. Lead me and all my brothers and sisters to sanctification through regeneration.
  • 11/2 – Luke 8:2-3 – Lord Jesus, grant that I may not forget You when my prayers are answered, but that I return to You in thanksgiving, remaining loyal and serving You in the community of faith.
  • 11/3 – Luke 7:50 – Lord Jesus, grant that I may hear You say to me, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, grant that I may call to You in my need and respond to You in faith.

Reflection for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Go your way.
Your way is my way Lord.

“Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

Bartimeus literally means Bar-Timeus – the son of Timeus. People saw the son of Timeus as a man without hope. He sat along the road, a blind beggar.

Bartimeus had heard of Jesus and his miracles, and learned that He was passing by. He was filled with hope – he knew that through Jesus, the Messiah, he might recover his eyesight.

Bartimeus came to Jesus for help. As we face the week, and the months ahead, with storms, anxieties, the pressures of holidays (imposed by the world’s view of what the holidays are – not the Church’s view), and other stresses, we must know that we may come to Jesus with the same hope that Bartimeus had – hope for help.

Like Bartimeus, we have heard of Jesus, and we know His miracles. We know that He isn’t just passing by, but is with us at every moment. Like Bartimeus we have every right to call out to Him in hope. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

God truly delivers help and healing. He delivered Israel from bondage and brought them back. They left in tears and sinfulness and returned on level roads rejoicing. Likewise He gathers us in, protects us, and delivers us when we call out to Him.

As Jesus called to Bartimeus, He calls to us. Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The gracious call of Jesus gives us hope to come to him in our need. If we come to him in hope we shall have what we came for. He will open our eyes to the miracles and wonders guaranteed to His children.

Bartimeus cast aside his garments. We too must cast away the garment of self-sufficiency, and free of the weight of doubt we may go forward with clear eyes. Jesus clears our vision, lifting all the weights that bear down on us.

Now it is up to us. Jesus told Bartimeus – receive your sight, be it unto you as you desire. “Go your way,” that is, to your own house, about your own business.

Bartimeus was given the choice that is in front of all of us. Jesus gives us what we ask for and gives us the opportunity to see clearly. Bartimeus saw clearly and chose to follow Jesus – to Jerusalem and beyond.

Bartimeus saw not just physically, but with the eyes of faith. As we face our anxieties, let us ask Jesus for the help we hope for, the hope He has guaranteed. Then let us respond with eyes of faith to follow Him.

Prayer and Disaster Preparation Guides

First, let us pray:

Grant calmness and control of thought to those who are facing uncertainty and anxiety; let their hearts stand fast, believing in the Lord. Be Thou all things to all men, knowing each one and his petition, each house and its need. For the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen. – A Prayer in Time of National Anxiety – from A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church, Published by the Mission Fund of the PNCC, 7th edition, May 1, 1984.

Be merciful to us, Spare us O Lord.
Be merciful to us, Graciously hear us O Lord.
From all evil, Deliver us, O Lord.
From lightning and tempest, Deliver us, O Lord.

From the Capital Region Theological Center (CRTC): Are You Prepared?

As we learned last year, preparations for what Mother Nature sometimes brings to our communities is a reality of living in the Northeast. In light of current forecasts and the possibility of power outages and other weather-related challenges, CRTC, in our role as communications outlet, would like to provide several resources for your use.

Hopefully, this will be merely an exercise in planning!

Emergency Preparedness Checklists:

Several resources can provide checklists as you ready yourself for a possible emergency:

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

Emergency Supply Checklist

Emergency Guide:

What to have in your:
…head – family plans
      …hand – checklists
          …and home – emergency supplies

Household Preparedness Guide

This guide also includes hazard-specific information, emergency reference cards, emotional expectations and utility guidelines. Designed for NYC residents, much of the information can be easily applied to Capital District residents.

Special Circumstances

There are people and pets in your life that may require special considerations in times of emergency:

Preparedness for Seniors and People with Disabilities

Emergency Preparedness for Pets

Emergency Information

For additional information visit NYS Emergency Management.

Month of All Souls – remember the souls of your family and friends

As the days of October pass the days grow shorter, the colors of autumn take hold, and our thoughts turn to the Commemoration of All Souls. The Holy Church sets aside the month of November to commemorate those who have preceded us in holy death.

As Christians we recognize that death is not an ending, but rather a change. We pass through death into everlasting life. We remain joined with all those who have died. We rely on them for their intercession on our behalf. They rely on our prayers and intercession to ease their transition, their journey into the glory of heaven.

We will remember our dearly departed during the month of November according to age old Catholic custom of commemoration and prayer…a custom known as “wypominki.”

