Upcoming Feasts

10-21-2018Weekly ReflectionFr. James Aboyi

Dear Parishioners,

I am so excited this week, and I imagine you are too, as we look forward to a number of community events and Liturgical celebrations beginning next weekend and into the holiday seasons of November and December. Next weekend, we will have back-to-back community celebrations beginning with Harvest Fest on Saturday the 27th, hosted by St. John Bosco School. This is followed by Trunk-or-Treat hosted by St. Benedict on Sunday the 28th. As you know, St. John Bosco School and St. Benedict Parish are 'one community, one campus!' I have heard so many wonderful stories about these events and am excited, and looking forward to enjoying the fun next weekend. Please invite your family, friends and neighbors to come and join us at these celebrations - all are welcome!

Additional events, such as Halloween, All Saints, All Souls and the Parish Fall Fiesta, are coming up within the next two weeks. I encourage parents to consider the Catholic perspective on Halloween as you shop for the Halloween costumes for your children. Historically, Halloween (All Hallows' Eve) was a pagan feast celebrated by the Celtic people, long before their conversion to Catholicism. Usually they celebrated it in honor of the "releasing of the spirit of the dead" on the last day of the Celtic year, coinciding with October 31 on our current calendar.

The Catholic version of Halloween is the celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints on November 1st and All Souls on Nov. 2. These solemnities emerged in the church around the 6th century AD. The Church established these special celebrations to honor those who died and are already in heaven on Nov. 1, and to pray for those who died and are s ll undergoing a period of purification of their souls on Nov. 2. Today, many people celebrate Halloween just for the fun of it, and not necessarily to promote any pagan worship. However, rather than wearing very scary costumes during Halloween, Catholic parents are encouraged to take a positive approach to the celebration by dressing their children with costumes of saints like St. Mother Theresa, St Benedict, popes, bishops, priests and nuns.

Just a quick reflection on the Gospel reading in our Liturgy this weekend. Today, Jesus addressed those who wish to be great -- and don't all of us have a desire for greatness some mes? We some mes wish to be great leaders, great parents, teachers, doctors, etc. The desire for greatness generally involves the desire to be rated above others and, even some mes, a wish to have control over others. People in leadership are highly vulnerable to this kind of temptation. In response to the request of James and John in the Gospel today, Jesus recommended the Servant Leadership Model for those in leadership positions in the Church. We pray for everyone in leadership positions in the church that they may cultivate the virtue of humility and learn from Jesus, himself, who came not to be served, but to serve. He did this by giving his life to save us all (Matthew (20:28).

Thank you and Remain Blessed.
Fr. James

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