Dear St. Joseph Parishioners,
As we enter into November, we see the leaves falling, and some are turning into orange, red, or yellow. Autumn symbolizes adulthood and maturity. November is also the month of All Souls. We commemorate and pray for the repose of the souls of our faithful departed. We do not know where the souls of our loved ones. Maybe some of them are in hell, where those who die in a state of mortal sin go. Some are in purgatory, where people free of mortal sin but in a state of venial sin go. Some are already seated at the right or left hand of God in our eternal homeland. Wherever they are, it is our duty and responsibility to pray for them so that they may peacefully rest with God. We will be praying for our deceased loved ones throughout November.
Please use the All Souls envelopes mailed to you and write their names on it and send them back or drop them off at the office. We will gather those envelopes and put them in an urn in front of the altar. This year, we ask that you bring a picture of your loved ones, and we will put them on the altar of repose in front of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary inside the church. Please do not forget to put your contact information at the back of the picture. All Souls Day Mass will be on Monday, November 2, 2020, at 8:00 am. It is not a holy day of obligation. All Saints Day on November 1 is a Holy day of obligation.
Eternal rest grant unto the souls of our faithful departed, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace!
Amen.
May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
Fr. Carlo