If you would like the souls of loved ones to be remembered during the Commemoration of All Souls and at all services throughout the entire month of November, please send the names of these loved ones to Deacon Jim by Sunday, October 28th. Alternately, you can E-mail the names of those you wish commemorated by E-mail to Deacon Jim.

We will celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints on Thursday, November 1st at 7:30pm followed by the the reading of the names of all the faithful departed.

Bible Study for the 29th Week in Ordinary Time
  • 10/21 – Matthew 2:6 – Lord, You came among us in the midst of the most humble of cities. Your Father raised this meek place to be the birthplace of the Lord of Heaven and earth. Grant that I may not consider appearance or stature, but rather find Your image in all people and places.
  • 10/22 – Mark 5:22 – Lord Jesus, Jarius fell at Your feet to implore Your help and healing. Grant me the same humility.
  • 10/23 – Luke 1:52 – Father, You do not regard estate or power, for no person can compare to You. Grant that I may not seek worldly power and prestige, but rather humility and meekness, counting on Your promise alone.
  • 10/24 – Romans 8:38 – Lord Jesus, the world is filled with obstacles which appeal to our fears. Grant that I may always remember that nothing can overcome Your love for me.
  • 10/25 – 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 – Lord, the leaders of the world count on the world. They seek only to protect their power and position. Grant that I may live in the world as a reflection of Your light in serving others; as a messenger of Your gospel to all people.
  • 10/26 – Ephesians 3:10 – Lord Jesus, Your apostle Paul was imprisoned for the faith, yet continued to bear witness to the rulers and leaders of the age. Grant me the courage to serve Your people and teach them faith in You regardless of obstacles.
  • 10/27 – Judges 5:3 – Father, You fill our hearts with joy and song. Grant that Your joy may show through us as we touch the lives of our brothers and sisters.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, grant that I may not choose to rule, but rather to serve You and Your people.

Reflection for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

What did you do for me?
I served you.

“You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.”

Jesus’ disciples came to Him looking for special favors. They wanted to have positions of power, authority, and glory in the kingdom. They even offered to sacrifice a little today if they could have that promise.

Jesus turned the tables on them and used their request to teach them the true message of the kingdom. We aren’t to seek glory, honors, power, and notoriety. Instead, we are to give all we have, even our lives, in service and sacrifice for others. Only then will we come to know the glory of the kingdom. It is a glory where we give completely of ourselves for others. In turn, we are made rich through their giving, serving, and sacrificing for us. Mutual sacrifice is the way of life in the kingdom.

Our first two readings point to the fact that this type of sacrifice, this kind of giving, is not something our Lord and God demand of us as subjects. It is all captured in the key phrase – You know how it is with those who are recognized as rulers…

We do know how it is, right down to this day. Leaders demand obedience, work for personal enrichment, and do favors for “friends” who do favors for them. Money fuels power, and power rewards money.

God came to us, God who has absolute power, glory, and authority, and emptied Himself completely. He was made low, served all, and was completely crushed. In giving His life – He brought us to eternal life. He lost everything so that we might have everything.

The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that we have a high priest, Jesus, who sympathizes with our weaknesses, because He faced the same weaknesses – facing them without sin.

Because of this there is no barrier between us and the ultimate power, authority, and glory of God. We may fully and confidently approach the throne of grace, because God will lower Himself from that throne to lift us up. He will serve us, heal us, have mercy on us, forgive us, wash our feet and feed us. He will do it all for us because we are worth that much to Him.

We must follow His example, and lower ourselves, serving and lifting others in sacrificial love.

Bible Study for the Week of the Christian Family
  • 10/14 – Ephesians 5:1-2 – Heavenly Father, grant me the grace to walk in the way of love with my brothers and sisters. Join me together with all Christians, Your children, one family of faith.
  • 10/15 – Genesis 33:5 – Father, I praise and thank You for the gift of children. Grant increase to Christian families so that Your word may be known throughout the world.
  • 10/16 – Titus 2:4 – Father, You graciously inspire women to give generously as wives and mothers. Grant them Your every grace and protection. Keep them from abuse, neglect, and every form of harm.
  • 10/17 – Proverbs 22:6 – Father, grant all parents the grace to increase their children’s knowledge of You and Your word. Grant that all children may live in unity with the family of faith, Your Holy Church, now and throughout their lives.
  • 10/18 – Deuteronomy 11:19 – Father, Your promises and tremendous deeds are ever before me. Grant that I may teach my children Your ways — in my life and example, my words and my deeds.
  • 10/19 – Hebrews 11:20 – Father, grant that my every act of faith may be a blessing to my children and my children’s children.
  • 10/20 – 1 Timothy 3:4 – Lord Jesus, You chose family men to be Your disciples and apostles. Grant that our bishops, priests, and deacons may honor You in their families and before the world.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, grant Your every grace to my family. Help us to grow in knowledge and faithfulness to You.