In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us about two people who come to church. One man is a pillar of the community, respected and admired by everyone. In fact, he admires himself. The other is despised by everyone and he despises himself. The despised one is a bad man, dishonest and greedy. But God prefers the one who is despised by others. Jesus tells us that God can’t reach a person who is convinced of his or her own righteousness. God can help a sinner who asks for mercy, but not a person who doesn’t know of his own need for mercy.

When was the last time you went to confession? When you go to confession, you examine your life, think about your sins and then humbly you admit speak of them to another human being and before God. If you haven’t been to confession for a while, today’s Gospel may be an invitation.

Young Adult Outreach. All young adults, people in their 20s and 30s, are invited to Mass at 6 PM next Sunday, October 30, followed by a Halloween inspired gathering. We are calling it our Post Mass Bash. We will offer dinner and drinks. There is no charge for attending. Donations will be accepted.

Financial Report, 2021-22. With the bulletin today, I enclose a summary financial report for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2022. Please note that we ended the year with a surplus; however, the entire surplus was sent to the Archdiocese to pay part of our parish debt. It will take us a while, but we will pay the debt. I am grateful for the generous support of many people. Our benefactors make it possible for Saint John’s to be a vibrant and prayerful presence in Center City Philadelphia. Please continue to be generous.

It is worth mentioning that Saint John’s could not survive without weddings. About 85 weddings are celebrated at Saint John’s. Although we need weddings for income, it is also an important ministry to young Catholics. This is a great service to the Catholic Church and to the couples who are married here and to their families and friends. Weddings are a lot of work and I am grateful to our staff, friars and volunteers who assure that the people who come to Saint John’s for weddings are received with hospitality and love.

Boot Up Philly. For the past month or so, we have been collecting through our Poor Box for the Boot Up Philly campaign, sponsored by Saint John’s Hospice to purchase warm winter clothing for homeless persons. We have collected $3,086.00. Thank you for your generosity.

Mission Sunday. Today is Mission Sunday. During my time as provincial minister for my Capuchin Province, I had the privilege of visiting the Catholic Church in many places—Papua New Guinea, Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. What I saw made me proud to be a Catholic! I observed the Church alive and the Church in solidarity with the people, especially the poor. We Americans have heard much bad news about the Church, but I have witnessed good news. The Mission Sunday collection is important in that it provides basic support for the Church in mission lands. Please be extra generous.

Yarn for federal prison. Father Ben Regotti, chaplain to the federal prison and resident at Saint John’s, asks that we support the prison’s women’s reentry program. This program encourages women inmates to work on socially useful projects as a way of teaching them skills and enabling them to contribute to society. The women will knit blankets and warm clothing to be donated to homeless shelters and agencies that care for needy women and children. This is an opportunity to help incarcerated women and those who will receive the knitted work of their hands. You are invited to bring yarn to Saint John’s. Perhaps you have yarn at home that has not been used. Donate it to this project! Or perhaps you can buy yarn and donate it to our sisters in need. There will be a box in the back of the upper and lower churches.

Capuchin Vocations. Perhaps God is calling you to religious life. The Capuchin Formation Program for the Province of St. Augustine will hold a retreat on the weekend of November 11-13, 2022 for young men who are entering college or thinking about transferring colleges. Come explore Borromeo Seminary and John Carroll University while spending the weekend in Cleveland, OH. There is no cost to attend and transportation may be provided if you need. Please contact Fr. Rafa at 267-838-3806 or email him here.