Living the Gospel this Week. All souls and pious list for the dead
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
In the Catholic Church, the month of November is consecrated to the prayer for the dead. The Book of Maccabees, specifically 2 Maccabees 12:39-46, describes Judas Maccabeus and his men praying for the dead and offering a sacrifice to atone for their sins. Today we offer the Holy Mass, the sacrifice of Christ Jesus for the expiation of the sins of the world (Cf. Hebrews 9:12). During the month of November the Church invites us to various practices in honor of our deceased loved ones such as: decorating the tombstones, lighting candles, praying the rosary and especially offering masses for the repose of their souls. As you are well aware in our Diocese in general and in most of our Parishes, we do not always have enough space for everyone to offer as many masses as they should, especially during the month of November. In line with our Diocese, we offer an option for people to offer masses which will be celebrated by missionary priests in difficult areas.
The Diocese of Lansing indeed encourages its parishioners to submit Mass intentions specifically for missions, highlighting the importance of praying for missionary work and supporting the spread of the Gospel in other areas through their "Mission Co-op Appeal Programs". Through these programs, the Diocese would like parishioners to raise both prayer and financial support for mission churches and seminarians in developing countries. The Diocese essentially, would ask people to include mission work in their prayer intentions, these could include requesting Masses to be said for them or by them. Our Parish offers you that opportunity which enables you to request Masses for your loved ones. All Masses will be said by missionary priests working in very difficult areas and the report will be given back to you after the celebration of those Masses.
In her Diary St. Faustina says: “I saw my Guardian Angel, who ordered me to follow him. In a moment I was in a misty place full of fire in which there was a great crowd of suffering souls. They were praying fervently, but to no avail, for themselves; only we can come to their aid.” Please, they need our prayers. They need our help.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord and let the perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace!
Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC