Happy Veteran's Day

11-11-2018From Fr. Antony's DeskFr. John J. Barbella

I'd like to start my words today by wishing a very Happy Veterans Day to all the veterans of our parish. We owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude and appreciate the sacrifices you made for our nation. I assure you of my prayers today and each and every day. In our troubled world, I find that I appreciate our veterans more and more. Perhaps you do, too. My experience with veterans over the years is that they tend to be level-headed and ready to help at a moment's notice. I see this in many of the veterans I know in our own parish. For this also I want to thank these fine men and women.

You may notice our ushers counting the crowds at Mass this month. The reason is that our bishop asks that each parish conduct such a count at every Sunday (and Saturday evening) Mass during the month of November. The diocese uses this information for a number of reasons, such as deciding how many priests a parish needs. It is also a measure of a parish's vitality. (P.S. That being the case, this would be a good month to make sure we all get to Mass regularly!)

A special thank you is also due to all those who planned and participated in the Alumni Mass at our parish school last Sunday. About 250 people gathered at the school for Mass, breakfast, and fellowship. Fr. Pat Boyle, OFM – our faithful weekend helper and himself an alum – celebrated the Mass and gave a very nice talk afterward. Fr. Tom – our hospital chaplain and associate pastor – who is also a P'burg Catholic Alum, concelebrated and gave the Benediction at the conclusion. I was happy to be there for the breakfast and for Fr. Pat's talk – which was well worth hearing. Again, I am eternally grateful to the School Advisory Council for all the work they did on this fine event!

I also want to thank everyone for the fine attendance at Holy Mass on All Saints Day! It was wonderful to see so many people here for the Holy Day. Coming to Mass on those days is a great witness to our Faith – and a great source of blessing and grace both for those who come and for our entire parish.

Thanks also to those who came to pray for the holy souls on All Souls Day. Please know that we will be remembering the Holy Souls in Purgatory at Mass throughout the month of November – and keeping the All Souls envelopes near the Altar, too. I ask that everyone make a point of saying a prayer for those souls every day during this Month of All Souls.

Please also say a Hail Mary for me each day, too. Let's also pray for those away from home in the service of our country, for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and for peace.

Have a great week!
Fr. John

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